Chapter Text
Against all odds his brother is still alive. He's actually recovering. He got moved out of the Tube™ last week and has been holding steady. It only took three months for him to be stable enough to do so. He's still attached to countless wires and small tubes, and Shouto has no idea what half of them are for.
He knows the Tube™ itself was helping him breathe, but now that he is out of it he has a breathing tube in his neck that can make sure his lungs don't give out. The doctors are hopeful that it's going to be a short term solution.
He's still pretty limited in talking and eating, only able to eat some small bites of plain food. Most of his nutrition comes through one of many tubes. Touya mostly just listens when any of them come to visit. Occasional one or two word answers is the most they usually get. But that's okay, they still have their brother.
He saved him. He's so happy that he will finally get to know his oldest brother.
The same week Touya gets out of the tube he starts physical rehab. Shouto hasn't been able to come see Touya yet. It's harder for him to make the trip with his schooling. But Fuyumi has decided to take a year off of work to help everyone out. So she keeps the family updated on what's going on with Touya.
She has included some not very flattering pictures of Touya trying to sit on the edge of the bed and even attempting to stand with the therapists. He looks like he's holding on for dear life with his one arm.
That's another thing. They're not sure how soon they can get Touya a prosthetic. His new skin grafts are only just starting to heal. With the help of money from Enji, they are planning to bring some healers in to try to help Touya's skin heal as much as possible.
The hope is that the parts of him that weren't burned before the war will be able to be restored to their former appearance. They aren't sure about the spots that have been scared over multiple times. But as long as he doesn't use his fire in the same way the new grafts won't start to rot like the last ones.
Touya is still in Central hospital, so it takes until the end of the second week since Touya's been out of the Tube™ till Shouto is able to visit. He insisted to Fuyumi and his mother that he is okay to go alone and they can have a break from the traveling today. He gets up bright and early so he can get there as soon as visiting hours begin.
He spends the hour trip going over homework and studying for a quiz Present Mic had told them about for their English class.
About halfway through his journey, he starts getting well wishes in his group chat with his classmates. While his classmates have felt the effects of what his brother did more than many others, they still know that his brother is important to Shouto.
Once in Tokyo he has to hop trains and then it's only a ten minute walk from the station. He has to stop by the receptionist desk to get directions to Touya's new room. The man gives him the same sad pitying eyes he gets when he's out doing work with his class. Luckily that does not stop the man from doing his job and shortly Shouto is on his way.
The receptionist had called up to Touya's nurse and she meets him at the door of the locked unit Touya is in. She explains the rules they have here. No fighting, verbally or physically with staff or patients, visiting hours end strictly at 7PM, if Touya or the pro heroes watching him request that he leaves, then that is final. He is not to leave anything in Touya's room and if he plans to leave the unit pasted the locked door and come back to inform her.
All things his mother and Fuyumi told him before coming.
"Oh he's also only allowed two visitors at a time."
"That should be fine. The rest of my family knows I am here and will be staying home."
She leads him down the hall and to a room with two pro heroes Shouto doesn't particularly recognize but he nods at them when they open the door for him.
Touya is laying in his hospital bed, eyes closed. He looks completely unrecognizable, and if it weren't for Fuyumi's numerous photos and videos, he wouldn't know if was him. He still has the small tube in his neck but it's not connected to anything. He just has an oxygen tube in his nose now. He's still covered from head to toe in different gauze and bandages. Touya looks more like a mummy than anything.
That thought brings a small laugh out of Shouto and that wakes Touya up. Eyes opening lazily and looking at Shouto. He waves him over to his bed with his left hand. Shouto has no reason to not take the seat next to him.
"Hello Touya-nii." He gets a wave in return. Then Touya points to a small tablet plugged in sitting on the bedside table. Shouto hands it over to him. Fuyumi mentioned her throwing a fit about Touya not being able to communicate properly until the hospital provided this tablet for him.
"No Fuyumi or mother today?" The artificial voice from the tablet asks.
"I told them I was okay coming by myself and to take the day off."
"Good. I've told them they don't need to come everyday." Touya let's out a small sigh. "You don't have to entertain me. I spend most of the day sleeping till maybe one of the therapists come in to move me around." Touya takes his time to put together his message before hitting play.
