Idea inspired by @22animesimping22 post here - https://22animesimping22.tumblr.com/post/669224791761371136/idea-mei-staying-late-one-night-to-finish-an#notes
I read their post and I couldn’t NOT write something for it! Also I thought it would make a sweet story to post since Christmas is all about spending time with your family, biological or not. I also added some extra bits to the story, this was supposed to be much shorter but the idea of Higari and Ectoplasm adopting Hatsume, their lil chaos child, is such a wholesome idea!
(also for story sake let’s say during big holidays like Christmas the UA students can either go celebrate with their families or stay at Heights Alliance. In Hatsume’s case as she’s an orphan/has no current foster family she has to go back to the foster home. I don’t know how things like Christmas are celebrated in foster homes so forgive me if I’ve gotten some things wrong)
Hatsume was covered head to two in oil smudges, her hair a frizzy, tangled mess over her back and she certainly didn’t smell the best, but she’d finished her latest gadget without so much as one explosion. A true miracle. She pushed her goggles up onto her forehead, where the protective gear had left two clear circles in their place over her eyes. “HA! Finally!” Hatsume cheered to the empty room, dusting off her latest masterpiece “All 23 Hero Course support item draft models completed!”
Hatsume turned to glance towards the clock ”And all before eleven!”
Hatsume wasn’t able to continue her self praising when she all of a sudden let out a long, tired yawn. “Huh…I guess it is kinda late” Hatsume rubbed at her face, the full force of her tiredness hitting her like a brick as the very last remains of her energy drained away.
“I should get back..” Hatsume propped her foot against the wall underneath her desk and easily pushed her chair over towards the other side of the room. With expert ease Hatsume tossed her work goggles up onto her assigned coat hanger, then pushed herself back towards her desk with another light kick to the wall.
Hatsume had no doubt in her mind she was going to be in trouble, after she had walked through the gale that was blowing outside, she still had curfews and rules to follow, the worst she’d get is a grounding over the Christmas break.
Hatsume’s movements came to a stop as she remembered the seasonal holidays had officially started. If she wanted to be precise, tomorrow morning they started. Hatsume looked down at her gloved hands in thought, brows ever so slightly furrowed, before she returned to picking up her do-hickeys and do-jams on her work desk-
Hatsume let out a startled squeak and jumped up from her chair to attention at the sound of a very familiar voice. Hatsume cracked a nervous smile “Oh- Hey Mister Powerloader!”
Higari stood in the doorway of the Design Studio, arms crossed. In the dim light of the studio it was hard to tell if Higari was squinting or straight up glaring, though Hatsume had a strong idea of which it was.”W-What are uh- what are you doing here?”
“I saw the lights in the studio were still on, so I decided to come and investigate.” Higari narrowed his eyes “What are you doing?” He asked
“Nooothing..” Hatsume said while she discreetly tried to shove her tools on her work bench behind her out of view. Higari leaned to the side and easily peered round her, then sighed “You’re working on yer projects after hours again aren’t ya?”
“Nooo! No no no!” Hatsume shook her head profusely, Higari cocked a bold brow under his scruffy mane of hair “…Maybe a little bit” Hatsume admitted
Higari sighed, pinching the skin between his eyes “Hatsume we’ve been over this-” Higari lowered his hand and gestured towards her, clearly not impressed “First year students aren’t allowed to use the design studio after school hours outside of clubs without my supervision” His arm returned, crossed over his chest “I get yer creative and you pride yourself on your work, but I gotta job to do as a teacher. You can’t just stay behind after school hours whenever you feel like it!”
Hatsume was far from shy, often approaching people with sudden, completely uninvited breaches of personal space - and yet Hatsume still felt a pit of guilt on her gut under her mentors disappointed scowl
“Sorry..” she mumbled, rubbing her arm “Guess I..got carried away” she chuckled awkwardly, hoping to break the tension.
Higari regarded her, she did look genuinely sorry. Now that Higari was looking he noticed just how filthy she was “Have you not washed up?” he said, pointing towards Hatsume’s face, where a particularly large smudge of what looked to be oil grease caught his attention
Hatsume kicked idly at the floor, eyes far more interested in staring off at the wall “Not..yet” she answered
Higari let out another sigh, smacking a hand to his forehead.
This wasn’t the first time Hatsume had pushed her luck with rules, and she knew very well that Mister Higari was not one to go light on punishments when his students continued to break them. Hatsume awaited the inevitable - she would most definitely be banned from the studio now, especially after the incident yesterday when she had broken Higari’s tool cabinet (on accident!)
