The cool air puffing through the window.
The murmur of the TV before him.
The light clicks of his fingers striking the keyboard of his laptop.
For the past week, Hizashi had rightfully taken time off to quarantine himself and the boys from the outside world due to the stomach bug. On the third day of his illness, his fever had broken enough and stayed gone long enough for his sister to take her leave with her husband. He'd been sad to see his younger sibling go but he had been unbelievably thankful for her help. After all, it helped keep him above water while he'd been sick so his sons wouldn't have to fend for themselves. So they wouldn't be on their own.
However, now that he was well, he found himself bookkeeping in his spare time to keep track of his expenses. Doing his best to get his budgeting binder in order for Oboro and Nemuri to look over when they stopped by. They'd sworn that they would help him figure out a fair wage for a few workers. He didn't want to unfairly pay his employees when he got them hence the need to have his binder in order. He was two days clear from his sickness but the world around him ceased to stop just because he had a stomach bug.
Sitting in his living room, rocking his ankles idly beneath the coffee table as he stared at the half written email he had open for his radio station. Chewing idly at his thumb nail, he fought the urge to reach up to his hearing aids to fuss with their placement. The low murmur of his tv was a comfort in the silence of his home that seemed far too overwhelming as he rocked his ankles. The boys, much to their delight, had been invited out by the few mothers who had been introduced to the stomach flu.
Katsuki, Denki, and Eijiro if he remembered right had been eager for a playdate according to their mothers and he had no qualms about keeping his boys pent up any longer. They had long since lost their parlor of the previous day and regained that rosy glow. They'd been all too eager to get out of the house after he'd made sure they were cleaned up and dressed neatly before handing them off. It was then that the women who had clicked their tongues and fussed over him far too much for his liking.
It left him embarrassed to know that while his sons had regained their healthy complexions that he hadn't yet. He looked "far too pale" with Mitsuki and Eijiro's mother promising to come by with a premade dinner for him so he wouldn't strain himself further. He'd tried to fend himself off from the worried women who refused to let him strain himself further. Insisting that he needed to recuperate too from his bout of sickness which, truthfully, he didn't mind doing. Something he didn't mind doing at all.
He simply didn't want these working mothers to take time out of their busy schedule to bring him dinner. He'd been awkward when he finally accepted their insistence which led to them gathering the small group of boys together with shouted goodbyes. He'd sworn his children hadn't run from the home faster than they did to join their small group of friends as they began chatting away excitedly. He was all too happy to let them go out to have fun with their friends now that they had turned the corner of their sickness.
Shifting in his spot on the couch, he drummed his fingers lightly over the keyboard of his laptop. Letting out a low hum as he watched the cursor in the middle of his half-finished sentence blinking. Flashing at him playfully as the light click of his laptop keys rang out with the rhythmic drumming. Trying to squeeze out the last bit of his email as he sighed out quietly to himself. With this time alone, he truly didn't know what to do with himself. He wasn't so healthy he wanted to be bustling about but he wasn't keeling over anymore.
The house had been meticulously cleaned the other day by his sister and her husband leaving. It was because she cleared that it left him with little to do other than fuss with the house. The workers would be back soon to finish the dining room next week now that the flu was no longer running their rounds through the house. What did that leave him to do? Once he got this email sent off, he'd officially have the afternoon to himself. He could always begin marking up his budgeting binder again to make sure it was ready.
That it was ready to go through when Nemuri and Oboro eventually came over. His fingers drummed lightly over the keys before he forced them to move. To wrap up his email as he listened to the sharp click of the keys beneath his fingers. The soft murmur of the TV was a comforting background sound under the clicking keys as he shifted in his spot with a squirm as he fought the urge to bounce his knees. He dragged his teeth over his bottom lip once, twice, before biting lightly at it before finishing off the email.
He then began to scan over and fuss with certain spelling mistakes and odd phrasings. Reading over the email, he hummed before clicking on send then closing the tab out. Stretching his arms out in front of him with a low groan, he then snapped his laptop screen shut. A whole afternoon to himself, huh? What did he want to do with himself? He knew he could get a head start on dinner ideas to make for him and the boys. He could mop the floors again. Fuss with the cleanliness of the house and his bedroom again.
He could do anything his heart desired with this alone time of his as he leaned forward to place his laptop on the coffee table. Or, what he could do was smoke the rest of the joint he had. Sit on the back porch and relax. Maybe even follow it with a cigarette if he was feeling up to it. Anything to give him the calming hand to mouth motions that always relaxed him and fuck if he couldn't go for a hit of weed right now. It'd be better than finishing off under half a bottle of wine in a single afternoon or night.
When was the last time he smoked? At that New Year's party when his sister, Aimi, had pulled him to the side? He wasn't a common smoker but he's had a cigarette or two in the past to calm his nerves. There was something comforting, calming, bringing it up to his lips to take a drag. But this afternoon felt perfect for sitting outside if those lazy puffs of cool air said anything about the temperatures. For early September, the air was cooling faster than he thought it would. Much faster than he'd thought it go.
