Chapter Text
Stepping out into the sterile white of the hospital corridor, Keigo let the door click softly behind him. The quiet was a startling contrast to the warmth and gentle laughter that had just filled his son's room. He felt a weight settle on his shoulders — a cape heavier than any hero's mantle he'd ever donned.
"Alright." He whispered to himself, thumbing through his contacts list with a mix of fierce resolve and that gnawing pit in his stomach that usually meant trouble — or an empty fridge at home. "Time to make a call that'll change everything."
His fingers paused over Tsukauchi's name, and for a fleeting moment, the pro-hero part of him wondered if calling in a favour from the detective was crossing some unspoken line. But then, the fatherly side scoffed at such formalities; this was about family now.
"Hey, it's me." His voice sounded foreign in the hush of the hallway — an echo of Keigo Takami rather than the whispers of Mōkin.
"Mōkin? I'm a bit surprised to hear from you at this hour. Everything okay?" Tsukauchi's voice crackled through the speaker, tinged with concern and the crunching of what Keigo could only assume was his habitual late-night snacking.
"Define 'okay'." Keigo quipped, trying to keep the mood light despite the gravity pulling at his vocal cords. "Got a bit of a situation here. I need you to get to the general hospital in Musutafu as soon as possible. It's a personal emergency. Room 216."
"Understood." Tsukauchi replied, the rustle of papers suggesting he was already shifting into detective mode. "You alright?"
"Sort of? Long story short." Keigo started, his gaze drifting back to the door guarding his resting son. "Turns out I've got a hatchling — a little guy with wings like mine. And let's just say his nest hasn't been the safest."
A pause hung between them, heavy as the silence that follows a thunderclap.
"Mōkin, are you telling me—"
"Yep, sprouted a mini-me without even realising it." Keigo interjected with a wry chuckle that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Nature's full of surprises, huh?"
"Understatement of the year." Tsukauchi muttered. "What do you need?"
"Help." Keigo said simply, as straightforward as an arrow shot from a bow. "We need to unfurl this mess and secure custody. Fast. This kid deserves a sky free of storm clouds."
"Count on me.” Tsukauchi promised. Keigo could hear the clatter of keys in the background. "You focus on being there for your son. Let me worry about the rest for now."
"Thanks, Masa." Keigo said, the corners of his mouth lifting in a grateful smile.
"Go be a dad, Mōkin. That's your most important mission right now."
“Just tell them you're there for Keigo Takami. They should let you in no problem."
"Got it." Naomasa confirmed, his voice firm. "I'll be there as soon as I can."
“Appreciate that.”
“Wait, was that your civilian name? Mōkin? M Ō KIN.”
Ending the call and pocketing his phone, Keigo leaned against the cool wall, allowing himself a moment to breathe. His he could hear his heartbeat and the blood rushing through his veins, as his mind already buzzed with plans for Izuku's room. Is that what they called baby fever?
"Get ready, hatchling." He murmured, a fierce tenderness blooming in his chest. "Your old man's got your back, and together, we're gonna soar."
As he turned his gaze back towards the room holding his son, a playful thought danced in his mind. Perhaps it was time to add 'expert fort builder' to his resume. After all, every fledgling hero deserved a fortress to call home, right?
There was a newfound spring in his step as he walked back into Izuku's room. "Thank you, Naomasa." He murmured to himself, grateful beyond words for the detective's unwavering support.
"Hey there, hatchling." Keigo whispered. It was more than just a nickname now; it was a promise, a commitment to a bond that needed nurturing.
Izuku lay still, the rise and fall of his chest the only movement in the quiet room. Keigo pulled the chair closer to the bed and settled in, his presence a silent vow of protection.
"You know, your old man's got a lot to learn about being a dad." Keigo admitted, speaking more to himself than the slumbering child. "But one thing's for sure, kiddo — I'm not going anywhere." He reached out, his fingers brushing gently against Izuku's hand, the connection sending a surge of determination through him.
"Whatever it takes." Keigo promised, his voice a soft growl wrapped in warmth. "No one's ever gonna hurt you again." And as Izuku shifted slightly, comforted even in sleep by the proximity of his newfound parent, Keigo felt a fierce pride swell within him.
He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees as the room bathed in the soft glow from the dimmed lamps. Izuku's eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the light, and when they locked with Keigo's, there was an unmistakable shimmer of recognition. The boy's gaze held no guards, no walls; it was an open window to a soul that had decided, against all past hurts, to trust once more.
"Hey there, hatchling, sorry if I woke you up." Keigo said with a crooked smile, trying to ease the gravity of the moment. Izuku's mouth curved into a tentative smile, mirroring his father’s expression in a way that made Keigo's heart do somersaults. It was like looking into a quirky, miniaturised mirror — one that blinked with golden eyes filled with hope.
"You didn’t. Your wings…" Izuku began, his voice a whisper as fragile as the bandages that swaddled his back. "Are they like mine?"
