Chapter Text
Shoto Todoroki politely bowed as he shuffled into the Sero Residence, the house wasn’t of an outrageous size but the layout and design of it was stunning. Far from any city and tucked away on acres of private woods, this was the kind of home only a man of Seros caliber could afford.
Shoto set his suitcases aside and bowed once more before speaking and signing to the man and child before him.
“It’s good to finally meet you two. I’m excited for our time together.”
Sero smiled and bounced his son on his narrow hip. The boy watched Todorokis every movement but staid silent as he clung to his father. Though they had never met in person Shoto already knew the boy was named Yasushi Sero, he was three years old with congenial deafness with nearly no hearing either ears.
“We’re happy to meet you too.”
Sero spoke and signed with a single hand but his son was still staring at their guest.
Shoto smiled slightly and nodded, he knew there would be a curve to the relationship, he had worked with children for years now and he imagined it would be a few months before the boy would open up to him completely. The father would probably take just as long as well, despite how friendly and open he had seemed over their numerous phone calls and video interviews.
“Do you mind if I set my things down in the room I’ll be staying in before we go for a tour around the property?”
Sero nodded quickly and nervously shifted around.
“Right sorry- totally just… a-Anyways. We got you some things- just to cover basics of what you might need since this is just the practice run, I guess. But you can definitely bring anything you want or need once we finalize things.”
Sero said nervously and didn’t sign at all. He walked with his son on his hip staring over his shoulder at Shoto as he followed them to the second floor of the home.
Sero tapped the first door after the top of the stairs.
“This bathroom is yours, it has a shower and bath.”
The second door he tapped then pushed open to a large room matching the pictures Shoto had received of his living space.
“This bedroom is for y-“
Sero was cut off by his son whining and grabbing at his face. Sero adjusted his son in his hip and signed as he spoke this time.
“Mister Todoroki is going to his room, then we can hang out, maybe play outside.”
Yasushis dark eyes were focused and sharp, echoing the sign for Todorokis name and play before pointing at his new nanny. Shoto nodded and signed his own name back.
“Good job.” Sero said proudly and waved his hand in excitement before kissing his sons head.
“Well uh… Would ya like some tea or water? I can get some ready.”
Shoto nodded and signed thank you as he pulled his luggage into the room and looked around a bit more. There was a large dresser under a window that had a stunning view of the forrest surrounding the home, an oak vanity, a study-desk, and a bed big enough for two people.
“I’d love some tea, I just need a moment to stretch after that drive. I’ll be down shortly.”
He spoke and signed as both people were watching him.
“Sounds good.”
Sero smiled a bit wider, and headed back out to the hall and down the stairs.
Shoto waited for the two to leave before starting to unpack some of his things and charge his phone.
He sat down at the desk and set out his laptop and some other items like his reading materials, notebooks, and planners, only to end up on his phone. He sent a picture of the room and the view out his bedroom window to his small friend group chat along with a block of text.
// Todoroki 12:32pm
Just arrived. So far so good, there’s definitely some tension but the home is beautiful. I’ve never spent much time in the Nagano prefecture but the idea of staying here for a year is even more appealing now.
// Bakugo 12:35pm
Yeah, what about the dad, he’s single huh?
//Izuku 12:35pm
Congratulations!!! So excited for this placement, you’ve been talking about this contract for months!
//Izuku 12:38pm
KACHAN. Not everyone is a dilf Hunter like you.
//Todoroki 12:40pm
…He’s very attractive but I already knew that from our video calls.
//Izuku 12:40pm
TODOROKI NO
//Bakugo 12:40pm
Todoroki yes.
//Iida 12:43pm
That would be incredibly unprofessional and unlike Todoroki to start a relationship with a client. I’m sure you’ll do great on this placement but don’t forget to send us updates.
//Bakugo 12:45
FIRST OF ALL I AIN’T SUGGESTING A RELATIONSHIP.
//Izuku 12:50
K A C H A N C H I L L
//Todoroki 1:00
I doubt Mister Sero would be interested in a young gay nanny considering he was in a long term straight relationship and had a child with that woman. I do look forward to having a familial relationship with them though.
//Bakugo 1:05
Booo. Get laid ya loser. You literally have the chance to be a slutty baby sitter.
//Iida 1:10
Todoroki anyone would be lucky to have you any type of relationship with you. Regardless of gender preferences or familial roles.
Todoroki smiled and set his phone on the charger with a sigh.
He was happy to have a supportive friend group though all of this. Midoriya was the only one who also chose the same route of Au Pair out of their friend group and even though he was currently living in Canada with his ‘family’ he was still messaging everyone as if he was still even remotely in the same time zone.
Iida had gone into child protective services and Bakugo was a therapist to kids aged 6-18. Both wanted to help children grow through trauma and developmental disorders in safe spaces where they can express themselves and get the help they never had growing up.
Todoroki looked at himself in the vanity mirror and brushed back his long hair from his face before heading back downstairs. He had put it in a bun this morning but still some of his hair wasn’t long enough to stay put and fell down around his face.
He came down the stairs slowly and took in the large open living room while listening to Yasushi humming to himself as he played near the kitchen where Sero was filling a bottle with juice. He set it next to two thermoses which probably had tea in them. He put a spill safe lid on the bottle of juice just as he looked up and spotted Todoroki.
“Hey, How are you feeling?”
Shoto stretched a bit as he came over to the kitchen counter. He looked Sero over as he did, the long sleeves that had been covering his arms this whole time were rolled up to his elbows now, showing that Sero had full sleeves of tattoos on both arms.
“Just a little stiff from the car ride. How about yourself?”
Sero ran his fingers through his black shaggy mullet while chewing his lower lip.
“I didn’t think I would be this nervous… Yasushis… It takes him time to warm up to strangers because well. When his mother died I… I couldn’t handle being around anyone. I’m afraid I might have stunted his social skills.”