The leaves holding yellow and light green tints to the end of leaves with the promise of bursting into brilliant foliage of fall. He'd love nothing more than to go outside and sit on the back porch to enjoy the changing weather. He had a sweater on so surely, he wouldn't get too cold, would he? Should he bring a cardigan in case? It wasn't too cold, but the weather was always changing. Always shifting faster than he could follow along with but he couldn't deny it felt nice outside. Like taking a breath and recharging.
And smoking a joint on the back porch while he enjoyed that weather? Well, he could happily lose himself in a small smoke session rather than guzzling the rest of his wine down. And once he was finished with his smoke session then he'd get to work on marking up his binder properly with its plastic pages. He wanted to wave off Mitsuki's offer of bringing over dinner, but he couldn't deny it would make it easier on him. And if he wanted to hide the smell of smoke, he'd have to shower and brush his teeth.
To clean up to keep his sons from inhaling second hand smoke which worked in his favor. He'd been dying for another shower or bath lately. Clicking his piercing against the back of his teeth with knees swaying as he rocked himself with that brief hesitation as he went over the plan he had in mind. A simple one that really, truly, didn't need overthinking. Clicking his piercing against the back of his teeth again, he pushed himself up off the couch onto his feet with his arms stretching up over his head.
A low groan when the cool air tickled the sliver of stomach that revealed itself. Popping up onto his toes as he stretched his arms out with another groan flying out of him. Shuddering at the cluster of pops along his upper and lower back. Dropping down on his feet again, he twisted from side to side which earned him a few cracks from his knees before he sighed out. Alright, simple enough! Go to his room, get the cigarette pack from his top drawer, and make his way through the plastic covered dining room to the back door.
Easy, simple, uncomplicated. He shuffled between the space of the coffee table and couch in careful side steps before walking forward. He found himself flying over the living room threshold to rush into the kitchen. While he never smoked inside, there was nothing stopping him from smoking outside. And God knows he could use a hit right about now to relax the tension he could feel stiffening his shoulders ever so slightly. It had him putting a pep to his step as he listened to the slap of his bare feet on the tiled floor of the hallway.
Of the kitchen as he flew through it to turn on his feet and rush down that small hallway with brisk strides. His hair fluttered over his shoulders when he reached up to swipe at a few locks brushing against his cheek. Entering his bedroom, he made his way over to the dresser where he picked up his cable box for the small silver key beneath it. Grabbing it then placing the cable box back down, he slipped the key into the lock with a metallic click. Tugging his drawer open, his hand darted into the drawer.
Over towards the cigarette box he kept in the drawer along with his toys. Snapping the drawer shut, he hesitated before leaving the key in the drawer; it wouldn't take him long to come back and lock it. Plus, it's not like Hitoshi or Izuku would run into his room and rip the drawer open, would they? He'd taught Hitoshi that it was impolite to go in another's dresser drawers without permission. Just like his mothers had taught him that lurking was the "perverts sport" which he was also passing along to his sons.
Izuku, ever curious, seemed to grasp the seriousness of staying out of his drawers when he'd caught the boy touching the lock of the dresser then asking about it. Making his way across his bedroom he opened the box then pulled out a half smoked joint with the lighter tucked into the side snugly. He flew out into that small hallway again which he quickly cleared as he made his way through the kitchen where he paused briefly. He then turned to it then grabbed the handle to tug the fridge door open.
He reached in for a bottle of water before snapping the fridge door shut. Resuming his path across the kitchen with Cappella meowing up at him as he made his way past her. Pushing past the tarp covering his small dining room doorway. Slipping inside quickly to get to the back door, the crinkle of the plastic lining the floor under his bare feet was deafening. Approaching the back door, he unlocked then tugged it open as he stepped out onto his back porch. The light brush of his feet on the wood was deafening.
A breeze shook the trees causing limbs to sway with a rustle as his hair fluttered over his shoulders. Around his face with that light breeze. Stepping out onto the back porch, he shut the door behind him gently with a click. He padded across the wooden flooring of his porch to the swing he had on it. Sitting down on it carefully, he pushed off the floor to rock himself lightly when he placed his water down on the small table next to him. He hummed quietly to himself while he pulled his lighter out.
Closing the box of cigarettes, he placed it on the cushion next to him when he pressed his thumb to the wheel. Flicking once, twice, before that flame jumped to life which he touched to the end of his joint. Inhaling slowly as the end glowed a brilliant red, he placed the lighter down on top of the box on the seat next to him. Letting out a stream of smoke, he let himself slump back in the swing as he swayed back and forth, back and forth idly. Blinking before letting his eyes shut as his lashes rested on his cheeks.
It was nice out. Nothing too hot, nothing too cold. It was unbelievably nice for early September. Humming softly to himself as he lifted his hand up again to his mouth to take another drag. Taking another hit of the thick, cloying smoke down into his chest that expanded slowly with his even drag. Pulling his hand away from his mouth, he pinched his lips tightly together to hold the smoke down in his tight chest. Hold it, hold it, hold it. He felt that scratching itch at the back of his throat as that smoke began to claw up.
