Song of Fire and Broccoli

by ashika pl

It started as a self-indulgent story in which Endeavor is not only Izuku's dad, but also has to raise him, since Inko died, and ended up as a monster of a story about Enji becoming a Good Dad (tm) to everyone who can't run fast enough, and in which everyone gets a cookie in the end. Be warned: 1) Shigaraki's cookie is very Special, 2) Touya's very small, but still is (sorry, Touya

45. The Warmth

The days were passing quickly and before Enji realized it was already a month since he had left Skyrim. The world was brimming with religious riots, sometimes terribly violent and bloody, with people being raped and killed and burned alive by angry mobs, but police and army deployed by the governments managed to keep things from engulfing the countries in full-fledged civil wars, at least so far. Notably, no one was requesting Japanese heroes to help, or maybe because everyone remembered all too well how they had withdrawn most of their heroes after Stars and Stripes' death, more possibly because they assumed Japan had enough on the plate, with recently quelled war against All for One and his army of villains and agents. The truth was, though, it wasn't that bad. A lot of Japanese villains were spotted overseas where they obviously were trying to use the chaotic situation for their own profit, so, naturally, they weren't here to cause trouble; a lot simply hung low, the defeat of All for One damping their spirit and raising that of heroes. The civilians who were not as innocent and incapable of self-defense as they had been before the war also made villains think twice about acting up. That very attitude of civilians still caused dangerous situations from time to time but it wasn't as bad as during the war, when there was no hope on the horizon and when many doubted the government, heroes, and the police.

So, things weren't bad, and after a month, most people returned to their homes and Enji's job again was mostly patrolling. Life was becoming normal, the only difference being, in Touya's grave now was not that single terrible bone but the whole body, and the pain was sharp, despite the thoughts of his boy's better life, somewhere in far-away Europe, with parents better than Enji.

At least his other children were alive and happy. Fuyumi was back in her school, teaching. Natsuo still had online lectures like during the war but it was because everyone found it very convenient. Izuku, Shouto, and Tenya (and Katsuki) moved back to the dorms, to Enji's sulking. He so badly wanted them all in his home. It was so sweet to see Tenya and Shouto together in his garden, snuggled on the swing, such happiness in their eyes as if life just granted them all their dreams come true. Enji would stand on the engawa whole day and night just watching them if it had been possible. Katsuki's and Izuku's relationship was vastly different, with Katsuki growling profanities and mild insults all the time and Izuku ignoring them most of the time peacefully, only sometimes retorting with such a well-chosen scathing remark that made Katsuki grin in pride. Enji truly did not get that dynamic but both boys seemed to treat each other well otherwise so he just let it be. Also, there was no denying that everyone missed Katsuki's cooking skills. Nobody in this small household could ever get close to the skills the boy had in that field. Only Fuyumi was on par but she was cooking for them only on weekends, and not on every either.

Toshi also went back to the apartment in Yuuei, but Enji of course did not miss his old rival at all, and he had no idea why he was even thinking about him and his sappy smile and his kind eyes and his more and more healthy-looking face.

At least Hawks and Untenmaru were still by his side and the dozens of cats that were always doing their best to purr all his worries away.

So, it wasn't bad. It felt like life was normal again: waking by Hawks' side in the mornings, meeting Untenmaru in the kitchen, texting all his kids (even Natsuo, sometimes, very careful of not stepping over any boundaries), listening to Hawks being a flirtatious idiot to everyone in their agency, as usual, reading and signing what seemed like thousands of papers that the war apparently had left in its wake, talking to his kids and friends in the evenings, falling asleep with a peaceful conscience that another day had been spent well and-

Enji's phone brought him out of his daydreaming.

Hawks sighed by his side. "Probably something important if they're calling you now."

That was what Enji dreaded. 'Important' in their field meant someone died or was just about to die. But the caller was-

"Um, good evening?"

"Good evening, Chigira-san," he heard the voice of the Girl. "I hope I find you well?"

"Yes, things are actually better than I dreaded."

The Girl hummed with audible contentment. "Yes, Japan seems to be recovering decently from the war, not letting the turmoil continue. I always admired your society, at least in comparison to most on your planet."

"It's far from perfect," murmured Enji.

"It's a human society," the Girl said simply.

"Do you have other species in your Universe?" asked Hawks who was shamelessly glued to Enji's phone.

"It's also mostly humans. This is the characteristic of this part of the multiverse – it's either only humans or mainly humans."

"And you are?"

"Hawks," scolded him Enji.

"My species, or rather a species I was born as, belongs to the same genus as yours but we do have some more advantageous traits."

"What happened to your species in our Universe?"

"Hawks," murmured Enji, having a very bad feeling about this conversation.

"Wiped out by another genus of homines."

A silence fell.

"Do not worry about it," said the Girl lightly. "Past is past and their souls have been living as humans for thousands of years now. Anyway, what I am calling to ask is, do you need help with the shopping for Kurogiri? I expect most things he might want you to buy aren't exactly available right now?"

