The Man Behind the Screen

Welcome Home

MIDORIYA'S POV

"Where's Daiki?" Himari asked as she slipped her hand in mine.

"He's with Kacchan right now," I replied with a small smile. Today was the day for the big talk I had to have with Himari. It was something that Daiki didn't need to be here for. I needed Himari to have my full attention and vice versa. "You and I are going to go home and change and then get some shopping done."

"I don't need any more clothes or toys. I'm okay, Mr. Deku," she frowned. She always feels guilty when I buy her something because she doesn't deserve it. She's told me that before, and it shattered my heart. I hate the way her parents have treated her.

I squeezed her hand gently before crossing the street. "I promise, you're going to need some new things. But before we go shopping, I have to talk to you about something else."

Her bright eyes filled with concern. "About what?"

"We'll talk about it at home. I don't want you to worry; everything is okay." She nodded her head, but she didn't look relieved. She still looked scared. Maybe I shouldn't have said that.

After another four minutes of walking to the car and a fifteen-minute drive, I pulled into my driveway. As soon as we got inside, Himari dropped her bag by the door and grabbed my hand. "Mr. Deku, I'm scared."

"Why are you scared?" I asked her softly.

"Because every time Mommy and Daddy had to talk with me, I was in a lot of trouble," she whispered.

I frowned while pulling her into the living room. "Himari, you're not in any trouble. But I do want to talk to you about your parents." I sat down and gently pulled her down next to me. With her hand still in mine, I continued talking. "Your parents are going to go away for a very long time."

"They won't hurt me again?" Her breathing increased drastically while she squeezed my hand with all her strength.

I shook my head. "They'll never hurt you again," I reassured her. "But since they're going away for a long time, you will stay in the foster care system since you don't have any other relatives who can take you."

"Am I leaving?" Tears started forming in her eyes. "I don't want a new family. I like this one!"

"Come here," I said while pulling her into my lap. "Himari, you don't have to go anywhere else if you don't want to. I talked to your parents and your case worker. If it's okay with you, I want you to stay here forever, too. I want you to be a permanent part of this family."

The tears in her eyes fell down her face. "I can stay?"

"Yes. Daiki won't be your temporary brother anymore. He'll be your normal brother."

"And you won't be my temporary dad anymore?" she asked quietly. I wasn't expecting her to understand everything completely, but her therapist must be doing a great job.

"Correct. I'll be your normal dad. But listen, you can still call me Mr. Deku if you want to." I don't want her to feel pressured into accepting me and Daiki like we've been here her entire life because we haven't been.

I didn't get to witness her first word or her first step. But I damn well promise to be here for every other milestone. Graduating from middle school, getting into the high school of her dreams, falling in love, getting her heart broken, university, a job, her wedding, and anything between and after.

"Do I have to call you Mr. Deku?" she asked quietly.

I shook my head. "You can call me whatever you want." She leaned against my chest and relaxed. "So what do you say, Himari? Do you want to be a part of this family forever?"