He let the smoke rush out of him through his nose. It burned on the way out, but it had him pushing that smoke out before opening his mouth with a hacking cough leaving him. Coughing into his arm to muffle the sound, he coughed viciously into it with coughs that wracked his body. Tears popping in the corner of his eyes as he felt his face flushing. He was coughing and hacking into his arms before he reached for his water to twist the cap off when he then took a small sip to soothe the burning in his throat.
It was an instant relief that had him taking another sip before placing the cap back on before planting it over on the table next to him. He then flicked the excess ash on the end of his joint off in the ash tray next to him. Bringing it back to his mouth to take another slow, even drag. Sucking it down into his itching, burning lungs when he pulled his mouth away to hold the smoke down in his lungs briefly. He had a good lung capacity, but the smoke came ripping right back up as his mouth dropped open.
A plume of smoke leaving him in a gray cloud that had him hacking into his arms with another wave of coughs taking him over. He felt tears forming at the corners of his eyes once again with the intensity of his coughing when he braced himself forward slightly. Curling in on himself as he bounced with his coughs with that uncomfortable heat gathering in his cheeks as tears dripped down his cheeks. Once he was gasping in, he uncurled himself to stub out his joint with coughs wracking his chest.
A weak plume leaving him as he got the joint put out carefully. Grabbing his water, he lifted it up and began taking small, frantic sips to help his burning throat. He sipped at it before pausing to clear his throat listening to the rasping, watery edge to it before taking another sip of his water before blowing out a breath. Clearing his throat again before coughing when he reached up to rub at small tears dripping down his hot cheeks. Rubbing at his wet lashes before setting his water back down next to him.
He then picked up the remaining bit of his joint to slip into the cigarette box then pulling out a full cigarette with a sigh. Why not? It was going to kill him any faster than if he drank himself to death. He grabbed at his lighter, sliding his thumb against the wheel firmly with a cheerful little flame popping up. Touching it to the end of his cigarette. He inhaled as the end glowed red. Placing his lighter back down, he took a drag of his cigarette with its sharp smoke breaking up the thickness lingering in his chest.
Blowing out a stream of smoke, he curled a leg up from the wooden floor boards to curl closer to his body while the others remained out stretched. The ball of his foot braced to the porch to swing himself lazily with the wind playfully tugged at his hair with a rustle of leaves ringing out. It was peaceful. A tranquility he hadn't experienced since he took on Hitoshi as a toddler. Taking another drag off of his cigarette with that sharp smoke clearing out his chest as it filled his lungs. Burning on its way down then out of him.
He blew it out with a sigh as he let his head fall back with a hum to himself. He could stay here all afternoon long. He'd have to jump in the shower before four-thirty when the boys would be coming home but until then he had three hours to himself. Three whole hours to do what he wanted, when he wanted and how he wanted. It was strange but unbelievably nice to have this time to himself. Freeing. Like he could take this moment to simply be him. To relax and enjoy the tranquility of his home even if it made it feel bigger.
Emptier without Hitoshi and Izuku shrieking with delight upstairs before running down to involve him in whatever game they played. Rocking himself back and forth with smooth rolls from the ball of his foot to his heel, he found himself melting as he took another drag off of his cigarette. There was a chitter of bird call from the trees around him, the rustle of the leaves and bushes from the light playful breeze. He hummed to himself as he listened to the world around him. The cars speeding down the road at the front of the house.
The few shrieks of laughter from neighborhood children playing somewhere close by. The light windchimes that one neighbor had up still. It was nice. Like he had found his pause button that allowed him to relish in the smaller things about a moment. A second in time. He liked having this freedom to do as he pleased. He could do anything with his time whether that was picking up his hobby of knitting or going into his bedroom to masturbate. If he wanted to clean the house from top to bottom until he was exhausted.
To soak in a hot, sweet smelling bath. It didn't matter what he wanted to do because he could do anything. Anything he wanted. It was giddy thinking that as he opened his eyes to stare up at the roof of his back porch. He rocked himself with his hair fluttering around his face. Stretching his arm out to flick his cigarette off in the ash tray before bringing it up to take another drag of that sharp smoke. Humming softly as he rocked back and forth, back and forth, it had his lashes feeling strangely heavy.
He let out a silver stream of smoke before letting his hand dangle over the arm of the swing. It was nice. It was lonely. He swallowed when he brought his cigarette up to take another drag before flicking it into the ash tray. It was far too quiet without two rambunctious six-year-olds running around shrieking at one another whatever amazing game they came up with. Without their loudness filling the corners of his home leaving it feeling full. He had let Hitoshi and Izuku sleep in his bed the previous day.
Just one more night he'd let them sleep with him; for their sake and his. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed when he was sick in the bathroom, but his sons seemed chalk full of stories for him. He'd been more than happy to wake that following morning to Hitoshi curled against his back and Izuku nuzzled into his chest. Thinking of Izuku, he cursed under his breath when he lifted his head up. He was supposed to call his social worker who had left him a message with the promise of "good news" in regards to Izuku's case.