“Okay, you know what-” Higari waved his hand “-I’ll let this slide”
Hatsume instantly looked over to her mentor with a blink “Really!” she asked hopefully
“Don’t get ahead of yourself” Higari warned, pointing a finger at her “I’m only letting it slide cuz it’s the holidays and I ain’t that much of a stick in the mud. But if you do this again you’re gonna be banned…Sides-” Higari peered around the design studio, noting how it was only Hatsume’s workbench that was a mess “-it’s not like you’ve broken anything or blown anything up. Just get outta here and clean yourself up”
..Higai’s eyes narrowed suspiciously “You haven’t broken anything right-”
“Easy!” Hatsume snapped, holding her hands up “I haven’t blown anything up since Wednesday, and that one time wasn’t entirely my fault!” she quickly added
“Alright alright” Higari said “Just grab yer things and then you can get going”
“Yes sir!” Hatsume said with a nod, letting out a sigh as she turned back to her desk. Narrowly escaped punishment this time
“Just leave your work on your desk” Hatsume paused mid reach to pick up one of her inventions “Really?” She asked “It’s late enough as it is” Higari said with a shrug.”It’s not like it’s gonna go anywhere over the holidays and they’ll be perfectly safe in the studio” he batted his hand at her, leaning his back against the giant door frame “Just grab yer tools and other things and leave the rest”
Hatsume would never say it out loud, knowing she’d get an earful on sleeping more from her grumpy teacher, but Hatsume was glad she wouldn’t have to spend the extra time cleaning up her desk, she must have been more tired than she thought.
“All done” Hatsume said as she threw on her coat and slung her backpack onto her shoulders, the weight of her personal tools pulling at her shoulder straps. “Mhm” Higari stood up from his leaning position on the doorway and waited for Hatsume to exit the room, before he switched off the lights and slid the giant metallic door closed.
“You best get yourself out of here” Higari said as he wiped off his hands “Just cuz I ain’t gonna punish you for staying on late doesn’t mean any other teacher won’t. Thankfully most are at the teachers’ dorms so you should be fine”
“Thanks Mister Powerloader”
Powerloader hummed “You can thank me by going home” Higari looked to the clock above the design studio doorway, only just able to read where the handles where in the dark hallway “If you hurry you might be able to take a late evening train, 10 minute walk from here, 5 if ya run”
“Oh” Hatsume turned and smiled obviously “I’m not taking a train, I’m walking back today!”
Higari seemed to totally freeze, as though he was rebooting. Then slowly, he turned his gaze to Hatsume “You’re…walking?“ he repeated
“Yep!” Hatsume said “My railcard got damaged during a little test drive experiment a few days ago, I’m waiting for a new one” Hatsume explained, missing the concerned look Higari was giving her “Hatsume..do you see how bad it is outside?” thunder suddenly boomed outside and a powerful gust of wind rattled at the windows, searching for open doors to batter about.
Hatsume hummed at her teacher, then looked out of the window to her right “Oh it’s just a little wind and rain!” Hatsume assured, waving her hand dismissively.”Far from the worst thing I’ve had to endure, I’ll be fine!~”
Higari looked outside, then gave Hatsume a sideways glance, before repeating.”..Well-” Hatsume rocked on her heels and briskly turned to walk down the hall “I better be going, those new ideas aren’t going to brainstorm themselves!”
Higari for a moment, didn’t respond, before he all of a sudden called out “Hang on!” down the hall. Hatsume perked and peered over her shoulder just as Mister Powerloader disappeared inside the design studio. Hatsume raised a brow and slowly turned around, vaguely hearing her teacher muttering something from inside before he stepped back out into the hallway, rain coat and scarf in hand.
“What’s with your coat?” Hatsume asked, waiting for him to catch up to her as he tugged on his coat before the two continue walking “I’m gonna walk with ya” Higari answered easily as though the answer was obvious ”If yer not takin’’ the train home I at least wanna make sure you don’t get blown away in this weather”
Hatsume nearly tripped over her own feet as she came to a sudden stop. “What?!”
Higari jumped like a startled rabbit, quickly turning to look up at Hastume, who looked nervous. “Ah-” Hatume smiled, trying to be professional “You don’t have to do that! I can walk home by myself, I mean - I’ve done it tons of times at this point! I could make the trip back with one leg!” To demonstrate Hatsume lifted one leg up, as if impersonating a flamingo. However she quickly wobbled and put her foot down to steady herself
“Right” Higari said with a nod. “..Regardless, making sure you get home okay will give me peace of mind. I don’t need you slipping on the icy sidewalks and twistin’ an ankle”
“Haha” Hatsume chuckled, forced, and quickly caught up with her teacher who continued walking “Thats uh, very nice of you to offer Mister Powerloader” Hatsume said awkwardly “But you really don’t have to waste your time watching little old me!”
