STRINGS // KATSUKI BAKUGO [2]

Chapter 21 // Found Daughters

"Maybe going shopping on Christmas Eve wasn't the best idea."

You rolled your eyes at Aizawa's statement and leaned over the middle console, saying, "it was your idea."

Aizawa spared you a playful glare over his shoulder before continuing to weave his way through the maze of cars flooding the parking lot of the mall.

Between the people and the vehicles, there was no organized path for one to take, so Aizawa just kept turning and swerving until he found an empty parking spot, which was, inconveniently, in the very back of the lot.

"It's so far away," Eri pouted as the four of you exited the car, her words referring to the front doors of the mall.

You smiled fondly down at the girl before scooping her up in your arms and setting her on your hip. You didn't want her to walk in such chaotic environment anyway.

"I say we just fake an emergency," Yamada suggested, and Aizawa blatantly rolled his eyes. "We're heroes. We'll be able to walk right in."

"For a hero, you sure like to break the rules a lot," Aizawa stated, which earned a grin from Yamada. "We're going to shop like normal people."

"We can't do that if we can't get into the mall," you said, which got you a small elbow nudge from Yamada as the blond smirked at hearing your clear agreement with him.

"Seriously, both of you?" he questioned. "Am I the only sensible one here?"

"Yes, but that means you're also the only boring one," Yamada deadpanned.

"Stop fighting please," Eri intervened, her nose scrunching as her eyes narrowed at the two men. "I wanna get one of those red hats, the ones with the fuzzy white things on the top!"

"How much have you two been spoiling her?" you questioned the two adults in front of you, who shared a hesitant glance with one another.

"So what emergency are we faking?" Yamada asked.

Aizawa released a small groan before pushing his childhood friend along, earning a chuckle from Yamada, a smile from you, and a giggle from Eri.

The four of you stuck close to each other while joining the crowd making its way through the front doors. Once inside, Aizawa beckoned you and Yamada to the side, allowing the mob to continue entering.

"The children's clothing store for Eri is on the top floor, so we'll head up there and make our way down," Aizawa explained.

"Why don't we just split up?" Yamada suggested. "It'll get shopping done quicker."

"Because my children have targets on their backs," Aizawa replied in such a nonchalant tone that you flinched at the use of the word "children."

Not only had he referred to Eri as his child, but he had also referred to you as his child.

"Sho," Yamada began, sounding somewhat amused but also assuring, "it'll be fine. You can take Eri to get her outfit, and [L/N] and I can start gift shopping. We can meet in the food court at noon for lunch and then continuing together from there."

"I'm sure you know better than anyone that I can protect myself," you stated, and Aizawa glanced between you and Yamada with hesitance. "I'm still alive for a reason."

"You know, I'm gonna agree to this, and then I'm gonna get a call saying you two are on your way to the hospital," Aizawa argued.

"Do you really think the League is going to storm a mall on Christmas Eve?" Yamada questioned.

"They showed up here before the training camp," Aizawa replied, "and then they showed up at the training camp."

"That was before they became the most wanted criminals in Japan," you began. "Aizawa, we'll be fine."

"I don't like this," he admitted with as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"But you love us," Yamada grinned, "so you agree."

"Reluctantly," he replied. "If neither of you are in the food court by noon, I'm calling back up."

You shifted to hand Eri off to Aizawa, so they could be in their way, but the girl stayed stiff in your arms, locking her limbs around you.

"I wanna stay with [L/N]," Eri admitted quietly.

You shot Aizawa a look, and he shook his head knowingly, causing you to let out a frustrated groan.

"I'll be fine," you assured.

"I'm not leaving the two of you alone," he argued sternly.

"I'll text you an update every hour," you compromised, staring at him with pleading eyes.

You understood he was worried, but you also wanted to maintain some independency.

"Half an hour," he countered. "Keep your phone on, and respond to any text I send you."

"I promise," you said, holding Eri a bit tighter.

Aizawa sighed once more before pulling out his wallet where he took out one of his cards and held it out to you. The color of it caused your eyes to bulge.

"You have a black card?" you questioned, hesitantly taking the card and slipping it into the back of your phone case.

"If you think that's impressive, All Might has two," Aizawa replied, his voice as monotone as ever. He checked his watch, saying, "I expect a text at ten thirty-two."

"Let's settle on ten thirty," you replied with a small smile before looking down at the girl in your arms. "Ready to get an outfit?"

Eri's lips curled back into a smile, allowing you to catch a glimpse of her pearly white teeth.

"Noon on the dot," Aizawa began, Yamada slowly starting to pull his friend in the opposite direction, "and don't forget the texts!"

You couldn't help but be amused at Aizawa's suddenly parental attitude. Although, you supposed that wasn't new for him.

He has always protected his students like they were his own kids. He was simply getting poor in his ability to hide the fact that he saw each and every one of them as his children.

You didn't mind.

[EDITED]