Work Text:
Title: Fill the Void in my Heart
Category: My Hero Academia
Pairing: one-sided Aizawa/Yamada Aizawa/Oboro Yamada & Midoriya
Rating: T
Summary: It’s Yamada’s birthday and he’s going to get himself a small family because he’s tired of being alone. He’s tired of always having to be his loud self to combat the loneliness he feels. He didn’t realize who his family was going to be.
Author’s Note: Happy late birthday Yamada.
~~Story Begins~~
Hizashi Yamada, the pro-hero Present Mic, was tired of being alone. He was tired of always being surrounded by silence and the sharp reminder that his one true love, his soulmate, was happy with his boyfriend and their son. He loves his three jobs, but he also hates them because when he comes home, he can no longer dream of someone waiting for him there to welcome him home.
He’s thought of getting a pet, but cats don’t like him and he’s not home long enough for a dog. Even then, the people who he trusts to look after his apartment would complain -if jokingly - about taking care of a mutt, but he would feel terrible about asking them to watch his dog ever again.
Especially if he asked HIM to do it.
Hizashi knows he still shouldn’t feel this way. He shouldn’t still feel emotions for who used to be his best friend, he still shouldn’t love Shouta Aizawa. He’s been dating Shirakumo since the end of their second year, they adopted a child together two years ago. Hizashi knows he should move on.
It’s so hard.
It’s why he has three demanding jobs (he doesn’t need to be at the radio station everyday to DJ, but he does) to ignore the heartbreak that stays with him because it hurts to see Shouta so happy with someone who wasn’t him. It’s why he insists on doing all the school work at U.A. (he uses it as an excuse on why he can’t hang out with them) so he doesn’t do them at home by himself.
If his apartment can even be considered a home since it looks and feels like no one lives there. He hates it.
“Yamada-sensei?” a timid voice speaks in front of his desk during the quiet time, breaking Hizashi out of his spiraling thoughts.
“Yes, Midoriya? How can I help you?” Hisashi said.
It was weird because Midoriya was one of the few students who was already fluent in english.
“Did I translate this part correctly?” Midoriya said, putting down his notebook on the desk in front of him.
A quick glance at the classroom showed that some people were eavesdropping (Jirou, Iida, and Mina) and that didn’t help Midoriya’s nerves at all. He looked down at the notebook and read it.
Mr. Yamada, is there any way I can speak to you alone after school today? Preferably without Mr. Aizawa or All Might knowing about it.”
“Hmm,” Yamada hummed and took a pen to write in the notebook. “You almost got it, Listener. You just missed a couple of grammar mistakes here. You see?”
Of course, but if it’s something important that deals with your life or health, it should go to your homeroom teacher.
“Ah yes, thank you. Uhm, would it be possible to talk to you after school for more help? I need your opinion over something,” Midoriya said, only to write back.
I don’t trust Mr. Aizawa.
“Of course! Come meet me in the teacher’s lounge after school,” Yamada said.
“Thank you so much, Sensei,” Midoriya said.
He went back to his seat and continued working on his assignment. When the bell rang, Yamada left the class but Iida looked at Midoriya with concern. He couldn’t help but wonder as to what it was that Midoriya needed to talk to him about.
~~
There were a couple of knocks on the Teacher’s Lounge door which Thirteen answered while Aizawa sat across from Yamada at their own desks.
“Hello Midoriya,” Thirteen said. “Are you here to see All Might?”
“No, he’s here for me,” Yamada said, saving Midoriya from having to answer. “Give me a few minutes to pack up what I still need to grade and then we’ll be off.”
“Oh, okay. I can - uh - wait,” Midoriya said and Yamada could see the nerves and anxiety building up making him falter.
“It’s no problem,” Yamada said, ignoring the scrutinizing gaze his desk partner was giving him as he packed his work up. “I have already talked to Nedzu and he knows I’m taking you off-campus so mind if we meet by the front gate? This way you can get out of your uniform and I can get out of my hero costume.”
“No, sir!” Midoriya said. “Also, thank you again.”
Midoriya left the teacher’s lounge just as Yamada finished putting his work in his bag that he hardly uses and stood up.
