My Father's Son - Chapter 23

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Izuku woke up to two boys jumping on his bed, beaming as they shook him awake happily.

"Morning boys," he groaned, rolling onto his back. "Get down here and give me hugs."

They fell into his grip, and Izuku smiled when Yuuto snuggled into his neck.

"Is no-hug-week over?"

"It's Christmas Papa, everyone hugs on Christmas."

"Of course, silly me. Christmas cuddles it is."

He cuddled them both close, eyes falling closed again with a little smile, listening to their little heartbeats next to his.

"I love you both so much," he sighed. "Thanks for being my boys."

"You and Daddy are happy," Hiroki giggled, hair tickling Izuku's nose as he nuzzled at a warm neck.

"Of course, buddy. Why wouldn't we be happy?"

"But you're extra happy," Yuuto chimed in. "Papa is snuggly and happy, and Dad is making pancakes with bacon."

"Oh? Is that what that yummy smell is?"

"Uh-huh! You want some? He said to come ask."

"Yeah, I'd love some. Can I wear my pyjamas or do I need to put some clothes on?"

"Just Daddy and Nana here, pyjamas okay!"

"Alright, let's go get food then."

"Yay!"

One by one they rolled off the bed, yawning, and Izuku smiled as the boys dragged him out to the dining room by the hand. He froze for a moment when Katsuki looked up, pyjama pants hanging low and baggy around his hips, abs on full display for the world to see.

"Morning Kacchan," he piped up quickly. "How did you sleep?"

"Fine. You want pancakes?"

"Yeah! But just one, I'm still kinda full from last night."

"Sure."

"Or two."

"Okay."

"And some bacon."

"You done?"

"Yeah."

Despite his tone, Katsuki cracked a quick smile when their eyes met, and Izuku sank into a chair to watch him cook. It was fascinating to see those taut muscles work in such a domestic way, flipping pancakes instead of blasting villains into space. The guy was just talented at everything, apparently. What an asshole.

"Eat up, nerd." He set a plate down in front of Izuku, flicking him in the forehead as he straightened up. "Enjoy it."

"Thanks, Kacchan!"

The boys chattered away like usual as they ate, conversing between mouthfuls, but Katsuki was oddly quiet. He smiled and laughed with the boys, like he always did, but there was no yelling or arguing like most days. Apparently even Katsuki was a sucker for Christmas.

"Alright," he spoke up, when they'd all cleared their plates. "Inko is at work, she promised to arrange fried chicken and christmas cake on her way home. That gives us all day to go play in the snow, check out the markets, and then see all the pretty lights when the sun goes down. Sound good?"

"Yeah!" Hiroki grinned. "But first we got a presentation, so you gotta sit down."

"A presentation?"

"From me and Yuuto!"

"Sit on the couch," Yuuto instructed, nodding along. "Just for a little bit."

"Okay, okay," Katsuki sighed, loading their dishes into the dishwasher and heading for the living room. "Come on nerd, let's see what our boys are up to. I blame you for this, you know."

"We should hear them out before you decide to blame me," Izuku pointed out. "Okay boys, what's going on?"

Yuuto picked up a stack of papers from the coffee table, big sheets he could only just keep a grip on, and Izuku stifled a laugh when he held up the first page.

"Hiroki and Yuuto's Presentashon," Hiroki began, reading off the big, glittery letters on the page, pointing at them with a stick as he went. "For Daddy and Papa."

Yuuto flipped the page, and it was all the men could do to keep from dying of laughter as they watched, Hiroki pointing very seriously at the first heading.

"Point One!" he announced. "We are big boys!"

"Big boys don't have to be with their Dad and their Papa all the time," Yuuto explained solemnly. "Big boys go to kindy or school, just like us, and they don't get sad if their Dad and their Papa aren't home every single night because they have other stuff to do."

"Point Two!" Hiroki grinned, flipping to the next page. "Daddy and Papa deserve to be happy!"

"We know you're happy other times too, but you're extra happy since you had adult time last night."

"Which brings us to Point Three!"

Yuuto set the page aside to reveal the next, and Izuku hid his smile behind his hand carefully.

"Time with Grandparents!" Yuuto grinned. "I like spending time with Nana and Mr. and Mrs. Bakugou!"

"Yeah! We have lots of fun with Grandma and Grandpa and Nana, you don't have to be sad about leaving us with them!"

"In conklushon," Yuuto read, flipping the page one last time. "Dad and Papa should have adult time sometimes and not feel bad."

"And also you should hug, I never see you hug."

Izuku couldn't bring himself to look over, instead staring straight ahead at his proud boys, but Katsuki just smiled fondly. He was becoming so soft lately, he really needed to do something about that.

"When did you learn the word conclusion?"

"At extra school!" Yuuto beamed. "I couldn't remember how to spell it but I knew it started with a C. And the other one has to be a K because it sounds like kuh!"