“It’s not a waste of time” Higari replied “I’m a teacher and a hero, it’s my job to make sure kids you like stay outta trouble” Before Hatsume could say or think of a response Higari beat her to the punch “I’m not gonna embarrass you in front of yer parents like an overbearin’ sap” Higari didn’t see this as he was still walking down the hall, but Hatsme flinched back and bit at her gums, looking down at the floor “I’ll just tell em you were workin’ on your projects and I was making sure you got hope safe with the weather and all”
Higari peered at Hatsume, prepared for her to try and fight back, but when he saw she had trailed behind he stopped. “..You alright?” He asked, he hadn’t been too blunt had he-
“Oh-OH yeah! I’m fine!” Hatsume smiled, skipping up and ahead of Higari down the hallway to the stairway “Was just thinkin’, ya know me! Brain full of ideas~” Hatsume gently knocked a hand on the side of her head, then hurried off down the stairs before Higari could reply.
Higari hummed, before following after her
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Higari watched as his breath turned to vapor in the frigid air. He hoped the two would pass some kind of shop or take away cafe, a hot drink wouldn’t do much to cease his hunger, but it would make him warmer. Behind him Hatsume dragged behind, eyes on the floor as she nervously tugged at the straps of her school bag
“Jesus..” Higari blew a breath into his hands and futilely rubbed them together to generate warmth “It’s fuckin’ cold!” Higari grumbled, teeth chattering as he continued down the path
“You okay back there?” Higari stopped and peered behind him at Hatsume, who had been oddly quiet. Hatsume briefly looked up “..Oh, y-yeah, I’m fine”
“…Okay-” Higari turned around, expression flat “What’s with the awkward silence?”
Hatsume was surprised at his bluntness and shyly, she looked away “Ah-What do you mean?” Hatsume asked, feigning confusing
Higari’s reply came quickly - “If we were in the design studio right now this is when you’d usually start talkin’ about your newest support item idea or you’d be telling me about the old failed project you were gonna improve and alter” His eyes narrowed “What’s wrong?”
Hatsume shuffled uncomfortably, trying and failing to cover it up with her usual chipper and assertive personality “Uh-I was just..thinking about how I’d work on my ideas without access to the design studio over the Christmas break.” Hatsume replied, sounding a little too sure “UA does have some of the best facilities after all!”
Hatsume felt her nerve breaking under her teacher’s stern, knowing scowl “Seriously! Nothings wrong!” Hatsume blurted out in a panic “I’m fine!” To prove her point, Hatsume gave a closed eye smile - a smile that looked just a little too big, a little too forced
“…You’re lying” Higari said, a teenie part of him hurt at her dishonesty.
If Hatsume had a tail it would be tucked between her legs and, rather quickly, she leapt to try and diffuse things before they got worse “No! No no..I mean-” Hatsume kicked at a small stone on the path “Well-..I’m not trying to..I don’t wanna-uh..” Higari could see the growing distress around Hatsume, something which was rare to see from his usually confident student, who hardly batted an eye at the daily explosions she was caught in
“Hey hey, take a breath” Higari reassured, tone softer than before “..Look, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t wanna. But at least tell me you’ll talk to your parents about whatever’s buggin’ you”
…Hatsume hung her head, something sad settling in the air that Higari couldn’t figure out. Was it something he had said?? Higari cautiously approached and tried to make eye contact by leaning forward “Hatsume?”
“..I can’t” Hatsume said quietly, barely above a mumble
“Can’t?” Higari repeated “Can’t..tell your parents what’s wrong?” Hatsume slowly nodded still not looking up
Higari thought for a moment, wondering if he should pry any further, but seeing the unusual sad slump in Hatsume’s shoulders only made him more concerned. Something must be really wrong. “Why?” He asked “..Has something happened at home?”
Hatsume made an uncomfortable noise as if speaking was difficult. “I..guess that’s one way of putting it..”
Higari’s concern was only further rising - was something going on at home that was making Hatsume nervous to talk??..No, surely not. Higari would have noticed by now!..Right?