“What’s that about Mic?” Aizawa said, causing Yamada’s heart to flutter.
He isn’t a teenager anymore so he shouldn’t be feeling butterflies in his stomach anymore. He still shouldn’t be hurting or giddy when Aizawa gives him his full attention.
“Midoriya asked for extra help in English today. He may be fluent in it, but he still makes written mistakes,” Yamada said.
“So, why are you taking Problem Child off-campus?” Aizawa said.
I don’t trust Mr. Aizawa
“There were some students who were eavesdropping when Midoriya privately asked me for help in class. I thought that he wouldn't be so nervous with the extra help if we were to go somewhere else,” Yamada said.
“And you’re bringing your work home for the first time to make him less nervous?”
“The Listener is nervous to ask questions or to get help with his classmates, so yes, I am. Why the sudden interest?” Yamada said getting defensive.
“Zashi, you’ve never taken schoolwork to grade at home before,” Nemuri Kayama, the R-rated hero Midnight said. “Not even when we had plans and we haven’t hung out with you in a while. We’re just worried about you.”
“Incorrect, when I need to make new playlists for the radio, I bring my schoolwork with me so I’ll have something to do,” Yamada said. “I really must be going because I'd hate for the Listener to leave after he worked up the courage to ask me for help.”
~~
When Hizashi made it to the main gate, he saw Midoriya standing there, staring at the school with so much sadness in his eyes that it hurt him.
“Sorry, Midoriya, the teachers decided they had to play twenty questions with me,” he said, jogging up to the student. “Anyway, you feel like walking? I usually volunteer at the nearby animal shelter to take some of the older dogs for walks.”
Midoriya smiled a little.
“Of course, Sensei! I love dogs, but it won’t take up too much of your time?” Midoriya said.
“Naw, I talk to the dogs so much in and about the English language that I’m sure they're barking in English,” Yamada said as they left the school grounds. “It’ll be nice to have another companion.”
That earned a giggle from the student and Yamada smiled as he saw some of the tension leave Midoriya’s shoulders.
“So, may I ask what you wanted to talk to me about?” Yamada said. “You can give me a vague answer for now. I just would like an idea.”
“It concerns my days at U.A.,” Midoriya said. “So basically, my whole life up until now.”
“Listener-”
“It’ll make more sense from the beginning,” Midoriya said. “I promise and this way I can still process everything that’s going to happen to me now and why.”
“Okay, but you know that U.A. has a ward system unless it deals with something at U.A?”
“He won’t let me.”
“Who?” Yamada said before frowning at the way Midoriya had tried to make himself smaller. “Got it. Topic for a later date. So tell me, what’s your favorite English movie?”
~~
“I’m quirkless,” Midoriya said mid-conversation over english songs. “I’m born quirkless and I have that stupid double toe joint. Everyone in the Aldera school district and the Musutafu shopping district knew I was too.”
“Okay,” Yamada said.
“The teachers hated me. They started to fail me on every assignment since that doctor’s visit. ‘Color in the three monsters within the lines’ I’ll get an F on it even though I colored them in. ‘I wasn’t creative enough, '’ they said but a quirked kid colored them all purple and didn’t stay in the lines received 100%.
Yamada stopped walking and stared at his student with a ‘wtf’ look on his face.
“Yeah, I know. They claimed I was always seeking attention when I mumble, that I was causing trouble because I couldn’t keep quiet even through I tried to explain that it was the only way I could concentrate on the notes when my brain wants to go 500 steps ahead, that I was picking fights when I stepped in between bullies and their victims -”
The dog Yamada was walking pulled on the leash so Yamada continued on their walk.
“-I was even denied medical care from the nurses because I should know better than to keep rough housing with the others, but If I read a book in front of anyone. ‘Deku’s too dumb to read,’ ‘Look at Deku acting like he’s so smart,’ and my personal favorite, ‘Stay with picture books Deku, that’s all you can understand in the first place’.”
Yamada’s heart was breaking.
“It didn’t get any better as I got older. The teachers quit answering my questions, and wouldn't help me understand the material before or after classes. It got to the point I was self-teaching myself everything.”