Whatever that meant, he was hoping it would mean what he thought it meant but until he called it would remain ambiguous. Sighing out, he found himself focusing on the soft blue of the sky. He'd always loved the change of the sky with the season changes. The gray white of winter, the light blue of spring, the brilliant deep blue of summer and the softer hue of fall. The same sky yet with different hues to them that he was sure was an odd thing to notice. To be so focused on the sky but he'd lived all his life watching it.
Admiring the shades of blue of the sky change with all the same fascination he held for the moon. It had him smiling softly to himself when he got a ping from his phone. Flicking the ash off the end of the cigarette into the ash tray, he stuck it between his lips before shifting to raise his hips up as he put his rocking to a stop. Pulling his phone out of his back pocket, he reached up with his left hand bringing the cigarette to his lips. And he took a longer drag off of the end before blowing out a cloud of gray.
Turning his screen on, he found a text waiting for him from Nemuri. From his sisters, Hana and Aimi asking if he was alright and one from his younger brother calling him a "drama queen" in that playful tone of his. It had him grinning to himself at the texts waiting for their answers when he went to put his phone down. And then it pinged again to which he flipped it up to stare at the screen only to have his brows squeezed together. His head tipping slightly at the unfamiliar string of numbers on his screen.
With it was a single text of "hey" which had him blinking. He didn't recognize the number one bit nor was there a possibility of it being a familial tie. A friend he forgot about. He had everyone in his phone saved so it wasn't common for him to get an unknown text. Who could it be? There was only one person that he gave his number out too in recent times and that had been Shouta so was this him? Or was it going to be a miscommunication? Was this going to be like those stories he'd read online about wrong numbers?
But what if it was Shouta? After all, he was the only new person he'd given his number out too so he might as well figure it out, shouldn't he? Tapping on the notification for the unknown number, he placed his cigarette down in the ash tray carefully only to have his thumbs dance over the keyboard. Uncertain. He took a breath then coughed lightly before he tapped on the screen. It wasn't a big deal; either it was Shouta, or it wasn't. Either way, if it was a wrong number situation he could solve the situation rather quickly.
Easy peasy.
Hizashi: Hello! I don't have this number saved in my phone but could you possibly tell me who this is? Just so I know who I'm speaking with?
Unknown: is it 2 save me in ur phne?
Hizashi: Well, not if you don't want me to! I just need to know who this is and if it's possibly the wrong number is all
Unknown: and if i wre 2 say no?
Unknown: isnt mystery the spice of life?
Hizashi: Maybe to others but no so much to me. So why don't you tell me who this is before I go wondering if I have some kind of secret admirer or stalker 😅
Unknown: i wudnt say stlker or scrt admirer
Unknown: but if u RLLY wanna sve me in ur phone thn its shouta
Unknown: frm lst week?
Hizashi: Oh! I had a feeling it was either you or a wrong number situation! How are you doing? 😄
Shouta: im doin ok mostly keeping my head abve wter u know?
Hizashi: I completely get that! I know I just had to deal with a round of the stomach flu for both myself and my boys
Shouta: is it as rough as it sounds?
Hizashi: Worse. Much, much rougher than it sounds but we worked through it!
Hizashi: But can I ask why you suddenly felt the urge to text me? Is something going on? 😟
Shouta: um
Shouta: nothin rlly is goin on i just kinda figred y not?
Shouta: i mean ik u offered for me 2 text or call if i evr needed hlp but i
Shouta: i mean did i misnderstnd? shld i not text u whnever? 😟
Hizashi: No! You're so good! I'm totally fine if you wanna text back and forth! I just thought something might've happened for you to text, you know?
Shouta: i cn see y ud think that 😅
Shouta: so ur rlly fine wit us talking then? like casually?
Hizashi: Yeah! Honestly, I was thinking of reaching out the other day on Facebook, but your account is set to private, and I didn't think to send a friend request because I didn't wanna bother you 😅
Shouta: oh yeah i forgt its set to prvt but u can stll send me a frnd reqst if u rlly want too
Shouta: but in my opinion its easier this way u know? bc im not very active on FB
Hizashi: Well, that's fine then! We can just text if its easier and faster! I'm not all that active on FB either save for the occasional picture of the boys now and again!
Shouta: i do th same tbh
Shouta: so wht r u up 2? on some grand adventre with ur kids?
Hizashi: Actually no! They're on a playdate right now and I'm home alone! Just smoking on my back porch and enjoying some me time 😎 What about you?
Shouta: oh im just gradin some stff 4 work
Hizashi: Oh, are you a teacher? That's awesome! I wanted to go for teaching but I went for a substitute roll, you know? But I think of going back and being a proper teacher from time to time
Shouta: id say if thts wht u want then u shud go 4 it but i wudnt say i LOVE my job or anythin but it puts food on th table
Hizashi: And that's totally respectable! Honestly, my main courses in college was a business major hence how I'm running my own shop! It's a lot harder than you'd think building that revenue but it keeps us afloat. I also do a radio show too!
