Chapter Text
At 24 years old, Shouta Aizawa expected a lot of things.
Becoming a father wasn’t one of them.
He had just finished up with the police and managed to avoid the awaiting reporters by the skin of his teeth. Apparently the press had nothing better to do at 3 in the morning. The villain wasn’t difficult to apprehend between his erasure quirk and his capture weapon, but tracking him down took up the better part of the week and most of his night. It was stupid, petty crimes, really. The perpetrator’s quirk allowed him to short circuit security footage if they picked him up- meaning there was no video footage. However, there were a substantial amount of reports from theft to vandalism at night for the past month with all cameras at each location out of commission. So the only way to make the arrest was by predicting his next move.
Which was all easier said than done.
But now that that headache was over, Shouta trudged through the city streets of Musutafu to try and catch an hour or two of sleep before he had to teach at Yuuei. Neon signs lit up the city center, drowning out the stars above them. Traffic was at a minimum, but far from non-existent. If hero work taught the exhausted pro anything was that villians, just like the city, never sleep.
And neither did he, apparently.
Shouta rubbed at his eyes, the itchiness now becoming intolerable. Dry eye was the biggest (and most annoying) drawback to his quirk, not to mention the fact it usually made him look more exhausted than he already was on a daily basis. Leaning against the wall of an old brick building, Shouta pulled out a small, all too familiar bottle from one of the pockets in his hero costume. He probably had twenty of these stashed everywhere- around his apartment, in his desk drawer, in his coat pocket, his hero costume, the list went on. He even had a few backups just in case. Unscrewing the cap, he positioned the narrow opening above his eye, exhaling at the sweet relief as he blinked, a few drops easing the irritation before repeating with the other. It was an annoyance, but it was a small one if it meant he would be able to continue his hero work at night.
Not to mention he’d take dry eyes over the press any day.
It was just as he was pocketing his eye drops when Shouta heard a faint squeak from the alley. He didn’t pay much mind to it. After all, it could have been anything. It was only when he heard it again, sound just as far away as before that he grew concerned.
Using his phone as a flashlight, Shouta stepped foot into the alley, minding where he stepped as he tried to listen to those high-pitched cries. Following the source of the noise (making itself known once or twice every minute), he found himself peeling away a turned over cardboard box, eyes widening in horror.
It was a tiny dark ball of fur, eyes tightly shut and tiny ears folded back against its head.
Oh, no. No. No, no, no, no, no, no!
Shouta stooped down, scooping up the tiny kitten- tiny enough to sit in his hand with room to spare. Holding it close, he frantically searched the alleyway, hoping there weren’t any more infant kittens tucked away in a box (or god forbid a bag!) somewhere. His heart raced, as he kept himself on full alert in the dark, listening for more tiny cries.
But there was just the one.
Wherever the mother and the rest of the litter were, he just hoped they were safe.
Shouta looked down at the feeble kitten in his careful grasp, terrified that it had passed on in his hands. However, his worst fears were proven wrong as an exhausted high pitched squeak reached his ears.
He gently slipped the kitten up against his neck to help keep it warm, using his capture weapon to keep the poor thing secure. Currently, he and Hizashi were ill-equipped to handle any pet, let alone a one week old kitten. And the supply shops were closed until morning. If it could just hold on for just a few more hours…
He passed by a vending machine, quickly backtracking before inserting a few hundred yen or so to buy a cat plush. Ironically, the plushie was larger than the kitten itself. He wasn’t one to buy trinkets, let alone from a vending machine, but if it meant the tiny ball of fuzz could have a buddy, then pride and logic be dammed!
Racing home, Shouta cranked up the heat in their shared apartment. He wasn’t one for luxury, easily living with next to nothing, but Hizashi had insisted on something decent without breaking the bank when they’ve saved enough. Between teaching and hero work for the two of them and the Voice Hero’s radio gig, they weren’t exactly struggling to make ends meet- especially since they’ve been splitting the rent for the past few years. Shouta pulled out a spare throw blanket, making a bit of a nest on one side of the bed before tucking the kitten and the plush into it. There was a strangled mew of protest, one that had Shouta’s heart in knots, little white paws kneading against it’s currently oversized companion before the kitten settled down into the warmth.
It was only when the kitten was warm that Shouta checked his phone.
To: Shouta
02:42 AM
Crashing at the station tonight. Didn’t have a chance to go home after patrol today.
See you at school tomorrow Grumpy Cat!
-Zashi
It wasn’t new for Hizashi to crash at the station. Some days were too busy and some nights ran too late. Granted, it was only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, leaving their weekends free, but hero life was unpredictable and the blond always insisted on having a spare change of clothes and extra toiletries stashed away at the radio station just in case. It made for a few lonely nights, but it thankfully hasn’t happened too often where it out a strain on their relationship, in which both of them were grateful.
Shouta sighed as he collapsed on the other side of the bed, taking notes on his phone as he fervently researched how to take care of an abandoned newborn kitten. Not only did he have the new addition to worry about, but the loud blond had no idea.
It wasn’t until the early rays of light shone through his bedroom window that Shouta finally checked the time.