"That's fine. I can talk enough for the both of us." This is the first real conversation they have had since the war. "Or if you'd rather I just be quiet, that's okay to."
"Knock yourself out kid," Touya actually says before putting the tablet down on his lap. He relaxes further into his bed eyes looking forward.
So Shouto talks and talks for the rest of the morning. Until it gets close to noon and his stomach starts to growl. Touya gently shoos him out of the room to get food for himself. Shouto promises he'll be back soon. Touya doesn't bother to answer him. just closes his eyes.
He finds Touya's nurse quickly and tell her his plan. She gives him directions to the cafeteria. There are decent choices but he does admit his sister and Lunch Rush at school have spoiled him. He eats quickly before returning back to the locked doors within half an hour.
Touya's nurse returns once he presses the intercom button to be let back in.
"Your brother has another visitor that came while you were away but they have requested to not be disturbed while in there. He has reassured me that he will hopefully not be long." He doesn't know what is the most confusing part of what she said.
"Who is visiting my brother?" It's only been his family that is allowed visitation and that took quite a bit of pulling strings from Enji.
"It's an employee from the Hero Commission." Shouto can tell she's not saying everything but Shouto guesses he will see who it is when they leave the room.
The pro heroes that were stationed outside Touya's room have left and been replaced by two men in suits. Likely other workers for the HPSC. They nod at him as he take a spot on the opposite wall. He nods back.
He doesn't do anything as he waits. Just stares between the men and the door. It's another half hour before the door opens. Stepping out is Pro Hero Hawks.
Just without his wings. Shouto hasn't seen him since before the last battle against AFO. He's heard from Tokoyami about Hawks losing his quirk. He certainly wasn't expecting him to be the commission worker talking to his brother.
"Oh Shouto." Hawks sounds just surprised to see him. "I wasn't sure who was here visiting Da- Touya today." Hawks catches himself but they both know what he almost said.
"It is my first day being able to visit him so I told my mother and sister to stay home for the day."
"Well it's good you are all visiting him. He'll need the support. But I have other things to attend to today. so I will let you get back to your visit." Hawks nods to the men at the door. They stay out and Hawks starts to walk down the hall.
"Wait!" Shouto calls after him. Hawks doesn't turn around but he does stop. "Why were you visiting Touya-nii?"
"It's a project I'm working on getting started and just wanted to make sure he would like to participate in it. That's all I can tell you for now, please try to keep this visit to yourself for now." Hawks tells him before continuing his walk down the hall and out of sight.
Shouto turns to enter Touya's room. The new guard opens it for him before he can.
Touya looks the exact same as when he left. He opens his eyes once the door shuts looking over at Shouto. That's when Shouto notices the difference.
His eyes, the only thing not covered, are red and maybe puffy. "Did Hawks upset you?" he asks before his brain can catch up with his mouth.
Touya simply shakes his head.
Shouto must not look reassured. "We had some things to talk out. But we're fine," Touya croaks out, voice sounding weaker than earlier. From actually talking with Hawks or the crying, he's not sure.
Touya opens the tablet back up, "Tell me more about the stray cat you're class tried to sneak into the dorms last week."
Shouto drops the topic for now.
Touya finally got the okay to leave Central hospital after another month of being monitored. They were able to get him moved to a rehab facility able to handle everything to do with Touya's care, including the guards. They were less strict here than the hospital allowed to bring things in once approved by the staff, Touya was allowed to leave his room as long as he was supervised, and if they wanted. the whole family was allowed to visit at once.
It was usually just Fuyumi or her mother most days though. Touya had insisted that they didn't need to visit him everyday and not all day. She could tell he appreciated the efforts his family was putting forth. But still she and Touya had made an agreement that she wouldn't be there the entire day.
So she usually didn't arrive till eleven but today she was running early. She woke up early today with a nightmare and hadn't been able to go back to sleep, so she started her day early. She's sure Touya won't mind her coming a little early.
