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Oboro stood on the small balcony and basked in the warm rays of morning light. The past year had been hard for him, practically coming back from the dead and fighting off years of conditioning in therapy was a hard-won battle that he’d do all over again, if only to get him back to this exact moment.
He’d been living with his partner’s, Shouta and Hizashi, for a little over 4 months now. Their relationship taking off almost exactly where they’d left it 16 years ago and blooming into something soft and beautiful.
It hadn’t come without its challenges, the intense hospitalized psychotherapy and the long court procedures to reinstate his identity as the long dead Oboro Shirakumo as well as clearing him of Kurogiri’s heinous crimes, had been Hell.
Yet Hizashi and Shouta had been there for him through all of it.
Through the days he struggled with the cognitive dissonance from the brainwashing, the nightmares that plagued his mind and the times he couldn’t face the mirror and the irreversible changes to his body.
They truly were his lighthouse that guided him to safety.
When he was finally clear, medically and legally, he didn’t have to stress about housing and the logistics of trying to find a job without something as simple as a high school diploma because Shouta and Hizashi simply came to the hospital and brought him into their home, like it was the simplest thing to do...
With the sun warming his tan skin and the green tea he sipped warming his stomach, he agreed that maybe it was.
The sliding door behind him opened and a familiar warm voice softly called out.
“Oboro, the kids are awake and Zashi’s finished cooking” Shouta sweet voice filled the peaceful air, the man appeared beside him, and they exchanged a gentle press of their lips “Come inside and join us?”
Ah.
Everything was still perfect in his life right now but the small, not quite, complication to his new life was that his partners, while he was dead, had gotten married and adopted children.
Eri and Hitoshi.
Learning that his boyfriends grew up in the wake of his death and stay together and gotten married was bittersweet. He was glad they still had each other, still loved one another but he’d wished he was there for the journey with them.
The couple having children was a completely different matter…
The day he came home filled him with buzzing anxiety, worried about the impression he, a former brainwashed monster, would make on the lives of the innocent children his partners were raising and how he’s fit into their newly minted dynamic.
But the moment he laid his gaze on the red eyes and silvery hair of Eri, her appearance tugging at his heart for a familiar looking little boy he loved a lifetime ago, and Hitoshi tired and scruffy appearance that reminded him all too much of a young Shouta…
He was already gone for them.
A month later and their household had adjusted well to the new changes, and they’d become a family, well almost all of them.
As Oboro entered the kitchen, trailing behind Shouta’s smaller form, he smiled at his blonde boyfriend at their kitchen table.
“Good morning” He murmured, leaning down and planting a chaste kiss to Hizashi’s lips.
A cute giggle interrupted the moment and Oboro pulled away to glance at the small girl who had made the noise. Eri sat adjacent to Hizashi as was beaming at the two.
“Good morning Eri-Chan!” He cooed, walking to the girl and kissing her forehead. She bashfully ducked her head, her silver hair curtaining her shy smile.
“Good morning, Pop” She shyly replied, and his heart soared. The title was a new development, only appearing this week. Yet no matter how many times she called him it, his heart swelled with pride.
Moving around the table to his own vacant chair, he passed Hitoshi. The purpled haired teen was stiff in his seat as Oboro passed behind him.
“Good morning, Hitoshi.” He greeted softly, hand gently patting the teenagers head for a second before he quickly moved on, making sure not to crowd the boy he was trying to build a tentative relationship with.
The teenager blushed at the slightest bit of attention, turning his face away from the man before mumbling out his own good morning Oboro.
It lacked the title his sister was already comfortable calling him, but it was its own recent upgrade as the young man had up until two weeks ago, called him Shirakumo.
Oboro would take what he could get and keep working towards strengthening their bonds.
The room filled with a light and comfortable silence after that, everyone digging into their breakfast and enjoying the company of their little thrown together family.
“The weathers nice today, you still planning on riding your bike today?” Hizashi eventually broke the silence, a small smile on his lip as he glanced across the table at Hitoshi. Oboro perked up at the information, excited for any topic to try and bond with the boy.
“You into bicycles?” He gave his own smile before digging back into his food, knowing the boy grows flustered under too much attention.
“Yeah, I used to spend the weekends in foster care riding around the city.” He freely shared, surprising Oboro who normally got dry, short responses to his questions. “A part of it was just to steer clear of my fosters but I really found it enjoyable.”
The teenager blushed as he realised how much he shared, suddenly finding interest in his breakfast.
“Yeah, I’ll probably head out for an hour or two, Papa.” He finally answered Hizashi, despite his embarrassment he made sure to speak clearly and loudly enough for Hizashi to hear with his hearing aids on and Oboro couldn’t help but smile.
“I want to come too Toshi!” Eri chirped up, practically bouncing in her seat. Oboro smiled fondly, she reminded him so much of Hizashi with her boundless energy.
“Do you even know how to ride a bike, Eri?” Hitoshi asked the girl, not unkindly, his eyes apologetic as his posture started to tense again as the little girl’s disappointment.