Damn, Enji hadn't even started searching for those.

"I'll be in touch?" he hoped she wouldn't be too angry with him. Her primary concern was, of course, Oboro, and Enji spent a month without doing anything for him.

"Please do call me when you'll be ready to go back. I can take you to Ende. You'll find literally anything that might be needed there."

"Ende."

"A huge... grocery center."

"...I will be grateful. I'll... just finish some things here and-"

"There is no hurry, you'll be sent to the point of time from which you have come, after all."

"Damn, I wanna go there too," said Hawks when the call ended.

"To Skyrim or this Ende?"

"Both. Though Ende might be a safer trip. I know you have told me Oboro did not seem to hold a grudge but, still, I'm not sure he would be happy to see a traitor and killer of his friend in his safe recovery place."

"Hawks," murmured Enji kissing the blond hair. "We all know there was no other choice. But yeah, maybe we should leave Skyrim for a little bit later. But I'll talk to the Girl about that Ende."

Hawks beamed. "I hope it's properly in another universe, not just some shopping centre in Paris or London here, on our Earth."

"Do you think she wants to take us to a place like that? She'll just take us to an alien universe for groceries?"

"I hope so."

If that would be the truth, it definitely would be something to look forward to. Though... Enji sighed.

"Enji?"

"I'll be gone from here. For you, no time will pass but I will miss you, little bird."

"Aaaw," Hawks enfolded Enji in his wings. They were quiet for some time, Enji stroking Hawks beautiful feathers, the boy's face gradually getting more and more thoughtful.

"Enji..."

"Yes?"

"If he can go back in time... ...couldn't he save Sparkle?"

Enji froze, the question hitting him harder than any of the shockwaves Oboro, back then Shigaraki, had created. ...How come he never even thought of that? And... if it was possible, then what? Again, was it even possible? The ache of loss flooded him again, and the hope too, though it felt tainted since if Sparkle came back... Enji looked into Hawks' eyes.

"I think you should ask him, Enji," Hawks said softly. "I think you deserve that."

His heart was throbbing with pain now, the memory of love that he had lost intertwined with the fear of losing this love.

"Hawks... you are my husband now. I... I am sure Sparkle has a good life." It hurt so much to say those words; it somehow felt like a final betrayal to the most wonderful, good, kind man he had been blessed to meet. But at the same time, he would never ever do this to Hawks. Hawks was not second best. He wouldn't let Hawks be replaced.

Hawks kissed his chin gently. "Maybe he'll be fine with a triangle. I would be. He was awesome. I don't mind getting it from both ends," he winked but Enji knew better. The words were light but Hawks' eyes were sober.

"No, little bird. You are my future. You're not second best, you never were."

The boy's eyes turned to the framed photos Enji had on the small cupboard. There were two wedding photos there.

"Enji. I mean it. You should ask. You were perfect together. You know you were."

"No." It hurt, it hurt so much to say it, but it was the right thing to do. "I love you." 'I could never hurt you that way. Sparkle wouldn't want that. Wouldn't want a man who would do that.'

Hawks turned back to Enji, his eyes wide and Enji could see the tiniest of tears forming there.

"You stupid horrible most exasperating bird," he said softly and kissed both eyes dry. "I love you. I love you. I want to be with you. If you keep thinking about it I'll ask Oboro to, I don't know, make you forget about this idea of yours. I will. You'll see."

"I just... I just think it would be good for you," Hawks said quietly.

"You're what's good for me, love."

888

"Holy fucking god damned and devil blessed unbelievable shit," whispered Hawks in awe.

Enji shot one look at him and he knew taking him here was a grave mistake. Hawks was taking in the biggest food market any of them had ever seen, with heaps of fruits and fish and nuts and vegetables of hundreds of species, many of them completely unknown to Enji, and with what felt like thousands of types of ready products too. His bird looked just about to drool all over himself.

"Hawks."

"Holy fuck," his boy whispered once again. "I'm not leaving this place in this decade. Enji, we're camping here, we are."

The Girl grinned. Were those fangs? Enji had not noticed before, probably because she always had been smiling with her mouth closed. If those were truly fangs, it would be an explanation why. Was she a vampire? Were vampires a species belonging to homo?

"You can go. Enjoy yourself. Whatever lands in your cart is automatically considered bought, so you can eat it."

Izuku's eyes were wide. "Automatically bought? Is it some sort of a spell that-"

The Girl seemed amused and a credit card appeared in her hand which she swiped through a slit Enji had not even noticed that was on the cart. She did it with all of their carts.

"Wait," said Enji. "You can't pay for all of us."

"Too late," she said lightly. "Go, Hawks, let's see if you can eat so much your own wings won't carry you."

"I certainly will try to achieve that noble aim!"

"Can I go with Hawks?" Izuku's eyes shone.

"You all can go. You give me the list, Enji, and I'll take care of it swiftly."

"No, I'll stay with you. But the youngsters can go drown themselves in carnal pleasures," smiled Enji.