At least that's what she thought before walking into her brother's room and seeing him in the middle of making out with former number two hero Hawks. Touya had been let out of his wraps of bandages and is now in an almost full body compression garment that leaves his head and hand out.
She doesn't know how long she stands there in shock before Touya opens his eyes and sees her.
The reaction is instant. He pushes Hawks off his lap and onto the floor. Hawks lets out a small yelp as he hits the floor.
"What the fuck Touya?" Hawks asks before turning to see Fuyumi at the door. "Shit."
"Yeah, shit birdie," Touya rasps out. His voice is doing better and he doesn't use the tablet often but still rough.
"Um I can come back," Fuyumi stammers out reaching for the door.
"No, it's fine I should leave anyway." Hawks stands, dusting his suit off. "I got to do that thing today anyway," he says to Touya with a grimace. Touya answers him with a bitter laugh.
Hawks looks at her brother and cocks his head to the side in question.
"She's already seen us birdie." Touya sits on the side of the bed and Hawks gives him a quick kiss and is out the room with a quick goodbye to Fuyumi.
"Can we keep this between us for now?" Touya's voice is small. Like he's about to get scolded.
"Of course Touya-nii. Do you want to talk about it?" she offers.
"Not much to talk about yet. We were something before the war and are trying to figure out if we can be something after everything." Touya is talking at the floor, refusing to look up at her. So he jumps when she rest a hand on his shoulder.
"I won't tell anyone before you are ready. And I promise this won't change anything." He wraps his arm around her, pulling her into a half hug.
They fall into their usually rhythm once they part. Fuyumi helps Touya with the exercises he needs to complete this morning before his physical therapy this afternoon. He knows it's important to stretch and get his muscle strength back, but Touya will always complain through the whole thing.
She thinks this whole thing is for her own benefit. Touya is giving her a concrete task that she can help him with. Touya truthfully barely needs her help anymore. She is mostly just making sure he doesn't skip them or cheat on how many he does.
But soon lunch comes. Touya has stopped the tube feeds and now onto a bland diet of mostly rice, steamed vegetables and lightly seasoned meat. Fuyumi gets out her own bento, and if she sneaks Touya a small spicy onigiri, then that is no one else business. He hums in appreciation.
Not long after they finished, Touya's physical therapist, Okada, knocks on the door, letting herself in.
"Hey Touya you-"
"Do you think we could include my sister in today's session?" Touya cuts her off like if he didn't get the words out as soon as he could, he wouldn't say them.
She laughs at his eagerness, "Of courses. How about a little ball?"
"That's fine." He huffs at her. She calls for another staff member to help her with Touya's balance while he stands and they bring in a ball. It's small enough for Touya to easily hold it with his one hand.
Okada talks him through standing first with his cane, helping him find his center of balance. She runs him through a few balance exercises. But soon she tell him to take his hand off his cane and he take the ball from the other staff member. They both have hands on a belt around Touya's waist to help catch him if he loses his balance.
Fuyumi has to move quickly to catch the ball for the first few throws and she toss the ball back gently, making it easier for him to catch it. But soon they are getting into a better rhythm, Touya's even taking steps forward and to either side to catch the ball.
Sadly that slowly built confidence turns into a wild shot that Fuyumi misses. The ball goes crashing into this week vase of flowers their mother left.
The room is silent before Touya burst out laughing.
"Oh fuck." Touya shakes a little from laughing too hard. "Let me sit down or I will fall and it'll be on your asses." The women do as he asks and help him to slowly sit down. He still hasn't stopped laughing. The therapists are trying their best at being professional but once Fuyumi breaks, quickly joining Touya, they both let out a small chuckle.
"Let me go get something to clean this up with." Okada's helper says, slipping out the door.
"I think that's enough fun for one afternoon, don't you?" the therapist left in the room asks.
"Yea. Yea, got my dose of destruction in at least." She carefully helps Touya get to the chair from the bed. He's still slow moving but at least he's able to complete the task with some help. "Plus Miki worked me over good this morning, making me getting dressed by myself." The mention of her coworker brings out another chuckle.
Once the other women return, the mess is quickly taken care of and they leave, promising Touya they'll see him Monday. He looks thrilled about it.