“Midoriya, what they did to you was wrong,” Yamada said as he guided them to a nearby bench.”
“Is it? To the whole Aldera school district I was an insect because I had no quirk,” Midoriya said. He let out a laugh that could’ve been mistaken as a sob. “A stray alley cat had more of a right to live than I ever did. Heck, they stopped using their quirks on a stray alley cat to use on ME!
“Midoriya-”
“I was ten when they started writing slurs and insults on my desk, locker, they started putting spider lilies and death threats, suicide articles after winter break and I always got in trouble for it.”
The dog Midoriya was walking put its paws on Midoriya’s legs as its tail wagged. It let out a small bark.
“Mom tried her best, but if she could’ve, she would’ve kept me inside the house all the time or tried to fight more with the school. She wanted to keep me safe from the dark past of the world, but she couldn’t afford to stay at home all day, but behind closed doors the world never stopped. My dad was on his way back home when his plane was hijacked, he was one of the few who died to ensure the others would live.
Midoriya took a deep breath.
“Would you like a break?” Yamada said. “We can always walk more dogs tomorrow.”
“No. I wouldn’t have the nerve and I agree with Nedzu. The sooner I can tell someone, the faster I can heal and maybe be special to one adult besides my parents,” Midoriya said as he started to pet the dog.
“My dad has a life insurance policy that I can’t touch until I’m eighteen. I didn’t know about my dad’s death and policy until last week. Mom couldn’t bear to tell me the truth about Dad so for twelve years, I was told, belittled, and believed that my Dad had left me because I was quirkless.”
“What made your mother finally tell you?” Yamada said.
“She didn’t. She passed away last week which brings me to the point of this conversation. If…if I can stay in the U.A. then I’ll talk to you about my quirk and how I received it. I can promise you that I did not get it from All for One.”
“Oh, Midoriya, I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you take any time off?” Yamada said. “Why weren't we informed?”
“Because I’m sixteen and quirkless. My case worker already tried to pull me out of U.A, but Nedzu and All Might stopped it. He’s the reason why I asked to talk to you.”
“Nedzu? Or All Might?”
“The case worker. He’s a father of one of my old classmates and is threatening to pull me out of U.A. because he believes I bribed the school somehow. That my spot in Class 1-A should’ve been given to his daughter who didn’t even apply to U.A, not me.”
Yamada made a confused sound because that made no sense.
“I know, I know. It makes zero sense and Nedzu did try to get me to be a ward of U.A. but that requires letting Aizawa-sensei know and -”
“You don’t trust him,” Yamada said.
Midoriya nodded.
“I trust him as a hero, but not as a teacher. Then there’s Shinsou.”
Yamada got up from the bench to kneel in front of a visibly shaking Midoriya while keeping his dog leash under his knee. Midoriya’s dog had moved to roll around in the grass.
“We will skip that part for now,” Yamada said. “But why come to me? What do you need me to do to help you? Surely All Might -”
“All Might can’t. He’s the former number one hero and I’ll just be a bigger target plus the case worker already citied about his frail health and how the Symbol of Peace should be able to enjoy his retirement without having to take care of a stupid Deku like me,” Midoriya said. “So, the only way I can stay at U.A. is if someone fosters me or adopts me and-”
“I’ll do it,” Yamada said before he could even stop himself and pulled Midoriya into a hug. “I’ll message Nedzu about it on our way back to campus, but I’ll take you in. I’ve been thinking about getting a family, so it’s a win!”
“You’re not even going to discuss it with Aizawa-sensei? You’re just taking me in?”
“Yep!” Yamada said. “Besides, why would I tell Aizawa? You said you don’t trust him.”
“Aren’t you together with him?” Midoriya said. “Y-you look at him the same way my parents looked at each other when they were alive, your eyes are filled with so much love.”
“No, I’m not with him. He found love with someone else,” Yamada said. “So, I only have to discuss it with me, myself, and I. So, after a quick discussion with me, we have decided that I’ll take you in.”
Yamada enjoyed the chuckle that came from his student and now turned foster son.