"Are you sure?" asked the Girl. "I intend to do it quickly and then sit at the cafe and chill, waiting for you all."

"I am sure. However, won't they get any food poisoning?"

The Girl actually chuckled lightly. "Already put an appropriate spell on them. This is not the first Hawks and Izuku I met, you know?"

Ah, right.

"Alright then, bye-bye!" grinned Hawks and dragged Izuku off towards the stalls with all sorts of roasted birds... ...and maybe lizards too? Yeah, definitely lizards too.

"You sure, Enji?"

"Yes, I might be not on a diet anymore but I am still a bit too old to let myself be tempted like that."

"I'm sure I could find some spells for that too," smiled the Girl. "But you instinctively chose a wiser path."

"Meaning?"

She grinned again. "You forget I know you. I know what you like best out of things that are sold here."

Oh.

"You'd better have some spells that affect fat production."

The Girl kept grinning. "What do you think? Fat reduction and penis enlargement are basic and very old spells."

Right.

"Then, shall we?"

The Girl was truthful about her approach to shopping. She took on a brisk pace verging on racewalking and was filling up the cart in record pace, not consulting Kurogiri's list twice, and also adding things that weren't there saying 'Oboro likes it', 'Kurogiri likes it', or even 'Izuku likes it' and 'You like it'. And she was spot on, at least on things that Enji knew. Since there was a mountain of things he had never seen or eaten in his life.

In the end, the shopping was completed in less than an hour and both their carts were filled to the brink.

"Um, do we really need all that?"

"I'm not doing this again any time soon," replied the Girl brightly. "Not a fan of shopping, actually."

Something occurred to Enji. "Couldn't you just create all those items?" They could do stuff like this, couldn't they, the overseers?

"Yes, but I know you'd feel guilty if you didn't properly shop, as Kurogiri asked you, and just put everything on me. Also, Hawks and Izuku do enjoy themselves, don't they?"

Enji's heart warmed at that. Damn, it was hard not to like her.

"Shall we go to that cafe? They have proper food too, most delicious."

When they sat down and the Girl ordered for both of them, he asked what he had been thinking about for some time now. He remembered well the conversation they once had held and the cold expression her eyes had worn back then.

"Forgive me for touching the topic that is your job, you may not want to talk about it."

"I am not overly enthusiastic but please ask your questions. I want you to know the answers."

"How exactly do you rule your own universe? You seemed..." he hesitated.

"Cruel?" She smiled again. "Yes, many people call me that way. They call me a tyrant too. Accuse me of having stolen their freedom and privacy. What matters to me is that there aren't any wars in my universe, Enji, practically no murders or rapes or theft. All the people have food and a roof over their heads, and I'm not talking about some rented tiny room, but a decent space to live. The healers are paid the universe salary, and so are the teachers. Parents have to go through preparation and therapy if needed before they can conceive a child."

And there it was, the lack of freedom she mentioned.

"There are a lot of laws to obey, yes, you can't even have a pet without proving you'll provide them with what that species needs. Crimes are punished very strictly and sometimes cruelly. It works. People aren't happy but then again they never are."

All that seemed quite bleak.

"But. We used to have free planets in every inhabitable system. People could move there and do whatever they wanted, create whatever system they'd like. I did not interfere. Nobody lives there anymore."

"Why?" Though Enji suspected the answer.

"They immediately became places where few ruthless psychopaths with their groups of power-loving butchers would rule the rest, not caring much for their well-being. People were queuing to go back to my horrible freedom-lacking dominion."

Enji wasn't sure what to think about it. Wasn't there a better way?

"I'm not saying this is what you and Oboro should do. You take your own path. I won't be telling Oboro how to rule your world. Or to rule at all. His job is protecting the reality. Would be nice if he made sure no species go extinct. But that's it. He can just leave you, humans, to rule yourself how you want."

"I'm not saying that," murmured Enji. "We want a better world."

The Girl smiled. "Well, there is no rush. Soon Oboro will want me to bury him with historical books about all the Universes I can think of. He'll try to learn from them, to find the best path. You can join him too in that."

Enji actually loved historical books, depressing as they were. "We'll do our best."

"I know."

Still, something bothered him. "Do you really believe in cruel punishments rather than rehabilitation of villains?" He thought of those cut-off hands she once had mentioned.

"Oh, but we have both. You see, the court process in my universe is extremely detailed and includes specialists looking right into your mind."

Ah, so that lack of privacy went extremely far.

"If you can be rehabilitated, you will be handed everything you need. But if there are no chances of rehabilitation, you are convicted. I have people marching on the streets because we are too cruel, but I actually have people marching on the streets because we are 'too lenient', too."

Enji blinked. So it was more complicated than he had judged. Well, ruling the society had to be.

"So... who ends up with cut-off hands?"

"Politicians, bankers, CEOs of big companies, hackers, people who try to use old people or naive youngsters..."

Oh. Somehow Enji had this vision of poor kids from pathologic families punished for stealing food. He couldn't muster too much empathy for bankers or politicians, which, he knew, wasn't fair, but he blamed a lot of the current system's horrors on them.