"Hey big guy! Thanks for meeting up with me," Hawks says, making his way into the genkan and taking his shoes off.
"Of course, Hawks. I'm not sure what I can do for you now but I'll do what I can." Enji starts wheeling himself down the hall towards his office. In the wheelchair, he can't easily use the tea room to host guests so his office is the next best thing.
"Well I'm sure you've heard in the rumor mill, but they've officially decided to make me the HPSC president." Hawks drops the news on him once he's sat across the desk from him.
"I haven't exactly had time to listen to rumors with everything going on. But congratulations," he decides on. Hawks has changed a lot since that last hero charts when Enji was made into number one. He used to think that he was just some silly kid who rose to the top with his good looks and charming personality.
Enji knows a lot better now. He got to see a different, more professional side of Hawks. Hawks seemed to drop the carefree attitude and became much more serious and pragmatic. He also owes the man his life because he would have surely died by the hand of All for one if not for Hawks. So of course he would try to do what he could for him.
"Thank you. While I am here for professional reasons the topic is very personal to you." He pauses to pull a folder out of his briefcase and passes to Enji. "One of my first acts as president is going to be a rehabilitation program for the remaining members of the League. Touya included." Hawks gives him a minute to process the information but not long enough for Enji to find his words.
"I know he is still in rehab being closely monitored by staff in the building, but we are hoping to prove that everyone deserves a second chance. That's not going to mean they will just be able to do whatever they want. There will be rules and stipulations, of course. Once they are healthy they are going to be moved to separate locations where they will be with a hero or approved person 24/7."
"They must also agree to quirk suppression, likely some form of sleeker cuffs than we use in the field. For the first year they will only be allowed out on preapproved supervised visits with hero escort. We will be providing counseling both for mental health and for hopefully career planning. Touya specifically will be required to complete the rest of his education first and then can choose what he wants to do next.
"As long as he does not break the rules that first year, the restrictions will be lessened. But he will likely need to live with a hero or someone the HPSC approves of for at least the first 5 years." Hawks gives Enji a large smile. "I have everything I've covered and more in that folder. I do think it is unlikely he will be placed with you or your family per reports from his current therapist. She does not think that would be conducive for his rehab."
"Uh, that's fair." Enji is honestly speechless for a moment. Hawks waits and lets him process all the information he just dropped on him. "Why are you doing this, Hawks?" he can't help but ask. While very grateful for this second chance for his eldest, this feels too good to be true.
"It's the least I could do for them." Hawks pauses thinking for a moment before making his mind up on something, "This stays between us okay?"
"Of course."
"The mission with the League got very close to compromising me. A different answer to a question and I could have been on the other side of the war or in a different country before it even started. I also got a different view of the League. A kinder one, the story of a found family just doing what they can to make the world a better place for each other. Just in their own twisted way. But for most of them, that's how the world treated them so can you expect them to be kind to a world that treated them so cruelly?"
He didn't think Hawks could stun him anymore than he already did but that is really something.
"Oh also I'm going by Keigo now. Hawks the hero has retired." Hawks— no Keigo gets up to leave. "I have a few more stops to make today. Trying to figure where everyone is going to go and all that."
"Uh, one last thing. Who is Touya going to be staying with, if you know?"
"Oh it's in the papers, I think it's one of the last pages since it just got finalized this morning." He waves Enji off, "I think I can find my way out of here. No need to show me out. You got plenty of reading to do Enji."
He starts shuffling through the paper to find the one Keigo was talking about.
He almost drops the paper when he sees whose name is under supervisor. But its clear as day.
Takami Keigo.
His signature in two places on the paper.
What the hell is he planning with Enji's son?
Rei is there the day Touya finally gets his finished prosthetic. It's been three months since he got the okay to be out of the life support container.
They finally deemed his right arm safe to start the fitting process last week. Touya and the prosthetist spent most of last Monday at his office getting initial fittings and figuring out what exactly Touya wants in a prosthetic. He went again on Thursday to do a second fit test and now the man is here teaching Touya how to put it on.
Touya had requested that he go alone and up until now he has allowed the family, minus Enji, to fuss over him, so they respected his wishes. So this would be her first glimpse at this new arm. He even said she could come in early to be here when it arrived.
