"Jesus, I've got laundry up the ass!"

The sound of his own voice grumbling out was deafening. It had Hizashi twitching at how quiet his home was as he tugged the laundry from the dryer into the hamper with a huff. Shoving it down into the basket, he found himself moving in the familiarity of dragging blankets from the dryer. Clothing. He bent down to pick up a few smaller socks to stuff on top before turning to the washer. He'd been slacking on his household duties, and he'd chosen today, Sunday, to make the effort to scrub the house down.

It was something that he was determined to get done while Izuku and Hitoshi were over at the Uraraka's for the day. When would there be a better time? A better chance to properly clean the house and get caught up on laundry than now? Grabbing at a few remaining clothing pieces in the dryer, he stuffed them into the hamper before straightening up with a light crack in his lower back. Groaning quietly under his breath, he dragged Izuku and Hitoshi's basket over after snapping the dryer door shut firmly.

He then began to toss the boys stuff into the washer quickly while taking mind to pick out their socks. He did so until he had decent pile of dirty socks on his dryer when he turned to grab one of his washer bags. Opening it up, he stuffed the boys socks into it where he zipped it shut then tossed it into the washer. Picking up his scent beads, he measured out a cup full that he tossed into the basin before throwing a pod in after it then shutting the top. He reached for the dial, twisting them to the proper setting before pulling it out.

Listening to the resulting gush of water pouring into the washer basin. Sighing out, he then turned to his basket to heave it up into his hands as he nudged open the utility room door to get his basket out into the connecting room as he stepped out. Shutting the door behind him, the sound of the running washer and dryer was cut off. Leaving the space quiet again as he heaved his laundry basket up into his hands as he made his way quickly through the living room. Out into the hallway with the thuds of his feet ringing out.

Filling the quiet of his home with a surprise volume while he made his way down the hallway into the kitchen with his brisk stride. He yelped when he nearly tripped over his feet when a cat streaked by as he took a tight turn into the small hallway. Huffing out to himself, he made his way down the small hallway with jingling cat collars running after him. He nudged open his bedroom doors with his foot, he made his way into the room where he made his way over to his bed. Placing the basket down at the foot of it.

He hesitated before he tugged his phone out of his pocket to connect the Bluetooth to the small speaker he owned. When he heard the quiet chirp of the speaker, he hummed as he opened up his Spotify where he tapped on a softer playlist of his tapping on shuffle and he then lightly tossed it onto the bed with a light bounce. It took a moment before a song started up. Something soft but peppy. It had him humming quietly to himself along with the song when he reached forward for the first piece of clothing.

Folding it quickly, he reached for a pair of pants that he folded in half. He then walked around the basket before continuing as he made his way to the closet to tug open the doors where he grabbed a few empty hangers preemptively. He then walked back to the bed to toss them onto it with a clatter when he then began to fold his clothing again. It was mundane but God if it didn't have a mind numbing quality to it as he began to hang shirts onto hangers and he slid the jeans he'd folded in half onto a hanger.

Humming along with the soft song as he folded his clothing. He'd been slacking on his chores, but he was determined to get the house as clean as possible today while the boys were out. God knows what the cushions of the couch looked like in between and underneath. The snacks that could have been crammed in them or the crumbs left behind. He folded a tank top up and placed it on the bed before reaching in for a pair of boxers. Folding it quickly and placing it on the bed next to it, he found himself glancing at his phone.

Watching the time before grabbing another piece of laundry. Today he had his plan of attack; get a head start on the laundry for clothes, strip the beds to wash sheets, scrub down the counters and surfaces. Sweep and mop the floor, vacuum the stairs and the boys rooms along with his own. Clean the windows. It was a heavy laden task list he'd given himself, but he was determined to be productive today rather than spend it masturbating or sleeping. He didn't want every single moment alone to be used that way.

He didn't want every moment alone to be reduced to touching himself. He had to admit his drive had lowered slightly since giving in that previous night when he'd been watching that old porn show of his. There were only so many times he could masturbate, and he didn't want every moment alone to turn into a masturbation session. After all, he liked that he was able to get away with it quite a few times now, but he wanted to be productive today. He wanted to do something with his hands that made him productive.

And even if he was making strides in giving himself a healthy bedroom life so far on his own, he didn't have to chip away at it every time, did he? Besides, he could see those small tufts of cat hair this morning swirling along the floor and the dust settling on the ceiling fans. It'd been a bit since he deep cleaned the house. It would explain why Hitoshi and Izuku were sneezing so much lately. He was determined to clean this house from top to bottom if he had it his way. To get everything as clean as possible.

He paused in his folding to grab the hangers that had shirts and pants slid onto it. Walking back to the closet to hang them up with his other clothing, he hummed quietly to himself at the change in the song. Something quiet and slow rather than soft and peppy. He didn't mind it one bit. Spinning on his feet he walked back to the hamper to hang a few more shirts on hangers in quick succession of one another before folding a few tank tops. He was making surprisingly quick work through the laundry.

Reaching into the basket, he grabbed then tossed the wash bag of his socks onto the bed. He folded two more pairs of boxers quickly while folding and sliding jeans onto hangers with that quiet music filling the silence of his bedroom. It wasn't often that he got the chance to tackle his chores without the boys complaining when he came through with the vacuum. To target beneath the couch cushions and carpet of the living room. Or when he had them go outside while he scrubbed the surfaces down.

Doing so with a a wet rag soaked with pine-sol and keeping them out of the house while everything dried. Or when they ran with bare feet over the wet floors after he mopped with those giggles of mischief when he shouted at them to stay off of the wet floors only to have them rush over it. He had time today to get most of it if not all of it done. And given how quickly he was getting through the laundry, he had a feeling that sweeping and mopping would be the least taxing things he could get done today.