"I'm glad we're thinking about these things and working on our problem-solving," Katsuki nodded. "How about we make you a deal?"

"What kind of a deal?" Hiroki asked warily.

"Well, first of all, you can't call it adult time. You have to come up with a new name."

"Why?"

"It's kinda like saying Daddy."

"Oh. It sounds weird if adults say it?"

"Yeah. So let's come up with a name that works for everyone."

"Hmm... Date night?"

Izuku choked on his own spit, spluttering, but Katsuki just shook his head.

"Don't start this again, Hiroki. How about we just call it a monthly dinner, and once a month Izuku and I will go have dinner together while you boys stay home, yes?"

"Okay!"

"Second, no hugs. Kids get hugs, not adults."

"Adults hug all the time!" Yuuto pouted. "I like when we all hug together like when Hirokun was sick."

"Okay, hugs if it's all four of us, but you can't just demand that me and Deku hug. Fair?"

"Fiiiine."

"And finally, this weekend we're gonna do some lessons on -tion words."

"Okay!"

"Then we have a deal. Good presentation, boys, I'm very impressed."

"You were very convincing," Izuku agreed, smiling to himself. "Good work."

"Is it Christmas time now?" Katsuki grinned, standing up and scooping a boy into each arm. "Go brush your teeth and put some clothes on so we can get going!"

"Daddy, my eyes and Yuuto's eyes are Christmas colours! You and Papa too!"

"Right you are."

"You should wear green and I'll wear red and then we'll be Christmas!"

"I'll see what I can find," Katsuki smiled faintly. "Stop stalling and go brush your teeth."

"Going!"

─────

Izuku's eyes were fixated on Katsuki's hand: the wide palms and the long fingers, all heavy with calluses and muscles. While the boys chased sparkly lights and Katsuki snapped photos of the two of them, while they walked among a sea of people, examining stalls and decorations, and while they built little snowmen along the edge of the park, he still couldn't tear his eyes away.

"You wanna hold my hand or something?" Katsuki snorted, when he caught the green eyes staring. "Feeling all clingy and romantic all of a sudden?"

"Don't say things you don't mean."

"Don't test me."

"Like you would."

Katsuki snatched it stubbornly, linking their gloved fingers together, and Izuku could only blush and stammer, unable to form a coherent sentence.

"Still think I won't, nerd?"

"You're such a stubborn ass."

"You know it."

Despite Izuku's pout, Katsuki didn't let go. He just kept dragging Izuku along the paths, following behind their energetic boys, their hands still linked like it was a normal, everyday activity.

Izuku refused to admit he liked it.

"Me too!" Hiroki insisted, joining the chain on Katsuki's other side. "Yuuchan too!"

He began to reach for Yuuto, but the tiny hand was already curling into Izuku's, taking up the other end of the line. They went right away from boundless energy to contented walking, pointing out pretty lights or decorations as they passed but otherwise staying happily linked to their fathers.

"Daddy, can we take a photo of all of us?" Hiroki requested, already jutting his lower lip, ready to manipulate. "I want a happy picture."

"Only if you cut out the pouting shit."

"Okay!"

"Alright, pick a spot."

Hiroki didn't even have to think twice, already leading the charge through a little group to an archway covered in lights. It was the cheesiest thing in the world – red and green lights winding around a pretty white arch, stood on clean white snow built thick by heavy boots that trod on it. There was a line of people waiting, with a staff member standing at the front in her padded red jacket to accept cameras from the attendees and snap their photos for them. At Hiroki's insistence, they joined the line, and Katsuki huffed a short sigh at all the eyes glancing their way.

"We're gonna have to take off after this," Katsuki whispered, an unfamiliar weight of apology in his tone. "Is that okay?"

"Yeah! Next place!"

"Thanks, bud."

They made it to the front of the line and handed over their camera, and the moment Katsuki threw his hood back he knew dozens of faces were turning his way. All the same he hoisted Hiroki up onto his hip, letting Izuku scoop Yuuto up to match, the boys held close between them as they looked at the camera. He did his best to manage a smile, all too aware that it was strained, and the moment his camera was back around his neck, he dragged Izuku away. They stumbled a little in the snow, but no one dared to chase them down, and soon they were around a corner under a new set of pretty, lit-up trees.

"Sorry, the hood," Katsuki explained awkwardly, making sure it was back in place securely. "Don't want to get mobbed by fans during our Christmas date."

"It's okay!" Hiroki assured him, hugging him tight while Izuku and Yuuto nodded their agreement. "Getting hungry anyway, Daddy. Chicken time?"

Katsuki glanced at the time on his phone, then nodded, leading the way across the street.

"Inko should be home by now," he agreed. "You boys happy to head home for dinner?"