"Okay, first you need to roll the liner up your residual limb." The man starts to show Touya how to properly turn the jelly looking fabric inside out and starts rolling it onto his arm. "There's not really a wrong way to put this on. It has sensors and magnets built into the end of it to connect to the prosthetic."
He goes to grab a decent sized box from the other side of the room. He sets it on the bed next to Touya and pulls out his new arm.
"The donning process is quite simple nowadays. You just line it up properly and it should just magnetize in place with some small pressure." He hands it over to Touya.
Touya takes a moment to examine it. Turning it this way and that way, giving Rei a glimpse of it as he does. It is a mostly black thing, but she sees just small hints of red and gold, almost like there are specks of glitter on some parts of it. But Touya moves it too fast for her to get a good look at it.
"So it'll just pop right on?" The man nods. Touya takes this as his cue to slip the prosthetic onto the remainder of his right arm.
She hears a soft clicking noise of what must be the magnets connecting.
"So over here is the power button. You just need to hold it for about 5 seconds, same goes for turning it off." He points at a small button on his forearm that is in fact gold. "It does have a good battery life, usually like 24 hours, so as long as you remember to charge it at night you should be fine."
As Touya presses the button, she can just barely hear the small motor starting before quieting to nothing. She sees the arm start to move as Touya lifts it into the air. His fingers are moving slowly as one. Sitting across from him, she can see the look of concentration as he tries to move each finger individually. Once he's successfully put all fingers up, he slowly brings them back down. He is already looking exhausted.
"Yeah, it'll take a while to get good at it. That's why you have the lovely therapist here to help you."
"More like deranged tortures." Touya snorts. Then he looks over and seems to remember Rei is in the room. "Uh- sorry mom. I promise they wouldn't get mad at me for saying that." Touya does that a lot. Seems to be worried that anything he says out of line in front of them will get him in trouble. Always apologetic and careful of what he says.
"It's okay Touya. I know you didn't mean any harm by it," she assures him.
"Okay, if you have any problems let one of the nurses or your occupational therapist know. They should have my number and be able to get a hold of me." He leaves the box and a spare liner for Touya. The man gives him the care booklet for both items and is about to leave.
"Oh, I'm surprised your little friend wasn't here to see this. He seemed more excited than you were last week." Touya whips himself around to face the man so fast it looked like it hurt.
She can't see the face Touya is making at him, but it makes the other man laugh. "Sorry. Didn't know it was a big secret. I'll keep my mouth shut, promise." He waves at them again before he's out the door.
Touya settles back on the edge of the bed. He is pointedly looking anywhere else than Rei. His expression is perfectly blank, not giving anything away. But Rei can wait and be patient. She knows pushing Touya to give her answers will only result in him shutting down.
He'd never tell any of them to leave, but he'll withdraw himself from the conversation. He will retreat into his mind, into a safe space. And that breaks her heart. So she'll wait. She picks her knitting back up and continues to work on the sweater she is making for Touya. It's a darker grey and will have small blue accents along the sleeves.
Touya stands from the bed with his cane. She doesn't look up as he passes her to go to the bathroom. He needs time and space. She knows what it's like to need those two things, so she'll give him as much as he wants.
She doesn't watch the clock or take note of how long he's in there. But she does listen for the door to open and waits to see what he'll do.
He approaches the chair next to her slowly. Out of necessity or caution, she's not sure. She waits till she can feel Touya's eye on her to set her work down in her lap and look up at him.
"I'm not ready to talk about it yet," he states plainly, like he was able to scrub all his emotions on the topic away in the bathroom. "I hope to be ready soon, but not today."
She reaches a hand out to rest on his and gives a small squeeze before letting go. "That's okay. I'll be here when you're ready and I'll be here after you tell me," Rei reassures him.
They sit in a silence that is not awkward but filled with thoughts of conversations to come. Touya relaxes in his chair, feet up trying to rest before the next person on the team comes in to sweep him away for the day. He gets a good hour nap in before his usual occupational therapist, Miki is her name, wakes him up with a big grin on her face.