Higari took another step closer and went to lightly touch Hatsume’s arm. Hatsume leaned away, tensing up, and Higari withdrew his hand. “Hatsume.” Higari’s expression was softer than his tone suggested “..If something is going on at home you need to tell me. I’m not gonna get mad: I just need you to be honest”
Hatsume briefly peered up,peeking at her teacher through her pink bangs that hung in front of her face. Hatsume lazily threw them back over her shoulder and unhurriedly stood up straight. Her fingers toyed with one of her dreads, chewing her lip “..Nothing’s going on at home” Hatsume finally said
“Are you sure?” Higari asked sternly
Higari was quiet, before he let out a breath, relief rushing over his body. He could tell Hatsume hadn’t been lying that time. “That’s good to hear!” he said to himself “So..if nothings goin’ on at home” Higari tilted his head “Why can’t you talk to your par-…ents?”
Higari’s words caught in his throat when he looked back up at Hatsume. Hatsume was peering at him through the corner of her eye, and yet even so, Higari could see how her eyes were shiny..tears. Tears were forming in the corner of her eyes. Hatsume sniffled, and then profusely wiped her face with her sleeve
“Uhm..” What does he do?? What does he do?? Hatsume had never cried in front of him before! Until this point he thought Hatsume was unable to cry with how easily she bounced back from her inventions blowing up in her face.
Hatsume hiccupped, Higari sweated “UHM- There there! Hey- come on, don’t cry..” He tried to soothe, rapidly patting his pockets to see if he had a tissue on him. Of course the one time he needed a tissue he didn’t have one! Higari debated on if he should try patting her arm “Hey, come on..” Higari slowly reached his hand out and patted Hatsume’s arm. Hatsume flinched, but didn’t pull away “Hatsume..something is clearly not okay, can ya please throw me a bone and tell me what’s buggin’ you?” he pleaded “I’m no miracle worker but I MIGHT be able to help! But in order to do that you gotta tell me what’s wrong”
Hatsume inhaled a shaky breath and wiped at her eyes. Higari stepped back, sensing she might need some space to collect herself. Hatsume pulled her hands away from her face and inhaled, exhaling a frosty breath, hands returning to grip at her backpack straps.
Higari wasn’t sure who was going to be the first to break the silence, but after a moment of waiting, Hatsume spoke: “I’m..” she started, then paused, trying to string together words - starting was always the hardest part. “I’m..I live in..” Hatsume heaved a heavy sigh, eyes on the floor “..I live in foster care. I don’t have a family..”
Higari’s eyes snapped open to the size of plates..on one hand, he was happy the situation wasn’t anything dire - a part of him had worried something serious may have been going on at home, serious enough for heroes to get involved. But on the other hand..this wasn’t really all that much better
“You’re an..orphan?” Higari asked, then felt awful afterwards. Of course she was if she lived in foster care!
Hatsume meekly nodded with a sniffle, lifting her hand to wipe at her nose “W-Why- Why didn’t you ever say anything?” Higari asked
“No one ever asked” Hatsume said, paired with a shrug “..And anyway it’s not THAT bad” Hatsume turned towards her teacher, gesturing with a hand, forcing a smile “The people at the foster home are really nice! They let me and some of the older kids help out with making the younger kids lunch in the afternoon. A-And the Christmas dinner is pretty good! I mean- it’s no where close to the food at UA! A-And uh, there aren’t many other kids there I get along with.. b-but - food is food, right?” Hatsume chuckled, hoping her teacher would join in, he didn’t
“So..you’re spending the holidays at the foster home?”
Hatsume’s hand lowered as she seemed to deflate at the question “Uhm…yeah” she rubbed at her arm, suddenly feeling very shy “..I mean- It’s not the first Christmas I’ve spent in the foster home! It just..” Hatsume’s head lowered again, arms gently wrapping around herself as though she was trying to shield herself, she’d never told anyone this before, it made her feel vunerable “It gets..hard sometimes. Ya know, hearing everyone else in class talking about their plans for the holiday and..everything else”
Higari felt a weight on his stomach, he felt horrible. Poor Hatsume - how come he had never connected the dots before?? Looking back, Hatsume never did talk a whole lot about her family. Whenever he had asked her if she had plans over any school holiday, if she was going anywhere with her family, she’d simply answer “Oh you know, this and that!”
Had Hatsume all this time smiled and bared the questions that brought her so much upset all this time?