“Now, we return these dogs back to their friends, talk with Nedzu, and plan a day of shopping because my teacher's apartment is bare. I think together we can fill it up into a lovely home for the both of us,” Yamada said, giving Midoriya a wink.
“You don’t have to buy me anything.”
“You’re right, but I want to. Consider it a birthday gift for myself to spoil us.”
Midoriya looked at Yamada in confusion.
“I’ve always wanted a family to call my own,” Yamada said. “But the person who I’ve always dreamed of sharing with has a family of his own now. I started working my three jobs just to avoid going home to an empty apartment. When I first started off as a hero, I took on the dangerous missions and patrols.”
They started to walk back to the animal shelter.
“However, they kept putting me with Aizawa so I started to get my teacher’s license so I could distract myself and just start doing regular patrols in the morning through mid-day when he would be asleep,” Yamada said continuing the story. “That’s how I started my teaching at U.A. Because I was trying to cut myself out of all my friends life. I wanted to move on, but I couldn’t because my friends were also all of his friends and we had so many movies. So I tried to distance myself from them. I didn’t know that Aizawa and his boyfriend were arguing at the time.”
“What were they arguing about?”
Yamada shrugged. “I don’t know for sure, but I thought I was finally able to escape them. One of them found out about my teaching gig and thought it would be a perfect solution to Aizawa’s problems. Nemuri was the one who talked to me about it, and said she was going to go get her license with Aizawa so he wouldn’t be alone. She said he was arguing with his boyfriend about their hero patrols.”
“So, Aizawa-sensei’s boyfriend is a limelight hero?” Midoriya said,
“You got it in one! Aizawa would sleep all day, work all night. The daytime hero was apparently complaining that they never spend any time together, like going on dates. So a friend suggested that the overnight one could get a second job teaching so they could enjoy the afternoons and thus they joined me as teachers at U.A.”
“That’s not fair to Aizawa-sensei,” Midoriya said.
Yamada shrugged again.
“I don’t know what to tell you about that, but the short amount of time I had of moving on vanished. The progress I made was gone and I was back to square one only with more money now. So, I started to make my own playlists on podcasts just to clear my mind and next thing I know I have Put Your Hands Up Radio.”
They returned the dogs and with Yamada sending a quick message to Nedzu that he’ll happily foster Midoriya and please get the adoption papers ready and they started the journey back to U.A.
“Are you sure you wanna foster me?” Midoriya said as they approached the gates. They saw Aizawa walking back and forth in front of the gates, not seeing them.
“I already told Nedzu to get the foster papers set up and to start the adoption process,” Yamada said. “Besides, most of the DJ stuff I can do at home. I just didn’t want to keep coming home to an empty apartment and thinking about what I could’ve had. I’ll need to get the spark key from Aizawa so I can give it to you.”
“Wait? Adoption?”
~~
The situation with Midoriya and his now ex (and fired) case worker was over, but Yamada still didn’t want to give up Midoriya and Midoriya didn’t want to leave Yamada. It was hard adjusting for the both of them, but they made it work and it was beneficial to the both of them.
Yamada was moving on with his life and going home more. It was thanks to Midoriya bringing over the younger Iida that Yamada was able to connect with Tensei again and his girlfriend, who was the pro-hero Ms. Joke. He was going out more with those two and he was having fun again.
Midoriya was gaining more confidence with himself and goes to Yamada more about problems that he has with his quirk. To those who knew what was going on, they could easily see that Yamada and Midoriya loved each other like father and son.
To those outside of the loop, they just didn’t care or they were suspicious over their behavior. One of the people was going to find out some of the answers that he was seeking.
Aizawa was tired and while he knew he should go home and talk out his issues with his boyfriend Oboro, and their son Hitoshi, but right now he just wants to sleep. Lately almost all of his friends were pushing for him to talk it out as soon as possible, but he is so exhausted by everything and trying to figure out what is going on with Midoriya. His mother was no longer on file and he’s been staying after school a lot to keep getting help in english.