5 AM.
He ran an exhausted hand through his long hair, realizing he was still in his hero costume. Taking what must have been the fastest shower of his life, Shouta quickly changed and made himself a cup of coffee. Stealing a sweater from his closet, he made a makeshift nest inside his bag. The kitten cried in protest from its companion leaving, but soon settled down in the dark and it’s new cozy spot. Not ideal, but it would work for now. After all, he had to leave early if he hoped to make it to the school on time.
The pro hero downed as much of the scalding coffee as he could possibly manage before grabbing his keys, capture weapon, and wallet before racing out the door with the kitten in tow. He had papers that needed to be graded, but that could wait one more day. He took the stairs two at a time, figuring it would be faster than waiting for the elevator in his apartment complex. None of his neighbors really seemed to mind his strange habits, as it was known that Eraserhead preferred to do hero work at night where he could be inconspicuous. And frankly, that was good enough for him. He didn’t care what anyone thought, as long as no one gave him hell for it.
Stepping out onto the street, Shouta raced down the semi-barren sidewalks to the nearest pet supply shop; all while trying his hardest not to jostle his bag too much. The mid October air nipped at his skin, forcing him to pull his haphazardly thrown-on coat just a little tighter around him. He ignored the bell ringing as he opened the door to the shop (as well as the cheerful woman behind the counter) before making a beeline towards the cat section of the store.
Shouta sighed, pulling out his phone for reference as he gathered the current necessary supplies: kitten formula, a bottle with a syringe to use for feedings until the tiny thing was big enough, and a heating pad. He would pick up a carrier on his way back. It would look too suspicious walking into work with one. The woman at the counter rang him up quickly, as he skirted around any sort of small talk she may have been trying to make.
The pro hero didn’t like small talk. He never did. It was illogical and made more sense just to cut to the chase. He had once told Hizashi that he didn’t like people, but the taller didn’t buy it- even as a teenager.
So antisocial it was.
Shouta had kept one hand in his bag once he boarded the train, wanting to monitor the tiny ball of fuzz without disturbing him (her? It was too young to tell) without constantly exposing the kitten to the cold air- at least until he got to Yuuei. He could feel the kitten’s rapid heartbeat, tiny chest rising and falling. All worst fears were pushed aside for now, grateful that the ball of fuzz seemed to be keeping warm. It’s squeaks were too quiet to be heard among the crowd, something Shouta was grateful for. The last thing he wanted was for someone to question him, and gods FORBID, human interaction.
The plastic bag of supplies rustled next to him, joining the usual symphony of metal wheels clacking against the metro tracks. The pro hero couldn’t help but feel anxious with every stop as people boarded and got off the train cars.
Just four more stops…
Just three more.
Two more.
Almost there.
The doors parted and Shouta dashed out of the train car, running up the stairs and onto the city streets. Yuuei was only a twenty minute walk from the station, but he could make it in half the time if he hurried. Stooping down on the pavement, he picked up the kitten (who protested furiously) and nestled them securely into an interior breast pocket of his coat. Between the jacket insulating his body heat, and the increased temperature from rushing back to the school, he should be able to generate enough warmth in the meantime.
Securing his bag, the Erasure Hero dashed towards large school looming in the distance, only slowing his speed to a brisk walk about halfway up the hill. Shouta would have to admit that he was overheating in the chilly October air, but for once his mind was at ease. He had taken the front steps two at a time, pushing open the heavy doors before rushing towards the teacher’s lounge.
Shouta threw his bag onto the couch, taking extra care with his coat as he pulled it off and lay it on the cushions. He made a beeline to the thermostat, cranking up the heat a little and pulled out the container of kitten formula he had purchased from the pet supply store. He’d never done this before but the directions seemed easy enough. He ran some lukewarm water, depositing the right amount of the powder into the bottle before filling it the rest of the way and giving it a good shake to mix. Removing the cap, the young teacher filled the syringe to the correct amount (he’ll use the rest for later feedings) and settled back down on the sofa.
It was at that moment Shouta let out a breath he didn’t know he’s been holding all morning. He pulled out his sweater from his bag for extra warmth before ever so gently releasing the crying kitten from his coat. It’s only been a few hours since he picked it up, and the animal’s tiny form still astounded him.
“Shhh. It’s okay…” he kept his voice low, holding the squirming ball of fuzz in one hand and providing the syringe with the other. It took a good minute for the kitten to realize it was being fed, but hungrily latched on to the plastic tip.
“There you go…” Shouta smiled softly, getting a better look at the kitten as it ate. It’s tiny folded ears wiggled as he slowly pressed on the plunger to keep it from swallowing air, making little squeaks and grunts as it lapped up the formula being provided.
“You’re a lucky little one…” he mused, running his calloused thumb against velvety dark grey fur, occasionally swiping along the even softer white fuzz on its deflated belly. “You probably don’t know when you last ate, huh?”
“When who last ate?”
Shouta jumped in his seat, his instincts kicking in and holding the kitten just a little tighter. Looking up, he felt his body relax slightly as a familiar face strode into the room.