Sero avoided eye contact and instead watched his son playing alone near by. Yasushi was so focused on his doll house role-play he was doing he hadn’t looked over even once to see Shoto had returned.
“You should never be ashamed of having a strong bond with your child, Yasushi also lost his mother. His connection with you and your family will be for a life time. Once we enroll him into school it’ll be a big change for his social life. Kids his age are quick to bond.”
Shoto assured the father and reached over to take the bottle of juice and his own tea thermos.
Sero had a soft smile on his face but it couldn’t hide the emotions behind his eyes. Shoto knew he wasn’t the mans first attempt on finding help, they had already had several candid conversations about child therapists and other programs Sero had tried.
“Thank you for saying that… After this week is over what do we do?”
“You and I will have a sit down and you can tell me how you feel about me staying full time, and If you have any concerns or goals for Yasushi. If you don’t think I’m a good fit I’ll leave and the Au Pair agency will be in contact with you. If you’d like to sign me on for a full year contract I’ll just need to drive back to Tokyo to retrieve some more of my belongings, I’d be gone for two days at most.”
Shoto spoke in a soft even voice that had Sero hanging onto his every word.
“Okay. That sounds… Honestly that sounds great. I have today and tomorrow off from work but then I’m back to working. Typically I leave home around 5pm and I usually get back at about 3am.”
Sero explained even though they had already discussed this all over email and phone before.
His nerves were just getting to him.
“I’m glad we’ll have some time together.”
Shoto said softly as he walked around to where his son was sitting to lean into the boys line of sight and hold up his hand.
Yasushi sat back and stopped his humming to stare, looking over his shoulder quickly to locate his dad before focusing on Todoroki again.
“Do you want to play outside?”
Shoto signed and spoke before offering the boy his bottle.
Yasushi hesitated before nodding yes and getting up to take the bottle. His dark eyes went to his dad again as if to ask permission. Sero smiled and signed ‘Yes I’m coming too’ before grabbing his own drink and following the two to the doorway where Shoto helped Yasushi get on his shoes before sliding on his own boots.
Sero was already feeling relieved seeing his son sign ‘left shoe’ ‘right shoe’ while giving Todoroki a shy smile. The Nanny nodded and praised him before opening the door and offering his hand.
The boy waited for Sero to give him a nod before taking Todorokis hand and heading out with him.
“Will you be our guide today Mister Sero?”
Sero gave an award winning smile as he stepped out the front door.
“Of course! Uh this is our home, my wife’s family had it built as a wedding gift believe it or not! This wooden path leads around to the back patio deck and has an entry to the living room on the first floor.”
He said gesturing to the plank pathway that looped around the building and out of sight.
“The stone path off the garage goes to the back yard I’ve been working on.”
Sero signed and laughed a little when Yasushi gave him an impatient look and pointed out towards the path. He was clearly excited to have someone new to play with.
Todoroki took in the scenery while letting the younger boy lead them down as Sero trailed behind them now.
“We have a small play area out here but Yasu obviously isn’t allowed out alone since this is area is wild. I’ve caught deer and fox on the security camera but nothing dangerous.”
He assured Todoroki as they came up on the play area. Instantly Yasu let go and darted off to the large wooden playhouse that had a swing set attached to the side of it.
Todoroki looked around as he followed.
“It’s nice to know you have a security system.”
Sero huffed and shrugged as he watched his son drop his bottle to climb the ladder of the play house to rush to the top to get to the slide.
“We’ve only needed it a few times. I’ll show you how to use the system later… There’s an app and everything too.”
Todoroki nodded and decided against asking questions, even though he wondered what had happened if there were no dangerous animals. Deep down he knew that meant people had been a problem.
Yasushi slid down the slide and jumped up at the bottom with a big smile and a laugh. Todoroki smiled and did the ASL gesture for cheering. Sero watched as his son ran to do it again, still giggling as he rushed back up the ladder.
“Last year I started carving out a running path through the woods but it’s not perfect yet… Your still welcome to run it if you’re the athletic type.”
Sero added and gestured to a wooden post that marked a dirt path leading into the woods. The beginning half was visible but quickly vanished into the thick woods.
“Comes out onto the other side of the playground..”
Sero pointed and Todoroki looked at the other post as he moved to the bottom of the slide. Yasushi clambered into his spot at the top with excited eyes. Todoroki signed ‘Catch you’ and waited till the boy slid down to catch him just before he slid out onto the dirt and hoisted him up over head.
Yasu shrieked in pure joy and when he was set on his feet he signed ‘Again’ three times before running to the ladder again.
“This property is stunning.”
He said and looked back at the house seeing the several walls facing the Forrest were actually made of glass.
“That’s my room on the top left with the windows. I’m actually just down the hall from your room. Yasus room is on the first floor along with my office, the second bathroom, and a spare room I’ve been using for storage.”
Todoroki turned back as he heard Yasushis shoes on the plastic slide and smiled at him. The boy slid down and was captured before being tossed up into the air again. He laughed hard and wiggled his legs as he was lowered down only yo take off for the ladder again.
Sero moved to sit on the swing set despite being far too tall to use it. He just sat and watched his son overflow with energy, Shoto lifted him off the slide two more times before Yasu ran to the swings panting with excitement as he looked to his dad with a smile.
Sero returned the smile and signed “Having fun?” the boy nodded and repeated the sign for Fun then Todoroki. Sero nodded in agreement and watched Shoto move to stand behind them but instead of swinging Yasu he grabbed Seros waist and pulled him back on the swing before giving him a good push.
This apparently was the funniest thing Yasu had ever seen based on how he hard he was laughing. Sero knew he was blushing but he let it happen.
Once Sero was swinging on his own Shoto switched over to pushing Yasushi.
For the first time in years Sero had hope for his son. Though it was an unconventional lifestylemaybe this could be the family his son needed and deserved, made up of people who understood him and could communicate openly with him. The dad hopped off the swing and moved to a patio set a bit further away to light up a cigarette.