"Okay."

"I'm not saying this is perfect. I am not saying you can't do better. But I did the best I could with what I had to work with, I think."

Enji hummed quietly. "I'm not judging... our system is probably worse." Well, they had wars and murders and rapes, so most likely definitely worse. "If Oboro was just a normal human and we managed to win against him... I don't know how the things would have end up in the court. I think he was but a victim but would that be enough? People would want severe punishment, thinking of everyone who died and the court would probably be leaning to the pressure of society."

"Yes. And you have places like Tartarus. Even if you don't actively torture people, the conditions in which villains thrown there live in..."

Yes, Enji knew that. He remembered Kurogiri bound to his chair, unable to move. This was horror.

"I hope we'll manage to create a better world."

"That is a good aim. 'Perfect' is probably impossible, but 'better' is," she agreed.

Enji decided to change this heavy subject.

"You are right, I do love this food." The Girl had chosen for him vegetables, some that he could recognise, some that he couldn't, with kind of a... frutti di mare? And a hot chocolate, the best he had ever had.

"These are n'hati. They live in the seas of Nalan. Great source of proteins. And the vegetables come from Gaia, a planet that specializes in vegan agriculture. It used to be a planet of human slaves whose job was to provide their elvish masters with the best plant-based food. Slavery is gone now but they still pride themselves on the taste of their vegetables and fruits.

'Elvish', right. Enji sighed.

The Girl kept smiling. "Welcome to the multiverse, Enji Chigira."

888

"Will they really be alright?"

Hawks looked deeply offended by the question. "I can take much more than that. Don't you underestimate my eating abilities."

"You both look bordering on getting sick."

"They'll be fine," said the Girl. "They just ate... very much. But the spell holds. They will be fine, though definitely feeling heavy on stomach. Oh, right, you had all those appliances on the list too."

Right, Kurogiri asked for things like a meat grinder or a mixer.

"I'll just add a fully equipped kitchen to the Mountain Palace."

Oh.

"That's not very... immersive," murmured Enji to Izuku's fierce nodding.

"You literally have USB outlets in your cottage, and you're using smartphones," the Girl laughed.

True.

"Alright, then, do call me if you need anything else." And she was gone.

Untenmaru looked suspiciously at the food that was supposed to be for them, a gift from the Girl.

"So... you expect us to eat things we have not evolved to eat, Enji-sama?"

Enji sighed. "We have not evolved to eat processed meat. Just try something."

"It's delicious!" came the unison of two small gluttons.

"Yes, I can see your state," replied Untenmaru, not without a judging look.

Which meant... Enji had to get a grip and plan going back to Skyrim. He so wished he could take at least Hawks with him. The bird would surely end up worshipping Kurogiri's cooking. But, yeah, the boy was right, Oboro not necessarily would want to see him now. And maybe Kurogiri too. They were all Bubaigawara's friends, after all, and from what Hawks had told him, Bubaigawara was truly a loyal, kind, supportive person. Enji sighed.

888

"I will miss you so much," he said hugging his bird tightly.

"I wish I could say the same, but you'll be right back, I understand?"

Enji nodded.

"Bring me some food, this time. I wanna check whether that Kurogiri is better than our Fuyumi."

"He is," whispered Enji as if Fuyumi could hear him. "But don't you ever tell her that. She is amazing too."

"I highly doubt anyone is a better cook than our Fuyumi-sama," said Untenmaru, piercing Enji with his glare for that blasphemy.

"I wish I could take my friends with us," sighed Izuku.

"Maybe next time, love."

He gave his bird one last hug.

"Please do take good care of yourself, Enji-sama," said Untenmaru in a rather threatening way. "I don't like that we won't be able to reach you."

"I will be fine, Untenmaru. Izuku?"

Izuku nodded and they both concentrated on their sigils.

The next moment they were back at Oboro's, Kurogiri's, and the Girl's side. Oboro and Kurogiri were still looking at him with concern.

"I'm much better," said Enji immediately. "I... well." What could he say, really? "Well, kind of used to this." Family dying on him. Being a bad father.

Oboro frowned but Enji'd swear there was a shadow of guilt there for some reason. "You're so stupid," the boy murmured. "I told you he's gonna be fine. Think of yourself." He almost looked like he was about to pout.

Enji smiled. "I prefer to think of you. I have all those groceries, thanks to the Girl here," he nodded at her.

"And that is how you create loops to close," she replied lightly. "This is a small loop, but it is an important lesson. You told me what my future self did so I'll have to do something about it."

"Oh," said Enji feeling guilty. "I'm sorry, I haven't thought... I haven't really thought this through. But I didn't say too much."

"No. And this is also important, being vague."

"Wait!" Enji realized. "So when I told Oboro he came back in time..."

The Girl nodded. "It means he has to do something about it. The best and easiest way is to close the loop. But being the overseer he can also erase it entirely but then he has to analyze the consequences carefully, especially if we're talking about loops on himself. These can be quite dangerous."

