Orphan Nanny

new names for new people

Thanks Katy-chan for help with the timeline, and if any of you are curious I updated the tags

Megumi fit comfortably in her lap. It's a miracle that Shiba Inus practically raise themselves and are small to boot, but it was even better that Tenko had finally come around to the little puffball. It was a touch-and-go process overall, but the pup was friendly, Tenko was beginning to adore the little thing, and Julie was feeling proud. While not the best decision to bring him in so abruptly, she was glad it worked out well in the end.

Taking another bite of her cereal (god, she was glad they had American-styled products), she ruffled the fur in between Megumi's ears when he started to whine, and he settled down quickly after that, nuzzling Julie's hand with his nose. Grinning to herself, she turned her focus back to the news after setting down her bowl with a small clink.

"—the Dragon Villain, known as Flamethrower, was arrested early this morning by Endeavor, the Number Two Pro-Hero. Officials say that a total of three were killed in the fight, with another eighteen injured. Endeavor was unfortunately unavailable for comments, but—" the news lady was saying just as Touya entered the room, shoulders tense and eyes looking everywhere but the TV. Julie caught his eye as he stood rigidly beside the couch, looking ready to bolt at a moment's notice.

Repressing a frown, Julie turned off the TV and turned to Touya, who was still fidgeting slightly, picking at the bandages protecting his forearms.

It hadn't taken her long to figure out the boy had a problem with the Hero (she had her suspicions, but she wouldn't do anything with them just yet) and made a point to keep any mention of him out of the house. It helped that Tenko still kept a strong resentment towards Heroes as a whole.

Quickly but very much in his line of sight, Julie snatched his hand and brought it back to his side with a concerned look. Touya jolted at the touch, but let her do it with only a small grimace. He shook his head like he was clearing his thoughts after a moment, then looked up from where his gaze had dropped to the floor. He was still a bit skittish, but they were working on it. Megumi seemed to sense his unease and jumped up from his spot on Julie, hopping up on the arm of the cough and trying to lick at Touya's scarred face. He grinned wearily at the attention and settled for petting the dog as he gathered his scattered thoughts.

Julie was concerned that his scars weren't healing.

It had been several weeks since she had found him in that alley, now leading into October, but the red never seemed to fade from his skin and his eyes were always hollow, like he couldn't escape the past. Julie knew he would have a hard time leaving everything behind, but that's why she had gotten Megumi. She knew it would take time, but she wanted her kid to be out in the world again without anything to fear—without feeling like it was always his fault when something went wrong.

Touya shifted, and she focused back in time to see him holding the pup to his chest.

The scars had left his skin red and tender and broken, but he said he didn't mind.

Julie grinned wearily at the sight.

He still hated the smell of burning meat and the crackle of red flames.

Touya smiled back.

"Did you need something, kiddo?" Julie asked conversationally, pretending that her boys weren't broken and that Heroes did nothing to help them when they could and that they didn't flinch back when startled or how they never leave her side in public because they're afraid, always afraid, or— "You look like you got somethin' on your mind."

Touya still hesitated for only a moment, fidgeting with the dog's tail, before he seemed to decide to get it over with.

"Uhm...yeah. I was hoping that you could—we- well, that you and T- Tenko could call me—" he stopped, took a shaky breath, released it, and said, "I-was-wondering-if-you-could-call-me-Dabi."