Shoto watched the man lounge back and thought about Bakugos question on if Sero was a Dilf. He tried not to stare too much but silently noted that yes, Sero was definitely a dad he’d like to fuck.
Yasu only wanted to swing for a few minutes longer before taking a break with Todoroki to hydrate and sit in the child size house. Todoroki sat outside of it and and tried to take the role of whatever toy he was handed.
Occasionally signing questions on who the person he was playing as was.
He only got simple answers like.
‘Daddy.’ ‘Friend’ ‘silly dog’ or ‘super hero’.
They had been out for a bit over an hour when Sero joined the two again.
“He usually doesn’t talk this much… Hey bud, you hungry?”
He only signed the second half, not wanting Yasu to know that he was talking about him in front of his new friend.
Yasu pouted and whined as he signed ‘play’ before offering Sero one of the dolls. Shoto pushed his hair back out of his face before looking up to Sero, his eyes briefly lingering on the thick vein running up his tattooed arm as he leaned against the playhouse. He signed as he spoke.
“Would you like me to make dinner so you two can play?”
Yasushi enthusiastically signed ‘yes’ and Sero smiled a bit.
“Are you sure? I mean I know that’s something you’ll take over when I’m not here but… Today’s your first day, let me cook.”
Yasu whined and threw his toy out of the house while giving Sero a deadly glare. Shoto didn’t react much to the tantrum and instead gently took one of Yasus hands and rubbed it gently before signing and speaking to him.
“We don’t have to be upset. Let’s play inside while Daddy cooks for us.”
Yasu pouted and looked conflicted before nodding and climbing out of the house to get the toy he had thrown. Sero stood by and sighed.
“I wish I could say THAT’S the worst he’ll be but he’s got one hell of a temper on him…”
Shoto snickered and gathered their drinks.
“That’s okay, some children with sensory issues have a hard time expressing their emotions. We just have to find a good outlet for him to express himself.”
Sero smiled a bit and lifted Yasushi onto his hip as he led them back inside.
“You’re a smart man Todoroki, I like that.”
Shoto felt a bit wave of heat flush through him at the compliment and stared at Seros back as they walked.
“Thank you Mister Sero.”
Once inside the home again Yasushi became Shotos guide, running excitedly to his bedroom door and looking back at him to sign ‘my room’. Shoto nodded and followed him into the room that was bigger than Shotos upstairs and decorated in several shades of lovely greens. All of the stuffed animal seemed to be modeled after actual wild animals rather than them being simple teddy bears or overly cute puppies.
One of the walls was even coated in chalkboard paint. At the top center of it ‘YASUHIS ROOM’ was written and bellow it someone had used stencils of the hand gestures in sign language to write out the phrase. The rest of the wall had all sorts of doodles and drawings on it. Some from Yasushi and some from other people.
Shotos heart felt warm as he looked over the space. Seros love for his family was so strong that it could be felt in every room of the house.
Shoto felt a bit of pain in his heart as he briefly let memories of his own bleak childhood came to mind. Thankfully Yasu pulled him back to current day by grabbing his hand and humming, when Shoto looked down at him Yasu offered him a stuffed animal tiger.
“Thank you.”
Shoto signed and spoke before taking the tiger and Yasu took off to grab his dolls, eagerly waving Shoto over. With a little bit of trial and error Shoto took on the role of a domesticated super tiger who would save the people Yasu played as.
The two of them were laying on the floor together after a good 30-40 minutes of playing, Shoto knew the young boys energy was fading as he cooed to himself. Yasu was wiggling around his doll to make it pet Shotos tiger when Sero came into the room. Shoto looked over first, prompting the boy to turn and smile up at his dad.
“Dinners done.” He said but signed ‘time to eat’.
Yasu got up and ran out of the room like he was starving. Shoto laughed and sat up.
“He’s definitely wearing himself out.. I’ll clean up these toys and be out in a moment, you can eat without me.”
Sero looked confused as he shook his head.
“No way- you’re going to be a part of our family Todoroki, we should eat together.”
Todoroki sat there in silence for a moment as Sero came into the room and helped with cleaning up the scattered toy while explaining the method to the madness of Yasus room. The day-bed along the far wall was for plushies, crate number one was for blocks, legos, and hard toys like robots and cars. The second crate was for figures and dolls. Sero also showed Shoto the closet which looked like it was once organized but now had children’s clothes practically pouring out of it.
Shoto mentally noted that that would be something he’d need to take care of sooner rather than later. After that the two of them joined Yasu for dinner. The boy was sitting at the table with a smile on his face as he waited patiently. Sero moved the hot plates to the dinner table and Shoto set out plates and got everyone some water.
Sero made his sons plate before his own and signed ‘hot, go slow.’ Yasu repeated the sign ‘slow’ while nodding.
“I’m thinking maybe after we get this kid fed, bathed, and down for the night we could have a bottle of wine and finish the tour.”
Sero suggested as he sat back down to enjoy his own food. Shoto smiled a bit but his eyes never left the amazing looking meal. Sero had prepared them an amazing stir fry with shrimp and a side of fresh vibrant kimchi.
“That sounds perfect. Thank you for this dinner, I’m afraid to say my cooking skills aren’t quite as impressive.”
Shoto admitted as he sat back to take his first bite.
Sero chuckled as he ate. Yasu had zero interest in their conversation as he ate on his own, humming in approval as he did.
“I wish I could take credit but I totally use a cookbook. I usually pick out a few recipes for the week and buy whatever I need to make them.”
Sero explained and now that Shoto knew that he could see there were three or four cooking books stacked up on the kitchen counter.
That would definitely make Shotos life easier…
After dinner Sero took Yasushi off to get cleaned up for bed and Shoto took up the role of cleaning up the dinner and packing up the left overs. He took time to look over the layout of the kitchen and figure out where everything fit for the family.
