"Alright! Do you guys have your toothbrushes? Your toothpaste and floss? Do you have your stuffies?" Standing in the doorway of his sons shared bedroom, Hizashi couldn't help but smile when hands lifted to show off a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss in their small hands. There was a sparkle to purple and green eyes when they were tossed back into the little suitcase then picked up their stuffed animals. A cat for Hitoshi and a dragon for Izuku. "Good! Now, why don't we get you guys zipped up and let's head downstairs to get shoes on, yeah?"

"Yeah! Dad, did you know that Uncle Haru got a new playground in his backyard? He was telling us all about it! I can't wait to go! We haven't seen Uncle Haru or Auntie Mai in a looooong time!" He smiled as he pushed off the doorframe to walk in as he pushed down on the top of Hitoshi's suitcase as the boy grabbed at the zipper. Tugging it around his small suitcase when the boy dragged it off his bed before turning to Izuku. "You're gonna love it there, Zu! It's always so much fun going to Uncle Haru's!"

"It's okay to be nervous as well, Izu." Shuffling over the small distance between the beds, he reached out to gently pinch at a pink cheek when wide green eyes looked up at him from under fluttering lashes. Green curls brushing against those pink cheeks when he smiled softly down at the green-haired boy before squatting down. "I know you haven't spent much time with your uncle, but I promise I'm a phone call away! If you need to come back home then I'll come to get you, okay? But I think you're going to have fun!"

The green haired boy blinked at him with small hands twisting into the hem of his sweater while Hitoshi grunted behind him to no doubt grab at another plushie. He knew that Izuku was nervous; any child would be when meeting a family member for the first time. It was a miracle he'd opened up to Hana the way he had given the few times his sister came by. Izuku squirmed then with a tug at the end of his sweater when his lips parted with brows squeezing together. "Promise? Promise, Dad?"

"I promise. If I so much as get a call from Haru about you wanting to come home, then I'll go get you." Sliding his thumb against that pink, freckled cheek gently the light thud of feet over the carpet rang out when Hitoshi appeared to the left of him. Another of his treasured cat plushies in hand flopped limply in his arms. He knew exactly who it was going to; it was the plushie Hitoshi had the day he got his things from the agency. "The same goes for you, Toshi! My party can always end early so if either of you need me-"

"Uncle can call! But Zu, I want you to have this! It'll be okay! I always take this one too because it's comforting! You can have it tonight, okay? You gotta took suuuuper good care of it though!" The limp cat was held out to the green-haired boy who blinked with wide eyes before reaching out to take it from his brother. Holding it to his chest tightly before turning to place it in his bag. "But you're gonna have lots of fun! Uncle Haru orders out when I visit so he'll do it for you! He always does super fun stuff!"

"Is that so? I'll have to hear all about it when you guys come home! Remember, Izu, it's for tonight only and you'll be home bright and early tomorrow morning, I promise." He then stepped to the side to push shut the green-haired child's suitcase to which small hands grabbed at the zipper to tug it shut. He lifted his hands from it then reached out to comb his fingers through green curls gently. Scratching at his head as big eyes stared up at him with a sparkle of hope. "It'll be okay, Izu, I promise. My brother will take good care of you."

"He will! I think you're gonna like Auntie Mai! She has green hair like you!" He smiled as he slid his right hand over fluffy indigo locks when he pulled his hand from Izuku's hair to place his suitcase onto the floor with a light thud. Pulling the small handle out, Hitoshi took Izuku's hand where fingers weaved together. A sparkle to his gaze that had him smiling at his son as he stepped over to Hitoshi's bag to tug the small handle out. "We're gonna have lots of fun, I promise! They have bunk beds we can sleep on!"

"Bunk beds? I've never slept on a bunk bed before!" Oh, now that seemed to get Izuku who gained a sparkle of his own in his eyes when he picked up Hitoshi and Izuku's bags. Gesturing with his head for them to follow, he smiled at the light thuds of small feet rushing after him. He knew that a bunk bed would have been smart from the get-go, but he had thought they'd want their own space. Their own side of the room until they were old enough to have their own rooms. "I've never seen one before!"

"Well, they're super cool! Dad slept on one when we went to the beach, and they got a cabin thing! He and Uncle Haru slept on bunk beds in their room!" He smiled as they entered the hallway, heading to the stairs, he held the bags up higher as he began making his way down the steps. Glancing over his shoulder to watch small hands reaching out to the railing. "You're gonna like bunk beds, Zu! I get the top one a lot so you can have it this time! I'll take the bottom one, but it'll be my turn next time, okay?"

"Okay!" The smell of his roast in the slow cooker filled the lower half of the home as he made his way down the stairs before stopping before the front door where he put their bags down. He turned to watch the boys making their way down the rest of the stairs slowly but carefully. Taking one step at a time while their hands remained conjoined between them until they were reaching the bottom step to which he turned to the shoe cubby to get their shoes. "Dad, what are you cookin'? It smells good!"

"Oh, does it? It's a pot roast! If there's left overs I'll be sure to give you some for lunch tomorrow if you want to try it!" Turning around to find both boys sitting on the bottom step, he handed them their shoes with a smile. "Now, I know I really don't need to say it, but I need you both to be good for Uncle Haru and Auntie Mai tonight, okay? I need you to be on your best behavior for me and know I'm just a phone call away! I'll video call tonight to say goodnight if you really want me too, alright?"

"Okay!" Both boys chirruped at once as feet were shoved into shoes awkwardly with fingers reaching down to help in cramming their feet into it. He stood from his squat, he stepped over to the hooks to grab their coats from off of it when his phone vibrated in his pocket. Turning back towards them to find them standing with feet wiggling in their shoes to fit comfortably when he folded Hitoshi's coat over his arm while holding Izuku's open for him when the green-haired boy trotted over. "Dad?"