“No, I’ve never had a bike.” She deflated that seemingly never-ending energy vanishing as something dark clouded her ruby eyes and it was quite clear that wherever she’d went was far from their happy little family breakfast.
Shouta reached out across the table and gently cradled the girl’s small hand in his own.
“That’s okay Eri, if you’re interested, we could get you a bike today and maybe have a family day at the park so you could learn?” He sent a questioning look towards Hitoshi. “If you’re brothers doesn’t mind us tagging along?”
Hitoshi seemed to light up as his violent eyes widen in surprise, his mouth tugging into a small but excited grin.
“I wouldn’t mind at all!” He turned his own attention back to Eri “I could teach you how to ride, it’ll be fun!”
Hizashi, quick to catch onto any vibe, dropped his utensil loudly before clasping his hands together and gasping.
“We could pull out our bikes aswell Shou and pick one up for ‘Boro while we get Eri’s, and have a family bike day!” He squealed, excitedly. His hands flapping around almost taking out multiple cups of drink that Shouta expertly saved.
Oboro’s grin slowly faded from his face.
Oh God, I have to ride too?
A slow panic crawled its way up his spine as embarrassment heated his cheeks. How could he mentioned to them that he too, didn’t know how to ride a bike?
He glanced around the table at his excited family and found he was too ashamed to admit the truth.
“Ah, you guys don’t have to buy me a bike.” He chuckled awkwardly, “I’m happy to just be the camera man today.”
Four pairs of heads swivelled towards him.
“It’s a family day! You have to join in!” Hizashi cried in outrage.
“I wanna ride my bike with you, Pop!” Eri whined.
“We can more than afford the bike and it would be illogical to have family pictures with a member missing.” Shouta muttered with a slight blush.
There was no retort from the boy next to him who stiffened up silently in his seat.
Oboro stared at him curiously till he caught the boys’ eyes.
“If you don’t want to come, it’s whatever.” He muttered, turning back towards his breakfast and playing with the food on his plate. He practically stank of disappointment and teenage angst and that alone made the decision for the man.
“Okay, lets finish breakfast and go get our bikes then Eri-chan!” He exclaimed with false excitement making the young girl cheer and the two older men relax in their seats.
But Oboro’s attention was on the teenager beside him who exhaled quietly and finally took a bite of his meal again.
And that minuscule, happy reaction was enough for him to push his anxieties down for the day and feel settled with his decision.
…
Oboro regretted his decision.
Curse his tender heart and softness for sad kids.
The weather was perfect; the sunning was sunny brightly without being too hot and there was even a subtle cool breeze drifting through the park as it playful ruffled the trees around them.
There were many families out today, some strolling the pack others having picnics.
Truly a perfect day.
He was currently sat on this cursed blue bike; his lovely partner brought him earlier.
He glanced into the distance, smiling to himself as he found the speak of black and yellow zooming around the park’s perimeter in a race.
It was amusing that Hizashi could even goad Shouta into something as childish as a bike race.
The pair wanted Oboro to join them, but he managed to convince them that he’d keep an eye on the children instead. It wasn’t technically a lie; he was watching him.
Hitoshi was very adamant that he wanted to be the one to teach Eri to ride her bike, it was his duty as her big brother. It was honestly a perfect decision because Hitoshi was an amazing teacher. He’d clearly taken on the best traits of his father’s teaching styles and applied them to the situation.
On one hand, He was upbeat and vocal with praise how Hizashi taught, yet he didn’t over excite the girl like Zashi would have, he kept his voice steady and calm keeping Eri focus on the task presented to her. On the other hand, He laid his expectations out to her, pushed her when he knew she could succeed but her self-doubt hindered her, just like Shouta does. Yet, he was never cold, never overly bossy just consistent like a steady rock to keep her stable.
He watched as the pair ran down the straight track once more. Hitoshi gripping the back of Eri’s red bike seat and keeping her balanced as she pedalled with all her might. Oboro couldn’t hear what Hitoshi was saying but the younger boy was whispering something to Eri that made her brow furrow in concentration and her eyes set in determination.
Then suddenly, Hitoshi let go but kept a steady pace beside her, a proud smile on his face as she didn’t falter in the slightest and keep riding along.
“I’m doing it Toshi!” She exclaimed loudly, pride and awe in her voice “I’m riding a bike all by myself!” She cheered. Hitoshi started to slow down, letting Eri ride on ahead without him, absolutely beaming as she carefully turned the bike at the end of the track and started to peddle back towards him.
“Whoo-hoo!” Oboro cheered loudly, pride swelling in his chest and threatening to escape through the moisture gathering in his eyes “Great job Eri-chan!”
She smiled brightly at him as zoomed passed him to go further down the track.
He watched her for a few seconds before turning his attention back to Hitoshi who was now frowning at him.
He raised a light brow at the teenager in question.
“You okay, bud?”