“…Well-” Hatsume rocked on her feet “I had..better be going” she made a move to walk around Higari who appeared frozen on the spot. Higari blinked, rapidly whirling his head round to Hatsume as she quickly walked away “Wha- Are you..sure you don’t want me to-”
“I’m sure!” Hatsume answered quickly “I’ve..done this walk before, after all” Higari’s hand numbly hung in the air from where he was reached out, slowly, it fell back to his side, watching as the sad, shuffling figure of his student disappeared down the street and into the cold, winter night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Higari picked at his take out boredly, head in one hand and elbow propped on the dining table. He sighed through his nose
“Something on your mind?” Across from him, his husband Ectoplasm sat. He had been watching Higari for the past five minutes, trying to guess what it was that he was thinking about. When he couldn’t think of anything, he finally spoke up
Higari peered up from his box of take out, blinking slowly, then returned his gaze to his food. “Did something happen in class?” Ectoplasm asked, Higari shook his head “Mn-mn..” Ectoplasm hummed “..Tired?” “Not really..” Higari muttered, lazily placing a piece of chicken into his mouth
“Oh” Ectoplasm said “Do you want to talk about it?”
Higari paused. He tapped his chopsticks against the table, Ecto, taking this as a sign that Higai was thinking and waited for him to speak. “..What do you think of Hatsume?” He asked
Ectoplasm blinked, but answered honestly “Well I can understand why you see potential in her” Ectoplasm said “Perhaps she can be a bit much, but there’s no denying she’s got potential” Ectoplasm raised a brow “Why do you ask?”
“Well..” Higari put down his chopsticks and crossed his arms on the table, pushing his food to the side “.I was hoping I could get your opinion on something I’ve been thinking about that concerns her”
“Well sure!” Ectoplasm smiled, friendly as always “What was it you wanted to ask?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The hard, cold surface of her desk felt lovely against her forehead, Hatsume thought.
It had been almost three days since Hatsume talked with her teacher, and she still couldn’t get past how awkward it was. Hatsume let out a long, loud groan just thinking back on it. She had assigned herself to her room, with any luck she’d be over this whole mess by the time the holiday drew to a close.
Knock Knock - soft knocking came from her door, followed by a familiar voice from one of the carers at the foster home “Hatsume, are you in there?”
Hatsume turned her head on her desk and peered towards the doorway. With a sigh she begrudgingly sat up in her chair “Yeah, I’m here” Hatsume said tiredly, watching as the door creaked open and a face peaked inside “Hello Hatsume!”
Ever smiley Miss Ikusei pushed the door open wider and stepped inside “How are you feeling this morning dear?” Hatsume watched as the older woman crossed her bedroom and opened up the small window to let some air in “Okay I guess?” Hatsume said
“Still not feeling your best?” Hatsume hadn’t told her the details, she didn’t have to, it was obvious to everyone she wasn’t herself. Hatsume shook her head, slouching in her chair. “Well, who knows? Today might just be your lucky day!” Hatsume hummed, showing how much she believed her. “..Hatsume-” Hatsume looked up to Miss Ikusei who was looking at her more seriously now “-the reason I came to see you is because you have a visitor downstairs”
“..Huh?” Hatsume asked, blinking “Visitor?” she repeated
Miss Ikusei nodded “Yes, one of your teachers from school. He wants to speak with you”
Hatsume didn’t need to hear a name to know who it was, she groaned “Do I have to go and talk with them?” she whined. Even in the face of Hatsume’s disinterest Miss Ikusei continued to smile “I think it would be very good if you did”
Hatsume pouted and, with clear reluctance, stood up from her chair and trudged towards her door. Miss Ikusei smiled and followed after her, leading her downstairs onto the ground floor, where loads of children and grow-up’s were already mingling. Hatsume looked very uncomfortable, slowly inching back towards the stairwell- “There he is! Do you see Hatsume?”
Hatsume froze mid step back towards the stairway and looked to where Miss Ikusei was pointing to: by the window, in one of the far corners of the room where there where the least amount of people was none other than her sensei: Mister Powerloader. Dressed in his casual clothes leaning against the wall. Hatsume frowned.
“Why is he here?” Hatsume said through her teeth. Was this life pulling some kind of sick joke on her? “Maybe if you go and talk to him, you’ll find out!” Miss Ikusei replied, earning another groan from Hatsume. Why her?
Apparently her groaning was loud enough for Higari from the other side of the room to hear as he peered up and caught sight of them. Hatsume jumped when he all of a sudden waved over at them and smiled.”Go on, you don’t need to talk to him for hours. Just give it ten minutes, won’t you?”
Do I have much of a choice?