"Yeah? What's up, Izu?" His phone vibrated in his pocket again as the green-haired boy slid his arms into his sleeves. Shrugging his coat on over his shoulders, the six year old turned then as he grabbed the sides of his coat as he connected the zipper at the bottom before working it up. There was a worried expression pinching at Izuku's face when he reached up to cup that little face when he smiled softly at the six-year-old. "Is there anything I can do to make you feel better about tonight?"

"Um, I have a question actually! I was just curious about it!" His son paused when he twisted his fingers together in that nervous action when green eyes darted down to his squirming hands before looking up at him from under dark green lashes. As if he were suddenly shy again as he had been when he first met his aunts earlier in the year. As if he were worried, he was about to speak out of turn when small hands lifted up to touch the backs of his hands. "Will you miss us tonight? Will you be lonely, Dad?"

Oh, it tugged at his heart. He smiled as he slid his thumbs over freckled cheeks before leaning in to kiss his forehead when Hitoshi stood up behind Izuku with that same inquisitive expression on his face. It was like the small boy hadn't realized that he could possibly be missed. It had small brows squeezing together when he squished Izuku's chubby face before opening up Hitoshi's coat allowing the boy to come forward. "Of course I'm going to miss you too! I'm gonna miss you a whole lot but I won't be lonely, I promise!"

"Is it because you're having Auntie Nemuri and Uncle Oboro coming over?" Hitoshi questioned as he slid his arms into the sleeves of his coat when his phone vibrated in his pocket for a third time. Was it Haru? Or was it Nemuri pestering him about what to bring tonight as if he hadn't covered his bases. It had him grinning to himself when Hitoshi then spun to face him as he brought the zipper together. Lining it up before it flew up, Hitoshi tilted his head. "Why can't Zu and I come to your party, Dad?"

"Because it's an adult only party, Toshi!" He tapped at his small nose causing the boy to flinch from habit before giggling when he pinched at his cheek gently. "But you'll be more than welcome to my parties when you're all big! Tonight, you're going to have your own party with your Uncle Haru! And don't worry about not seeing Nemuri and Oboro because I'll have them come over for dinner again! So tonight, you both enjoy your own party at Uncle Haru's, okay? I'm sure you'll have so much fun you won't miss me!"

"That's not true! I'll miss you, Dad!" He smiled before pinching gently at Izuku's pink cheek, rubbing his thumb over it, when he then stood up to pull his phone out of his pocket. Two texts from Haru claiming he was closing in on his house and one from Nemuri. Humming quietly, he jumped when two pairs of small arms wrapped around his waist with faces pushing into his hips. Izuku then tilted his head back with his lower lip jutting out slightly. "I'm gonna miss you reading me a story!"

"I'll be sure to make up for it! For now, you'll find that Uncle Haru is amazing at telling stories and-" Sharp, rapping knocks on the door had him smiling when he slid his hands in caresses over green curls and wild indigo locks. It was tugging at his heart the wide eyes that darted from the door up to him with a sparkle of excitement glittering in Hitoshi's gaze when he smiled down at his boys. "That's him now I bet! Come on, let's get the door, yeah?"

"Yeah!" Hitoshi let go of his waist to run for the door where he reached up to grab at the handle. Tugging the door open with a smile on his face when a dark-haired man swept over the threshold to scoop Hitoshi up. He shrieked with surprised delight as Haru spun him around with arms out. His younger brother beamed before throwing Hitoshi up into the air tearing another shriek of delight from the six-year-old who came back down to be held in his arms. "Uncle Haru!"

"Nephew Hitoshi! My goodness, it feels like each time I see you, you grow bigger and bigger! I bet your dad is going through an emotional whiplash, huh? What a big boy you are!" Hitoshi giggled when fingers poked at his chubby cheek with an arm wrapped around his securely. Brown eyes then locked onto him, and he grinned at Haru who grinned viciously back at him with his arm tightening around him before his eyes dropped down to Izuku clinging to his hip. "And is this Izuku? Your other little one?"

"It is indeed! Come on, Izu, let's say hi to Uncle Haru, okay?" There was a curious sparkle to Izuku's gaze as he watched Haru balance Hitoshi on his hip before squatting down in the threshold. Haru held his hand out to which Izuku hesitated before placing his small hand into it. He let himself be tugged gently from his place slightly behind his leg. "This is your Uncle Haru, Izuku! As you can see, he's lots of fun! And he'll be making sure you have so much fun you won't want to come back home tomorrow!"

"For sure, kid! Are you ready to have fun?" Perhaps it was the smile or the sparkle to Haru's eyes that seemed to win Izuku over ever so slightly as the boy shuffled forward with a hesitant nod. Haru stood up then bent down to scoop Izuku up causing the boy to yelp. That awe was evident on Izuku's pink face as his eyes widened at the dark-haired man who turned to him. "I hope you enjoy your party tonight! I know Mai is going to love having the boys over tonight! Wanna grab their bags and come to the car?"

"You got it!" Picking up the small suitcases, he followed his brother over the threshold where he shut the door behind him before making his way down the front walk way. Shivering at the chill to the air, he couldn't help but worry about tonight. Would it be too cold to stand outside? To have their wine on the back porch? He hoped not. Walking after his brother who put the boys down to open the back door, he made his way to the trunk when he smiled at the dark-haired man. "Thank you, Haru, really. I appreciate it!"