“You haven’t ridden around once” He stated plainly, not even bothering to hide his suspicion.
“Yeah, I have” Oboro chucked awkwardly, scratching at his chin as he lied through his teeth. “You’ve just been so focused on teaching Eri-chan you missed it”.
“Don’t even attempt to gaslight me when you’re such a terrible liar.” He stalked up to Oboro and glared at him. “It’s insulting to me”
Yikes.
This kid was every bit intense as Shouta was growing up.
“I’m not- I was just- I haven’t” Oboro cracked under the intense glare Hitoshi was giving him.
How can a kid shorter than him look down at him?
“You don’t know how to ride a bike do you?”
And there it was, his big secret laid bare by a sixteen-year-old.
It was silent for a beat before Oboro exhaled dramatically.
“Nope, No clue.” He confessed, hanging his head in shame. He was startled by a snort, he glanced but to see Hitoshi had his arms crossed, a lazy smirk across his lips. The kid almost seemed amused by the confession.
“Well, excuse me! Sorry, I’ve been dead half my life!” He huffed, a faux hurt expression on his face. Hitoshi just rolled his eyes; no amount of dramatics are going to affect you when you have Hizashi for one of your Dads.
“You died at 17.” Hitoshi bluntly pointed out, “pretty sure most kids learn before then” He gestured to Eri who was happily riding around the track.
“Touche”
They watch the girl for a few moments before Hitoshi broke the silence.
“Why’d you pretend to know how to ride a bike? Why come at all? Your lie was going to be exposed as soon as we all started riding”
“Well, I didn’t expect little miss zoomies over here to get the hang of it that quickly, so I thought I had more time…” Oboro muttered, mainly to himself, childishly.
Hitoshi just quirked a silent brow.
“Argh, I wanted to make you happy.” He confessed, rubbing at his red cheeks.
“What?” The teenager blurted, his own pale face reddening. “Me?”
“I love your Dad’s, I have for a long time.” Oboro wistfully started, “Missing out on all those years and rejoining them as a married couple with kids was huge.” He averted eye contact with Hitoshi, concentrating on the gravel below them as he lazily kicked at some rocks. “I didn’t think I was going to be cut out for the Dad thing, then I met you both.”
It was silent beside him before he heard Hitoshi finally speak up.
“Yeah well, Eri adores you.” He spoke softly, his voice holding a tinge of resentment “You guys clicked straight away.”
Oboro felt a small smile tug at his lips.
Hitoshi seemed just as nervous and unsure in this new dynamic tas he was…
It was time to be the adult here.
“And I do love Eri, very much.” He glanced at the teenager from the corner of his eyes. Hitoshi was tense, glaring slightly at the dirt like it personally offended him. “But I love you as well, Hitoshi.”
The boy’s reaction was the perfect mixture of hilarious and adorable. Shock, disbelief, confusion, embarrassment and pride all fought for control of his features before he mastered his reaction into a passive blank façade. It would fool anyone if his poor cheeks weren’t so red.
“I know we haven’t clicked as fast as Eri and I have but I think because of your age, your more aware of the dynamics between me and your fathers. Your old enough to have more solid opinions about my past and that’s scared me.” He threw a cheeky grin at the boy “Honestly, you scare me a little”
“Me?” Hitoshi’s indigo brows were raised in shock.
“You’re intimidating as Hell, kid.” Oboro chucked, “more the Shouta; easily and if I’m honest, teenagers alone scare me too”
Hitoshi chuckled quietly to himself before exhaling dramatically.
“Okay, guess we’re doing this then”
“Doing what?” He asked almost hesitantly
“Bonding and shit.” Hitoshi came around to the bike he was still sat on and grabbed the back of his seat, much like he did to Eri “Let’s go big guy”
“Wait, wait, what!?” Oboro explained in a panic, digging his heels into the dirt so they couldn’t go anywhere. “What the Hell are you trying to do?”
Hitoshi sighed like Oboro was an idiot and maybe he was because there was no way they were actually about to do what he thought they were going to do.
“I’m going to teach her how to ride a bike”
Okay, well maybe they were.
“I’m 32 years old, Hitoshi” He grumbled, yet he still slowly placed his feet on the pedals. He tensed as the bike started to wobble and tip but Hitoshi was right there using his strength to keep him up right.
“Exactly, no better time to learn then right now.” He cheekily grinned up at Oboro “Now started pedalling and leave the balance up to me.”
…
Oboro had no clue how he’s life ended up here, right in this exact moment but as he laid in the grass with his bike beside him, his hands and sides stinging from the tumble, he never felt happier.
He could hear Eri’s giggling laughter in the distance as she zoomed around on her new bike. Shouta and Hizashi were scrabbling over who won the race and Shouta of all people was demanding another.
And Hitoshi?
Oboro glanced up to see a pale, toned hand extended towards him.
He followed the hand, up an equally toned arm to meet a pair of bright violet eyes and a cheeky grin.
“C’mon Pops, try again.”
He really loved his life and his family.