He pulled down two wine glasses before heading upstairs to clean himself up and use the bathroom. Now that he was more comfortable in the space he took time to look around the short hall and the black door at the end that lead to Seros room. He came to it and debated on opening it to take a sneak peek but decided against it and instead looked at the photos on the walls, there was one in particular that made Shoto smile. It was must have been from Sero Hantas graduation, he was lankier as a teen and towered over most of his classmates who were all smooshed together for the picture.
There was also a photo of Sero with his wife from a maternity shoot. The woman had long brown hair and dark eyes like Hantas. They were in some kind of Library scene and Sero was sitting on a chase lounge as his wife laid in his lap. Her stomach seemed like a perfect circle on her petite frame. A soft white fabric with lace was draped intricately over the her while Sero sat in a black silk robe, most of his tattoos covered.
Shoto admired the woman’s soft expression of happiness in her husbands lap for a bit longer before going to his room to change from his day clothes into a pair of sweatpants and a shirt he had gotten from Midoriya overseas that just had the word “meow” written in English on the chest.
After his change he headed downstairs again.
Hanta was coming out of a kitchen closet with a bottle of red wine in hand when Shoto made it to the kitchen again. The dad smiled and started opening the bottle as Shoto came closer.
“He was asleep before his head touched the bed.”
Shoto smiled and huffed a small laugh.
“I’m not surprised. Today was a big day.”
Sero hummed in agreement and filled the glasses.
“It was for me too- I don’t think I even showed you the whole house…”
Sero admitted then poured his glass a bit fuller. Todoroki smiled slightly, it felt nice to be around someone so open about their anxiety. He took his glass and raised it to look at the red through the warm lighting of the kitchen.
“That’s okay, I’m taking notes.”
Sero found himself staring from the glass of wine the man inspected to the section of red in Todorokis hair framing his face. His eyes drifted from there to the warm pink of Shotos scar to the pink of his lips. Todoroki made eye contact with him and Sero noticed now that his eyes were different shades of blue. Sero swallowed and lifted his glass to clink against Shotos, he wasn’t even going to try to excuse his staring.
Todoroki blinked a few times before taking a sip of the wine, Sero did the same. He sighed kept his eyes on the kitchen counter for now, unsure of what to make of the look he’d just been given. If he wasn’t so quick to deny himself he’d have thought maybe the other man was interested in him.
“So... How about we finish that tour.”
Hanta asked looking at the cool and collected side of Todoroki he was only just meeting. The younger man nodded and followed with his glass in hand. Sero showed him the office space first. Making sure to show Todoroki where their printer, fax machine, and other electronics were stored in the room. Shoto was most interested in the completely glass wall that barely separating them from the darkness that had swallowed the beautiful woods now.
He sipped his wine and followed Sero out to the living room where they talked about the security system. Sero explained that when they decide if this would be a permanent placement that he would give Todoroki access to the system. Then they made their way upstairs past the photos Todo had already seen earlier, but this time instead of stopping at Shotos room they went Seros. Todoroki hesitated in the hall before following Sero into his room. All of the walls but one were black, the other was pure glass much like the wall in the office bellow them.
Almost everything in the room was black, accented mostly by textures and flashes of yellow, bright red, or lush green from plants.
“This is beautiful.”
Shoto confessed as he moved to a part of the room where a vintage stereo was sitting with a pair of black soft chairs. Shoto felt over the back of a chair as Sero looked over from a wall of books.
“Heh, yeah… I have a friend in the music industry and he spoils me.”
Sero smiled and watched Shoto curl up in a chair with his wine. He reached back and pulled the hair tie from his bun and let his long hair spill down over the edge of the chair as he smiled to Sero.
“Play me a record then.”
Sero felt a little fuzzy as he came over to do exactly what Todoroki wanted. He sorted through the albums he had around before setting one on and started up the music. At first there was a soft quite crackle then music filled the room.
Shoto watched the taller man bob to the tune but Todoroki definitely didn’t recognize the artist.
“Do you wanna dance?”
Shotos eyes widened and he shook his head no before taking a bigger drink of his wine.
“If I knew how to I would be honored to dance with you.”
Sero snorted and rolled his eyes as he danced alone.
“I refuse to believe that you live in Tokyo and don’t know how to dance.”
Todoroki tried to cover his smile but he didn’t argue only watched for a minute before slowly sliding out of his chair to sway his way closer to Sero.
The music was something Shoto had ever really heard let alone at a dance to at a club. Shoto gave Hanta a smirk as they sunk into a rhythm together.
“I’ve just never danced to music like this before.”
He finally admitted. Sero quirked an eyebrow and looked Shoto head to toe before clearing his throat.
“And uh-what music do you usually dance to?”
Shoto pulled away to get another drink of his wine and Sero did the same.
They rejoined on their personal dance floor again with glasses in hand.
“Usually whatever’s playing on my Spotify while I’m alone in my kitchen.”
Seros laugh was impossible not to love. It was goofy and his whole body moved when he let it out. Shoto felt pure serotonin bless his system as the older man swayed closer.
“You’re adorable. A terrible dancer- but pretty damn adorable.”
Shoto huffed and covered his face to muffle his own laugh as he rushed back to his chair.
“I tried to warn you.”
Sero trailed after him and sat in the seat beside him. Separated only by a small glass table both of their wine glasses sat on.
“Ah, I guess your right. That’s not the answer I was expecting from someone whose from Tokyo. You dance alone in your kitchen at night, you’re incredibly smart and talented. You love kids, and maybe cats?”
Shoto nodded at the description of himself and shrugged.
“I prefer a quite life I suppose…”
Sero took the last drink of his wine and set his glass down before sinking into his seat, his knees spread out as if his lap was an invitation. Shoto curled up on his own chair respective of their space especially now that they were drinking. He didn’t exactly trust himself to not let his interest show if he were to drink more than a glass with the man.
“Then what do you do in your quite life?”
Sero asked while tapping one foot along to the music playing.