"No problem! I've been meaning to come by anyways to see your lil' bug and see how he was acclimating! And I haven't seen Toshi in forever so I'm more than happy to take them off of your hands for the night!" Hands slid over curls and fluffy hair when he coaxed the boys into the backseat where two booster seats sat. Tossing the bags into the trunk, he slammed it shut when he made his way around the car to the back seat where the boys were buckling themselves in. "I'll make sure they have fun!"

"I hope so! Izu, Toshi, you remember what I said, yeah? Be good boys for Uncle Haru and Auntie Mai, alright? I love you both and I'll talk to you later tonight for your goodnights, alright? I'll be seeing you bright and early tomorrow morning, I promise!" Heads bobbed when he beamed at the boys when the door was then swung shut with a thud as he turned to his brother who wrapped him up in a hug. Laughing, he patted his back before pulling back. "Thank you, I mean it! I haven't had friends over in a while!"

"Again, no problem! I'll keep you updated through the night as need be, alright? For now, get in there and get ready for your little party! I'll text you later when we got the boys in bed." Hands patted at his shoulders then when Haru's smile softened into something warmer. Sweeter. Hands squeezed at his shoulders when he patted at Haru's arm when the man then let go of him with a sigh. "It's good to see you, Zashi. Hana said you were rough after that stomach bug, but you look good. You need to reach out more."

"So do you! I'll throw a dinner party for you, me, Hana, Aimi, Mom and Ma, yeah? I'll do something for all of us!" That smile warmed before his very eyes when he the then stepped up onto the sidewalk with Haru stepping back to walk backwards around his car. Heading towards the hood, he waved at the two boys who were waving wildly in the backseat, and he chuckled when the dark-haired man nearly tripped as he began walking backwards himself. "I'll talk to you all later! Have fun!"

"You too!" It had him laughing at the yelp of his brothers voice and the muffled shouts of his sons when the car door was opened. He waved at his boys as his brother slid into the driver's seat when the car was put into drive. Pulling away from the sidewalk, he happily waved at his boys who were twisting in their car seats to wave at him. He couldn't help but feel a tug on his heart the further away Haru got. He turned on his feet then as he lowered his arm with a soft sigh before making his way up the front walkway.

He had a party to get ready for.

Hizashi couldn't help but feel he'd bitten off more than he could chew. After his sons and brother were off to his home, he had begun making plans to make sure tonight was ready. He'd hopped on his bike to run out to the nearest package store to grab a few nicer bottles of wine to make sure that there would be enough for him, Nemuri, Oboro, Tensei, Emi and hopefully Shouta. He'd flown back home where he had all but tore then put his home together. Fussing with the placement of couch cushions.

The sham laid over the back of it and the arm chairs along with the placement of the coffee table. He'd been rushing about his home with the wine bottles placed on the counter when he'd checked on the roast he had going before flying about the kitchen to get dinner finished. To get the vegetables cooking, the potatoes going, with a sense of urgency as the afternoon began to slip past him. It was as he was chopping the vegetables that he had everything prepped and ready to be grilled or boiled did he fly to his bedroom.

While no one would see a damn thing, he still fussed about his room to clean it up. Running about the house with his broom with Sterling chasing after him to swat at the bristles while he tried in vain to sweep up his floors. To use the duster to get the cobwebs in the corner of his small dining room and ridding it of all of any dust that he could. He'd long since shoved the table back into the dining room with the middle insert waiting to be put in to make it longer. He'd been oddly flustered running about his home.

Damn near frantic as he tried to make sure all was a spotless as it could be. Going about the hassle of digging out a table cloth to drape over the table with plates, forks, and knives arranged neatly over it with wine glasses placed next to it. He'd been frantic running from room to room to make sure all was neat. Fine. It's not like they'd be running about his home to see how neat and clean it was or judge him on anything. These were friends but he'd feel better if he did mop again. If he vacuumed the carpeted floors.

It left him flushed when he was finally returning to his bedroom to jump into the shower. Scrubbing at his skin, his hair, and for once used his hair mask which had been agony to count the five minutes down before he could wash his hair out again. From there he'd been sure to clean up his cheeks and chin for any stubble that had begun growing in when he'd gotten his aftershave dabbed on. He didn't want to be too formally dressed and so he chose to wear a simple black tank top, a plaid button down shirt, and jeans.

Boots. He had been frantic when he'd gotten out of his shower to find that he had a mere hour left. He'd been frantic on checking the food, getting the wine in the small dining room, and making sure he was properly put together. Spritzing his cologne on when he'd gone back to his bedroom to fuss with the arrangement of his pillows. Soothing out the creases in his blankets even if there was no need for it. He'd done the same in the living room with the sham of the back of the couch; working it free of any wrinkles.

He'd made sure that his sons toy box was neatly put up and closed in the living room along with shoes placed neatly in the cubby. He'd felt dizzy from his running about that by the time he stood still? He'd been shaking. His hands trembling as he texted Nemuri back and forth only to get a confirmation text from Shouta. Finally. And God if this didn't have his stomach in absolute knots at the thought of the black-haired man showing up. Right around he'd begun grilling the vegetables and getting the potatoes peeled and boiling.

He'd felt damn near sick with his own cologne barely cutting through the smell of the pot roast cooking. He didn't have dinner parties often, but this was the first one in what felt like a very, very long time. Since he took in Izuku for he feared having too many people around the green-haired child would be counterproductive rather than positive. He'd gone about his home fussing and tweaking with the final touches on everything. Going to his bedroom to stand, tut, twist and preen before the full length mirror of his.

Giving himself the chance to change out of his casual but well put together outfit for something else. It'd been absolutely nausea inducing to think of having so many people in his home again after what felt like a long time. It'd been quite a bit since he hosted anything in his home, and he was buzzing with that excitement. An emotion that buried itself under the other twisting, cloying emotions that left him jittery handed. Left him flushed when he caught sight of his own bright eyed reflection in the kitchen windows.

