Light & Shadow

Todoroki Arrangement

~ Earlier that Year ~

Third POV

The process of adoption is not always a complicated experience. There are always piles of paperwork needed and different people in the legal system to get approval; but, if the child in consideration doesn't have parents that are alive, the process becomes more fluid. However, when a child's parents are alive, able-bodied, and a hero of the city with much influence, that can complicate matters. 

For Aizawa and Yamada, this was the difference between wanting to adopt their two nekos. When they went through the process of adopting Izuku, they could get it through the system quickly because they were heroes and were good friends with the police force. It probably helped too that Izuku's parents were no longer alive and Aizawa and Yamada had personally saved the nekos during the raid. 

However, adopting Shoto was another story altogether. Shoto's disappearance was known publicly, he was the son of the very much alive #2 pro hero, and his family hadn't given up their dependency of Shoto. So in other words, while Shoto was staying with Aizawa and Yamada, it was purely because they were who he was most comfortable with at the moment. Shoto was still very much legally part of the reputable Todoroki family. 

Both pros were very excited when they were able to adopt Izuku officially. They didn't want their excitement to dampen the occasion but they also didn't want to tell Izuku until they could officially adopt Shoto. Aizawa was working closely with Nezu to get another meeting with Enji while Yamada worked to distract the nekos. 

The boys knew something was going on when they were making more trips to UA than usual. They didn't want to question what was going on but they were growing restless and hesitant. They were getting quieter and Yamada was trying his best to keep the boys comfortable and happy. Their ultimate goal, more so than adopting Shoto, was helping both of them heal.

When Aizawa came back that night, just in time for dinner, he looked more exhausted than usual. He ate slowly but before he turned in early for the night he wished the nekos good night and told his husband that Nezu was able to schedule a meeting with Enji the following morning before the hero had to start his patrol. Hizashi looked conflicted, he was happy at the prospective meeting but he was worried about more pushback from the fire and ice family.

The following morning started slowly. Neither neko wanted to wake up and once they were awake enough to eat, Izuku refused to be verbal. They had been making progress with the green nekos communication, but the little bean still refused to be verbal some days. When that happened, he relied heavily on Shoto and it was almost impossible to separate the two of them.

When they got in the car, the nekos got strapped in and Aizawa nursed a large thermos of coffee to combat his sleepiness and the cold temperature of the early months while Hizashi got behind the wheel. The drive was quick and when they got out, each of the pros picked up a tired neko. The nekos rested their head on their respective hero's shoulders as they were carried through UA and up to the conference rooms.

When they entered, they saw the 4 Todoroki's sitting around the table. Nemuri came to meet them at the doorway and with a little push and insistence, the two went off with Nemuri. When the boys went off, they entered the room and sat at the table with the Todorokis. They were all quiet and Fuyumi kept looking between everyone awkwardly. Toya looked upset and Natsuo was just looking down at his lap. 

When Nezu walked in he caught the attention of everyone, and they all watched as he climbed into his own chair at the end of the table. He was quiet for a second before beginning to speak, "So as you are all aware, we are here to come to a final decision on the guardianship of Shoto. The neko has been staying with Shouta and Hizashi for quite some time now and they wish to officially adopt him as they have done with Izuku. The only thing preventing them from doing so is you," he said turning to Enji, "And your family."