From Distant Lands - Juro's Return

Chapter Thirty-Four

Two whole days pass of caring for baby Hiroki in his parents' absence and by the time they get back, the lot of us still manage to be completely exhausted, so exhausted that when they actually arrive home it startles me awake. I jump a little, eyes flying open as my arm comes up to cradle Hiroki to my chest and shield his head.

"It's just us" Deku whispers and when my brain finally registers his face, I drop my other arm and sit up, careful not to jostle the baby.

"Hey" I whisper back. Ochaco reaches for her son immediately, eyes welling up with tears.

"Hi, baby" she breathes, taking him from me gently and pressing her face to his sleeping one. He fusses a bit, but falls immediately back into a peaceful sleep. I smile warmly at them, my chest feeling a little cold now that I don't have a tiny human laying on top of it.

"Thanks again for doing this. We weren't going to do anything for our anniversary this year, but our parents insisted" Deku laughs sheepishly and I punch his arm, smirking at him while Ochaco disappears into the baby's room, too preoccupied with reconnecting to say hello.

"It's okay to take breaks, Deku. It takes a village" I say, earning a confused stare at the phrasing. I purse my lips in thought, unsure if there's a parallel in Japanese for the American saying.

"I mean... we're always here to help. Raising children isn't easy" I try and he nods, understanding a bit more now.

"Honestly, I'm just glad to be home. I don't think either one of us were able to relax" he laughs and I give him a look, holding up my phone.

"You think?" I ask, referring to the millions of phone calls I have in my history now. Deku gives me a guilty look.

"Sorry about that" he says, but I just roll my eyes.

"Don't apologize for being a good parent. Now, go see your son. I'll take care of the girls" I insist, shooing him away. Deku follows my instruction obediently and once he's back in the room with his family, I start waking everyone. One by one, everyone gets up and gets their things together and once we're all sorted, we each say our goodbyes, quietly leaving the Midoriya household to let the new parents quell their anxieties together. I can't imagine how hard it is to leave your newborn, especially when it's your first, but I'm hoping that the six of us did a good enough job that they aren't afraid to take the time if they need it ever again. The thought of getting to watch baby Hiroki again actually brings a smile to my face as I get outside, but the thought evaporates when I see Katsuki waiting for me, leaning up against the car he hardly ever uses.

"Hey" he says, smiling warmly. I laugh a little, giving him a look.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, a bit flirtatiously as I walk up to him, grabbing his hand. He pulls me in once I do, eyes meeting mine with intensity.

"Deku called when they got in, so I came to pick you up" he replies and I grin, leaning against him and breathing in his familiar scent.

"Hm, that's kind of you" I tell him and he brushes his nose against mine.

"It's for selfish reasons" he admits quietly and I can't help but laugh.

"Oh do tell" I insist. Katsuki smirks, but right as I lean in to kiss him, my friends tear us out of the moment.

"Bye, Kaida!" Mina shouts. I glare at her.

"Bye!" I reply, a bit stiffly.

"We'll see you next week!" Momo adds and I sigh heavily, hand falling limply against Katsuki's abdomen.

"Yep, see you then!" I agree flatly. When everyone finally gets in their own cars, I drop my head against Katsuki's chest, groaning in frustration.

"You seem upset" he teases and I glare up at him.