The pink spots on his cheeks as he rushed about the kitchen. It was hard to breathe when he was so caught up in making sure that the potatoes would be done as he poured them out in the strainer only to transfer them to the counter mixer of his. Putting the final touches on his home as he made sure that the TV's were off when he'd fussed with the lighting in the dining room and entry way. The kitchen. It had been far more time consuming and tiring to make sure everything was in order before dinner.

He'd given himself half an hour to destress after his sons had left with his brother while making his list but to actually do it? To jump through the hoops, he set for himself that seemed too big and too wide. He'd been a damn mess leaning against the counter wishing the party could simply happen before he became too tired to continue onwards. He hadn't wanted to exhaust himself before it but when he'd been putting the final touches on the food with Nemuri's texts signaling they'd be there soon he'd been tired.

He was ready to crawl into bed, but he didn't want to. He hadn't been aware of just how closed off he'd become until he'd joined that mommy group. Since he'd begun talking to Nemuri. Since his alone time. It had opened his eyes to how dead his social life had become as well as his bedroom one. Humans were social creatures and yet he'd conditioned himself to take care of the boys day in and day out. The shop. To be constantly going, going, going with Hitoshi and Izuku that he was crashing into bed by eight-thirty when they did.

In recent times, he'd hardly had time to throw together a nice party like he was in God knows how long. An adult dinner party with adult conversations that were sure to give him that "enrichment" he'd been missing lately. He'd been all too content when he'd heard his doorbell ringing to run for it with brisk strides. A pep to his step to welcome the first guests which just so happened to be Nemuri, Oboro and Shouta. He couldn't deny that he'd been a bit awed when he saw Shouta standing on his doorstep.

The man had cleaned up slightly with a denim button up shirt hanging open with a black tank top beneath and ripped jeans with boots. His hair tugged back from his hair in a half up bun. He couldn't deny he'd been gawking at the black-haired man in the soft lighting that made him look softer. More approachable. And then, not even half an hour later, Tensei and Emi had shown up. The six of them filling up his dining room when they'd sat down for dinner together with idle chatter together as they caught up.

The soft music he'd chosen to put on filling any gaps in conversation while he'd tried his best to keep up with playing the host. Trying to satisfy himself and his guests but it was much more tiring work than he remembered hosting to be. He loved the conversations he found himself wrapped up in with Tensei about the kids or when he'd gotten into a debate with Emi about his wallpaper choice for the dining room. The questions on his "glossy hair" from his hair mask from Nemuri and Oboro playfully commenting on it.

A playful comment that he was all about self-care now a days. The only one who hadn't joined in willingly had been Shouta. The man had seemed more content to remain quiet yet when Nemuri pushed? The sound of his deep voice so scathing and dry had him worried that Shouta was uncomfortable. He wanted it to go smoothly but he couldn't help but worry about the well-being of his guests. He'd been fried; absolutely burnt out halfway through dinner when he'd begun working on his second glass of wine.

He hadn't thought the party would go on for so long, but he had room if anyone had to stay over. The couch was more than enough to host someone until they sobered up. It would merely mean he'd be hosting a few more hours or he would pay out of pocket for someone to get an Uber home. He had inevitably found himself out on his back porch when the others had begun leaving seats to chatter amongst themselves in the kitchen. Conversations that often overlapped leaving him confused as to which one he was in.

Trying to keep up with all of them the best that he absolutely could without being rude or talking over someone who was talking at him. But he had to admit that with a full stomach? With the preparation out of the way? It was bearable but he was still run down. Frazzled over the prelude to the party but he didn't think that it would take so much out of him the way it had. He didn't think it would be so tiring. Or maybe it was the wine. Maybe it was his fatigue from waking so early that morning. Or maybe it was-?

"There you are." He tore himself out of his thoughts with a jump, his gaze ripping away from his half empty wine glass to his back door where the soft lighting of the dining room with its chatter spilled out. Standing in the soft lighting, haloed by it, was Shouta. The black-haired man hesitated before stepping out onto the porch with boots thudding over the wooden flooring. Dark eyes flicked to the doorway then out to the dark backyard before landing on him once more. "What are you doing out here?"

"Oh, I just wanted to get some air is all! The house gets a bit stuffy as I'm sure you can tell, and I just needed to clear my head a bit!" He gave an idle swirl of his wine before lifting it up to sip at the deep rich liquid with the chains of the swing creaking lightly when he leaned back with the soles of his boots scraping lightly along the porch. Lowering his glass, he let his gaze flick over to the black-haired man when he smiled softly at him. "You know, you can sit down if you want to. This is a two seater."

"Only if you're comfortable with it." Hesitating. There was something odd in the way it was phrased; like he was worried he'd say the wrong thing. Offend him somehow. It was how he had spoken in his shop when he'd gotten him lunch and when he tried twice to wave off the book fees for those self-help books. Shouta had seemed so bold, in fact a little playful over text but in person he was stiff. Reserved. Shy. Nodding at Shouta, the black-haired man hesitated before walking forward.

The thud of his boots loud over the wooden flooring as he scooched over to press himself against the arm of his swing. Giving Shouta more than enough room to sit down next to him without their sides pressing together. Rubbing his thumb lightly against his glass when the swing trembled lightly with the added weight when he found himself peeking out of the corner of his eye at the man when he cleared his throat. "So, did this live up to your expectations? I hope you at least liked the food or the wine."

"I did, it was amazing. Honestly, I can't remember when I had the time for a homecooked meal." Shouta fussed with his own wine glass before lifting it up to sip at the it. A long sip before lowering it down with fingers wiping at his lips. He lightly tapped his feet against the wooden floor boards when he forced his gaze down to his lap. "Parties aren't really my thing per say but I will say I haven't seen Tensei in a while, so it's been nice catching up with him. With Nemuri as well."

