「It's gonna be alright. It's gonna be alright. I'll protect her. It's gonna be alright. 」
Izuku repeated the mantra a thousand times, staring at himself in the bathroom mirror as the morning sun streamed in.
───
"Kacchan!"
Izuku's face lit up as he spotted Katsuki and Tatami by the kindergarten gate. It was late in the morning on the day of the family camping trip. Other families were also gathering in the front yard.
"Kacchan, Kacchan, Kacchan! You're here! You're here!" Izuku rushed toward him, and Eri did the same with Tatami.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm here," Katsuki smirked, raising a hand timidly in an awkward greeting, while Tatami opened her arms confidently for Eri's hug.
"But I had no idea you'd bring Tatami!" Izuku exclaimed, excitedly shaking his fists up and down. It looked like he might bounce along with the two little girls. The girls were hugging each other and bouncing around the two men's legs.
Izuku had imagined Tatami with her parents because it was a family camping day. Despite Katsuki's unusual kindness towards his little sister lately, he didn't quite fit the typical image of a family man.
"Well, my folks aren't into outdoor stuff, you know," Katsuki mumbled, causing Tatami to pause her bouncing and shoot him a frown, as if to say, 'Hey, you were the one arguing with Papa about who would come with me just last night!'
"...While I'm an expert at this stuff," Katsuki finished, glancing at Tatami as if to say, 'Hey, remember I was the one who bought you that goddamn fancy pink outdoor jumper just last evening!'
"Yes, yes, I know! You've always been great at hiking and outdoor stuff, Kacchan!" Izuku nodded enthusiastically, his excitement shining through. "I remember you were the best hiker in our class back in primary school when we went on that picnic to Musutafu Mountain!"
"I was, of course," Katsuki shrugged, avoiding Izuku's eager gaze. He couldn't help but think, 'Why does he seem like an excessively happy dog when he's this excited?'
At the moment, Camie walked past them, holding a list in her hand and counting the number of people. "It's nice to see you two even happier together than the kids." She said, causing the two men to blush deeply in the warm atmosphere around them.
As the rest of the group arrived, Camie finally announced, "Alright, everyone's here! Are you all ready to depart?"
"Yeah!" The invited families cheered, including Izuku with the two girls. Katsuki just glanced at them and let out a small giggle.
"Alright then, let's go camping!"
"Yayyyyyyyyy!"
They all started boarding the waiting bus, with Izuku and Katsuki helping excited kids get in line, a habit they had picked up as pro heroes, following Camie's natural instructions.
───
About an hour later, they reached Musutafu Camping Ground, nestled in a lush forest not far from the city center. The entire camping area had designated spaces for tents and campfires, surrounded by the sounds of birdsong and the rustling of trees in the mildly chilly early spring breeze. Kids ran around, filled with excitement, and parents chuckled at the sight, enjoying the peace of Mother Nature.
After unloading their luggage from the bus and receiving some instructions from the campground manager, everyone got to work on their first camping task—setting up their family tents. Families scattered to find their own spots for tents, including Izuku and Eri.
YOU ARE READING
Papa Meets Old Crush
Fanfic「I'll always be by your side, Eri.」 Izuku promised to Eri when he rescued her from Overhaul. True to his word, Izuku adopted her, and they had been living together for two years now. During this time, Izuku struggled to find their own happiness toge...