Shouta: oh ur just wonder Dad, huh? a shop & a radio show? u make pple like me look lazy or sumthin 😂
Hizashi: Oh, is that a hint of sarcasm I'm catching? Tsk, tsk, Shouta, no need to think of yourself as lazy! Besides, I'm sure teaching is a very respectable job! Just as good as opening and running a store!
Shouta: ehh, mybe. but tht rlly is respectable tht u run ur own shop th way u do
Shouta: whts the radio show u run? just curious if its like a day run 1 or a late night 1
Hizashi: Oh, curious, are we? Well, it's a late night show I run on Fridays from eleven to about three to four in the morning called Put Your Hands Up radio! It's a nice side gig that brings in decent money too!
Shouta: there is no WAY u have 2 jobs alng with the certficiate to be a sub
Shouta: r u hyper active or wht?
Hizashi: I have been accused of that before but I do have ADHD so you're not far off 😂
Hizashi: I'll be honest, the substitute certificate of mine was mostly when I was iffy on going for the courses to bcome an English Teacher
Shouta: its still respectable tht u wanted 2 do sumthin like tht
Shouta: its crzy but its also smrt 2 have sumthin 2 fll back on, u know?
Hizashi: Oh, definitely! Having a fall back is a LIFESAVER knowing I'll be fine for a while if something happens to the shop
Hizashi: Oh! How is your little one doing? Eri, was it? How's her teething going?
Shouta: shes been cryin on and off, restless, but i keep plnty of chew toys on hand 4 her
Shouta: im sure shes drvin her baby sitter up the wall during the day whn im work 😅
Hizashi: I know you didn't ask for it, but I read that teething can be rough but soon enough all her teeth will be in! Just gotta make it through that hurtle, you know? I got Toshi when he was just leaving his teething stages and entering his two's
Shouta: i cant imagine being a father of 2 AND balnce all ur othr work
Shouta: r u sure ur even human?
Hizashi: I am! It's hard but I adopted Toshi when I was twenty-three! It was only last year I decided to take on another kid and honestly, I think I'm doing okay as a twenty-six year old with two kids 😆
Shouta: its aweing. idk how u do it but i can def tip my metaphorical ha handlin it the way u do 😌
Shouta: Eri is barely one & i cnt imagine havin another kid
Hizashi: Honestly, I felt the same way about Toshi. I didn't know if I could handle another but then I got Izuku and while it's challenging, I'm finally accepting help with them!
Hizashi: It's all about balance especially when I really, really, REALLY wasn't balancing things out before 😅
Shouta: yea i cud kinda see tht the 1st 2 times i met u in ur shop but i didnt wnna say anythin 😅
Shouta: so tell me, super dad, if ur kids r out and ur chillin on the back porch how ever will u get wrk done?
Hizashi: Hey! Don't go teasing me now! Or flattering me, you jerk 😛 But if you MUST know, work isn't on the agenda today!
Shouta: oh yea u said u were smokin weren't u? dont tell me dad of the year is smokin WEED of all things
Hizashi: Hey! What did I just say about teasing? 😜
Shouta: oh rlx can u honestly say u dont find it a bit fun to be teased a bit? 😉
The sound of his own giggle popped a bubble he hadn't known he'd been wrapped up in as he adjusted his hold on the phone slightly. He dragged his teeth over his bottom lip before reaching over for his cigarette to flick the building ash off before bringing it up to his mouth to take a drag. He had not a clue how this man, so stoic and awkward in person could seem so flirty over text message. It had his cheeks warming slightly in what he knew to be a pink blotchy blush if he looked in the window behind him.
There was something fun about their back and forth that he found absolutely endearing. And already he could say that this was a bit of fun. A turn to his afternoon. If anything it was a bit snarky with that back and forth as he let out a plume of smoke when he stubbed his cigarette out on the tray. Rocking himself on the swing, it was oddly bringing him something to do to talk to this man. He couldn't deny that he'd sat at his laptop with his fingers resting on the left mouse button as he looked at his Facebook page.
His cursor hovered over the friend request button. Hesitating. He'd wanted to send that request to merely be on talking terms with the man but this was so much better. He really hadn't thought that Shouta would text him. That he would ever reach out to him given how rushed the black-haired man always seemed. How he seemed awkward in the few social interactions they'd had the past few times they'd met in his shop. He knew it was possibly due to him worrying about Eri crying or throwing a fit that left him tight lipped.
Ready to launch himself out of his shop. He couldn't imagine the struggles of having a one year old when he'd just barely made it when Hitoshi had been two. He'd been struggling with the toddler but if Shouta said she was barely one then Eri was still a baby. A baby that needed much more work than a toddler. He felt a stab of pity for Shouta who had to be dealing with God knows what with a teething baby. Shifting in the swing caused it to wobble beneath him briefly with a squeak of the chains holding it up.
He watched three small dots bounce along the bottom of their chat before disappearing. Reappearing then disappearing. He wanted to wait. To see what Shouta would say first to avoid that awkward song and dance of sending a response to his last text at the same time a new one came in. He shivered at a breeze coming to nip at his cheeks and nose as it tugged playfully at his hair. Promising for a much cooler night tonight than average. He curled his leg slightly towards his chest while the others remained outstretched.