“…Fiiinnne” Hatsume rolled her eyes and walked over, not hiding how awkward or annoyed she was feeling. Higari failed to cower under her studying gaze as she approached “Hey Hatsume” he greeted.
Hey Hatsume?? That’s ALL he had to say!?
Hatsume eyed his hand that Higair had extended for her to shake “..What do you want?” she asked bluntly, the sooner she got answers the sooner she could go back to moping in her room. Higari blinked, withdrawing his hand “Come on Hatsume, there’s no need to be mean” Hatsume only narrowed her eyes more. “That doesn’t answer my question…And how did you know this was the foster home I was staying at?” she asked suspiciously
“This was the only foster home within walking distance of UA” Hatsume scowled
“I don’t come to bare ill will” Higari said, holding his hands up in a surrender fashion “I just came here to talk, if you’ll let me”
Hatsume considered the offer, weighed the pros and cons, before pointing at him “This..isn’t about uh..what we talked about, is it?” Higari nodded. “It’s related” Hatsume hummed “…And you’re here just to talk?”
“And then after that you’ll leave?”
“If you want me to leave right after I will” Higari’s expression became nervous, hand rubbing at the back of his neck “Seriously, I just wanna talk, five minutes of your time! Then I’ll be outta your hair”
Hatsume did feel a little mean questioning him the way she did, what was the worst he could say? He already knew she was an orphan, there was nothing else really to say. She didn’t remember anything of her real parents, but she doubted her teacher would be that nosey
“…Okay” Hatsume agreed, stuffing her hands into her pockets “But I’m only gonna answer questions I feel comfortable with”
“Fair enough” Higari said with a nod, sounding relieved. Higari got up from the wall and walked towards the back where the foster home’s garden was. “Come on!” Hatsume raised a brow, looking between the available chairs inside and then to Higari who stopped and waited by the back door for her.
Hatsome snorted before following after
By the time she had caught up and reached the back door Higari was sitting on an unoccupied bench in the foster homes garden, Hatsume hesitated, hanging around in the doorway, before she slowly walked over and took a seat on the opposite end of the bench
“Nice place” Higari observed the garden, eyes skimming over the small vegetable garden in the corner and the many, many leaf piles that some smaller children were playing in. Hatsume rubbed her arm “Uh, yeah it’s..okay”
Higari turned to Hatsume, then sat up on the bench “So..” he started “About what I wanted to say” Hatsume visibly curled up, preparing herself for the worst. Higari frowned a little, he inhaled, then sighed “So..do you ever do anything here for Christmas?”
Hatsume figured she could answer that question. “Well..sort of” she said. Higari tilted his head, obviously waiting for her to elabortae “I mean we put up a tree and decorations and stuff, the decorating starts this Saturday” Hatsume leaned back on the bench, beginning to relax, even if just a little “Then everyone gets one gift from the staff”
Higari hummed “You know what your gift will be?”
Hatsume shrugged “No. Most of the stuff I’d like is tools for engineering, pretty expensive, even for the foster home”
That made sense, Higari thought.
More silence passed over them, but it wasn’t as awkward as before, it was more relaxed, natural. “..So you spend Christmas here at the foster home” Higari said, looking back towards the main building “Do you enjoy spending Christmas here?”
Hatsume’s expression became guarded “Of course, why wouldn’t I?” her tone became robotic, as though she was reading something off a script “Enjoying Christmas at a foster home with few kids my age who share the same interests as I, while all my classmates are off enjoying grand get togethers and family outings” Hatsume crossed her arms, leaning forward to rest them on her legs “Who could ever ask for anything better?”
Higari struggled for confidence, fingers tapping nervously on the bench. With effort, he managed to look towards Hatsume “Do you wanna spend the holidays with me and Ecto?”
The speed in which Hatsume threw her head up to stare at him could rival that of the Iida family. Her eyes were blown open, mouth opening and closing once in disbelief “..What?” she asked quietly
“I mean, I know it might be your style but-” Higari shrugged “-us teachers all pinch in in making a meal on the big day and we play a few classic games and songs” When Hatsume continued to stare at him unblinking, Higari gulped “Uh- Aizawa’s and Mic’s kid Shinsou from general studies will be there too, dunno if you’ve ever met him before - he’s an orphan like you too. Eri will be too, though she’ll probably just watch Christmas movies..”