Bending down to grab at a few pairs of pants that he folded in half before sliding onto hangers, he grabbed at a pair of boxers. Folding them quickly, he followed it quickly with a few tank tops that he folded up. It had been a quiet day yesterday after meeting up with Shouta at the park on Friday. A day to sleep in where the boys inevitably cuddled up to him at some point when he woke around two in the afternoon to find the both of them watching cartoons on his TV. Curled into his sides, he was grateful they'd had such a lazy day.

Rather than running out to the park, they stayed home with their dinner ordered out. Today, however, they were given the chance to play with Ochako, Neito, Denki, and Eijiro at the Uraraka's today. It was a perfect balance for their weekend. As they entered the middle of September, he could see the leaves changing before his very eyes into deep oranges and burnt reds around the edges. Brilliant colors that the leaves that were slowly changing from the vibrant greens of summer being left behind rather quickly.

Soon enough he'd have to rake the front and backyards for leaves to keep it looking nice. He'd be breaking out the long sleeves and sweaters for both himself and the boys. Heavy coats taken out of storage just to keep them warm as they waited in the mornings for the bus. It was a change of season that left his blood crackling with that electric exhilaration. He hated the thought, but the boys had been so excited running around the front yard as they waited for Ochako's mother to pick them up for their playdate.

Running after leaves that scuttled over the ground and crunched beneath shoes. He'd been more than delighted to join them until the car pulled up with Izuku and Hitoshi shouting their goodbyes. Smiling softly to himself at the memory of it, he quickly folded a few more pairs of pants that he slid onto hangers that he scooped up in his grasp. Turning to hang in his closet, he hummed to himself as he hung up the final pairs of jeans and shirts. He then stepped back to close the closet doors with a gentle thud. ⭐

He then made his way back to the basket where he began to work on the pajama bottoms inside. Folding them quickly, he didn't care about perfection. So long as they fit into his drawers was all he truly cared about. He hummed quietly to himself as he made quick work with the second half of the laundry that consisted mainly of his pajama bottoms, boxers, and tank tops. He was more than happy to get them folded up as he then tugged open drawers of his dresser. And he began to cram the pajama pants into the second left drawer.

Shutting it carefully, he then opened the top left where he grabbed the small stack of boxers from the bed and fit them inside with the other pairs. Opening the second right drawer, he grabbed at his tank tops and stuffed them in with the others. Snapping the drawer shut with a thud, he turned to the bed where he made his way back over to it to grab the washer bag full of socks. Unzipping it and dumping them out onto his bed, he began to pair up the brightly colored socks with their wild designs.

A pair of rainbow socks, goose themed ones, clovers, thunder clouds, lightning bolts, music notes, and a few plain black socks were conjoined quickly. A purple pair, a white pair, popsicle themed, and bisexual flag themed socks were conjoined just as quickly before he was scooping them up into his arms as he tugged open the top left drawer again and stuffed the socks inside with his boxers. Shutting the drawer was a bit difficult but he managed to get it thudding shut before he was sighing out to himself.

Shaking his hands out before grabbing at the hair tie around his left wrist, he began to scrape his hair back into a low bun that rested heavily against the back of his neck. He moved the basket over towards the bathroom doorway with quick steps before he turned on his feet with a deep breath rushing out of him. Alright! Floors! He strode forward with long, brisk steps as his bun bobbed as he made his way around his bed. Making his way to the double doors where a few cats lingered in the doorway who scattered quickly.

Twix running off like a bolt with Sterling not far behind him. Cappella merely stared up at him with her deep blue eyes before lifting her paw up to lap at it. He smiled down at the calico before making his way into the hallway where he paused at the small linen closet towards the end of the small hallway. Easy to miss. He tugged the door open to grab the mop, broom, and dustpan before shutting the door with a gentle thud. He then made his way down the hallway with the broom and mop clacking together.

He entered the kitchen where he placed the mop down near the sink where he turned the water on. Running it so the water would be hot, he made his way into the small dining room where he sat the dust pan down on the table. He then began to sweep the floor with his bun bobbing lightly against his neck as he tugged the chairs out to get beneath the table. The bristles of the broom over the wooden floor were deafening. He made quick work to clear out beneath the table and chairs before pushing them back into place.

Forming a neat pile near the doorway he began to make his way around the table with careful sweeps around it to make smaller piles that he dragged towards that first to make a bigger pile. It was content, mind numbing work that he needed. With him taking on two different workers, his time had been cut drastically at the store but that didn't mean he wasn't in the back making sure there was plenty of food for his workers. In his little office budgeting and planning out accordingly for the weeks and figuring out shifts.

It was odd not to be manning the store by himself. He had more time than he knew what to do with throughout the week, but he was more than happy to be there to help stock the shelves and keep an eye on his young workers. He'd met with Taishiro the other day with the older man expressing wanting to work for him and help be a second guiding hand. He vaguely knew of the larger man, but he hadn't had a reason to reach out to him. Not until Oboro had mentioned he give him a chance and hire the man.

He had to admit the other blonde was a friendly face; someone relaxing that he could see as a third worker. It took a bit of fussing and figuring out with the help of Nemuri and Oboro, but he got it worked out to add Taishiro. When he told the larger blonde the man had seemed absolutely over the moon with delight. With now three workers, he didn't know if he would be needed at his store with the three of them taking their shifts. It felt odd when he'd spent day after day within his shop without fail.