It was nice talking to the black-haired man. Even if it wasn't over the phone's speaker, it was still nice to hear from the man. He couldn't help but worry over the black-haired man and his daughter. Just as he worried over Katsuki, Eijiro or Denki along with their mothers who seemed so exhausted some days. He wondered if Shouta would be joining the group on outings now that he was a part of the group on Facebook. If he'd be able to see him more often because of it or if the black-haired man was shy.
He looked down when his phone pinged with his heart skipping only to find a text from the group chat waiting for him. The three little dots appeared on the bottom of his chat with Shouta, but he could come back to it. He closed out of Shouta's briefly to tap on the group chat only to smile at the image that popped up on his screen. Izuku was standing on the block structure that sat in the middle of sanded area of the playset while Hitoshi clung onto the pools behind him. Katsuki and Eijiro blurs as they ran over the bridge.
The other blonde boy, Denki Kaminari if he remembered right, stood behind Hitoshi with an awed expression pinching at his little face. Holding onto the pole while Hitoshi beamed at the camera much like his brother. Showing off the gaps in their teeth with sparkles to green and purple eyes that warmed his heart. He happily reacted to the picture before saving it when another one came rolling in. This time with Katsuki, Eijiro and Izuku in what looked like the path way that created a winding path from one end of the park to the other.
Chalk in hand as they drew a picture on the walkway as green eyes sparkled at the camera. Then a third picture was coming in with Hitoshi and Denki on the teeter totter. All looking as if they were having the times of their lives at the park as that golden sunlight gave the pictures a dreamy quality. All pictures he had intents and purposes to ask the other mothers if he could print out to put in Hitoshi and Izuku's scrap books. He wanted to give his sons something to look back on in their childhood.
God knows he wished he had gotten Izuku much younger to make his book longer. But he could always get some pictures from the social worker who claimed there was a scrap book with a few pictures. He smiled down at his phone when another breeze rushed over him with a rustle of the leaves as his hair fluttered against his cheek and neck prompting him to reach up to tuck his hair behind his ear. Texting the group with a check in on how they were doing only to get assurances the boys were having a blast.
That they were still on time to come at four with left overs; a text that screamed with that determined insistence of Mitsuki's. A tone that stated there was no room for him to object or whine and he was going to get food made for him one way or another. It felt like a losing battle to deny the food now anyhow when he had been told they'd be coming by with it regardless of what he'd said earlier. If it meant he didn't have to cook without ordering out, then he could see this as a win. An awkward win but a win nonetheless.
After receiving a fourth picture of the boys sitting out on a picnic blanket with apple slices, he found himself smiling widely at his phone. How sweet the pictures were. He adored each one he had been sent as he saved them and reacted in chat to them. If need be, he was sure he could get multiple copies to share with Eijiro and Denki's mothers along with Mitsuki if he asked to print them out. Shifting in the swing had it groaning lightly with the metal bolts above squeaking quietly as he continued that smooth rocking.
Letting his foot skim lightly over the porch before giving himself another little boost. Swaying himself as he shifted slightly in his spot with the wind tugging at his hair once again causing it to tickle his cheek which he brushed away. And then his phone was pining with a notification from Shouta to which he typed out a quick response to his group chat before closing it out. Taking a breath, he watched the little dots again appear next to Shouta's name when he tapped on his contact to open the chat up again.
Shouta: ofc if u dont like teasing i can stop tht
Shouta: i dont wanna make u uncomfortable or anything
Hizashi: Not uncomfortable! You don't have to apologize for having a little fun!
Hizashi: So tell me, what's it like being a teacher? Like a full time PROPER teacher?
Shouta: only if u tell me wht its lik father of 2 whle running a business on ur own
Hizashi: So, I adopted Hitoshi when I was twenty three. Pretty young, I know, but there was no parents and I decided he was it you know? Like, he was my little guy before I signed the papers. I had my mothers watch him while I went to school during the day to get my business licenses with Oboro and Nem.
Shouta: what abt ur other son? how did u even GET the building & manage the shop?
Hizashi: Well, it's easy! Once you start making more money to make big orders for books it's about staying up to date. Knowing what books are in and out! And with Izuku, I just got him last year because I felt that I was ready for another kid which, in hindsight, twenty-five year old Hizashi should NOT have done
Hizashi: But even with the stress of doing my own business and balancing two sons, I think I can do it. Especially now that I have help! But they're my little guys and someday, if they want it, they can have my bookshop! Everything in my life right now is about balancing everything, you know? 😌
Shouta: ya i get tht. im currently tryin to find my balance w Eri
Shouta: i just dont see myself adopting anther kid, u know? i love her but i cant see myself with anther
Hizashi: And that's totally okay! At least you know what you can and can't handle! That speaks more volumes about you as a father than it does about most families who pump kids out! You know you're a one and done at the moment!
Shouta: who knows tho, i might just chnge in the future but rn? not happening
Shouta: i dont even have a sense of balance bc Eri is so NEEDY & i dont want her to be upset or anything
Hizashi: That's honestly so relatable because I was trying so hard to take care of the kids while they were sick only to wind up sick myself and I felt so bad they might be upset until my sister came and helped me out
Shouta: u have a sister?