“..You..mean it?” Hatsume asked, her gaze unsure
Higari nodded “I already spoke it over with Ecto, he’s fine with you staying with us for the holidays.” Higari jabbed a thumb towards the building “I called the place up a few days ago and they sorted everything out, if you wanna come spend the holiday at UA the offers there if ya want it”
Higari was worried that if Hatsume’s eyes got any wider they’d split her face in two. Higari quickly looked off to the side, fingers resuming their nervous tapping on the bench “Uhm, Ecto wanted to come with me but uh, I figured that may be a bit much so I thought I’d just come alone.“ Higari said in a desperate attempt to fill the silence.
…Maybe this was a bad idea-
“GHACK-” Higari let out a sound that could be best described as a strangled choke when he was all of a sudden pulled into a crushing grip strong enough to push the air from his lungs. At first he struggled, hero instincts thinking he was being attacked - but after a few seconds, he realized he wasn’t being attacked, quite the opposite..
Hatsume was hugging him……and rather tightly
“Hatsume-” Higari wheezed, struggling to push himself away. From over his shoulder Higari could hear muffled sniffling “You really mean it!!” Hatsume asked, hugging him tighter, Higari heard his back crack
“Y-YEP” Higari’s voice was hoarse, and maybe his eyes were watering a little “N-Never meant something more in my life!” Higari pushed his hands against Hatsume’s shoulders ”H-Hatsume- hugging too ti-GHTACK!”
Higari yelped as he was suddenly released, toppling off the bench and landing with a thud on the floor with his legs in the air, looking like a petrified goat. “..Ow..” Higari wheezed
“You really really mean it!” Hatsume cheered, hopping down from the bench and leaning over her teacher with her trademark grin “Really really REALLY mean it?! You’d let me spend the holiday at UA!” Higari was sure his spine had been broken by the shear strength of Hatsume’s hug, he opened his mouth to scold her
…But when he saw that giant smile on her face, probably the biggest smile he’d seen from her…he sighed, hand flopping onto his chest “…Yes Hatsume, I mean it”
Higari didn’t have the willpower to stop her when Hatsume grabbed his hands and excitedly spun him round like a ragdoll, all the while cheering something Higari didn’t quite hear, his head getting dizzy from the spinning
“Aaah! I need to go grab my things!” Higari stumbled, looking like a tiny drunk toddler as he waved his hands about at random to prevent himself from tripping. “I’ll need spare clothes, toothbrush, shampoo, shoes, notebook” Hatsume gasped “Can I work in the design studio on my projects!”
“Uh-” Higari spun on his foot and wobbled three feet forward, before managing to steady himself “Uhm..s-sure, no problem” he said, not hearing clearly what she had asked - he would regret it later
Hatsume let out an honest to god squeal, the likes of which Higari had never heard before. “Aaah thank you thank you THANK YOU!!” Hatsume cheered, practically bouncing up and down on the spot, oblivious to how sickly Higari looked. “I’m gonna grab my things!”
“Take your..woah-t-take your time Hatsume!” Higari called, pathetically wobbling on the spot before flopping face first onto the ground “Take your time..” Higari mumbled, before letting his head thud back against the floor.
He was getting too old for this..
(I was gonna end the story there cuz it’s long enough as it is, but have a small family moment at the end)
“Hey Hatsume” Said pink haired girl hummed, turning around just in time to catch a small wrapped box that had been lightly tossed to her. From the sofa Higari slurped his cocoa, pretending to be aloof. “Is this..for me?” Hatsume asked, turning the box around in her hands
“What?” Higari raised a brow. “You thought you weren’t gonna get a gift?”
“But..I didn’t have time to get you anything” Hatsume admitted guilty
Higari brought his mug to his lips and took another sip from his drink “Don’t worry about it” He said casually
Hatsume leapt to argue “But-”
“You can pay me back my makin’ me another drink” Higari said, holding up his cup, before tugging the winter themed blanket round him tighter “Stupid cold..” he said while throwing a scowl towards the frosted window
“Now hurry up and open your present” Hatsume slowly looked down to the wrapped box in her hand and tugged slowly at the red ribbon. Higari watched through the corner of his eye, swirling the last of his drink in his cup before finishing it.
“I wasn’t sure what you’d like” Higari said as Hatsume opened the lid on the box “It was a little last minute, but I figured you’d be in need of a new pair by now.”
Inside the box lay a pair of engineering gloves, and not the cheap looking kind. The material was soft as Hatsume ever so gently pulled them out from the box, the palms of the gloves, covered with a sturdier material, that would undoubtedly protect them from wear and tear for a good long while. Slipping them on over her hands, the gloves were warm and fit snuggly - not too tight and not too loose. Hatsume curled her hands into fists, testing the flexibility, where she then noticed her name, embroidered in pink along the top.