However, he was contemplating taking over on Wednesdays and Friday's, leaving his three workers Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday to take over. Hell, he was thinking of expanding his shop times to Saturdays for his workers. It was a new development that left wiggle room for him to make changes to the times and days he was open, and he loves it. Before he adopted Hitoshi, he had planned for his shop to be open from Monday to Saturday. Back before he'd been able to put a down payment on the building.

It had taken years of saving from his young teenage years to his young adult ones. But with two sons, he didn't want to be away from them on the weekends, leaving him to have his store open from Monday to Friday. But with three workers, he could open it on the weekends. It was a thrilling, exciting idea to have his store open from Sunday to Saturday and he planned on sitting down to adjust times for the weekend. He wished he'd taken on workers sooner than this but there was always room to change.

Room for him to fuss and adjust. He hummed as he made his way around the room, targeting the corners, into piles that he swept carefully forward to join the larger pile by the dining room doorway. Humming to himself, he grabbed the pan and dropped it down to sweep the dirt into it before straightening up. Walking into the kitchen, he grabbed the trashcan and tugged the top off to dump the dirt into then placing the pan onto the counter. He then shifted the faucet slightly so he could stuff the plug into it.

Steam wafted off of the water now filling the basin when he made his way towards the hall. And he began to sweep it down while targeting beneath the first step of the stairs and the corners by the front door. Around his shoe cubby. He made his way down the hallway slowly but steadily as he swept beneath the radiator carefully to gather the dust, cat hair and items beneath it before sweeping his way down the hallway towards the kitchen. Creating a pile just before the doorway when he stepped into the kitchen to begin sweeping it as well.

The quiet brush of the bristles on the floor were deafening but he could catch the soft, quiet music flowing from his bedroom. He'd have to remember to sweep the upstairs hall as well when he went up there to strip the boys beds to get their sheets washed and put their spares on. Targeting the nooks and corners of his kitchen carefully, he swept his pile of dirt towards the one by the doorway. Going over the floor again, he rushed over to the counter for the dustpan. Bending down, he swept up the pile carefully.

An awkward position that had the broom handle smacking off his head to which he winced. Standing up, he walked over to his small hallway to place the broom on the carpet before turning to walk over to the trash and dump his dustpan out. Reaching over, he turned the hot water off then reached to tug the child safety lock off the handles of the cabinet doors that he used to keep both Izuku and Hitoshi out along with the cats. Grabbing the wash rag and the pine-sol, he stood up with a quiet huff to himself.

And he unscrewed the cap of the bottle then dumped a decent bit into the water. He reached beneath the counter for the scrub stick he had and swirled it through the water to mix the liquids together until suds began to form along the edges of the deep amber colored water. He screwed the cap back onto the pine-sol before bending down to tuck them away. Taking the time to place the child safety lock back on. He then grabbed his mop and pressed the small button on the handle to begin mopping the tiles.

Humming under his breath, he made quick work of the kitchen before making his way down the front hallway to mop down the tiles of it leaving him to tip toe. Making his way to the dining room to mop the floor in there as well quickly. The floors glistened as he again tiptoed over them carefully as he leaned the mop against the wall in the small hallway next to the broom. He then made his way over the damp floor to dunk the rag into the pine-sol and hot water mixture. The scent wafting up to him with its citrus scent.

Swirling it around he lifted it out the wrung it out before beginning his work on the counters. It was nice. Unbelievably nice to be so productive as he slid the rag over the counter while scrubbing idly with it until the counters were shining. He dunked it back into the water, lifted it out to wring it of excess water then made his way into the dining room where he proceeded to wipe down the table, the hutch with their fine China, and the backs of the chairs. He made his way back to the kitchen where he dunked the rag into the water again.

He gave it a lazy swirl before lifting it out to squeeze out the excess. He made his way into the hallway and began to wipe down the top of the radiator before making his way into the living room. Swiping over the coffee table and the TV stand, he made his way out of the living room back to the kitchen where he dunked the rag in. Swirling it through the water before lifting it to wring it out, he made his way back to the living room. And he put more work into scrubbing down the coffee table and the TV stand.

The scent of the cleaner had his head spinning weakly. Scrubbing down the window sill, he hummed as he made his way out of the living room to the kitchen where he tossed the rag into the sink and wrung it out before making his way towards his bedroom. Walking down the small hallway into the room, he began to scrub down his window sill, his vanity table, his dresser and then to the bathroom where he scrubbed down the toilet and sink. Making a note to come back to clean the bathrooms properly.

He made his way through his bedroom out into the hallway where he tugged open the closet and rushed over to grab the mop. Shoving it back into the linen closet before grabbing the thin vacuum inside. Shutting the door, he sighed and made his way out into the kitchen where he tossed the damp rag into the sink with a splash. Pausing in the kitchen doorway to unwind then plug the wire to the vacuum in when he heard the sound of his phone's notification. Amplified by the speaker it was connected too.

It had him pausing when he blinked before glancing over his shoulder then walking down the hallway to the living room. He'd check his texts in one moment. He turned the vacuum on and began to do quick work vacuuming his living room floor. The back and forth drag of it in his hand was comforting as he walked around the living room with light crackles as the vacuum sucked up dirt rang out. He paused to detach the hose and tug the couch cushions out to vacuum up the crumbs he found beneath them.

Crackling as they were sucked up, he placed the cushions back down and repeated the process with the arm chairs in the room before finishing up vacuuming the floor. Turning it off, he made his way through the living room back into the hallway and kitchen. And rather than unplug it, he decided to vacuum his small hallway. Turning the vacuum back on, he made his way down the short hallway with light crackles ringing out as he sucked up the dirt of the carpet. He was almost done with the bottom floor.