"Do you also think it's crazy we went to the same high school with common and mutual friends between us but never met? I think about it a lot and I just don't know how I didn't notice you back then." Tracing the mouth of his wine glass, he then looked up to find dark eyes leveled on him. An intensity to them that had him smiling nervously when he leaned back in his seat. "To be fair, I was doing a lot of extra stuff back then. Chorus. I really thought for a hot minute I was going to do something with music."

"Instead, you became a bookstore owner which, in its own rights, is impressive." A tight grin curled over full lips when he let his smile widen at the black-haired man who swirled his glass causing the deep red liquid to lap at the sides of the glass lightly. "Either way, it's completely possible to miss one another in school. I don't blame you for it; you were off doing your own thing with Nemuri most of the time while I hung out with Oboro when those two weren't attached to the hip to one another."

"They were the worst in high school, weren't they?" He smiled widely when that tight grin widened at him when he swirled his own glass with the liquid lapping at the sides of his glass. Lifting it up to take another sip at it before rubbing at his own lips before turning back to Shouta. "I love them to bits, but they were insufferable during and after high school, but I mean, good for them. When they got married last year it was a kind of "fucking finally", you know? We all knew they were in for the long haul."

"It was pretty clear from the beginning." Tapping his feet with a hum, he could hear the start of a few crickets somewhere in the grass. God, he hoped tonight wasn't like the previous when a cricket flew at him, and he screamed when it came too close. He shifted slightly with his eyes scanning the porch with the soft light of the lamp spilling over down to the stairs of it when Shouta cleared his throat. "Ironic how I only now met you in a bookshop of all places, isn't it? I always knew of you from Oboro but-"

"Never knew me, right? Yeah, it's an odd feeling; knowing you were always right there yet we never crossed paths. Oboro really was the middle man!" He couldn't help a snicker while Shouta snorted next to him dryly when he drained the rest of his glass down in a swallow before placing the glass on the small table beside him. Letting his head fall back, his eyes fluttered shut when he began to push lightly on the floor to rock lightly. "I'm glad you could come, though. Who do you have watching your daughter? Eri, is it?"

"Yeah, Eri, and my sister is watching her. She thinks I need to be "more sociable", but I don't exactly see anything wrong with how I'm going, you know?" Humming out in response, he lifted a hand up to rub at his temple lightly as he lost himself in the idle back and forth sway of the swing. "I honestly find you quite admirable, Yamada. Two sons, running your own bookshop, running your own radio station, and you're qualified to substitute teacher? Then you make and throw a whole dinner party? It's impressive."

"Yamada, huh? I'd like to ask how you got my last name, but Facebook is a thing, and my account is hardly private." He let himself grin as he rubbed his forehead lightly with a yawn threatening to crawl up his throat which he swallowed down in vain. He could feel that gaze on him when he shifted slightly in his spot before opening his eyes. Turning to watch dark eyes flicking away from him. "Honestly, it's nice hanging out with people my own age, you know? At least I'm not fighting with you over the swings!"

"I mean, you could, there's nothing stopping you." Sarcastic. Dry. It had him grinning at Shouta when a manic smirk curled over full lips as black lashes fluttered with shadows cast onto cheeks. He watched spots of color pop on them when his gaze dropped to fingers tracing the rim of that wine glass. All night he'd been wrapped up in conversation after conversation and this one was by far the easiest. "I doubt I'd fit in it, but I could absolutely fight you for the swing or play in that sandbox of yours."

"Are you saying you want to act like a drunk six-year-old?" His own tone came out far more sarcastic than he intended but it had dark eyes raising up to him with the black-haired man smirking widely at him. He was handsome. It was just like that first time he'd seen Shouta in his shop; when his stubble had been thicker. His eyebags deeper. Shouta was handsome in the soft golden lighting of his back porch light and the soft lighting through the windows behind them. "Don't go tempting me with a good time!"

That smirk widened to show off teeth when the black-haired man looked away from him with a black lock of his bangs fell into his face to brush against his cheek. A breeze fluttered over the porch tugging at his hair lightly and the end of his shirt. Rustling the leaves as goosebumps rose beneath his sleeves as he shuddered but he refused to move. The warmth of the wine was more than enough to keep him out here a bit longer with Shouta. "I mean, you sound receptive to the idea so if you wanted too-"

"You are not going to taunt me into playing in a sandbox with you! Besides, I was a brat as a kid when it came to sandboxes so unless you want your hair pulled and to eat sand as a dessert tonight, I highly suggest you don't play in the sandbox with me!" He grinned when a laugh burst out of Shouta. A bark of sound that had his heart jumping in his chest when he admired the side of Shouta's face. The cut of his jaw. The subtle curve of his Adam's Apple faintly from the contrasting shadows.

The sparkle in dark eyes when they were locking onto him with that wide, manic smirk curled over his lips. The longer he looked at this man, admiring his cheekbones and the arch of his brow? The shape of his nose and watching the fullness of his lips? He was attractive. Shouta was handsome in a run down, exhausted manner that had him staring at him in this golden light that made him look softer. Beautiful. "Well, I'll have you know, I was known to hold my own in a sandbox, so your threat means nothing, Yamada."

"Oh, so you want to test it, Aizawa?" Playful. Cheeky. He couldn't tell what had made him so bold. What had him so playful with this man who he'd learned a few pieces of in the few text conversations they'd had so far. He found himself leaning forward in his seat slightly with hair spilling over his shoulder when he grinned widely at the black-haired man. Swaying lightly in the swing had that lock of hair bobbing rhythmically in time against his pink cheek.