“Hizashi, if you surprise me like that again, I swear to the fucking gods I’ll-”
Hizashi laughed loudly as he always did, settling down next to friend. “Y’know, Shouta… I didn’t take you for a big softy!”
“I’m not…” The shorter grumbled, tired eyes focusing on the wiggling form in his hands.
“Are you sure? I mean, I know you love cats, but this was unexpected! Who knew that the infamous Eraserhead has a heart!” Hizashi draped himself over the couch dramatically earning himself an eye roll.
“Shut up.” Shouta protested, feeling the heat rise to his face and trying to hide behind his capture weapon. “I was on patrol last night, okay? I would be lower than most villains out there if I just left it in the alley.”
Hizashi leaned in closer with a smug grin. “So you do have a heart.”
“Stop it!” Shouta snapped, knowing that the louder man caught him red-handed. “I would hit you, but I don’t have any extra hands. Consider yourself lucky.”
“Shouta, you wound me!”
“Someone needs to keep your ego in check, you loudmouth.”
“But seriously…” the radio host grinned, watching his boyfriend tend to the tiny squirming kitten. “Are you going to keep it?”
“Obviously.”
“You know what this means, right?”
Shouta looked up, sending his friend a warning glare. “Mic, don’t you dare-”
“I get to call you Dadzawa now!”
This was getting out of hand. Shouta knew it. But another thing he knew that once Hizashi made up his mind, there was no changing it.
No matter how stupid it may be.
“Mic, it’s a cat.”
“Then cat-dad Aizawa!”
“You’re insufferable.”
Hizashi cackled, throwing his arm around the other hero. “We’re going to be the best dads, Shouta! Look at our little baby!” He cooed. “It can’t possibly get any cuter than this!”
“It’s still just a cat, Mic.”
“Oh, yeah?” The blond pulled out his phone, scrolling through his photos before showing the screen to his friend. “Then explain this.”
Shouta looked at the screen, eyes widening in realization. It must have been taking before Hizashi made himself known because the picture was taken from the doorway. Just him in an empty teachers lounge, gazing at the kitten as if it was his own child as he fed it.
“Hizashi Yamada. You will delete that photo if you know what’s good for you.”
“- you’re completely smitten with this kitten, Shouta~!” Hizashi teased. “Besides, you’re going to want this picture later!”
Shouta, in fact, did want those pictures.
“I’ve been replaced!” Hizashi cried out as soon his boyfriend showed him the new Lock Screen on his phone.
The Erasure hero rolled his eyes, failing to look up from his lesson plans scattered across the Kotatsu. “Stop being so dramatic. Our picture is still my phone’s background, Zashi.” He reminded. “We’ve known each other for nine years now. I think it’s safe to say I’m not getting rid of you any time soon.”
The blond chuckled, sitting next to his boyfriend and sliding his long legs under the table. “I guess not.” He joked, gaze shifting to the tiny kitten currently sleeping off its last meal. “You know, I was really surprised when you showed up the morning with a kitten…” he admitted quietly. “
“I couldn’t just leave it there.” Shouta huffed. “It would have died without me- it could have even died last night!"
“That’s not what I mean, Shou.” Hizashi murmured, using his boyfriend’s pet name. “I mean, you’ve always said hi to the strays on the street or the kittens in boxes while we we in school, but you never did anything.”
The younger sighed in frustration, setting down his own. “Hizashi, I’m an adult with a stable income. I think we both know I’m more than capable of caring for a kitten off the street-”
Soft green eyes met black. Melancholy washed over the pair like a tsunami
“You were thinking of Oboro, weren’t you? What he would have done…”
Even after eight years, it still wasn’t easy.
“Shou…” Hizashi tried again. “This isn’t some stray kitten in a box ready for a home. You went out of your way to search for it in some back alley. You performed a search and rescue for a kitten only days old. If it didn’t need to be kept so warm, you’d never put it down.”
“I…” He felt his nails leave imprints into his palms. “I saw that kitten, and I saw us…” Shouta explained, suddenly finding it difficult to keep his breath steady. “I heard that kitten, crying as loud as it’s little lungs would let it to make itself known to the world, and I saw you. I found it trapped under an empty cardboard box, flipped over from the wind, and I saw Oboro. I saw this tiny scrappy thing left alone and fighting with the odds stacked against it, and…”
He didn’t realize how hard his nails dug into his skin until a pair of soft, warm hands took hold. Shouta loosened his grip on surprises, and fingers firmly intertwined as soon as an opening was made. He didn't need to finish that sentence. They both knew what he was going to say.
"You're a hero, Shou..." The DJ reiterated. "Underground or not, that's what you are. You don't need to try and make excuses for yourself. You acted on your instincts, something we were trained to do, and now our little family has grown from two to three. Don't you see how special that is?" He picked up his boyfriend's phone from the Kotatsu, waking it up to display the new lockscreen background. "The world can think I'm lying for all I care, but I have the pleasure to know that I have the most caring and dedicated partner in the world. You don't need to deny any attachment, you know."
A tiny, yet much stronger series of squeaks could be heard across the room, grabbing both men's attention.
"Now, let's take a break from grading. I think the Little Listener is hungry."