"I'm sorry," murmured Enji.

"It's okay," said Oboro. "I'll gladly come back in time to help you kill that bastard."

"So, about those groceries...?" asked Kurogiri.

Enji took out a gem. "Everything's here." This was so convenient.

Kurogiri stared at it. "Alright," the man said slowly. "This is quite practical."

"Anything else you need from me?" asked the Girl.

"Could you bring me some historical books from universes most similar to mine?" asked Oboro.

"It's never good to know what happened to you in other universes and to let the events from different realities affect your choices too much. Bear that in mind while reading them."

"I think I understand what you mean," murmured Oboro.

"You'll find them in a chest in your shack. I will also take the liberty and make the place more comfortable, if I may."

Oboro just shrugged at that.

With that, the Girl was gone and Enji looked expectantly at Kurogiri.

"If you'll need any sort of support," said Kurogiri watching him carefully. "Please tell us. We'll do what we can."

Enji smiled warmly at the other man. "Thank you."

They were warped back to the residence's kitchen and then Enji did as the Girl had instructed him – he just threw the gem with all his might at the floor. It shattered and all the groceries reappeared on the floor.

There was an audible inhale from Kurogiri. "You have really outdone yourself, Enji-san. These will last us for at least a month!" He immediately warped himself to the food, followed by Mon-chan rushing to check the nice new smells.

A small fond smile appeared on Oboro's face. "He's in his heaven now," he murmured. Enji was sure Oboro was speaking about Mon-chan but then noticed the red eyes were on Kurogiri.

"Good," Enji smiled too at that. "Sorry I bought no appliances but the Girl told me she would create a fully functional additional kitchen here."

"There is a new door right by the corner," said Izuku.

Kurogiri immediately warped himself there and opened it just to freeze.

"It better be good," murmured Oboro as they headed there too.

"...it definitely breaks immersion," murmured Enji as he took in the most technologically advanced kitchen he had ever seen.

Kurogiri looked like he just found his long-lost love if Enji was any judge. "I truly need to express my gratitude to the overseer of the multiverse," the other man murmured, his voice full of awe.

"Alright, let's bring those groceries there," said Oboro sending Enji a weird, meaningful look.

Ah, right. Enji slightly shook his head and furtively showed another gem he had hidden in his pocket. Oboro's eyes widened in understanding and then he grinned. It still looked a bit unhinged on him but he was getting better at that, Enji thought.

Kurogiri joined them and suddenly stood still. "Are those instant soups?"

"The Girl said Oboro liked them..." answered Enji hesitantly.

Oboro uttered a long-suffering sigh.

"Oboro is not an example of health, as you all can see," said Kurogiri stiffly, his voice a little louder than usual, every word uttered perfectly clearly. "You'll forgive me if I say he should refrain from eating junk food until he recovers completely."

Oh. Oh, damn. It never crossed Enji's mind Kurogiri was a proper parent – not only soft and loving and kind but also having his child's future always in mind. And Oboro did not seem like the most obedient child that had ever existed. Which meant... the storm was brewing and Enji got himself in the center of it.

And, as expected, Oboro's face twisted in irritation followed by a most distinct pout. A sound came from his mouth, something hovering between a hmmph and a short growl. "Yeah, no junk food for me," he said with clear irritation, turning himself away from Kurogiri. "Because I'll die if I eat one goddamn bowl of a goddamn instant ramen."

"Oboro, you are a grown man and you can eat whatever you wish," said Kurogiri with coldness Enji had never expected to hear toward who was more a loved son than a ward to the other man. "I merely am suggesting what is in your best interest but, of course, I am in no position to forbid you anything. I am not your real parent, after-"

A thud of Oboro's fist slamming into the wall made Kurogiri fall silent. The fist was bloodied now. Kurogiri sighed. "Let me take care-"

"Leave it be, my 'not real parent'," hissed Oboro and stormed out of the kitchen, immediately followed by Mon-chan.

Izuku shot a worried look at Enji.

"I'll see to that hand," sighed Enji. "Are you alright, Kurogiri? I am sorry I brought that food here. The Girl said-"

"It's okay," said Kurogiri, his voice quite tired now. "This is not an... unprecedented situation."

"Maybe you could find a compromise-" started Izuku tentatively.

"He. Is. Sick. He can't eat things like this," Kurogiri's voice was again louder and stern.

For some reason Rei's words came to Enji, 'It's not easy to be a parent'. And, especially a single parent, which Kurogiri sort of was. And he was thrown into that role while he was still a kid, a mere teenager. Enji saw he was definitely trying to do his best to give Oboro the care the sickly and not really stable child needed. But he couldn't be perfect. No parent was.

"I'll go to see to that hand," said Enji.

He found Oboro in one of the bedrooms. It was definitely a good sign he did not storm out all the way back to the hut. He obviously intended to stay near Kurogiri, maybe already feeling guilty for the outburst, or maybe expecting Kurogiri to feel that way.

"Can I see your hand?"

"And what will you do with it?" snapped Oboro rather senselessly.