“Honestly nothing you would find exciting. I enjoy reading Manga and science fiction novels and I’m a bit of a binge watcher when I have the time.”
Shoto confessed with a bit of embarrassment only to be blown away yet again by a deep chuckle and warm smile.
“I wouldn’t find that exciting? Todoroki all of this bookcase is literally Manga.”
Sero said gesturing to the built in bookcase beside his closet. Todoroki looked surprised as he looked over the collection from afar.
“You can read whatever you want from here by the way- but like… What are you reading now? Did you read Naruto yet?”
The house which usually sat in silence was filled wit music and chatter that night. The spaces between songs filled with the two men discussing plot lines and fan theories about their favorite series. The shared interest kept them up and chatting till nearly one in the morning when their exhaustion finally cut through the new found bond.
They had sipped their way through two bottles of wine somehow and officially broke the awkwardness between each-other now that they were both outed of nerdy interests.
Todoroki took care of washing their glasses and tossing the bottles. As he walked around the big home he smiled to himself, Sero had really surprised him. He hadn’t been expecting a quick and easy friendship.
He had come off as serious and strict over all their interviews but in person the mask didn’t hold up. He was all smiles and good intentions wrapped into the perfect tattooed 6’7” frame.
He was exactly Shotos type.
Todoroki pushed Seros door open and came in hesitantly. Sero was at his closet and taking off his shirt. He turned once it was off and smiled at the Nanny.
Todoroki felt himself tighten up as he came a bit further into the room.
“I checked on Yasushi, he’s still sleeping just fine. Is there a time you usually wake him up at?”
Sero huffed and came over to sit on the edge of his bed. He was close enough now that Shoto could make out more details on his tattoo sleeves.
“He’s a good sleeper. I usually get him up at 7ish.”
Shoto nodded and mentally noted to set his own wake up alarm for 6am.
“Okay. I’ll be up early then. If you’d like you can sleep in and I’ll handle the morning duty.”
Sero sighed and rolled his shoulders, clearly he was considering it.
“Alright… I guess tomorrow is my last day fully with you that I’ll have for a while. How about tomorrow you handle breakfast and dinner. I’ll just do lunch.”
Shoto nodded and tried to remember not to look at the mans exposed chest or the black happy trail creeping down his stomach. Seeing him against the silky black bedding made this a hard thing to do for a wine drunk Shoto.
“Deal.”
Todoroki hummed and bowed his head slightly.
“Goodnight Mister Sero.”
The man on the bed chuckled and stood up to untie the drawstrings on his sweatpants.
“You should call me Hanta.”
Todoroki nodded and watched as the man slid his pants down so he was just climbing back into bed with boxers on.
“Goodnight Mister Hanta.”
Todoroki closed the door behind him and went back to his own room with pure lust burning under his skin. He closed his own door quietly and immediately went to his phone to send out an update to his group chat.
//Todoroki 1:32
We drank some wine and danced tonight.Then he showed me his private anime and manga collection. I’ve never been so horny in my life.
//Izuku 1:34
OOOOMG Now he’s starting to sound like your type.
//Todoroki 1:35
I don’t know if I’ve already mentioned this but he has tattoos too. Both of his arms are completely covered.
//Izuku 1:36
Did you show him yours?
Todoroki flopped onto his bed as he read the last message. The mattress was soft but dense and he felt himself getting comfortable with just the fuzzy throw blanket over himself.
He did have tattoos, not nearly as many or as detailed as Hantas but he did have them. Under his pecs he had flames tattooed and on his left hip he had a small paw print tattoo.
Todoroki typed out a nonsense response but never hit send as he fell into a dream.
In the morning todoroki forced himself out of bed at his first alarm despite his exhaustion and dressed for the day. He chose a relaxed sweater with his college emblem on the chest and some jeans before throwing his long hair into a ponytail.
By time he made it downstairs and started coffee the hangover feeling was already fading. He refreshed himself in his private bathroom before coming back down to Yasushis bedroom.
Taking a quick glance at his phone he found that he was still a bit early so he started his work on the child’s clothing storage disaster Sero had shown him.
He set out several outfits for the week on a changing table that probably needed to be broken down and put into storage since Yasushi didn’t need it anymore. Then he stood back to take in the mess of overstuffed shelves and random items mixed in. This might be a full day job…
He pulled a laundry bin from where it was hidden unused in the closet and pulled down most of the unfolded and randomly set clothes and tossed them into the bin. It would be easier to start with a clean slate.
He had been 30ish minutes into folding shirts when he heard Yasushi finally stir from his bed, soft yawns and whimpers leaving him as he squirmed around to sit up in bed. Todoroki came over with a smile and signed as he spoke.
“Good morning Yasushi.”
The boy smiled and held his arms up instantly. Todoroki scooped him up and held him close. Yasushi laid against him still sleepy and looked at what Todoroki had been doing to his closet. It looked like work Yasushi was glad he didn’t have to take care of as a two year old. Todoroki gently squeezed one of his hands before signing
“Lets get ready for the day. I’ll make you breakfast.”
Yasushi nodded but also made the sign for dad. Todoroki carried him while snagging one of the outfit sets he had set out already and carried the child to the bathroom. He set him down and signed.
“Dads sleeping. He will be at breakfast.”
Yasushi nodded and yawned again before taking care of bathroom time. He helped todoroki dress him and didn’t fuss too much about brushing his teeth or letting Shoto comb through his soft black hair.
By time Sero joined the land of the living Shoto was sitting with Yasushi at the kitchen table which was set for the three of them.
“Wow you really did get up early Huh?” Sero asked with a loud stretch. Shoto smiled and nodded as Yasushi scooted out of his chair and ran to hug his dad.
“Of course. Breakfast is nearly done too, I’m just waiting on the rice cooker.”
Shoto watched the man scoop up his son and kiss him several times on the face before looking to Shoto.
“Is that me? Am I the rice cooker?”
