Little Angel

Cold Nights and a Worried Dad

Shouta crouched on top of a building looking for any signs trouble. He sighed, and dragged his hand down his face. It was only eleven O'clock at night, but he was tired. He was always tired actually, and he couldn't stop his mind from wandering. It had been three days since he ran into that kid, and talked to his mom. Even though she seemed to have great reasons for why her child was out so late, Shouta didn't believe her. There was something off about her and the kid. It was worrisome. 

It was eleven O'clock when he saw him. Shouta had been on a rooftop scouting for trouble, when he noticed a familiar child run by. It was Izuku. He hopped down from the roof to follow him. He watched from a distance as the kid sat on the edge of the sidewalk with his head in his hands. It looked like he was crying. 

Shouta walked closer, and spoke softly as to not startle the boy. "Izuku. Hey, it's me, Eraserhead."

He watched as the boy jerked his head up to stare at him with wide eyes. 

"E-Eraserhead? Wh-what are you doing h-here?" 

He watched as the child wiped the tears from his eyes. 

"I'm on patrol, kid. I'm a pro hero, remember?" Shouta gently reminded him, sitting beside him on the sidewalk.

"O-oh...I f-forgot." Izuku sniffed, looking away.

"What's wrong? Why are you out here by yourself so late? And might I add, again." Shouta ruffled his curls fondly. But then he frowned. This whole situation was getting more and more concerning as time went by.

"I...uh, I just like to get out." Izuku whispered. "'My parents...they m-mean well. Th-they can j-just be a bit o-overprotective at t-times. They've s-stopped letting me hang out with m-my friends a-after school. I just needed to h-have a bit of f-freedom tonight."

Shouta couldn't tell if the boy was lying or not. It seemed believable, but it wasn't the answer he was expecting. 

"It's not safe to be our by yourself so late. Especially not at your age. There are dangerous people around." Shouta told him. "But, I understand. Here." Shouta pulled out one of his jelly packets that he carried around. "You look hungry. Have some."

Izuku looked up at him with wide eyes, and hesitated before taking the jelly packet. 

"Thank you."

Shouta watched with a fond smile as he slurped it down. 

"I don't want you out here by yourself." Shouta began, but paused when he noticed the kid's frown. "But, I understand your reason, so I how about we make a deal?"

"A...deal?" Izuku asked curiously, his head tilted to the side. 

"Yeah, if you want to be out this late, you can't be by yourself." Shouta started.

"Don't tell my parents, please!" Izuku begged.

"No, no. Don't worry I won't." Shouta reassured him. He knew he was really going to regret what he was about to say. 

"When you go out at night, you can...stay with me." Oh boy, he was so going to regret this.

"Really?!" Izuku exclaimed excitedly, his eyes shining, and smile bright.

"Yeah, but only for an hour every night, understand?" Shouta said firmly. "You're seven years old and need your sleep. And I know it's during my work hours, so I'll be busy some of the time." And this is probably illegal. "But, you can always bring a book or something to keep you occupied while I beat up the bad guys. I just want to make sure you're safe."

"Will you tell me all about how you beat up the bad guys?!" Izuku asked excitedly.

Shouta smiled at him, hiding it behind his scarf. "Sure kid, I'll tell you all about how I beat their butts."

Izuku giggled. "You said butts."

Shouta lightly smacked him over the head playfully. "Oh, shut it."

"So, you really, really mean it?" Izuku asked hopefully.

"Yeah, kid. I really really do." Shouta replied, ruffling his green curls. 

Izuku smiled, and leaned into the touch. "I like when you do that."

"Do what?" Shouta asked. 

"Pat my hair." Izuku murmured softly.

"Then I'll just have to do it more often, won't I?" Shouta carded his fingers through the kid's hair. 

"Yeah, I'd like that." Izuku mumbled tiredly.

"Come on." Shouta lifted up the yawning child. "It's way past your bedtime. Let's get you home."

"No..." Izuku whined, shaking his head. "I wanna stay here. With you. Please?"

Shouta heart squeezed at the sight of Izuku's puppy dog eyes. "No can do, kiddo. It's time for you to get some sleep."

Shouta chuckled softly at Izuku's protests all the way to his house. 

"Go inside now." Shouta order, pushing Izuku towards the door. 

He crossed his arms when Izuku pouted, and glared at him.

"None of that now." Shouta lightly scolded. "Go inside, and get to bed, problem child."

"Okay, fine." Izuku grumbled, walking up the porch steps. "I'll see you tomorrow night?" He asked hopefully, holding the door open.

Shouta smiled. "Sure kid, count on it."

Izuku grinned, and waved at him. "Goodnight, Mr. Eraserhead!"

Shouta let out a small laugh. "Call me Aizawa, kid."

"Oh, goodnight...Mr. Aizawa." 

Shouta shook his head fondly as Izuku quickly shut the door. This kid was so precious. He was now his, and he wouldn't let anyone say otherwise.