"I have a healing potion."

Oboro huffed. "Just give it to me."

When the potion had been drunk Enji decided to touch the sensitive subject.

"You know he just wants-"

"I know that, I'm not stupid," growled Oboro and fell on the bed, burying his face in a cushion. "But he is just so annoying sometimes. A fucking bag of crisp won't fucking kill me and I am not a child anymore."

Well, he definitely did behave like a child, just as All for One would want him, but Enji knew better than to say that out loud.

"You have enough of being controlled? Of being told what to do?" he tried instead. Oboro went still and Enji realized he luckily hit the mark. "But you know well he's not treating you like a thing or servant, he just worries."

"It's still annoying," mumbled Oboro.

"He explicitly said it is until you recover. Bear with it for some time more?"

"I'll always be a sickly child in his eyes."

"No, you won't. You know you will become an amazing man. The Girl wouldn't have chosen you otherwise."

Oboro sighed barely audibly. "Oh, fine," he mumbled. Then he suddenly turned to Enji. "...you're gonna give him back that coffee."

Enji sighed. "No, but if he discovers it..."

Oboro's eyes shone with pure, joyful gratitude. "He won't. I'll make sure of that. Also, don't think I won't remember this."

"You really miss your coffee, don't you?"

"I'd rather live without sex than without coffee," replied Oboro earnestly. Then he sighed and got up.

He froze in the traditional kitchen when they heard Kurogiri's clearly pouting voice, "-and it's not like I'm not preparing dessert for him all the time. He can literally have any dish he likes, made from fresh and high-quality ingredients. It's not like I'm denying him fries or ramen or sugar. But why does it have to be low-quality processed food?"

"Maybe these are not low-quality?" Izuku fought bravely for the Oboro's sake. Enji hoped Oboro would remember that. "I don't think the Girl would be buying anything with doubtful ingredients."

"I don't trust those lists of ingredients," huffed Kurogiri. "I know big corporations. They lie."

There fell a pause so Oboro moved into the kitchen.

"Sorry, Kuro," he murmured.

Kuro sighed. "You know I just want you to be healthy."

"I know. I won't be eating those."

That seemed to improve Kurogiri's mood a bit, if Enji interpreted his specific body language well, while Oboro looked pretty unhappy.

"I'll make you your favorite burritos with chicken, dried tomatoes, cheddar, and basil leaves, Oboro."

This seemed the right thing to say. "It's amazing," Oboro told Enji. "It's a reason to keep living on this shitty planet. There is no carnal pleasure comparable to eating Kurogiri's burritos."

Enji could see the black mist thinning and becoming much calmer, which he noticed happened when Kurogiri was pleased.

"You exaggerate, as usual."

As it, some peaceful time later, appeared, Oboro was not exaggerating.

"Holy f- damn," murmured Enji as he took a bite out of said burrito. "I mean, this is better than... any other carnal pleasure, you are right."

"I have told you so," said Oboro who managed to already inhale one and was halfway through the second.

"Amazing," admitted Izuku in awe.

Kurogiri just hummed pleasantly.

"Do you have any plans for your after-villain life, Kurogiri?" asked Enji. "Because the position of my private cook is open."

"Dad means it," said Izuku immediately, his eyes shining at the thought of eating this every weekend.

"Say yes, Kuro, I heard his residence is luxurious, and he has a horde of cats."

"I like cats," said Kurogiri warmly.

"You will have your own house on the grounds," added Enji.

"Be careful, or I'll think you mean it," Kurogiri laughed lightly.

"He means it, Kuro. You do, don't you?"

"Of course."

"That's it then, no backing out now," concluded Oboro.

"I did not even say 'yes', Oboro," replied Kurogiri in an amused voice.

"Oh, come on, you told me once this was your dream."

"Cooking for me?" smiled Enji. "I am flattered."

But, actually, Kurogiri seemed to be uncomfortable now, Enji could tell it from the mist that was no longer as peaceful as before and from the fingers that started to wander. He wasn't wrong since Oboro immediately said, "Shit, sorry. Did not think this was... private."

"It's okay, it's not like it's a compromising secret..."

Did Kurogiri... like Enji? Enji got red and horrified.

"What the hell is going on in your head?" asked Oboro half-amused half-exasperated.

"Um, I did not know... um... I am Kurogiri's... um, type," whispered Enji.

Oboro snorted out pieces of burrito. Kurogiri's dark mist also calmed down and thinned out and Enji thought he made out a grin on a face that was now faintly visible.

"Yeah, you all go on and make fun of me," he murmured.

"Oh, fuck, Kuro, I did not know that either! I am sorry, were you the one wanting to spend cozy hours on one bed with Endeavor here?" chuckled Oboro.

"You are sometimes a brat," said Kurogiri in a highly amused voice. "No, I just..." His voice changed to more serious now. "...was always a little embarrassed that... all I wanted was a... normal peaceful life. I... don't want to be a villain. I don't want to be a hero either. Eraser Head... Shouta Aizawa told me I used to want that. But now I just... want to cook for my family, and take care of the house... and to have nothing to do with anything... 'exciting'."