"Come on, sleepy head. You finally got the new attachment so we can really ramp things up!" She's always so enthusiastic. Never treating Touya like a criminal, just another patient she needs to help get better. Rei loves the staff here for that. She thinks Touya does too. He doesn't tiptoe around them anymore. He feels comfortable enough to tease and banter right back to them.
"Miki must you always be this loud?" It does make him start to move though.
"Well we can't both be doom and gloom and I don't see you giving up that title anytime soon."
Rei starts to get up but Touya waves her off. "You won't miss anything. Just going to be me dropping things a million times."
"He just doesn't want you to hear him curse like a sailor, Rei." The comment earns her a half hearted swat from Touya's mechanical arm. Not quite coordinated enough to hit anything on purpose. "You trying to get ahead of me on therapy there, Touya."
He doesn't answer her, just starts his walk across the room to the door. "If you want to go get coffee or something to eat, that's not this place's food. You can. I'm sure she's going to keep me busy the rest of the morning."
Natsuo’s not sure what exactly changed his mind on visiting Touya. If it was Fuyumi calling him crying some nights because she didn't want to bother their parents and her friends wouldn't get it. Or the constant videos and photos that have been sent in their group chat in the 4 months since Touya escape from the pod. Maybe it was just the fact that they knew he was actually going to be able to live.
And if what Enji told Fuyumi is true, he wouldn't be going to Tartarus either. Not exactly a free man but able to actually be a part of their lives. Since he was given that news, he tries to stop by sometimes. He makes sure to text his siblings that he'll be visiting that day. They're trying not to overwhelm him like they did the first time they all visited.
Touya himself doesn't know who is coming everyday, just that someone is, anyone but Enji. Natsuo would have paid to see Touya's little 153 cm therapist tell Endeavor that he was no longer welcome to visit until further notice. He's sure if Shouto had been the one there that day, he would have it.
It's a random Tuesday that he doesn't have class on. He usual does have one class today but that professor's flight got delayed coming back from some international conference. So Natsuo has the day off. Once Touya was stable enough, they moved him back to Musutafu so they would not all be commuting to Tokyo to see him.
So Natsuo gets to make that commute himself whenever he visits. It's not bad, and it gives him time to attempt to study. He usually just thinks for most of the ride. About what to talk to Touya about, what place he's going to grab them lunch from. It is becoming a thing every time he visits. Everyone else won't let him have any unhealthy food. Then he'll try to ask about how rehab is going without Touya shutting down (he's getting better at it or maybe Touya's just improving), and maybe see if he can hang out during his rehab sessions.
The train gets to his stop and he's pulling out his phone, searching for whatever soba shop Shouto has recommended is closest. Last time he picked up some karaage and tempura and whatever random sides the woman at the counter recommended. Touya had eaten it of course, but he was quieter than normal during that visit. So his favorite food it will be.
The shop is luckily right on the way to the rehab facility and it's out of the way enough that the lunch rush hasn't hit it quite yet. Shouto rated it '8/10 not the best I've had but worth multiple visits to try other dishes." He thinks his little brother is going to attempt to try all the soba shops in Japan.
It's only another 10 minutes before he's walking in the door. He checks in with the receptionist. She makes a quick call to who must be Touya's nurse, checking that Touya is in his room and not at one of his many therapies. Once he gets the okay, he turns to start heading towards Touya's room when he collides with another person. He is only still on his feet because they grab his arm and correct his balance.
"Hey sorry about that man."
Natsuo finally takes a look and sees Hawks. Or he guesses Keigo, according to Fuyumi.
"Oh, how are you doing middlest Todoroki?" Keigo asks him.
"Uh fine. Just here visiting someone for lunch." He holds up the bag of still intact soba containers.
"Oh, yea yes. I'll let you get on your way. I was just leaving." Keigo quickly rushes away before Natsuo can say anything else.
He guess Keigo is still the guy that's too fast. Still, it’s weird seeing him here. Maybe he was here seeing Touya. Natsuo not sure when the whole rehab after the rehab is supposed to begin, but he knows Keigo is the one in charge of it. Don't know why he wouldn't mention anything about it, but whatever.
