UA's Gremlins

Recovery: Day 2

By the end of the day, Izuku was trusting enough of the food Aizawa, Hitoshi, or Hizashi brought that he ate without too much prompting. It didn't hurt that Eri was happy to have fresh, hot food too and ate eagerly.

Aizawa stayed the night with their kids Hizashi took Hitoshi home for the night. Katsuki gave up his spot on the bed for Eri to spend time learning a card game from Izuku. The blond sat in a chair next to the bed, watching as he seemed focused on learning how Izuku and Eri had learned to communicate effectively.

"One," Izuku said softly, tapping a card.

"Oh! So I just put this here, like this, right?" Eri asked.

Izuku nodded happily and continued teaching her the game of War. It was slow, but they seemed to be able to understand each other as if Izuku had all the words in the world. Aizawa smiled, just watching the small part of his family by the bed as Katsuki slowly joined into the game, laughing as he and Eri began to overtake Izuku in the game. It was lighthearted and playful...and all three were laughing in the most honest way Aizawa had seen from them since meeting them.

When the shadows fell, Aizawa settled into the other bed to let Eri snuggle with him while Izuku snuggled into Katsuki's arms. It was the wee hours of the morning when Katsuki finally fell asleep. Aizawa didn't sleep.

He just watched his children and hoped that this wasn't all a dream. He held onto the hope that all their troubles were finally over. Izuku would get better. Both his sons would join Hitoshi on the path to becoming a new type of hero. And Eri, that innocent little girl, would get to grow up to become whatever she wanted.

~*~*~

With the rising of the sun, Aizawa stretched and yawned. Eri and Izuku were contently sharing a breakfast tray - both were on restricted food intake to keep from upsetting their stomachs. Katsuki was napping on the other bed. Apparently, the blond hadn't truly slept, just closed his eyes.

"Problem Child Number 1," Aizawa said. Izuku looked up at him, spoon of Jello hanging out of his mouth. "I'm going to make Problem Child Number 2 go home for a bit and get some real sleep. Do you think you two will be okay here for a couple hours?"

Izuku hesitated, but tapped his head. "Eyes?"

Aizawa smirked. "Use Pathway and Tracker all you like, Problem Child. And you have my permission to protect yourselves however you need to."

Izuku grunted and nodded firmly. Eri nodded as well.

"I'll protect big brother and he'll protect me," the child promised. "Besides, we've been working on something to surprise you with, so this will give us time."

Aizawa quirked an eyebrow, but Izuku just motioned like he was zipping his lips with a smirk. "Okay. We'll be back in a little while. Hey brat."

Katsuki grunted as Aizawa poked his side. "What the fuck, old man?"

"C'mon," Aizawa grunted. "You need a shower and a real bed. We're going home for a bit."

That caused the blond to shoot to his feet. "Fuck I am! I won't leave him unprotected again!"

Izuku cooed at Katsuki, but then waved his hand in front of his face. "Smell."

"What the fuck you say, nerd?" Katsuki countered.

"Kacchan smell," Izuku pointed out. "Eyes. Safe."

Katsuki hesitated, studying his best friend. "You sure, nerd?"

"I'll protect him, Kacchan!" Eri announced proudly as she sat up on her knees.

"Fatgum is coming to check on Kirishima," Aizawa said as he read the message that just hit his phone. "He can come check on them if it would make you feel better?"