Hizashi: Yes! I have two younger sisters and a younger brother! Two moms as well so I had a pretty big family haha! What about you?
Shouta: i have 1 younger sister so im frm a small-ish fam
Hizashi: You must've had a lot of quiet time haha! But I hope that your little bug feels better soon! I can only imagine what teething has to feel for the poor girl
Shouta: i hope she feels better soon 2. the cold teething rings seem 2 b workin atm but idk how long they'll work, u know?
Hizashi: Did you go to the doctors for her yet? I know they can prescribe something for her to help ease the teething pain
Shouta: hizashi, u r a GENIUS
Shouta: I i cant BLIEVE i didnt think of tht! ik who i'll b calling in the morning
Hizashi: Well, I'm glad to be of help! 😊 But I would also consult those parenting books you got the last time you were at my shop! I'll be reopening next Monday now that I'm finally kicking this bug in the ass
Shouta: r u rlly sure u shud b heading back 2 work?
Shouta: i just ask bc ik how ROUGH the stomach flu can b
Hizashi: I'll be fine! Actually, now that I think about it, I want to ask you something! And please, feel free to tell me if its too far or too weird for me to ask it, okay?
Shouta: shoot
Hizashi: I had my dining room redone and it's going to be finished up tomorrow! I was going to plan a dinner party type thing for Wednesday with Tensei, Nemuri, and Oboro along with another recent addition, Emi! Would you be interested in coming to something like that?
Shouta is typing...
Did he fuck up? He chewed at his thumb nail fiercely with that anxiety pricking its ugly head through the haze of his height. Dropping his leg down, he found himself standing up as he palmed his back of cigarettes and lighter. It wasn't anywhere near the time for his sons to come home but he wanted to jump in the shower. He could smell the weed and tobacco clinging onto him. But did he fuck this up? He was enjoying their playful back and forth but was inviting a literal stranger to his home for a dinner party the smartest?
He didn't know Shouta. He would perhaps notice him in the streets but that was the extent of their connection to one another. Was inviting him too far? He could always tell Oboro he has a plus one to invite Shouta, if need be, but he didn't want it to be weird. He didn't want the black-haired man to feel obligated to answer him or say yes. He slid his cigarettes and lighter into his pocket as he listened to the light brush of his feet over the wooden floorboards. Creaking lightly as he padded over to his back door.
He reached out to turn the knob as he opened the door just enough for him to slip in. Shutting and locking it behind him, he began to make his way across the plastic covered floor to the doorway where the plastic acted as a curtain. Dipping through it into the kitchen once more, he found himself looking down at his phone. No response yet. He felt antsy, as if he had somehow ruined the good mood between them. What did he expect Shouta to say? Of course he'd come? He was effectively a stranger to Shouta.
Shouta was a stranger to him. They weren't even acquaintances yet with one another yet he'd blabbed about a few personal details about himself. Even if Shouta asked about it, he could have refused to answer but he'd gone and opened his mouth. He'd gone and invited the black-haired man to his home when he hardly knew him. The only link they shared was Oboro and possibly Nemuri. Both of whom were both apparently mutual friends though the dark-haired woman had yet to confirm it to him yet.
He knew it was an odd pressure filled question to drop on someone he'd been chatting to for a single afternoon. Had seen two times in total in his shop of all places. He made his way through his kitchen with brisk, fast strides to the small hallway that would lead to his bedroom. As if he could out walk the thoughts buzzing around and around in his head. He bit his lip as he made his way down the dim hallway before bursting into his bedroom as he squeezed at his phone. The plastic case protesting that tight squeeze.
Walking over to the dresser, he opened the top drawer to return his cigarettes and lighter to their rightful place before snapping it shut. Locking it with the key then slipping it beneath the cable box once more. He then left his phone on the dresser as he reached down to grab the hem of his tank top. Flipping it up with a shudder at the cool air attacking his skin, he yanked it up while being mindful of his ears. God knows the pain of ripping one out wouldn't be worth it which left him tugging it up cautiously.
He felt hair slipping through the neckline of his tank top when he tossed it to the floor with a huff as he reached up to push his hearing aids back into place. Fixing the placement of his glasses before reaching down to curl his fingers over the waistband of his pants before shoving them down to step out of them. Scooping his clothes up, he made his way over to the hamper he kept in the corner of his room. A basket that he constantly switched between his bathroom and bedroom judging on convenience.
He dragged his teeth over his bottom lip when he shook his hands out before picking his basket back up. He was panicking over a simple question. A question that, perhaps, he should have forsaken and just offered Oboro the plus one to invite Shouta. Rushing across his room again with the basket in hand with long strides down his hallway to make his way into the kitchen before flying towards the utility room with a huff as he entered the small room with the basket weighing heavily in his hands as he shuffled in.