“I remember you kept complaining’ how your gloves kept getting mixed up with the ones I keep in the classroom.” Higari said, glancing towards Hatsume “Ecto helped out with the embroidery, all that fine detail work is hard with fingers like these” Higari tapped the ends of his metal claws together for emphasis
“I figured this way it’d be easier for you to tell which pair are yours”
Hatsume’s eyes went sparkly, like a cat staring at a laser pointer, she was entranced, moving her hands around to look at every little fine detail on the gloves as if they were the most interesting thing in the world. These were superior compared to her current pair!
“I..I don’t know what to say! These are-” Hatsume paused to once again marvel at the gloves, holding her hands out at arms length “These are amazing!!”
“Heh” Higari smiled. “Glad to know I made the right choice with gifts-”
“Does this mean I can work in the studio till the holidays end this week!!”
“Nope” Higari said with a shake of his head, casually flipping through the channels on the TV, even as Hatsume dived towards the sofa and clasped her hands together in a praying motion “But you said I could when you came to the foster home!”
“That doesn’t count because I didn’t hear you clearly” Higari countered
“Aw come on! I’ll take cleaning duties for a week!”
Higari hummed, Hatsume’s eyes sparkled “..Make me a hot chocolate and I’ll think about it”
Higari couldn’t help the tiny snicker when he heard Hatsume cheer a silent “Yes!” under her breath as she grabbed his cup and rushed past him to the dorm kitchen. Crazy kid
“Aw” Higari perked and turned his head, just as Ecto walked over and sat beside him “Aren’t you sweet?” Higari rose a brow at his teasing tone, Ecto’s milky eyes crinkled in the corner showing he was smiling
“What’s with the tone?” Higari humored, dropping the remote on the arm of the sofa. Ecto leaned his head in his hand “Oh, nothing really” he said lightly “Just admiring how caring you are for that student of yours - despite how much you claim she drives up the walls”
“She does” Higair stated “..But she’s a good kid” Higari added
“Did Mister tiny and tough Higari just admit to having a soft spot for his prize pupil?” Ecto teased, a smirk rolling off his tongue despite his lack of lips
“If you weren’t such a dork I’d throw you to the floor for callin’ me short“ Higari smirked, mockingly cupping Ecto’s face in his hands and squishing his cheeks together
Ecto hummed, unphased by the mock threat, and lifted his hand to Higari’s “Truly the most romantic thing you’ve ever said to me~” Ecto easily loomed over Higari with his taller stature and, for good measure, leaned down to nuzzle his nose in Higari’s hair, drawing a bubbly chuckle from his boyfriend
“Hm?” Higari had to contain himself from laughing “Snrck-..What you got there?“ Higari pointed to Ecto’s hand, which was now holding a piece of mistletoe. Ecto hummed and followed Higari’s pointed finger “Oh my” Ecto blinked, pretending as if he hadn’t been waiting for Higari to look up “How did that get there? Sorry Higari, I just can’t seem to tame my arm into decent behaviour”
“Mhm” Higari nodded, struggling not to smile ear to ear “Well, you know the rules of mistletoe” He sighed and shrugged dramatically “I guess I gotta kiss you” Higari said, pretending it was some big burden “Indeed” Ecto nodded, wondering if he looked as giddy as he felt “Though I’m sure you’re very capable”
“We’ll see, my kissing game is a little rusty, who knows? May have to kiss you multiple times before I get it right~”
Ecto dramatically held the back of his hand to his forehead and sighed “Oh the burden one must take for the ancient rules of mistletoe”
Here did Higari let out a chuckle, and Ecto peeked open an eye, smiling in victory at the sound of Higari’s laughter. “You’re a dork” Higari said, a gentle, fond teasing in his tone. “I do not deny that statement” Ecto replied
Higari shuffled closer, easily tugging Ecto closer with his surprising strength, it made the tiny school boy part of Ecto’s brain swoon, his pale face flushing pink - Higari’s smirk grew at the flustered expression on his boyfriends face. For a moment Higai simply sat there, admiring Ecto’s face: his fluffy, disheveled hair, his crystal clear eyes, his permanent toothy grin, his red cheeks. Ecto was truly perfect
“Yeah, well your my dork~” Higari finished, at last leaning up for that kiss Ecto had been waiting for-
And then something in the kitchen exploded
Higari paused mid lean in for a kiss, then groaned
“I CAN FIX THAT!!” Hatsume called from somewhere in the kitchen