And he couldn't help or deny that he felt damn good. Accomplished. He hummed to himself as he ran over the spots and areas he'd targeted before turning it off. Rushing into the kitchen to gather up the wire and unplug it before returning to the hallway where he walked his vacuum into his room only to catch another ping from his phone. He plugged the vacuum into his wall before making his way over to his bed. He opened his phone to find a few texts from Uraraka's mother when he unlocked the screen to tap on her texts.

The first picture was of Izuku and Hitoshi doing a puzzle with Ochako who beamed at the camera. The second being of Hitoshi playing with Neito with plushies while Ochako and Izuku played at the fake kitchen together in the background. It was sweet. Adorable! He saved the pictures with a smile before sending a generic reply before turning his screen off again and turned to the vacuum. He powered it up and began to work on vacuuming his floor with a quiet hum to himself as that soft music played through his Bluetooth speaker.

Making his way around his room as he tried to get the vacuum as far under the bed as he could get it. The light crackles of unseen dirt being sucked up as he made his way around the room while making sure to be thorough as he had been in the living room. In the hallway. His arm felt a little tired from the back and forth of heaving the vacuum, but he had to check on the laundry. Get upstairs and strip the beds and get them made with the spares. The vacuum hit off the wall as he targeted corners, around his dresser and bed frame.

Humming to himself as his bun bobbed lightly against the back of his neck when he was turning on his feet to vacuum near the closet. His eyes flicking to his phone when the screen lit up and he read the name. Shouta. He felt his stomach flutter before he clamped down on that feeling the best he could. Choking it off as he made his way around the bed to vacuum around the closet. He didn't understand where these butterflies were coming from. They'd been plaguing him for a bit now and he absolutely hated it.

He didn't have time to deal with the butterfly reaction over having someone like Shouta texting him. God, what had triggered them? Was it because he found Shouta handsome? Because he was. In that exhausted, run down, quiet way. Was it just him being nervous around the man? Was it because of the teasing words and seemingly clueless nature of Shouta's that sucked him in? What about the black-haired man caused these little butterflies? He could chalk it up to being nervous around the handsome man.

It wouldn't be the first time. He couldn't deny that each time he'd seen Shouta that he'd always had a blast so far. There was something fun about hanging around the black-haired man who seemed rather reserved. Worried about saying or doing the wrong thing without speaking it out loud. He found himself riveted to the black-haired man when he spoke in those quiet tones of his. Not quite apathetic but more as if he were tired. There was something about him that drew him in when he spoke lowly to him.

He couldn't tell if seeing him in that low lighting of his porch had triggered something in him. He didn't believe in crushes or falling in love at first sight but there was most definitely attraction at first sight. And he could admit to himself that he found hismelf attracted to Shouta. How could he not? The man was attractive. Handsome. And maybe it was that hint of shyness he'd spotted in him quite a few times that drew him in. The playfulness that made its appearance here lately that left him flustered around the man.

There was no need to deny that he had fun when he was talking to Shouta. That there was something about their back and forth that he adored. Something about it that he thought he'd only ever had with Nemuri who always seemed ready to give it back to him. There was something in the way he spoke with Shouta, something in their back and forth, that kept him coming back for more. Kept him excited at the thought of having another conversation with him. Another chance to hear that deep voice saying his name.

In seeing the sparkle of emotion in dark eyes. To see full lips tilting up into that shy, almost bashful smile that had him enthralled by the black-haired man. He found himself looking forward to getting a text or finding him outside somehow. There was an energy about the black-haired man that always left him excited for the chance to talk to him. To try and decipher the emotions he saw flickering over his face. The way he held himself. The way his head ducked away with shoulders scrunching up when his face flushed.

There was so much to the black-haired man that he wanted to know. He wanted to question him for hours until eh felt he knew the man inside out. He wanted to know why he did the things he did when he was speaking to him. He wanted to know the ins and outs of a man like Shouta Aizawa. He had been with his fair share of lovers who fell into the shy, bashful, and a bit reserved nature but none like the black-haired man. He wanted to know more about this man he'd only known a handful of weeks now.

And he knew that it was a dangerous line of thought to have about one man he hardly knew that he saw as his friend. It was a dangerous game he felt he was playing. He still recalled the light brush of rough fingers against the shell of his ear when Shouta had tucked his hair behind his ear. The feel of them on his cheek that night of his dinner party. Was he just nervous because he wasn't used to handsome men be so playful with him? Was it because the reality of Shouta Aizawa was different from what he expected?

The man was gruff. A man of few words. Playful. He likes Shouta as a friend, and he was sure their friendship would only strengthen. And yet Friday afternoon had him all too aware of the butterflies in his stomach. He could still recall how tingles raced up his thigh from the press of Shouta's knee against his. How he found himself glancing away before dark eyes could lock onto him. How the boys seemed to delight in showing off the rocks they'd find in the grass and how delighted they were when Shouta commented on them.

He'd look extraordinarily handsome in the afternoon light. He'd been in awe at the shadows cast over black locks and the man's face. How at peace he seemed to be while he held Eri in his lap. It was an amazing sight that stuck to him, but he had to admit that the playdate had left him curious about Shouta. So unbearably curious about what made him tick. What was he thinking when full lips pressed together? What was he focusing on when his brows came together to create that wrinkle between them?