From the first day of Yamada supposedly tutoring Midoriya in English, he knew it was a lie. He just couldn’t figure out Yamada anymore. Yamada used to be his best friend, but he started to grow distant from him and now he’s been lying with Midoriya to him constantly for months.
He misses his best friend and while he was okay with Yamada asking back for his spare key, he was also heartbroken. Yamada’s place never felt like it was his home, but when Yamada was there, he was able to sleep peacefully. He didn’t have Oboro accusing him of cheating anymore, but he has been wanting to end the relationship for a while now.
He just didn’t want to leave Hitoshi behind and Hitoshi loves Oboro. Hitoshi doesn’t want to leave.
Aizawa was extremely tired so when he knocked on Yamada;s door, he didn’t pay attention to who answered it. He didn’t pay attention to an apartment that was always empty and cold unlike his best friend who was filled with life and warmth and always looked at him with those eyes. He didn’t notice the notebooks that were in a two locked key drawer or the hero merchandise and photos surrounding him.
He most definitely didn't notice a green hair student tucking him into an All Might comforter or that said student took a photo of him sleeping. If that photo somehow got in the procession of Nedzu, Yamada, Emi, Tensei, Tenya, and Todorki then said student will not speak. The student will deny all possible connections over the wonderful conspiracy theories Todoroki is making with the older Iida brother.
~~
Yamada returned home to see his adopted son on the couch which caused him to blink.
“Is he still asleep in your room?” Yamada said.
Izuku nodded. “I’ve been checking up on him, but he’s out cold and barely even stirs,” he said. “I think he wasn’t awake enough to register that it was I who answered the door or that I even called his name.”
“Well, that makes me scared when he last got some decent sleep, but it is still in your room and it still shouldn’t have been taken, even if it is hilarious over what heroes he’s sandwiched in.”
Izuku’s eyes sparkled.
“What did you do?”
“Go find out,” Izuku said. “You’ll love it. Todoroki and Uncle Tensei are having a field day with it.”
“Sho’s going to kill us,” Yamada said ruffling his son’s hair.
When Yamada walked into Izuku’s bedroom, he had to muffle his laughter and calm his heart.
Aizawa was currently holding onto a Present Mic plushe, but he was surrounded by all of Midoriya’s hero plushies except for Loud Cloud which was sitting next to Endeavor in the burn hero pile.
Aizawa started to stir, but Yamada didn’t care. He knew that with his son by his side, he would be alright with whatever came their way.
He leaned against the doorway, crossed one leg over one and crossed his arms. “Afternoon Shou,” Yamada said. “You’re in a safe place and I would never dream of hurting you when you are surrounded by so many heroes.”
Yamada chuckled as he leaned against the door, enjoying the way his friend looked around before bristling like a cat at everything around him. Then the disbelief and fear started to show as he noticed his pillow had a Hawks pillow case and that he was asleep under an All Might comforter.
“However, I am curious about something,” Yamada said, pushing himself off of the door frame and walking further into the room. “What gave you the right to just fall asleep in my son’s room?”
“Son?” Aizawa said.
Yamada smiled and it was like his precious son had a cue lined up.
“Dad, what does Aizawa-sensei want on his pizza?” Izuku said from the kitchen.
“Get him pepperoni with extra hot sauce,” Yamada said as he stepped in front of Aizawa. “Now look at me Shouta.”
Aizawa looked at his best friend only for the Voice hero to grab his throat. Aizawa didn’t grab his hand which just shows how much trust they have in each other. Yamada relaxed his grip a little.
“I trust you with my life, Shou,” Yamada said. “But Izuku does not trust you as a teacher. He trusts you as a hero, but not as a teacher and knowing how you have treated him as a student I understand why. I adopted Izuku and unless he wishes for you to know more, you will not ask. Are we clear?”
“Yes,” Aizawa said with a nod. “I was just worried about him.”
“Good,” Yamada said letting go. “Now let’s go out there so you can apologize to my son for ignoring him when you came over and stealing his bedroom before we discuss whatever it was that brought you here.”
If the pictures of Aizawa being surrounded doesn’t come to Aizawa’s knowledge until he wins Midoriya’s trust then that’s for Yamada to know.