"I don’t know, but possibly. I have a feeling the feathers might be." Keigo replied, his voice a blend of playfulness and pride. "And let me tell you, these bad boys are more than just for show." He stood up and unfurled his own majestic wings, each movement sending a cascade of feathers rustling — a sound akin to pages turning in an ancient tome. "They can be pretty handy. Like this one time, I swooped down to catch a falling cat from a skyscraper. Furball didn't even see it coming."
Izuku's eyes widened. "Really? That's so cool!"
"Absolutely." Keigo chuckled, sitting back down. "But, it's not just about being flashy." His tone softened, and he leaned closer, conspiratorial. "Being proud of your quirk is important. It's a part of who you are, and it's what makes you special. Just like how your wings will make you soar one day."
"Even if they're... different?" Izuku asked, his voice small but curious.
"Especially because they're different." Keigo affirmed with a nod. "Different is good. Different is what sets us apart in the skies — makes us unique. Why blend in when you were born to stand out, huh?"
Izuku's tentative smile blossomed into something brighter, a grin that reached all the way to those trusting golden eyes. "I guess that does sound pretty cool."
"Trust me, hatchling." Keigo said, reaching out to ruffle Izuku's hair gently. "We're going to have a blast learning to fly high together. And maybe, just maybe, we'll do some good along the way."
As laughter bubbled between them, filling the room with its lightness, Keigo found himself marvelling at how natural it felt to be there, beside his son. He watched as the corners of Izuku's mouth twitched upwards, the boy's eyes gleaming. The hospital room, usually so sterile and impersonal, seemed to embrace them in a cocoon of warmth as Izuku's smile unfurled.
"See? That's the spirit." Keigo encouraged, his heart swelling at the sight. "Your wings are part of your awesomeness. Like... like a superhero cape you can't take off."
"Are they?" Izuku's voice was still tinged with the disbelief. And man, it hurt.
"Absolutely." Keigo nodded, his own wings flexing instinctively at the thought. "They're not just wings, Izuku. They're your wings. And they're going to be incredible."
The boy's grin turned shy but unmistakably proud, as if the weight of the world had lifted from his small shoulders. A light chuckle escaped Keigo's lips; he couldn't remember the last time something felt this profoundly right.
"Hey, baby bird." Keigo's voice took on a gentle timbre, as he reached out, laying a comforting hand on Izuku's arm. "I'm here now, okay? We're a team. And together, we'll navigate through all of this — getting better, school, training, everything."
"You mean it?" Izuku's let a small smile shine through, the prospect of having someone by his side lighting up his face.
"Cross my heart and hope to fly ." Keigo said with an exaggerated cross over his heart, earning a giggle from Izuku. "And I've been known to be pretty good at flying."
Izuku's gaze slowly moved to the window, where the cityscape of Musutafu stretched out. The soft light painted his face in warm tones.
"Think you'll like Fukuoka?" Keigo asked, breaking into Izuku's reverie. His tone was casual, but his eyes held the gravity of the question.
"Is it nice there?" Izuku's voice was tentative, almost as if he feared that looking forward to something too much might make it slip away.
"Nice? It's awesome." Keigo said with a grin. "They've got this park, right? With the biggest slide you've ever seen. And the ramen shops — oh man, you haven't lived until you've tried them."
"Ramen..." Izuku murmured. "I like ramen."
"Who doesn't like ramen?" Keigo chuckled. "We'll have ramen nights, just you and me. How does that sound?"
"Like a plan." Izuku agreed, his smile blossoming fully now, lighting up the room brighter than any sunshine could.
Keigo watched the boy, his boy, with a warmth spreading through his chest. This little hatchling, with his golden eyes and laughter that could chase away shadows, had rooted himself deep in Keigo's heart within mere hours.
"Hey, Dad?" Izuku's voice, laced with a newfound confidence, pulled Keigo from his thoughts.
"Yeah, kiddo?" The word 'Dad' seemed to roll off his kid’s tongue. It felt more natural than he expected.
"Can we get a cat? I've always wanted one, but Mom said no because of my... you know, wings." Izuku cast a glance toward the feathery appendages resting beneath the hospital blanket.
"A cat?" Keigo raised an eyebrow playfully. "Well, I suppose I can make some calls, see if we can't find a feline who's cool with avians. But you’ve gotta promise to help clean the litter box."
"Deal!" Izuku replied, his laughter filling the room once more.
"Alright, it's settled then. A new home, all the ramen you can eat, and a cat." Keigo ticked off each point on his fingers. "Looks like we're going to be pretty busy, huh?"
"Best kind of busy." Izuku said, his optimism a beacon that chased away any lingering shadows in the room.
The soft hum of the hospital's air conditioning accompanied Keigo's vigil as Izuku's eyelids grew heavy once again. The boy’s breaths deepened, a serene rhythm that signalled his drift into slumber. With each rise and fall of the small chest beneath the starched sheets, Keigo felt an inexplicable sense of peace settle over him.