God knows his fingers had itched to pinch a black lock and tuck it behind his ear the way Shouta had with him, but he'd fought it down. He didn't need to make complicated moves or confuse the black-haired man. That was the last thing that he wanted to do but he was insufferably curious about what made the other man tick. And the butterflies? Well, he didn't know what was triggering them, but he was more than confident they'd die down eventually. After all, Shouta also had more than enough on his plate.

Hell he, did too. He didn't have time to add something complicated to it. He finished vacuuming around the closet before turning it off when another ping came through. Steadying the vacuum up, he walked back over to his bed to pick up his phone to find two new texts. One from Uraraka's mother and one from Shouta to which he smiled when he unlocked his phone screen. He disconnected his phone from the speaker when he tapped on the notification. One was saying a simple good afternoon to him and asking how he was today.

He could take a little breather, couldn't he? He should strip the boys beds first and check the washer. And so, he sent an answer back before stuffing his phone into his pocket. He made his way through his room to the double doors where he flew into the hallway. Grabbing the broom on his way by, he made his way down the hallway with his feet slapping lightly against the clean floor. He then sprinted up the stairs quickly to the second floor where he leaned the broom against the wall when he hit the small landing at the top.

He shuffled his way down the hall to the boys rooms where he walked over to Hitoshi's bed first. Tugging his comforter, thin sheet and fitted sheet off with one quick swoop, he quickly stripped his pillows of their cases before he balled the fabric up and walked out to the hallway. He went to the top of the stairs and tossed his wadded up fabric down it. He returned to the room to strip the pillowcases off of Izuku's pillows, the fitted sheet, the thin sheet and comforter as well. Heaving them off with a quiet grunt under his breath.

And then his phone pinged in his pocket cheerfully. He made his way into the hallway with feet brushing over the floor when he tossed his wad of blankets down it with Hitoshi's. He then walked back to the bedroom to their closet to pull out their spare sheets. And he got to work on getting fitted sheets onto mattresses and pillow cases onto pillows. Thin blankets and comforters laid out then tucked in at the end when he pulled his phone out after getting Izuku's bed made. There was another text waiting for him from Shouta.

Weaving on hsi feet uncertainly, his thumbs dancing over the screen before he typed out a text asking to call instead. Explaining that he was currently cleaning and texting wasn't ideal at the moment. That it would be easier given he was cleaning. He watched small dots dance along the bottom of his screen when he placed the phone down on his son's bed before turning to Hitoshi's. Getting the fitted sheet and pillowcases on, he then got the thin blanket and comforter laid out. He was tucking them into the bottom of the bed.

His phone began to ring shrilly when he lifted the mattress up to tuck the blankets beneath them. Sliding his hands over the blanket to make sure it was neatly laid out, he walked over to Izuku's bed to do the same before picking his phone up. His heart skipping at the sight of Shouta's name displayed over his phone screen when he took a breath. In. Out. It was just a phone call. Tapping at his screen, he took another deep breath before bringing the phone up to his ear. "Hello, Sho! What's up with you this lovely Sunday?"

"Nothing much. I actually just got Eri down for her nap since she woke up at the crack ass of dawn fussing and I'm hoping that she stays asleep for a bit. I figured I'd give you a call since texting is a bit much for you." There was something about having that deep voice in his ear that had his stomach fluttering again when he adjusted his hold on the phone when he put it on speaker. "So how are your chores going today? I gotta to clean my apartment but with Eri beginning to walk it doesn't seem worth it lately."

"Well, unless you want her to shove random stuff in her mouth, I'd say you should definitely clean!" He then fussed with the corner of Izuku's comforter before turning to make his way his way across the bedroom in long strides into the hallway with the bottoms of his feet brushing over the floor. "But my cleaning is going pretty alright! I managed to get the floor swept and mopped, the other floors vacuumed, and I just stripped the boys beds to wash their bedding and I'm about to check on the laundry."

"Oh, so super dad is being productive today, huh? Good for you!" Rolling his eyes at the playful tone of Shouta's with a chuckle that was mirrored over the phone as he hit the small landing before grabbing at his broom and balancing his phone on the post of the banister. He then stepped back up to begin sweeping the floor quickly with targeted hits to the corners when he heard a shift on the phone. "So, what do you plan on doing once you're done cleaning? What do you have lined up for your Sunday?"

"I'll probably just chill out for the rest of the day! Figure out what I'm going to make for dinner first and foremost when the boys get home from their play date at the Urarakas'." He swept his debris off the edge of the hallway onto the platform he'd been standing on. When he vacuumed the stairs, it would make it all the easier to get that dirt up rather than drag the dustpan upstairs. He then grabbed his phone with his broom in hand when he began walking down the stairs. "So, what are you up to? What do you got planned?"

"Eh, I think I'm winging it tonight. I might order out something for dinner and make sure Eri has something to chew on. She's been doing remarkably good with the teething since I've been using the gel on her gums more often like the doctor told me too, but I'll have to call in more tomorrow. She got three new teeth." He smiled at the subtle pride in Shouta's voice as he made his way down the stairs carefully while stepping over the blankets. "It's aweing how such small teeth can cause her so much pain, you know?"

"When I was given Toshi, he was still teething a bit, so I completely get that! He was right at the tail end of his teething, but he was still uncomfortable, so I can only imagine how it is for your lil' bug. Oh, warning, I'm about to become extremely muffled and so are you so hang in there for a few minutes!" He stepped over the blankets then leaned the broom against the stairs before reaching down to gather the blankets up. Heaving the wads up into his arms before turning towards the living room where he rushed through it towards the utility room.