Shoto smiled and barely covered his laugh.
“No, not today at least.”
Todoroki went to the kitchen with Sero and let the man watch him make three plates each with a scoop of fresh rice, a sunny-side up egg, and a breakfast sausage. He set them at the kitchen table before pouring each of them a small bowl of Miso Soup.
Sero moved to set his son down and glanced at Shoto.
“Think you could make me a cup of coffee?”
Todoroki nodded and went back to the kitchen before calling out.
“How do you like it?”
He was pouring the coffee into a mug when Sero yelled back
“A little rough! Hahaha No cream just sugar.”
Todorokis face felt hot as he tried not to laugh at the stupid joke. He came out with their drinks and smiled at Sero.
“Me too.”
The look on the older mans face was priceless. Looking at the pale color of Todorokis coffee he clearly wasn’t saying he liked his coffee the same way.
Todoroki smiled at Yasushi and spoke as he signed.
“I hope you like my cooking.”
The little boy smiled and took a bite of cut up sausage before humming loudly and giving a thumbs up.
Sero was silent for once as he ate. He hadn’t been expecting Shoto to answer him like that despite their bonding time last night. He knew he didn’t actually stand a chance in the realm of dating the other man, yet he felt his curiosity grow as he sipped his coffee. The thoughts and questions that would have to be saved for another day. He was paying this man to take care of his son and honestly himself. He knew it would be crossing a line to actually make any moves on the Nanny, but as the days passed by and their connection grew stable Hanta would find himself thinking maybe he wasn’t the only one feeling something.
By day seven, the final day of the test run Seros mother arrived.
It had been planned out this way in advance of course but that didn’t mean Sero was ready. The doorbell rang, echoing the house. Shoto was sitting in the living room with Yasushi practicing writing and sign language with Sero trying to relax on the couch nearby. He had to work tonight like he had most of the week but since it was Todorokis last day he had to pull in his usual baby sitter, his mother.
She was an average height woman of Colombian decent and despite having lived in Japan for nearly most of her life her Japanese was terrible. She mostly spoke Spanish especially to Sero who had been raised in a bilingual home.
She was a kind woman but she really didn’t know how to relax. Seros father had been where he got his mellow sense of self and love for laughter.
The doorbell chirped and a near by security block announced someone was at the front door.
Hanta got up and flashed a smile to Todoroki and his son before signing “Grandma”. Todoroki noted the lack of response from Yasushi and watched the young boy quickly cast his eyes down at his paper he had traced most of the Japanese alphabet on.
Shoto tapped his hand on the table before Yasushi and signed as he spoke softly.
“Are you excited?”
The boy watched his teachers hands but made no attempt to respond as he returned to staring at the paper. Todoroki took that as a no but let the situation unfold, it was important for him to not pass any unfair judgements or jump to conclusions since he hadn’t met any other family members so far. That being said Todoroki made a face of confusion and looked over to the front door when he heard Sero started speaking in Spanish, a language Shoto had little to no familiarity with.
“Mom! Missed you, thanks for baby sitting tonight.” Hanta smiled and gave his mother a tight hug before letting her in. The woman smiled and touched over Seros outfit.
“You look good Hanta, you’re taking care of yourself again.” She hummed in delight and kissed her sons cheek. Her son laughed a little and led her into the living room.
“I’m just dressed for work mom-meet Todoroki.”
Sero gestured to the man sitting with his son amongst a spread of papers and colored pencils. Todoroki stood up and bowed before introducing himself.
“It’s nice to meet you, I’m Todoroki Shoto, Yasushis caregiver.” He straightened up and the woman stared at him for a moment before nodding she spoke to Todoroki in japanese.
“Hello, you can call me Maria.”
Yasushi slid under the livingroom table to hide as the woman turned to Sero to speak Spanish again.
“What is this? A man? You said you were finding someone to care for your son and you brought some strange man home instead?”
Seros face flushed with embarrassment, he was thankful Shoto couldn’t understand her.
“Mom- don’t be rude. Nanny’s come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, genders, and-“
His mother clicked her tongue and gave Sero side eye as she spoke again.
“Hanta. You don’t need a Nanny, you need a wife.”
“Excuse me Mister Sero, Should I take Yasushi outside to play?” Todoroki asked softly. Though his face was virtually blank Sero felt like he could feel confusion and unease when he looked into the mans blue tone eyes. He stumbled over his own words, the languages mixing before he nodded and pushed his hair from his face.
“Please? Sorry I’ll uuhm… I’ll come out after I catch up with my mom. She’s usually his baby sitter so she just has uh. She just has some questions and her Japanese isn’t great.” Sero forged the lie on the spot with his mother stood by in silence just staring. Todoroki was familiar with the look he was getting. He was sure that there wasn’t any question about what work he was doing. The questions he assumed were probably related to the way Shoto looked.
He nodded and scooped Yasushi out from his hiding spot to sign to the boy.
“Play outside?”
Yasushi nodded and before Shoto could stand up Yasushi grabbed onto him and climbed into his arms. Todoroki let it happen and carried the boy on his hip. Seros Mother stopped him when they came close to say hi to the young boy. She spoke in Japanese when she did as if that would help the boy understand her.
“Yasushi- we are going to have so much fun tonight!” The boy of course had no response other than to give her a hard stare. Todoroki looked over the woman’s shoulder to Sero who was chewing his lower lip.
Todoroki responded for himself and Yasushi in sign and Japanese.
“We’ll be outside.”
Yasushi nodded and hugged himself to Todoroki as they turned to get shoes and jackets on before going outside. Once the door closed the older woman’s focus was back on her son.
“Does this man not even speak Spanish?”
Sero groaned loudly.
“No mom, he doesn’t need to because my son is deaf. He can’t hear or speak any language.”
The woman looked offended.