"Are you one of those types that can dish it out but can't take it, Yamada?" That sparkle paired with that wide, manic smirk had something contagious about it when he watched Shouta's legs flexing to push off to rock with him idly back and forth. He watched the black-haired man lift his wine glass up to take a long sip at the deep rich liquid before lowering the glass down. Rubbing at his lips, the black-haired man then grinned at him again. "Looking at you, you certainly look like you can hold your own, can't you?"

"Damn fucking straight, I can handle myself! I'd like to one up your single younger sister and again flaunt my card of not one but three younger siblings of mine! So, I'd like to see what you can throw at me, Aizawa!" He wanted to use his first name. He wanted too but the black-haired man had referred to him by his last name first. But right now? It felt more like a taunt being thrown between one another like a playful calling card. Something to make him playful. Just as sarcastic as the black-haired man.

Shouta ducked his head down then with snickers breaking out of him with that wide grin curled over full lips as black lashes rested on cheeks. Casting small shadows onto them. It had his stomach fluttering with a snicker of his own ripping out of him as he shifted in his spot with his legs crossing as he pushed off the ground with his right foot. Rocking them lightly when the black-haired man raised his head up again with that sparkling gaze landing on him. "You're funny, you know that, Yamada Hizashi?"

"And you're an absolute fucking asshole, Aizawa Shouta!" It had that grin deepening into that smirk once again as dark eyes sparkled at him. He leaned back in his seat causing it to wobble lightly from the head but it he happily kept them rocking back and forth. The chirping crickets sounded deafening out there in the silence of the night. There was something nostalgic about this that he couldn't quite pin down. Couldn't name it but he was enjoying it. "But I like that. It's refreshing to meet someone blunt."

"Blunt, huh?" Shouta shifted in his seat when he watched from the corner of his eye as the black-haired man took another of those long sips at his wine. Lowering the glass, a thin line dripped down the corner of his mouth to his chin that was quickly rubbed away. A lazy swirl was given before Shouta wasp lacing his glass down on the table beside him. Turning towards him once more with that smirk curled over his lips. "You seem like the type of person who needs another person to be blunt from time to time."

"Sometimes but not always! I can be pretty blunt myself from time to time." He plucked at a string on his jeans which he wrapped around his finger before pulling sharply to break it off. He then tossed it off to the side of him where it fluttered to the floor. Leaning back in his seat, he twisted his torso slightly to face Shouta as his arm bent with his hand cupping the side of his neck. "But it can be nice now and again to have someone who's blunt to be around, you know? To have someone say it like it is."

The black-haired man's smirk twitched when he was turning in his seat slightly with a grunt as his torso turned to face towards him. Legs moving awkwardly with knees lightly touching together; just barely pressing. Light enough he was sure Shouta wouldn't feel it if he wasn't paying attention to it but as he kept one leg out stretched to rock them it felt comforting. A quiet, stolen moment. "It's a bit ironic the loud, hyperactive blonde who calls me out on my bullshit tonight needs someone blunt."

"Ironic? I'd say it's a bit funny, but I definitely enjoy a person with a blunt edge, you know? Sometimes it's just better to have someone say it like it is." He watched a hand bury itself into loose black curls as Shouta leaned his hand onto his hair. The soft golden light of the porch light played off of dark eyes revealing hints of a deep gray. Highlights to the dark color that made them absolutely mesmerizing. "But how in the world would you know that I'm loud or that I'm hyperactive?"

"Well, look at the party you threw tonight. No one can get a house ready in little more than three hours while cooking on top of it? Either your hyperactive or you're some kind of immortal God with time management stuck in a mortal body or hyperactive." Grinning at the black-haired man, he watched a curious expression pinch at the man's pink face when a hand was lifting up. He hissed in a startled breath when rough fingers touched his cheek before pulling back to show him an eyelash. "You have a wish."

It was nearly invisible on the black-haired man's fingers that blonde lash. It had him blinking when that playful breeze flowed over them taking the eyelash with it to which Shouta dropped his hand to rub his fingers against his thigh. Heat gathered in the back of his neck, stinging at the tips of his ears, when he a laugh ripped out of him with a tremble to it that was undeniable. "Well, that sucks! The wind just took my wish away! Guess it just sucks to suck, huh? I don't really wish on eyelashes anyway."

"Oh, so you make wishes then?" Snickering, he gave a little nod that had that curious sparkle shining in dark eyes when Shouta's hand slid forward. Moving from his hair to press a fist against his cheek causing it to squish up slightly when the other raised again to scratch at his other cheek. The drag of nails over stubble deafening in the quiet when the black-haired man then tilted his head slightly. "Let me guess, just looking at you I'm guessing you're the type to either wish on eleven-eleven or on a star, right?"

"Both actually! I guess my mothers' never got me in the habit of wishing on eyelashes. They did get me hooked on that little poem of 'star light star bright first star I see tonight' each time I'd be playing outside near sunset! Never eyelashes though." His palm felt warm against his neck with his hair slithering silkily over the back of his hand. Down his forearm as he let his gaze flick over Shouta's face as the man's smirk softened slightly. "Who taught you about the whole wishing on eyelashes thing?"

The black-haired man hummed contemplatively with dark eyes darting away from him. Full lips pinching together briefly as lashes fluttered with his glance away; small shadows cast on his cheeks from the lighting. God, Shouta was beautiful. Handsome. He'd have to be blind not to see that. He'd thought countless times he'd met with him but tonight? It was different. The sentiment felt different. "My sister actually taught me it. She's younger but she's always been a dreamer. A hopeless romantic too!"