There was indeed a muffled reply, but he couldn't quite make it out with the phone stuffed into his blankets as he reached blindly for the door knob to the utility room once he approached the door. Pushing it open, he sighed out before tightening his hold on his phone and stuffing it into the hamper for the boys. The washer was still running when he straightened up with a sigh when his back popped lightly to which he groaned. "Geez, I bet your back is cracking like crazy, isn't it? Running around will do that to you."

"Shut up! I do not want back problems at twenty-six, but the back problems are having me!" He groaned out before spinning on his feet to trudge out then pausing to pick up a pillow case that he'd dropped and stuffing it into their hamper. He then shuffled out into the room and shutting the door behind him with a click. He felt a few locks sliding out of his bun which prompted him to reach back to tighten it before dropping down onto the couch with a sigh. "It's hard work cleaning but I have to get started on the upstairs soon."

"I can only imagine the damage two children can have on a house. Eri is only one but she's a tiny terror already." He smiled at the phone when he heard a shift over the line that had him glancing at his phone only to shift himself on the couch as he laid out over it with his feet pressing to the arm chair when the black-haired man spoke again. "You know, it's weird. We've been talking for close to four or five weeks now and I feel like I barely know you, you know? Outside of the kids and book store stuff."

"I was thinking about that! And you know what helps people learn more about each other?" He couldn't help grinning when he got a hum from the other end of the phone. He knew it was a bit childish, but he found himself grinning into the phone when he shifted to lay out on his back with his bun pressing annoyingly against the back of his head and neck like an odd pillow. "Well, it might be a bit childish, but some people often play twenty questions when they want to get to know one another."

"Twenty questions? That's completely childish, Zashi." He bit down on his grinning bottom lip when he heard another shift over the phone followed by a low chuckle of Shouta's when he shifted the phone slightly as he shifted his position on his back when the black-haired man shifted over the line; adjusting his phone? "But fine, I don't mind shooting off a few questions and answers. Let's play twenty questions. Do you want to go first or do you? Are we asking random questions, or do we both answer the same question?"

"We both answer the same question! We take turns with it!" He paused then adjusted his phone next to him when he then rolled his head to look at the screen when he licked his lips before speaking again. "Let's start with something easy, yeah? What's your favorite color? Mine is, cliché enough, yellow but not that ugly neon yellow but like a softer yellow? Like sunflowers or soft, pastel yellow! Nothing bright and in your face, you know? What about you? What's your favorite color?"

"Okay. I, uh, guess my favorite color would have to be a good, deep blue. Not quite indigo but like a dark rich shade; like sapphire blue." There was another shift over the line when he caught a throat clearing and the sound of Shouta shifting over the line again. He knew he needed to keep cleaning, but he couldn't deny that he wanted to carry on the conversation. The boys wouldn't be back until five, so he had plenty of time to finish cleaning. "What's a bad habit you overcame? For me it's picking at my lips."

"Ooh! I'd definitely say biting my nails! I used to gnaw my nails down to the quick all the time until they hurt, and I'd rip at my cuticles. My mothers would put this foul tasting nail polish on my fingers but it never worked! Took years of dedication to stop." He loved the low chuckle it got him over the phone when his feet pushed off the arm rest as his knees bounced lightly when he then shifted his head to stare up at the ceiling. "Would you rather live by the sea or in the mountains? Me personally I'd love to live by the sea."

"The sea huh? I guess that's where we diverge a bit as I'd love to live in the mountains. Can you imagine the air first thing in the morning? How quiet it'd be away from everything? It'd be bonus points if there was a lake nearby that you could visit and swim or fish in. Okay, here's a question to get you really thinking. Who in your family are you closest too? Like an unshakable, good bond? For me it's my younger sister. We don't talk that often, but I have a really good relationship and she's my number one to talk too half the time."

"Well, shit, I see we're breaking out thoughtful questions like you said. Let me think for a second." Who was the closest too? Aimi? Or Hana? Maybe Haru? He drummed his fingers lightly on his jaw as he squinted upwards with a low hum as he shut his eyes. It was hard to pick a single person in his family that he was closest to but if he was going off of strong relationships then he'd say- "I'm closest to my younger sister, Aimi. Okay! What's your favorite type of weather? I know I love a sunny day! What about you?"

"Rain. I absolutely adore a rainy day as it keeps me inside, but I used to play in the rain a lot when I would visit my bio dad's apartment. I used to run around for hours in the rain until I had blue lips, and I was shaking like a damn chihuahua. I love rainy days." There was a note of nostalgia to Shouta's voice that had him rolling onto his side carefully to avoid knocking his phone off of the arm rest as he tugged at a loose thread on the couch. "What's your favorite food? For me it has to be a good pork cutlet bowl."

"I'd say that I can absolutely demolish a bowl of udon like it's no one's business but I also love nikujaga! I could absolutely devour both without a second thought, but I don't know which would be my absolute favorite." He loved the chuckle it got him from Shouta when he slid an arm beneath his neck to support his head. "Okay, when you think of a fun-memory from your childhood what do you think of? For me it's playing dress up with my sisters. Being forced into a Disney princess dress and using my mothers make-up."

"I bet there's pictures, aren't there?" He hummed playfully at the chuckling man when he adjusted his arm slightly when he curled his knees up slightly as he shifted in his spot when a slow breath was let out over the line. Overwhelming the speakers slightly when Shouta then spoke. "Okay, I guess I'd have to say playing in the rain with my sister. Cliche, I know, but there was this bad storm that we played in together and smashed her tea set just because. What's your favorite movie? For me it's Pan's Labyrinth."

