Evil....Maybe Not

Family Meeting

Bakugo POV:

I personally didn't like the idea of housing villains. It's uncomfortable and awkward, especially with my career as a pro hero. The thought of the public finding out and the potential scandal it could cause weighs heavily on me. It's a risk I'd rather not take, but I also didn't want to hide things from our daughter. As much as it makes me uneasy, I agreed to let them stay.

Seeing Deku so willing to help these people, even going so far as to staple Dabi's wounds back together, is something I never expected. Deku has always been a caring person, but I'm still surprised by how patient and understanding he is with people who have criminal records. It's clear to me that there's a lot more to this situation than meets the eye. There must be something good in them for Deku to care this much, even if it's hard for me to fully accept.

As Izumi and I drove back home, I decided to give her a small heads-up. I wanted her to be prepared, even though it was awkward for me. "Izumi, papa has some friends at home he wants you to meet. He's known them for a very long time and recently reunited with them. They've been a significant part of his life for years." 

She nodded, looking up at me with curious eyes. "Have they known papa as long as you have known papa?"

 I shook my head. "Not that long, but they're still very close. I'm just asking you to be understanding of them, as your papa was for them. Can you do that?" 

Her bright smile was reassuring. "Of course!"

When we arrived home, seeing Izumi's face drop was a jolt. I hoped she wouldn't react the way I did when I first found out about Deku's connections with villains. Back then, I was younger and angrier, struggling with my own feelings. But I've grown to trust Deku's judgment. If these people care about him, then they wouldn't do anything to harm his family. My discomfort with the situation doesn't change that. 

Izumi crossed her little arms and asked, "Why are there villains in the house?"

It's a question that cuts to the heart of my unease, but I know it's important for me to support Deku. Even if I'm not entirely comfortable with the situation, I have to put my trust in him and ensure that Izumi feels safe and understood. 

Deku POV:

I got up from the couch where Toga and Dabi were resting and kneeled down to my daughter. "These are some of my old friends. I wanted you to meet them because they'll be staying with us for a while." I offered her a warm smile, but she looked tense. "I know you're probably wondering how I know them and why I'd let them into our home, especially with me being a pro hero."

Izumi whispered, "Which?"

I chuckled softly. "Both me and Dada are here to answer any questions you might have. We never want to hide anything from you, so when I got the call, we decided it was best to include you. You live here too, so it's important for you to know and express how you feel about it." She nodded. "Can we sit down?" I led her to where everyone was already seated. She took a spot in a small chair, and I settled into my seat.

"How do you know them?" she asked.

I adjusted my position and began, "You know your grandfather is All for One, but I haven't told you the full story of what happened between us. My father, in a fit of rage, hurt my mom, and that led me into the League of Villains to keep Kacchan safe. We didn't see each other for years until an attack on UA, where I was put in charge of the mission. That's when I reunited with your father, which reignited my hope of escaping that life. These three helped me leave the League and start a new life. They took away a lot of the pain I had been carrying. They might be considered villains, but to me, they're heroes."

The three friends smiled at my words, their faces reflecting a mix of gratitude and relief.

Izumi looked at them and said simply, "Thank you."

Shiggy was taken aback. "For what? We haven't done anything."

"If it wasn't for you, papa would have never been happy, and I would have never happened," she explained.

Toga's smile widened, her eyes lighting up. "How cute! Well, thank you, Izumi, for being understanding!" Izumi beamed at the recognition, her mood lifting.

We continued talking, explaining different perspectives of our story. Izumi, even at her young age, showed a keen ability to connect the dots and come to conclusions. She was always quick to understand, as I'd seen when we watched shows together, and she'd predict the endings correctly.

Then Izumi asked, "Why are you guys bandaged up?" The room grew quiet. I knew the three didn't like discussing their health issues. To my surprise, they answered her questions.

Dabi spoke first, "My quirk isn't suited for my body, so when I was younger, I burned my skin badly. I don't really feel it now, but I need a few staples to keep it all together."

"Like when people get surgery?" Izumi asked.

He nodded. "Exactly, like when people get surgery."

Shiggy briefly explained his quirk, and Toga mentioned she had gotten into a fight with a cellmate before leaving.

"Did you guys just get out of jail?" Izumi's voice softened, her nerves evident.

"Yes, we did. We were supposed to have life in prison, but something changed, and we got out. I hope you can accept us," Toga replied, her tone gentle and reassuring.

Izumi's response was a confident, "Yes, I can do that!"

The rest of the evening went on like usual. Izumi warmed up to Toga quickly, cuddling up with her on the couch. She had never had a mother figure before, and it seemed like this was a positive experience for her. Although I could be seen as a mother figure, having an actual woman around brought a special connection. Izumi even started calling the two "Uncle" and "Toga" her sister, which was sweet to see, especially given her initial reaction.

After everyone had eaten, we all went to bed. Kacchan put Izumi to sleep, while I helped Shiggy, Toga, and Dabi settle into the guest bedroom. "There's one bed big enough for two and a futon in the closet. There are some extra sheets in there as well. I'll let you guys get situated."

I watched as they made themselves comfortable, noting their tired expressions and the weary way they moved. It was clear they were grateful, even if the circumstances were less than ideal. I made sure they had everything they needed before waving goodnight and heading to my own room.

As I walked into our bedroom, I found Kacchan already settled under the covers. I slipped in beside him, feeling the warmth of his body against mine. I cuddled into his back, savoring the familiar comfort. The day had been long and filled with emotional strain, but in this moment of peace, I felt a deep sense of gratitude and relief.

I closed my eyes and let the exhaustion take over, knowing that despite the challenges we faced, we were making the best of a difficult situation. With Kacchan's steady presence beside me, I drifted off to sleep almost immediately, finding solace in the quiet and the closeness of the man I loved.

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1250 words