"Night, hatchling." He whispered, more to himself than to the sleeping child. The title was new, yet it seemed to just fit Izuku as snugly as the oversized hospital gown draped around his delicate frame.
Keigo watched, transfixed, as Izuku's fingers, mid-clutch on the blanket, loosened in sleep's gentle surrender. A smile tugged at the corners of Keigo's mouth, imagining the days ahead — first steps into fatherhood with some old school heroism. The mental picture of Izuku shadowing him, both in flight and folly, sparked a chuckle. For all the perils he faced as Mōkin, nothing came close to the exhilarating challenge of raising a son. Maybe his agency would grant him some very late paternal leave.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, a subtle reminder of the world outside this sanctuary. He fished it out, the screen illuminating Tsukauchi's message: 'I'm here.'
‘Okay, just... give me a sec.’ Keigo tapped back, reluctant to part from this moment, yet knowing Tsukauchi waited with the weight of their next moves.
He rose, muscles protesting the hours spent in the stiff hospital chair, and cast one last glance at Izuku. The boy's golden hair glinted under the fluorescent lights like a halo. Carbon copy .
"Be right back." He murmured, though Izuku was lost to dreams where no shadows lingered.
Keigo stepped out into the corridor instantly feeling colder. Tsukauchi stood a few feet away, his coat hanging on his lanky frame like a cape, albeit one designed for paperwork rather than wind resistance.
"Hey." Keigo greeted, his voice hushed as if the walls themselves held a sacred silence.
"Keigo." Tsukauchi nodded unsure, his expression sombre but eyes betraying relief at seeing his friend.
"Thanks for coming. You're a lifesaver, you know that?" Keigo clapped a hand on Tsukauchi's shoulder, grounding himself in the familiarity.
"Anything for you, man."
"So let me get this straight. You found out today that you’re a dad of a six-year-old kid, got called by the hospital to consent to a surgery you didn’t know was happening or who it was happening on, rushed to Musutafu from fucking Fukuoka in almost record time, found out your ex was severely mistreating your kid, borderline hate crime really.” Naomasa pinched his nose taking a deep breath. “You also grew attached to the kid, think that your ex was the main cause behind the break that healed wrong, and want to fight her for custody now that you know Izuku exists. Did I get that right? Also the name drop? What the fuck.”
“Sounds about right and yeah, sorry about that last part, it was pretty sudden. If my life were a book, this would be where the readers throw their hands up and say 'Now things are getting interesting!'" Keigo rolled his eyes, though the levity was welcome. “I know it’s a long shot but I want to try and help the kid. Dragging my ass through courtrooms? That’s the least I can do.”
"Fucking hell. I’ll help as much as I can. The first step is getting you a fucking lawyer." Tsukauchi said, sliding into his detective mode. "But we'll tackle it — one step at a time, right?"
"Right." Keigo squared his shoulders, feeling the mantle of responsibility settle firmly upon them. "Let's do this — for Izuku."
"Absolutely. For Izuku." Tsukauchi echoed.
"First, we'll have to look into Inko's background — records, past behaviours, anything that can give us insight. I can pull some strings, get us what we need from the hospital side of things." Keigo paused, feeling the weight of the next words before they even left his lips. "And then, there's the legal side. I don't know the first thing about family law."
"Don't worry, we've got people for that." Tsukauchi reassured him. "They're good at untangling these kinds of knots. As for Inko Midoriya, leave it to me. I'll dig up everything there is to find."
"Thanks, Masa. I..." Keigo hesitated, his hand clenching. "I really appreciate the help, despite the short notice."
"Anything else you need from me?"
"Maybe some parenting tips?" Keigo quipped, finding solace in the lightness of humour amidst the chaos. "I hear bedtime stories are crucial for developing young minds."
"Ha! I think you'll be a natural. Just stick to the superhero stuff; fairy tales aren't really your genre." Tsukauchi joked back.
"Good point. I'll leave the dragons and damsels to the professionals." Keigo chuckled, feeling a little of the tension ebb away.
“Well, I'll start by talking to the neighbours, teachers — anyone who's had eyes on the kid. We need a detailed timeline."
"Timeline." Keigo echoed, his mind conjuring images of Izuku's life — a collage of moments he'd missed, painted in unseen colours of joy and pain.
“After that, the legal front.” Tsukauchi continued.
"Lawyers, huh?" Keigo mused, his features twisting into a wry smirk. "Never thought I'd be excited to talk to one of those."
"Life's full of surprises." Tsukauchi quipped. "Especially when you're darting around in feathers and spandex or whatever it is that you wear."
"Careful now, I might just ask you to babysit." Keigo shot back, the lighthearted banter easing the coil of anxiety in his chest.
"Only if you're teaching him to fly." Tsukauchi laughed. "But seriously, keep your head up. We've got this."
"Thanks, man." Keigo's gratitude was sincere; his voice softened.
"Alright, go back to your kid. I'll handle the rest for now. Keep your phone close, though."