"Oh, that's a good choice! I fucking love Pan's Labyrinth! But I'd say I have a more feel good movie so I would pick A Bug's Life. You know that Pixar movie? The boys have watched it a million times and it's got to be one of my favorite movies." Another chuckle came over the line when he then found himself twirling a loose lock of hair from his bun. Tugging lightly at it to keep him focused. "What's your biggest regret? I think mine would be having young kids. I love my boys, don't get me wrong! I just-"

"Wish you lived more of your youth before taking on kids?" He pinched his lips together at the blunt directness to the black-haired man's voice when a sigh crackled over the speaker. "It's fine to think that, Zashi. To wish you'd spent more time before settling down with kids. It doesn't mean you're a bad father because you wish you had more of your youth to spend as you wish. I know mine is that I didn't go after my dream of being an acrobat. You know, like, aerial dancing? It was a big dream of mine as a kid, but I never went after it."

"Really? Why didn't you?"

"My mother said it was a waste of time. That no one would pay to see a grown man in a leotard or leather dancing in the air like that. So, I never went after it, but it didn't stop me from practicing, you know? From wanting a chance at it but I chose to instead go after a teaching license instead." There was a shift over the line when the black-haired man then let out another breath that had the speaker crackling lightly. "What's your biggest fear? For me, I'd say it's a basic one. That I'm not good enough, you know?"

"That's a fair fear, I think. Mine is super generic and not at all deep like yours but I think it's a reasonable fear! I am scared shitless of bugs. Like total, full on screaming if I see one near me and I just- Hey! Don't laugh!" If anything, it had the black-haired man laughing louder over the line with the speaker crackling when he grinned at the phone as the black-haired man howled with laughter. "Oh, I'm sorry I can't be all deep like you! Okay, you douche canoe! Being scared of bugs is totally rational!"

The black-haired man laughed over the line, and it was such a pretty sound. Deep. Rumbling. There was a slick snort to it that had him swallowing his giggles down as the speaker cracked with the volume of his laughing when he caught a deep breath and then a sigh with that laughter choking down to chuckles. "Oh, that's hilarious! Is that why you were so sketched out on the blanket at the park? That's fucking hilarious, I'm sorry but it is! Bugs aren't going to hurt you, Zashi!"

"No but they're freaky lookin' and have no business being near me! Like dolls!" He huffed out which had the black-haired man chuckling with that devious note to it when he pressed his cheek to his his arm slightly with a smile twitching on his lips when he got another chuckle from Shouta. "I'll hold that against you, you know! Now tell me, you douchebag, what's your favorite dessert? For me, I can fuck up a cheesecake like it's nobody's business. I absolutely fucking love cheesecake!"

A slow breath over the speaker broke up the black-haired man's chuckling when he cleared his throat much to his delight. Shouta had a contagious laugh; one that had him biting back his own laughter just listening to it. What would it be like to hear it in person? To choke the laughter out of the black-haired man? "Okay, I can definitely say cheesecake is up there for me, but I absolutely love chocolate soufflés. They're a pain in the ass to make but I love'em. If you were an ice-cream flavor, what would it be? I'd say I'd be vanilla."

"Orange sorbet. I'd be an orange sorbet ice cream! Have you ever, had it? God, it's so good!" He let his eyes glance to the clock when he heard the buzzer of the washer prompting him to sit up with a groan. "Hey, just letting you know I gotta do the laundry! But I have you on speaker, so feel free to continue talking! Now, for your next question, what's the weirdest dream you've ever had? For me it was one of those weird dreams where the entire world was water, and I was a mermaid flying through the sky for some reason."

"That's definitely a weird dream. Um, I'd say the weirdest one I've had is the kind where the entire world is made out of my favorite food? Like think of a building made out of pizza for example, like everything is food and you can eat it whenever you want." He hummed as he pushed himself up onto his feet to walk to the small door of the utility room that he pushed open when he placed his phone onto the dryer. "If you could relieve one day of your life, what day would it be?"

Relieve one of day of his life? He could pick a million days. A million different choices; the day his sister, Aimi, was brought home. His thirteenth birthday when he was gifted his very first binder after asking his mothers. When he got his top surgery that removed his breasts. But if he had to choose one- "The day I brought Toshi home. It was honestly a miracle he trusted me as much as he did, and it was magical the first time he smiled at me. It told me he trusted me after a few weeks. What about you?"

"You've mentioned bringing your son home a few times. I'm sure that's a nice memory for you and I'd actually like to hear about it at some time, if you're comfortable sharing it." There was a pause as he tugged open the door for the washer and dryer and began to switch over the boys clothes into the dryer when Shouta spoke again. "I'd have to say the day my little sister said my name for the first time. I was pretty young but old enough to remember, you know? It was magical, my mother hated that her first word wasn't Mama."

"That is honestly the most wholesome thing I've ever heard out of you, Sho! That's- Wow." He closed his mouth then to give them both a moment of silence as he switched over the laundry then threw in the sock bag as he shut the door. Moving his phone from the dryer, he turned it on with a rumble. "Okay, because you don't really strike me as a singer, I'm still going to ask it. What's your favorite song to since in the shower? For me I don't really sing on account of me being, you know, tone deaf and literally deaf."

"Oh, hmmm. I don't really sing in the shower either, I never saw much of a need for doing it unless I was listening to music on my phone which is rare. Guess we're both not big singers in the shower, huh? I mean, I can hum but not really sing, you know?" He clicked his tongue in response when he began to stuff Hitoshi's sheets into the washer when Shouta chuckled. "So, tell me, Hizashi, what's the worst lie you ever told as a kid? For me it was denying that I had broken a neighbors car window."

"Did you?"