Heaving his basket up to toss his clothing into the washer, poured in the detergent and soap, then snapped the top shut. Fussing with the dials, he then rested his hands on the machine as he listened to the water filling the basin of it. Why was he panicking? After all, weren't dinner parties how friends were made? It's not like he had feelings for him, but he had seen his fair share of reserved men and Shouta ticked the boxes. He didn't want to spook the man off before they could even become friends.
He didn't want to somehow step over this man's boundary but was it the end of the world? He chewed on his lip before pushing off the washing machine to turn on his feet. It'd be fine! He knew it would be. But men like Shouta, from what he got from their meeting two times now, that the black-haired man was reserved. He knew how to approach men like that, and he didn't want to ruin a potential friendship if he could get one from the black-haired man. He just had to be open and approachable like he always was.
All he had to do was just be himself and it was sure to work out, wasn't it? If he had too, he'd dial it down some to keep Shouta from being spooked over his loud personality. He didn't want to scare him away, but he also didn't want to somehow deceive he black-haired man into thinking he was anything but loud. He chewed on his lip again before he shook his head as if he could shake out those thoughts as he took quick steps out of the utility room. Taking fast, long strides that had him flying through the kitchen once again.
His hair fluttering against his cheeks and throat then over his shoulders. Swaying lightly against his back as he listened to the thuds of his feet hitting the floor of his home. Thudding over the carpeted floor of his small hallway before flying into his bedroom again where he rushed over to his phone. Lifting it up to turn the screen on only to find nothing yet. Alright, alright, that was fine. Placing his phone back down, he walked across his room towards the bathroom as he made his way around his bed to it.
A pep to his step as he made his way around his big bed to the bathroom where he flew into the small room. Flicking the lights on, he damn nearly skipped to his shower to stick his hand into the curtain where he then turned the nozzle. Allowing the water to burst out of the shower head to pelt the walls in a deafening drum. He'd have to brush his teeth too. He shuffled towards the sink to turn the water one where he then picked up his toothbrush and paste up. Running the bristles under the water with a bounce on his toes.
Squeezing the toothpaste onto them, dunking them under the water again. The sight of himself in the mirror had him pausing briefly. Wide. His eyes looked wide with that worry, that excitement, with spots of pink blooming over his freckled cheeks. The red frames of his glasses slipped down his nose slightly as hair spilled over his shoulders. What was he so worried about? Shouta could say yes or no, and he'd take his answer for what it was. All that mattered was he asked and Shouta gave him an answer.
He stuck the toothbrush in his mouth then to begin brushing his teeth with a low hum as he braced a hand on the counter. Huffing through his nose at how ridiculous he was acting; all worked up over asking a simple question. All over a man he barely knew. Was it just the manners his mothers had instilled in him over the years? The knowledge that not everyone's boundaries were like his own? That men like Shouta often shied away from him? He scrubbed at his teeth and tongue with another breath leaving him.
A huff through his nose as the minty taste of his toothpaste overwhelmed his tongue. Ridding him of that ween and tobacco taste as he brushed at his teeth and tongue. Suds formed in the corners of his mouth when he bent down to spit into the running sink as he leaned in to slurp a mouthful of water into his mouth. Swishing it around quickly as he ran the bristles under the water, he tapped his brush against the side of the sink. Returning it to its holder with his toothpaste right next to it, he spit out his mouthful.
He then padded across the tiled floor to his shower to stick his hand under the curtain to feel out the water which was indeed warming up to that perfect temperature. He needed clothes; something to change into. He spun on his feet once again to make his way across the small room into his bedroom when he caught it. The ping with its accompanying vibration had him rushing over to the dresser. Rather than grab at his phone, he forced his hands to instead drop down, and tug open the drawer quickly.
Reaching in where they grabbed the first set of sweatpants and a tank top that they touched which he threw onto the bed without a second glance. He then hesitated before scooping his phone up as he unlocked the screen. It was going to be a yes or no. He knew that going into this. If he didn't come it wouldn't be the end of the world. If he didn't want to come, then he would be just fine with that. Letting out a breath to shake of the silly anxiety pricking its head again, he tapped on Shouta's name to open up the texts again.
Shouta: a dinner party, huh? will thre b alcohol at this?
Hizashi: There'll be wine, yes! Or some fancy scotch and whisky that I got from Nem for Christmas last year that can be served as well!
Shouta: whn will this b again?
Hizashi: Wednesday! The boys are going to have a sleep over at my sisters house so it's the one night of my work week that I have free! You can come with Nem and Oboro if you want?
Shouta: how do u know tht i know them?
Hizashi: Oboro told me that he knew you back in our high school days! If it makes it less nerve wracking, you can come with them? No pressure though! It's totally up to you!
Shouta: ... . .
Shouta: let me move some things around & i'll txt u back bout it, is tht ok?
Hizashi: Of course it's alright! Just let me know if you can or can't, either way it's fine! But I'm about to hop in the shower so I'll, um, talk to you when I get out? If you still wanna talk?
Shouta: go take ur shower, hizashi, i'll still be here whn u get out
Hizashi: Alright! I'll be back soon then! Talk to you soon, Shouta! 😄
Shouta: talk 2 u soon, hizashi 😁