Made sense, with Kurogiri's life.

"I don't think it's embarrassing," said Enji and Izuku in unison. Oboro's smirk turned into a soft smile of fondness toward Kurogiri and approval for their reaction.

Kurogiri was quiet for a moment, his mist so thin Enji could almost make out the face behind it, the face that looked much too young for this grown-up man.

"That is very kind of you," Kurogiri finally said. "But you don't have to go that far for us. We appreciate how much you are already doing."

"I'm not going to any lengths; I, honest to God," Enji smiled here at Oboro who rolled his eyes. "want you to cook for me. I'll pay well. This is heaven for the palate, it truly is."

Kurogiri again fell silent. "It would be awesome," said Izuku. "Dad hates how empty is our home now. Only him, Untenmaru-san, and Hawks. And none of them can cook."

The mist moved a little, the golden eyes looked at Enji. His child was brilliant, Enji always knew that.

"So what exactly are you eating?"

"Well, mostly take-out now."

"Unbelievable," huffed Kurogiri. "No wonder you are bringing here instant soups and bags of crisps and some ready-made cookies. I thought you were rich."

"I told you I don't have a cook right now."

Oboro grinned at the turn this conversation took. "Kuro, you see, we need to move there. I'm gonna have cats and you're gonna have people other than me to bully into not eating unhealthy food."

"I'm not bullying anyone," said Kurogiri in a very dignified tone. "Have you finished those burritos? Shall I serve lava cake?"

Right, there was also lava cake on today's menu.

"You need to make sure he takes the offer," whispered Enji to Oboro.

"I am literally two meters from you," said Kurogiri.

"I have to to write down those recipes for Katsuki," murmured Izuku.

"Katsuki?" Kurogiri asked curiously.

"Katsuki Bakugou, my classmate with Explosion."

"Ah, the one willing to die for you?" said Oboro lightly but his eyes were boring into Izuku's face.

Izuku's face fell at that. "Yes, he can be… emotional. I work on that."

Oboro kept watching him curiously.

"Yeah, they are boyfriends," Enji decided to sate that curiosity.

"I knew it," Oboro grinned pleasantly. "Though, I must say you have a peculiar taste. That brat is the most annoying fuck I have ever met."

"Hear, hear," murmured Enji.

"Dad."

"So Katsuki Bakugou likes to cook?" asked Kurogiri.

"He is very good at it," admitted Enji, improving Izuku's mood.

"Ah, that would explain the choice," murmured Oboro to Enji's chuckle.

"Hey, stop that. He has many amazing traits, not only cooking."

"I'll gladly write down my favorite recipes for you, Izuku."

As they were slowly sipping the tea after the dessert Enji finally dared to ask.

"I am not sure if you want to talk about it... but Shouta is extremely worried about you."

"Shou-" The mist trembled. "Shouta Aizawa. Shouta."

"I don't know if you wish me to tell him anything."

Kurogiri sent a questioning look at Oboro, receiving a shrug. "Whatever you want, Kuro. If you want I can make them completely forget about you, if you want they can come here and chill with you. This is your life and your past, Kuro."

The mist kept trembling slightly. "I- I would like to talk with them, yes. I really would. I... You have no idea what it meant to me that... they came to me in Tartarus. Shouta Aizawa kept coming regularly. I was... I was just a friend from the past long gone. Who does that? Who goes to such lengths? And... they were crying. ...like they cared so much. I was just... this was so long ago... they should have completely forgotten about me. Who does that, really?" It sounded more like he was talking to himself now.

"Shouta plays tough but he is really soft and caring inside."

"You need to play tough in this world,"' agreed Oboro. "Still, I always thought him to be a proper hero. Truly devoted to saving people, not caring about fame or money. I respect him. And if he still cares for Kuro, it just shows I was right about him."

"So... yes. I would like to see them again."

Enji nodded at that. "I shall bring them next time."

888

Additional scenes

888

"That is a beautiful garden," said the Girl when they came back with the groceries.

"Thank you. My gardeners are doing their best, with all the cats."

"...I wonder if you have blue roses?"

"Yes, I actually do. A fairly new acquisition, but they're already blooming. Why?"

The Girl smiled as she took her smartphone out of her pocket.

"Someone showed me a particular photo from the past."

888

The rest of the evening they spent on light topics and playing all sorts of card games, Izuku winning in most, to Oboro's irritation. Finally, the hour became so late, Kurogiri started herding them all to wash in the underground river and go to sleep.

"I have brought some other things I thought might be useful," said Enji as they started shedding their clothes on the very ancient-looking steps leading to the water. He broke another gem and retrieved from the resulting pile some bathing cosmetics which he threw at Oboro.

"The hell," snarled Oboro with no actual hostility in his voice. "Do you want to tell me something?"

"It's going to make you feel better," said Kurogiri and Enji in unison.