He continues on his way to Touya's room and knocks on the door. He waits to hear a come in before opening the door.
Touya looks the same, hair maybe a little longer, just starting to fall instead of sticking straight up. Fuyumi bought him a bunch of neutral clothing that he rotates through. Today he's chosen black joggers and a dark red t-shirt, his compression suit he still has to wear sticking out of the sleeve and neck. The only thing Natsuo hasn't gotten a chance to see is his new arm. Last month he came the week before it was finished.
"Hey Touya, I brought soba this week. Hope you're hungry." He takes the visitor chair next to Touya's where he's already sitting. Natsuo spreads the food out between them on the small table.
"Oh, was Hawks- I mean Keigo visiting you? I bumped into him, like actually he almost knocked me on my ass but he saved me too." Natsuo remembers to ask once they start eating.
Touya stops with his chopsticks halfway to his mouth. "Oh."
"Yeah, didn't know if he came to visit to talk about your parol thing?" Natsuo adds, starting to dig into his food.
"It's a villain reform program but yeah he stopped by to talk about some details."
"Any big updates? Like when you're getting out of here, or where you're going. I know it's not with Enji, right?"
"Uh, out of here is up to when they think I'm physically and mentally ready to not be in a carefully controlled environment. As for where-" Touya chews on his bottom lip, a nervous habit he's had since they were kids. "I guess wherever Keigo decides to live once everything really settles. I know he got an apartment in Tokyo so he can be close to here and one of the HPSC main offices." Touya isn't looking at him, focused on the wall behind him like he doesn't want to see Natsuo's reaction.
"So he's the one that'll be in charge of you? Isn't that a little awkward?" He doesn't feel the need to explain what exactly would be awkward about living with the guy you maimed. "Like I don't even get why he's doing this whole program to begin with. Not that I'm not grateful for it," he makes sure to add on.
"Uh- not that awkward. We've talked it out a bit before Keigo even talked to him about me entering the program." Touya doesn't need to explain who him is. "There's some stuff we still need to work out before we tell everyone, but I think being with Keigo will be okay. My therapist mostly approves of it too."
"Well that's good at least."
It's nearly the end of five months out of the tube. Keigo has been able to sneak in a little more often. Touya finally convinced his family they don't need to spend everyday with him. His occupational and physical therapist say he'll be ready to go once they hit 6 months. His psychotherapist agrees with them, thank fuck. She has one stipulation on agreeing to his release. He needs to tell his family about his relationship with Keigo.
Which means Keigo and him will be telling his family, because no way in hell is he doing that by himself. The issue is timing. Mostly when Natsuo and Keigo will both be free. It's not like he can do the planning himself with no communication with the outside world. So he's relying on birdbrain to figure it out.
So Touya is maybe caught a little off guard about the number of guest in the communal dinning room. A lot of guests aren't the big surprise. He's insane not stupid. It's his birthday so he kinda expected his family to try to do something. No, what's throwing him off is Keigo sitting at the table next to an empty chair. He's making small talk with Fuyumi, before the whole room goes quiet at his appearance.
"Happy birthday!" they kinda say in sync. Keigo is grinning at him like an idiot in love. Cheesy bastard.
Fuyumi and his mother have, as usual, cooked for an entire army. There is food covering the entire table and the side table has desserts, and what must be presents for him. They just did this whole thing last week on Shouto's birthday. Just adding Keigo.
He makes eye contact with birdie, and he just raises an eyebrow at Touya and nods his head towards the chair next to him.
He doesn't go straight there. Stopping to greet his mother and his siblings first. Natsuo goes to ask a question when he gets to him but Fuyumi quickly cuts him off telling him to leave it alone. Weird.
"Hey Keigo."
"Hi Touya. Your family throws a great birthday party."
"It's just getting started. We haven't even ate yet."
"Better than any birthday party I ever had." Birdie really needs to work on his timing of dropping some of the saddest shit Touya's heard. He must have made a face at Keigo. "Sorry."
"It's fine, just don't think my family consented to you trauma dumping at dinner." Touya nods to the rest of the table. His family is looking at Keigo with sympathy only people who also only recently learned what a good birthday looks like could give.