“So you don’t intend on sharing your heritage with your son? I know this is because of-“
“Mom. Don’t bring Hagakure into this right now. I can’t handle talking about that right now. Todoroki has been staying with us all week and I’m starting to feel like I can breath again.”
He begged his mother genuinely. Maria shook her head and went to the kitchen with the bag she had brought in with her.
She put away the food she had brought already cooked and prepared along with drinks.
“You talk about her like she’s still here Hanta. It’s unhealthy.”
Sero rubbed his face and felt the deep frown settling on his face. He wanted to say she was still there, just invisible now. There were plenty of times he felt her energy in the home, and plenty of times he could see her in Yasushi.
His mother came over to comfort him after a few minutes of silence. She hugged her son and rubbed his back.
“She made this choice Hanta. You must be strong and keep going for Yasushi.”
Sero felt it was impossible to speak despite all of the languages he knew to communicate through. He instead hugged his mother tightly and tried to calm himself down.
“It wasn’t a choice mom…”
The woman pulled away and nodded.
“Some women just can’t handle motherhood.” Sero scoffed at that but took a seat at the kitchen table as his mom moved about starting lunch or maybe she was preparing a snack.
“She had postpartum depression mom. We’ve talked about this before. It isn’t about strength.”
Sero tried to keep himself together. He felt defeated though. One talk with his mother and the progress this week had brought to his own mental health seemed to disappear. Replacing the hope he had with renewed devastation over his wife’s suicide.
His mother seemed to see the effect she had on her son, or maybe she wanted to keep the role of comforter to herself rather than actually let someone else into Seros life. She rubbed his back and set a cup of Horchata in front of him.
“Don’t worry love, there is a woman out there who will understand the things you’ve been through. She will love you and your son like her own, and this house will be a home again.”
This was clearly a fantasy his mother had.
She had been saying things like this since Torus funeral years ago. Sero sipped his drink before getting up and adding whiskey to the coffee drink. His mother for once didn’t comment.
“Todoroki has been here for a week working with Yasushi… He’s gotten so comfortable and social with another person being in the house. Probably because Todoroki is so good at sign language.”
His mom hummed and slid a baking tray layered with empanadas into the oven.
“I guess that’s good at-least, but does he need to live here? That seems excessive and strange.”
Sero snorted.
“Mom he does more than just teaching sign language. Did you see how nice the house looks? I don’t know that it’s ever been in this good of shape-maybe ever.”
His mother gave him a familiar glare.
“Keeping the house in line is a woman’s job.”
Her son laughed hard at that.
“Mom-how are you a woman and able to say shit like that? That’s so fucked up!”
The woman yelled at him for swearing and kicked him out of the house so she could finish making lunch. Being forced out into the sunshine was maybe the best thing for him.
He came around the garage without his usual smile in place though he tried to force one when Yasushi spotted him and waved. Todoroki turned and also gave a wave. Todoroki still seemed to have concern in his stare but it wasn’t something they could discuss out here.
Sero wasn’t sure he wanted to talk about his wife’s suicide or his mother’s pressure for him to move on with Todoroki anyways… He moved to the patio set away from the play area to have a cigarette with his Whiskey-Horchata and the other two went back to playing whatever make believe game they were playing. Yasushi sat at the top of the slide and todoroki crouched by the bottom with a tiger plushie.
Yasushi signed “tiger cat please help” and slid a toy down the slide which Todoroki pretended to catch as the tiger and made the plushie climb the slide to give the toy back. Yasu giggled to himself at the silliness of the tiger sliding right back down the slide. Todoroki smiled to the boy and they kept going.
Sero took in as much smoke as his lungs could hold as he tried to ground himself again. Despite how opinionated his mother was Sero felt she was wrong on her gut reaction. His son didn’t need a new mother, he needed someone who understands him and is able to communicate with him. Someone who can be there for him when Sero can’t. Whether it’s because he’s at work or too stuck in his head to see the world around him- someone needs to be there for his son.
In that moment he decided he was going to offer Shoto to stay with them for a full year contract.
He couldn’t let himself give up or be blinded by the depression that came and went or by the opinions of people who weren’t able to support his small family either.
Todoroki got up at the end of the slide and captured Yasushi as he came down, tossing him high above before catching him with a smile. The boys laughter echoed the surrounding woods and eased the tension in Hantas back. Todoroki set him down and let him run up the play set again. From the patio above that over looked the play area and the woods Seros mother leaned over the ledge to see what the yelling was about. She looked down at her son lazily smoking and sipping his drink as Todoroki signed to the boy at the top of the slide. Yasushi signed something back, but Maria hadn’t quite mastered sign language.
She huffed and watched the boy slide down with giggles already escaping him. When Todoroki caught him and tossed him up the boy screamed and laughed again. Todoroki spun with the boy in his arms before setting him down again. The look on her sons face was one she recognized well.
Her son had experimented in highschool and despite her and her husbands disapproval she was sure that her son had had at-least one boyfriend before he started seeing Hagakure.
One she had caught him holding hands with, sharing meals with, and giving that very same smitten look.
Sero stubbed out his cigarette and said something to the Nanny, making the man come over with the son on his hip. Shoto smiled and made hand gestures as he replied. Seros smile bloomed and he signed back and said something that made both Todoroki and Yasushi laugh.
Anxiety spiked in the woman as she watched Shoto sit down with Yasushi in his lap. Sero leaned back against the table with an arm behind Todoroki.
“Hanta. Lunch is ready!”
The mother called and Sero jumped a bit, moving away from the Nanny.
Todoroki stared up at her with a blank face but the woman had no interest in seeing him. She turned immediately and went back inside.
Despite Maria’s fears that maybe this was more than a Nanny situation she ate with the group and kept quite. Only speaking really with Sero in Spanish as if Todoroki wasn’t there at all.
She felt the best thing she could do was give the man a cold shoulder, in hopes maybe it would scare him off from her son.
After lunch Shoto helped get Yasushi changed since he had gotten some sort of sauce he was only sort of sure was called “chimichuri” all over himself.