"That's sweetly sad in a weird way to be a hopeless romantic. I was a bit of one after all the roles I'd played in high school! It's probably why so many of my relationships hardly made it past five or six months but to be fair I think I initiated one break up with Emi back before she became friends with Tensei." He paused before reaching up to nudge his glasses back into place when he felt them slipping down his nose. Pushing them back up into place when he shifted his position in the swing.

"I've never been much of a romantic, I suppose. I've had my fair share of relationships but nothing really lasting. And when I took in Eri, it was sort of a lost cause to get involved with others, you know? It doesn't exactly get anyone in the mood when you have a screaming infant." There was no sign of that grin. That smirk. Instead, it was a soft, crooked smile that had him mesmerized to the black-haired man who scratched at his flushed cheek again. "But I wouldn't change having Eri for anything."

"I know I'd be drowning right now if my sister hadn't helped me out when she did." Smiling at the black-haired man, he admired the soft golden light of the porch light behind Shouta. The breeze came yet again to tug at black locks as he admired that softness to him. The golden porch light cast a glossy hue to those messy black locks. A halo around the man even as the light from the door shone on his face that highlighted his features. "I'm glad you could come."

"I appreciate you inviting me the way you did. Not many people would invite a stranger into their home." Chuckling in unison with the black-haired man, he shivered at another breeze coming to tug at his hair, his plaid button down when Shouta shifted slightly. Moving closer with knees hitting lightly against his when he blinked at the black-haired man who settled back. "You really have helped me out, however, in more ways than one. I really appreciate you buying me lunch when you did."

"It's not problem, really! How about going forward, rather than saying we're strangers, we can tentatively say friends? We're on a first name basis, I know you have a sister who taught you about eyelash wishes, a daughter, and you work as a teacher and you're a single father. You know I run my own bookstore, I have a radio show, I'm a substitute teacher, I have two kids and I have three younger siblings! I'd say that, while getting to know each other, we can tentatively say friends, can't we?"

Dark eyes flickered over his face curiously then when he smiled at the black-haired man. The soft golden light of the porch highlighted that deep gray once again in a glimmering hue that had him fighting the urge to squirm. He'd known it'd be an odd request to be friends, but he was hoping for it. After all, they'd been texting on and off today casually so why not? Why not ask to be friends? What would be the harm? "You know what? Yeah. I guess that we can call one another friends at this point. Not good ones but-"

"Just enough to know one another and that doesn't mean we have to stop talking! There's still a lot you can learn about a person, and I don't mind putting in the effort of being your friend, Shouta." There was a flicker of emotion in those dark eyes that had them sparkling at him as that crooked smile widened ever so slightly. His heart skipped at that soft look pinching at Shouta's face when his nails dragged over the denim of his jeans lightly in an idle scratch. "So, would you want to put that effort in?"

Warm. That expression was unbelievably warm when dark eyes flickered over his face again with that odd intensity to them that he'd had when he first sat down next to him. A weak breeze rushed over them causing a stray lock of hair to flutter against his cheek. Before he could reach up to grab it, the black-haired man was reaching out to pinch the lock where it was then coaxed carefully behind his ear when eyes locked onto him with that intensity. That warmth. "I think I want to put in that effort to know you."

The heat burning in the back of his neck rushed up to his face in a tingling rush that had him bursting with heat. His lips parting as they moved silently but the words refused to break free from the sudden tightness of his throat. Black lashes fluttered in a blink before that pink blush was deepening into a deep red as the hand by his ear jerked away. What did he say? What could he say? He didn't- "There you both are! Geez, Zashi, if you were going to move outside you could've said something!"

He jumped to look over his shoulder to find Nemuri standing there with dark brows raising at him before she blinked. Sky blue eyes flicking between the both of them when Oboro appeared behind his wife with hands coming to rest on her shoulders as he beamed at him. Like nothing, not a thing, was amiss. "Hey! There you are, Shouta! Me and Nem were thinking of heading out! Ten and Emi already took off so he could get her home before two! They both said it was a lovely night and thank you!"

"I don't mind heading out now!" He couldn't bring himself to look at the black-haired man with how damn hot his face felt. The swing wobbled as he stood up when Shouta weaved slightly before he managed to peek up at him despite the heat absolutely frying in his cheeks to meet that dark gaze. "I- Thank you, Yamada, for inviting me. I appreciate it you for thinking of including me with your group of friends an-and I hope that you have a good rest of your night."

And then Shouta was making brisk strides to the back door where the couple shifted to allow him the space to squeeze through. Oboro looked between the man that was no doubt retreating through his house then to him. His face had to be an unflattering shade of red as he ducked his head down again. It honestly felt like too much to have those blue eyes on him; both pairs that seemed to be staring a hole into him. "Zashi, what was-"

"It's fine! Just- Can you please go? I want to head to bed, I'm pretty tired." Peeking through his hair at the worried expression pinching at Nemuri's face, he half expected the woman to step forward onto the porch. Instead, she was coaxed away by Oboro, and the door was gently snapped shut. He leaned back in his seat with his hand coming up to press against his forehead as that blush throbbed in his cheeks. He swore his ear tingled from the light brush of Shouta's fingers that had brushed against it.

He shifted in his seat as he waited for the inevitable start-up of Oboro's car. He pushed off to stand up as his face burned at how clumsy he felt as he stepped forward to grab Shouta's glass then turning on his feet to grab his own empty glass. Making his way across the porch with the rubber soles of his boots striking the wood being the loudest sound over the quiet wind chime somewhere nearby. The crickets shrieking in the grass behind him when he heard the rumble of Oboro's car starting up towards the front of the house.