"Of course I didn't! I was perfectly innocent!"

"Uh huh, that's what people who totally did it would say!" He loved the laugh it got him from Shouta when he poured the beads into the cap then tossed it in the washer. Throwing in a pod he closed the top of the washer and twisted the knob before pulling it out. Water gushed into the basin when he picked his phone up from the dryer and made his way out of the utility room as he shut the door. "I'd say the worst lie was when I was accused of tapping my chest with duct tape and I denied it."

"You totally did it, didn't you?" He couldn't help a giggle when he began to walk through the living room out to the front hallway towards the kitchen where he walked up to the sink. The scent of pine-sol unbearable, he unplugged the sink that began to drain slowly when Shouta chuckled. "I'll take your silence as an admittance of guilt. You'll have to tell me some time why you duck taped your chest. What are your top three things on your bucket list that you'd want to do the most?"

"Go to the beach on a whole romantic getaway, to go on one of those toboggan ride in the winter, and to go sky diving." He turned the water on then placed his phone down to wash his hands off; the scent of pine-sol on them was overwhelming. He drizzled soap into his palm when he then scrubbed his hands together when he noticed the chipped appearance to his deep purple nail polish. No good. He'd have to repaint them tonight. "What about you? What's the top three of your bucket list, Sho?"

"Oh, hmm. I'd say a quiet night in, to go on a hike, and to be kissed in the rain. It's stupid, I know, but it's always been a little thing I've wanted done to me, you know? What's more cheesy romantic than a kiss in the rain?" He hummed as he washed his hands off with the drain gurgling as the last of the pine-sol and water mix drained down it. "Now, I see past your bright and bubbly personality of yours, Zashi. Tell me, what's your number one pet peeve in other people? What really gets your blood boiling?"

"Oof, you're asking such a hyper specific question, but I'd say my worst pet peeve is disrespect of any kind. More specifically when someone talks over me and invalidates what I'm saying or dismissing me in that patronizing way. God, it's the fucking worst and it's been done countless times to me." He loved the bark of laughter he got over the phone from Shouta when he turned the water off and reached for the towel hanging over the handle of the oven. "What about you, you sourpuss? I'm sure you have a million."

"I do. But we'd be here all day and I think I have time for a few more questions before Eri wakes up and you still need to finish cleaning, don't you?" Tutting at the black-haired man, he rubbed his hands dry as he leaned against the counter when Shouta was clearing his throat over the line with the speaker crackling lightly. "Okay, I'd say I hate it when people talk to me like they know me. Like they know exactly the type of person I am and are rude about it. What's your favorite color to wear? Yellow?"

"Actually, I like to wear neutral colors. I have a bulky sweater collection that I break out in the fall with fall designs on them. I'm sure the next time we meet you'll see one of'em!" He chuckled then when he held onto the towel with fingers twisting into the fabric idly. "Okay, here's a painfully generic one as one of the last questions. What is your favorite way to spend a day off of work? What's do you like to do in your off time, Mr. Aizawa?"

"Ugh, you make me feel like a teacher or an old man when you say it like that. It's not fair when I'm only twenty-six as well, you know." It had him grinning at the phone at the slight groan to Shouta's voice at his protest when he crossed his arms over his chest with an arched brow. Waiting. "But definitely what I'm doing now. Sipping on a coffee, playing a game on my switch, while Eri naps. It's heaven right now having some me-time. What about you, Mr. Yamada? Running a store has to be tiring."

"It is! But I recently got three hires so I'm not at the store all the time and running it on my own anymore! So, I have some free time in the week and oversee everything!" He got a low hum from over the phone when he then lightly slid his socked foot over the floor that shined faintly. "But I'd say I'm looking forward to having a glass of wine tonight and curling up in bed. It definitely feels good to get the house clean and to be productive! Okay, last question! What's your favorite season of the year? Mine is summer."

"Of course it is." He blinked at the odd tone to the black-haired man when the phone was shifting on the other side. The faint sound of a cry in the background when he lifted his phone up when Shouta coughed lightly when he cleared his throat slightly. "But I'd say that my favorite time of the year is now. Fall and winter are my favorite seasons out of the year, ironic as that is, but I absolutely love them. But I gotta go, Eri woke, and she is not happy with me or the reality she's woken too. I'll talk to you later?"

"Absolutely! We can talk later! Or Face Time if you want! We could have a glass of wine together tonight if you have wine at yours? It'd sort of like being together but not? And we can play another game of twenty questions because I've definitely got twenty more questions, I want to ask you because I'm completely curious about your answers now." He knew it was an odd request, but he really did want to talk to Shouta later. To have another fun back and forth conversation like what they were having now.

"I think I'd like that. I can always pick or have a bottle of wine door dashed to me from the closest liquor store." There was a pause when he smiled as his thumb hovered over the red button when the sound of crying came clearer over the line. The poor baby truly did sound absolutely inconsolable. "I hope the rest of your cleaning goes well, Hizashi. I'll definitely talk to you later and I'll send you my face time name so we can call if you really want that."

"I'd love that. But I'll let you go so you can take care of Eri! I'll talk to you later, Shouta!"

"I'll talk to you later, Zashi."

Tapping on the end call button, he placed the towel on the counter that shined faintly from its scrub down earlier. He bit at his grinning lip before stuffing his phone into his pocket before taking off towards the small hallway of his. He had to vacuum the stairs then get another solution made so he can scrub down the bathrooms. He couldn't wait to talk to Shouta again; he was morbidly curious about the man, and he couldn't help but feel it went both ways. And if he was right? Well, then he could wait for tonight.