The food had been amazing and unlike anything Todoroki had ever eaten but thanking the woman for providing it didn’t seem to be an option.
Seros mother avoided eye contact as well as verbal communication with him the entire day so far.
Todoroki wanted to believe it was because he was a new face but he hadn’t seen the woman communicate with Yasushi either other than waving and pointing. He fixed on the toddlers socks as Sero knocked on the door frame.
Todoroki looked over and gave a slight smile.
“We’re all done in here. Yasu is sauce free.”
Yasushi signed “all clean” before wiggling his way off the day bed he had been sitting on.
Sero gave him double thumbs up before looking to Todoroki.
“I was thinking you and I could have a talk real quick in my office? I’d love to finalize our contract for a full year and let you head out since it’s a pretty long drive back to Tokyo.”
Sero didn’t miss the way Shotos eyes lit up as he nodded.
“I’m so glad you feel that way. I think we make for a good team.”
Yasushi whined and did the sign for deaf with a pout. Todoroki nodded and signed back as he spoke.
“We have to do business talk, it’s time for wind down, do you want to pick an activity?”
The boy pouted and looked totally deflated as before gesturing for Todoroki to pick him up.
Sero sighed.
“You leaving for the weekend is going to be tough for him.”
Todoroko sighed as he crouched down to give the boy a hug. When they separated he signed.
“I’ll be back soon.”
The boy pouted and held Todorokis hands for a bit before nodding and walking over to his one of the crates full of toys in his room and started digging through it.
Todoroki stood up and gave Sero a soft smile.
“I know, I’ll miss the both of you too. Let me grab my documents and I’ll meet you in the office.”
Sero gave a big smile as he nodded, his cheeks felt warm as he patted Todorokis arm.
“Perfect. I’ll tell mom Yasus in his room.”
Todoroki moved out and up to his room to fetch his legal documents and while he was up there he sent a quick text to his group chat describing how the meeting with Seros mom had gone along with telling them he was about to sign on for a full year with the Sero family. He wasn’t worried about the strange behavior yet, he just assumed the woman was nervous. He grabbed his folder and two paper packets before headed back downstairs to the office.
Sero was at the desk already with his laptop open.
“Alright let’s handle some business!”
Sero said as if paper work could ever be exciting.
Shoto just chuckled and closed the door behind himself. The meeting between the two of them was in the end strictly business. Shoto had taken careful notes about the house as well as Yasushis reading and comprehension levels. They spent nearly an hour discussing what they wanted to do to help the boy be as happy and healthy as possible.
Things like:
How much time he should be getting in for exercise and play, how he was expressing himself through play and art, down to nutrition and house work. It was all just to make sure they were on the same page and so Sero would never fall out of the loop on the childcare Shoto was providing. Sero had praised the Nanny’s cleaning skills already and honestly he felt refreshed by the way he had adjusted the organization of the house into something more manageable. Over all it was a good meeting of minds. Yet after the legal papers were signed and sent off Shoto felt himself lingering in the office, his eyes fixed out the wall of glass that shown out at the forrest surrounding them.
“Sero… Might I ask something out-of-line?”
The older man looked up from his laptop confused at first before nodding.
“Yeah, of course- always!”
Sero looked over the mans features and tried to read his body language but that was easier said than done…
“Your mother… She seems to have a strong effect on you, and when you came outside… Well. I just wanted to know if you were okay now.”
Shoto asked slowly. He wasn’t exactly “good” at emotional conversations, but he had struggled for years with his relationship with his parents before ultimately deciding to cut himself off from both of them.
Seros smile faded instantly to a flat line.
He didn’t know what to say- or what excuse to give for the strange energy. He wasn’t exactly sure what his mothers high strung energy was about either. She was always pushing him to remarry and get help raising Yasushi. Yet him getting help only seemed to annoy her more.
“Thanks for asking…”
He muttered still trying to think of an actual answer. Shoto turned his gaze to Hanta again and reached a hand over the desk between them to hold Seros hand.
The older man froze, mind going from overflowing to perfectly empty as they held eye contact.
“I don’t want you to think I’m only here for Yasushi. Your health is important to me as well.”
Seros heart raced like he was in high-school all over again. He swallowed hard and nodded slightly.
“If you’d like to talk about it at a different time I don’t mind, but if we’re going to raise Yasushi together, I would like for us to be able to have conversations like this.”
Sero adjusted their hand holding to squeeze Shoto gently before pulling away. His hands were about to start sweating if his racing heart was any indicator.
“I’d like that too. I just uh… I need some more time.”
Shoto nodded and gave him a reassuring smile.
“That’s fine. I’ll return Monday afternoon but if you need to, don’t hesitate to call me.”
The silver haired man said while collecting his papers. Sero nodded and tried to be helpful but his heart wasn’t letting his mind focus on not looking like a flustered idiot all because Todoroki held his hand and whispered sweetly about emotional vulnerability.
“I’m going to say goodbye to Yasushi and your mother before I leave. Thank you again for giving me this opportunity.”
Sero nodded and got up out of his seat to follow.
“Just as a warning there’s probably going to be some crying.”
Shoto chuckled and looked at Sero over his shoulder as he stepped out of the office.
“Are you referring to Yasushi or yourself?”
Sero just about short circuited before letting out an embarrassingly goofy laugh. He was right though. Even knowing Todoroki would be back in just two days Yasushi was heart broken.
He didn’t even stop crying when Todoroki loaded himself into his car and Sero waved goodbye. Todoroki felt his heart ache but he waved to the three before backing out of the long driveway out onto the isolated roads of Nagano.
It was almost a four hour drive home but thankfully Sero had given him a tote with snacks, a couple of drinks, and a bento box in it before leaving. Inside the bag was also a folded up drawing done by Yasushi of Todoroki and the imaginary tiger Yasu made him play as.
Despite the strange last day Todoroki found himself eager to return to the family.