Letting out a slow breath, he held the glasses in his left hand and reached for the doorknob with his right. He was surprised to find the table cleared of dishes and left over food that had been lying about. Had Tensei, Nemuri, Oboro and Emi cleaned up for him while he was outside? It had him blinking when he shut the door behind him with a gentle click before flipping the lock. Making his way around his dining room table into the kitchen, his steps deafening in the quiet, he made his way into the dimly lit kitchen.

Placing his wine glass into it, he dumped out the remaining liquid in Shouta's glass. He then spun on his feet to turn the dining room lights off then across the room to flick off the kitchen lights. If he was right, then Tensei no doubt had the house locked up as well. He made his way around the first floor to the living room where his boot thuds followed him as he tested the windows in the living room to find them locked. He sighed out as he made his way to the front door where he flipped the lock.

Reaching up to slide the chain lock into place. Making his way down the hallway with his rubber soles striking the tiled floor as he entered the kitchen. Unsure of what to do with himself, he found himself gravitating to the small hallway leading to his bedroom. The muted thuds of his rubber soles were deafening as he caught a quiet jingle from his bedroom where the doors were cracked open. He reached out to push his doors open to find Twix, Cappella, and Sterling laying on his bed with heads raising up at him.

A chirrup leaving the small gray cat when she stretched out. He shuffled into his room then shut the doors behind him with another slow exhale. He had no dishes to do. No food to put away in storage containers. He leaned against his bedroom doors as he stepped on the heel of his right boot to work his foot up and out of it. He kicked it away then stepped on the heel of his left boot firmly. Working his foot free when he kicked his boot away to which it thudded over the floor much like his right boot had.

He pushed off the doors as he shrugged his shoulders with his arms shaking out to allow his plaid shirt to slip off onto the floor. Reaching down, he unbuckled his belt and tugged the leather thing through the loops of his pants with a hiss as he let it fall to the floor with a thud. The buckle clinking up at him as he then unbuttoned his fly and worked the zipper down then curled his fingers into the waistband. Giving a little shimmy, he got his jeans down to his thighs quickly then down to his knees where he let them fall.

Pooling around his ankles, he bent down to work them from around them with his socks to which he then threw the balled up clothing forward. In the vague direction of the hamper he had moved from the bathroom into his bedroom earlier. He then reached down to grab at his tank top which he flipped up over his head. Letting it pool down onto the floor, he reached up to grab his hearing aids to work them free from his ears one at a time. Turning them off, he relished in that silence that weighed onto him.

A comfort. He walked around his bed with slow steps as his face began to finally cool off when he picked up his case. He slipped his hearing aids into them before snapping it shut and placing them underneath his bedside lamp. The silence, the darkness of his bedroom, was a comfort. Like he was stepping into a small, silent bubble that allowed him to relax now that he didn't have to play host. Now that he didn't have to smile and rushed around on his feet to cook or humor five different conversations.

He tugged at the blanket, working it open with Cappella and Sterling moving for him as he sat on the edge of the bed. He reached up to grab at his glasses to fold them then placed them into his glasses case next to the hearing aids. He then slipped beneath the blankets with the cool sheets rubbing against his skin. Shifting, he squirmed towards the center of his bed where he laid his head down onto the pillow. He then found himself looking to the alarm clock that he had sitting on his bedside table before him.

The red glowing numbers displaying one-twelve A.M he was glad to have gotten his call in earlier to Hitoshi and Izuku before Nemuri showed up. The sun may have still been setting but it had been nice seeing how happy Izuku had looked being there. How delighted he seemed. He'd have to make sure the house was truly presentable before his brother brought the boys back. At least there would be left overs for them to try if they were really that eager to try. He let out another breath that he was sure would be more akin to a sigh.

Staring up at his ceiling then, he raised his hands up to touch his warm cheeks. The blush was steadily draining out of them much to his relief, but he knew it wouldn't take much to trigger another. It would only take one wrong thought to bring that heat back and he wanted to avoid anything triggering but he was confused. He was absolutely taken aback by Shouta's boldness not once but twice. He'd touched his cheek to get that pale eyelash then a second time to tuck his hair behind his ear. What type of friend did that?

Or was Shouta tipsier than he'd seemed? He wouldn't fault it against a friend for two mistakes if he was tipsy, but the black-haired man had seemed sober. It had seemed like he was only working on his first glass. How many had Shouta had? Enough to make him bold like that? To touch him so brazenly like he would a lover? A closer friend than they were? Was he tipsier than he realized? Was he reading into something that wasn't there? Was he possibly reading more into something than he originally thought?

It could have been a simple reaction for Shouta. It could mean absolutely nothing. They'd basically promised to work on being friends together so why would he do something that said otherwise? Was he reading the situation wrong? Was he going to fuck something up because he was a bit touched starved and read two actions wrong? Was he really going to ruin a friendship before it could start? But he couldn't shake the heat that stung at the tips of his ears. The way that Shouta had gone that deep, vibrant red.

The way his head ducking away from him with shoulders scrunching up. How quickly he'd jerked his hand away before Nemuri had made her appearance. Was he reading something wrong? He truly wanted to be Shouta's friend. He did. It was odd to think of how they had been so close in high school yet leagues apart. They'd had all the same common friends yet never meeting before now. He rolled over with the blanket bunching around him when he let out what he could only guess to be a groan leaving him..

He didn't need to do this to himself. He didn't need to tear himself apart for one man. To read into a situation that clearly meant nothing. Had too. But he couldn't help but wonder. Couldn't help it when that single, cutting question ripped itself to the surface as he buried his warming face into the pillows what he guessed to be another low groan judging by the vibrations. Why was he doing this to himself? Why was he putting himself through these what-if questions? He couldn't stop himself from replaying their interaction.

Because what the fuck was that?