Oboro rolled his eyes. "Alright, Mom and Dad, I am sure this ice-cold river will make me feel just splendid."

Enji laughed at that. "Just watch me." He entered the water and turned his Quirk up. Soon the water was boiling around him. Izuku immediately moved closer, and after a moment of hesitation, Oboro did the same, murmuring something unintelligible under his breath, followed by Kurogiri.

"Give me the shampoo, Oboro, I will wash your hair properly."

"I know how to wash my hair properly, Kuro," snapped Oboro.

"It will help you relax and it will be easier to remove that stick," chuckled Enji.

"Oh, aren't you hilarious, Mr Endeavor," growled Oboro but let Kurogiri do his parental thing. And however hard he tried to pretend otherwise, Enji could see the boy loosen up visibly under Kurogiri's gentle hands. It was nice to see that despite the previous argument the family bond they had was so strong.

"Stop fucking staring."

So Enji turned his eyes to his Izuku, who got bored and swam onto the deeper part to take a dive somewhere under the bridge.

"There is a chest and some skeletons here!" he announced happily when he reappeared. "But I couldn't open it!"

Oboro rolled his eyes at that, like he wasn't a gamer himself, and stood up.

"Oboro."

"They're clean already."

"No, they are not, Oboro."

"Just a second, Kuro, for balls' sake."

Now both boys dived under the bridge. It took them a couple of minutes but they reappeared, Oboro looking livid.

"I couldn't decay that piece of shit! Can you believe it! The fuck is that supposed to be! This Quirk was supposed to be working normally here!"

Izuku was completely quiet but Enji saw the boy tried hard not to laugh.

"I am pretty sure decaying of chests would be considered cheating in Skyrim," said Enji. "You need to lockpick it."

"Useless piece of shit," growled Oboro swimming back to them. "I fucking hated that game and I still do."

They soaked some more and, finally, Kurogiri started shooing them out, since, apparently, in his order of things it was high time to go to bed.

"I brought us some nice pajamas, too," Enji informed them.

"What for? I'll just sleep naked, as always," replied Oboro, rolling his eyes.

"Just try them on," said Enji throwing it at the boy. Oboro caught in mid-air and paused. Enji tried hard not to smirk.

"The hell is this shit," stated Oboro loudly as his hands involuntarily stroked what Enji knew were the fluffiest softest material that ever existed. This was Hawks' favorite type, incredibly warm and unspeakably pleasant to skin.

"We have the same for you too, Kurogiri-san," beamed Izuku.

"They're amazing," murmured Kurogiri, touching them. "I always try to go for soft and expensive but these are truly something else, even for me."

"You can only buy them online."

"Thank you. I must admit I am rather fond of nice clothing," Kurogiri nodded to Enji.

"At least they're not All Might themed," murmured Oboro, Kurogiri's reaction enough for him to change his mind and put on the pajamas.

"Next time I bring Endeavor-themed," grinned Enji. "And I have an oil for your hair too."

"I'm not using any oil."

"It will be easier to comb."

"I don't need to comb them."

"Yes, you do," said Enji patiently. Kurogiri listened to the conversation with visible amusement. Enji suspected he had taken part in it thousands of times.

"Why?"

"To look like a bishonen villain, not like a hobo villain."

Izuku snorted at that and immediately looked very apologetic.

"Eraser Head looks like a hobo and is the most cool hero I have ever met."

There was another amused sound coming from the direction of his broccoli boy.

Enji looked for help from Kurogiri. The man uttered a soft laugh and then turned to Oboro.

"Oboro, you know well this discussion took a longer time than the very combing would."

"No, it didn't," murmured Oboro but obediently sat down. He probably did not want another argument with Kurogiri in one day.

"Look at you, you look much better already," judged Kurogiri after what obviously was a terrible ordeal, judging from Oboro's face, was over.

Enji reached out for something else he brought with him and tucked a blue rose behind Oboro's ear before he could react.

"What the fuck! Have you lost your mind?!"

"I need a picture of that," stated Kurogiri calmly.

"You all just hate me."

"We're just closing the loop."

"...what?"

888

"Buddha's vegan balls and his fucking dick, finally," whispered Oboro, grabbing the flask from Enji's hand and opening it.

"Yeah, I-" Enji shut up as Oboro started drinking straight from the thermos. "Hey, this is a very strong espresso, Oboro."

No reaction.

"Hey, you can't drink that much." Fuck, maybe Kurogiri knew what he was doing denying this to Oboro.

Oboro kept drinking as if this was his first flask of water after a couple of days in the desert.

"Oboro, you'll give yourself a heart-attack!"

Oboro finally put the flask away, his pupils dilated as if he just inhaled cocaine, his heart beating so fiercely Enji could see the tracksuit he had brought for Oboro rhytmically moving.

"Finally," repeated Oboro.

'Kurogiri's going to kill me,' It occured to Enji.

Notes:

Yes, sorry, but I needed Oboro (Shiggy) in fluffy pajamas and with a flower in his hair. I needed that. He needs flowers in his hair, I'm telling you that.