"It's alright Keigo." Rei reaches across the table to gently squeeze Keigo's hand. Oh no, birdie looks like he's about to cry.
"Okay, before this gets any sadder, let's eat," Touya cuts off any more sappy shit before it can start.
He can't help but notice all the looks his family are throwing at Keigo throughout the dinner. He can tell Natsuo wants to ask, and probably has been asking Fuyumi why Keigo was here before. Fuyumi likely has a good idea, and she's the most likely one Keigo reached out to when figuring out when best to do this. His mother just looks between the two of them smiling.
God she knows somethings up, doesn't she? Maybe it was the prosthetic, and she's putting it together with him being here.
Shouto is acting like this is the most normal thing in the world. Which he guesses is good because if things continue to go well, Keigo will be in their lives for a long time.
Natsuo unsurprisingly breaks first as people are finishing eating, "Okay so why is he here?"
"Who? Keigo?" Touya can't help himself. He missed ten years of being an older brother, and while he's not going to be a complete shit to them, he's been getting more comfortable teasing them.
"Who else?"
Touya can't help but to give him a definitely too Dabi smirk before taking his chance at having a little fun at his birthday party. "Oh birdie? We're dating." He hears Keigo's hand hit his own forehead, and can't hold back the small chuckle. Yeah he kinda missed being a little shit.
"Touya, that's not how we planned to tell your family," Keigo growls out beside him. God he can't wait to get out of this place so he can get fucked. Birdies been all nice and sweet for the most part which is fine, but sometimes he misses the not quite hate fucking.
"Oops." He shrugs and finally looks out at his family. Like he suspected, Natsuo is the only one that looks confused. Rei's smile has gotten a little bigger. Fuyumi is rolling her eyes so hard she might never see straight again. Shouto gives him that same small smile that Touya's not sure if he wants to hug the kid or push him down some stairs.
"You're dating? That has to violate some rule in the rehab thing, right?" Natsuo is now standing, looking around the table for support from someone else.
"Well considering I assisted in writing all the paper work and contracts. We made sure there is nothing against the relationship as long as Touya's therapist approves we're all good." Keigo clarifies. It has been a part of his originally we're dating speech he had gone over with Touya. "The program also has other people checking in. I will not be the sole person in charge of Touya. So if there is ever a time that Touya does not feel safe or no longer wants to live with me, there is a process for that." Touya grabs his hand, and gives it a squeeze under the table.
"Oh." Natsuo deflates back into his chair. "What, why am I the only one that seems surprised by this?"
"Let's see." Touya starts pointing at Fuyumi, "She caught us getting handsy forever ago, and Shouto happened to be there the day we first talked again." He points over at Shouto, not including his crying. Who gives a nod. "Mother-"
She cuts him off, "I only had a small hunch, nothing quite as concrete as your siblings." His mother lets out a small laugh into her hand.
"So does that answer all your questions?" Touya asks his brother.
"I guess." Natsuo turns to look at Keigo, "If you hurt my brother, you're gonna wish you just died in the w-."
He is cut off by Fuyumi elbowing him in the gut, effectively knocking the breath out of him. "Can't you just behave for five minutes?"
"No need to defend my honor Fuyumi. I completely understand why Natsuo or any of you would be weary of me and Touya's relationship," Keigo says ever the peacemaker.
"Okay no more interrogations at my birthday party."
"Of course Touya. How about presents then desserts?" His mother gets up to start grabbing things off the table behind her.
He starts to move to help his siblings clear the table but is quickly pushed back to his chair by Keigo. "Take it easy, hot stuff, it's your special day after all." Touya lets out a small huff, but does as he's told for once.
He's enjoying the moment of having all the people he's trying to get better for in one room for once. He tries not to let the small melancholy thoughts linger too long when he thinks of his birthday last year. The first and only with the League. He ended up having to run away to Keigo's apartment in the evening because Toga and Twice wouldn't give him any space. He kinda wishes he stayed a little bit longer now.
A hand on his thigh pulls him from his thoughts and back to the present, and the small tower of presents in front of him.
"Thank you all. For everything."