"Yeah!" Yuuto nodded firmly, grinning. "I'm hungry!"

"Alright, nerd, let's take 'em home."

He glanced down at his camera as they walked, at red and green clothes paired with red and green eyes,  and despite his best efforts, he couldn't resist a little smile.

─────

The house was warm and full of the smell of fried chicken, making all four of their stomachs growl the moment they stepped inside. Inko laughed when she heard them arrive, drying her hands on a tea towel at the top of the stairs and flashing them her brightest smile.

"Did you have a good time?"

"Yeah!" Hiroki grinned, throwing his shoes aside in favour of running to her for a hug. "I missed you though! You had to work on Christmas?"

"Yes, sweetie," she laughed, hugging him back. "Unfortunately work still needs to be done even when it's Christmas."

"But you'll be home for New Year's Eve, right?"

"Of course! We're gonna eat lots of yummy food and snuggle up with hot chocolate for the countdown. Sound good?"

"Sounds perfect!"

Katsuki waved the others on ahead when his phone buzzed, letting them strip off their boots and coats while he hung back to check it, but his eyebrows knitted together the moment he opened it.

"Inko, do you mind if we add one more?" he asked, shooting her an apologetic look. "I'm sorry to ask when you've been cooking all day, but-"

"I cooked plenty of extras," Inko smiled warmly. "By all means!"

"Thanks," he nodded, hanging up his jacket and grabbing his car keys. "I'll be back in ten minutes, you can start without me."

"We'll wait!" Hiroki and Yuuto answered in unison, giggling at each other right after.

"Thanks, boys. I'll be back as soon as I can. Promise."

He vanished into the garage, the door creaking open behind him, and Izuku managed to slap a smile on his face when the boys looked back.

"Alright, you know the drill! Wet things off, dirty things in the basket, go put something comfy on!"

They jumped to it, peeling off their layers and sorting them into the right baskets and onto the right hooks, and soon their noise was trailing off up the stairs behind them, off to their bedroom to find dry clothes.

Sure enough, Katsuki was back within ten minutes, already arguing with someone by the time he got out of the car. They joined the group in the living room where mugs of coffee and hot chocolate flowed freely, and Hiroki was on his feet immediately.

"Grampa Toshi!!" he exclaimed, leaping at the man for hugs. "You came back! I missed you!"

"Prince Hiro! I missed you too! Have you had a good Christmas?"

"The best! It was already great 'cause I had Papa and Daddy and Yuuto with me, but now I have Nana and you too! It's the best Christmas ever!"

"Aww, aren't you just the sweetest! I'm happy to be here!"

He set Hiroki back down, and Katsuki waved toward Inko as she stood up to greet him, already offering him a steaming mug.

"It's an honour to meet you! I've heard a lot! I'm Inko, Izuku's Mother!"

"Toshinori," he smiled back, bowing as he accepted the mug and obediently took the seat beside Hiroki, where he patted the cushion insistently. "It's a pleasure!"

It was kind of sweet the way they so easily fell in together, chatting across the couch and Hiroki's head. Inko was such a sweet person in general, it was hard for her not to make friends with everyone who crossed her path, but with someone like All Might who was equally enthusiastic and kind, it was like the room had filled with sugary syrup.

"Alright, who's hungry?" she asked, when they'd emptied their hot mugs. "The chicken should be finished now!"

"I'll come help," Katsuki offered, wriggling out from under Yuuto's lean of affection.

"No, let me," All Might insisted. "You've all done so much already today, not to mention welcomed me into your home. I can help with a few plates and bowls, you sit and relax!"

"I help too," Yuuto said stubbornly, climbing up to follow.

"And me!" Hiroki added, never one to be left out. "Daddy, Papa, go sit at the table!"

"You heard the man," Katsuki smirked, levering himself back up off the couch. "Coming, nerd?"

"Right behind you!"

They found an extra place setting already waiting on the table, two ends of the table made up rather than just the one where Inko normally took up residence. They stepped around to their usual spots along one side, but then Katsuki paused, smirking as he halted Izuku in his tracks. He nodded toward the kitchen, to where All Might and Inko were giggling together with a hint of pink in their cheeks, and Izuku gaped at them blankly.

"They just met!" he whispered. "Are you serious?!"

"Can you blame them?"

"No! But, I just- It's been two minutes!"

"Long enough when you're that age, I guess," he smirked. "Sit at the end."

"Seriously? You're gonna play games with them?"

"Hell yeah. Sit at the end."

Izuku sighed, but he smiled all the same, nodding as he took his mother's usual seat. Katsuki took the new place at the other end, and despite a slightly surprised look from Inko, neither of them said a word as they joined the cluster. The food all smelled fantastic, the table littered with overflowing plates, and Katsuki couldn't resist a genuine smile as he clapped his hands together.

"Looks amazing," he praised. "Let's eat."

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