Chapter Text
Third Person's POV:
"Why, hello there, sweet boy~"
Todoroki blinked up slowly, his wide, mismatched eyes full of quiet wonder as Fuyumi knelt down and scooped him gently into her arms. He didn't resist—just let himself be lifted like a drowsy kitten, his small hands curling against her sweater as she settled him carefully onto her lap. She bounced him once, then twice, her fingers trembling as they brushed his impossibly soft hair from his forehead.
Her voice cracked as the words left her. "Oh my goodness... You're even cuter than I remembered. I knew you were an adorable baby, but this—this is just unfair. You're too cute, Sho-Sho."
Something stirred in the toddler's mind—a vague tug in the misty corners of his memory, like hearing a lullaby through water. His tiny fingers twitched as though trying to reach for something he couldn't name.
Nearby, Momo sat curled in one of the dorm's armchairs, gently bouncing Bakugou on her lap. The little boy had one cheek stuffed with rice, the other pressed to her chest as he gnawed contentedly on the last of the onigiri Fuyumi had prepared. Her expression was calm but distant, a soft smile ghosting across her lips as she watched the quiet, unexpected reunion unfold.
The common room, usually filled with chatter and chaos, was empty. At Momo's gentle request, the rest of Class 1-A had cleared out, leaving behind only the scent of tea, the tick of the clock, and the warmth of a rare, tender moment.
Fuyumi's eyes lingered on the small furrow between Todoroki's brows. That familiar little crease of confusion. Her breath caught as she slowly slipped off her glasses, letting her gaze meet his with bare, unfiltered emotion—eyes that mirrored their mother's, soft and kind and heavy with memory.
"It's me, Sho-Sho," she whispered, voice fragile with hope. "It's your Mi-Mi."
The name brushed past something ancient and tender inside him. His gaze lingered on her face. Then his little hands reached up—clumsy, uncoordinated—and patted her cheeks as though to make sure she was real.
"...Mi-Mi..." he murmured, uncertain.
Her breath caught. "That's right, little brother," she said, drawing him close again. "Your Mi-Mi."
A beat passed before his face lit up like a candle flame. "Mi-Mi!" he squealed.
Fuyumi laughed—light, shaky, and soaked with love—as she hugged him tightly. His little arms wrapped around her neck, and he buried his face into her shoulder like he never wanted to let go. Her lashes glittered with unshed tears as she pressed a kiss to his temple.
"Oh, Sho-Sho," she murmured, her voice breaking. "You still smell the same. And you still do that little wiggle when you're happy..."
And right on cue, he wiggled in her lap, kicking his legs and babbling nonsense as he reached for her glasses.
Fuyumi wiped her eyes with her sleeve, smiling through the tears. "Still got that same little pout, too. And the squinty face you make when you're thinking real hard."
"He's very sweet," Momo added softly, brushing a crumb off Bakugou's cheek. He grunted but didn't protest—too busy finishing his snack.
"He always was," Fuyumi chuckled. "But boy, he cried a lot. Especially when he was tired. Or hungry. Or if a fly flew too close."
Momo giggled at that, nodding. "That still checks out."
Todoroki giggled too as his sister tickled his tummy. "Sho-Sho is such a sweet kid..."
But Momo caught that look in Fuyumi's eyes—the sadness that didn't quite vanish.
Before Momo could speak, Fuyumi's voice turned quieter, gentler.
"Does... does he really call you his mama?"
Momo blinked, startled. "Y-Yes... I'm sorry. I should've corrected him earlier, I just—"
"No," Fuyumi interrupted gently, "it's okay. Really. It's not your fault. I think he just... misses her. Our mom."
Her fingers brushed his cheek, tracing it softly.
"He's always been a mama's boy. Even after—" she paused, then smiled faintly, "—even after everything. You remind him of her, I think. You have that same patient way of speaking. Same warmth. It must have been familiar."
Momo looked away, suddenly feeling like an impostor holding someone else's place. But Fuyumi gently continued, her tone warm
"When my father finally explained what happened—that Shouto had been regressed to this—I thought he was just losing it. Another strange quirk incident. But then I saw him like this, and it's like... like I was looking into a memory."
Momo nodded, adjusting Bakugou as he curled into her chest. "At first it was slow... but the next morning, he was fully regressed."
She paused, sipping her tea as her gaze drifted back to the little boy now dozing in his sister's arms. Quiet. Content.
She didn't mention the villain's name.
The Cucu of Doom didn't belong in this peaceful moment.
"Oh Sho-Sho..." she murmured, gently tracing where his scar would eventually be. Her finger hovered there for a second too long. "I'm so sorry."
Momo frowned then saw Bakugou finishing his rice ball, then quietly snuggling into her chest. His usual fire dimmed, he simply curled up. She absentmindedly rubbed his back.
Fuyumi wiped her eyes and smiled brightly for her brother's sake. "You're being taken care of so well, Sho-Sho. Momo's doing a wonderful job, isn't she?"
Todoroki blinked up and gave Momo a soft, bashful smile. Momo returned it, her heart tightening.
"Thank you for everything, Miss Momo," Fuyumi said, turning toward her. "Truly. What you're doing... it means more than you know."
"I just want to help him," Momo said softly. "Help all of them."
Fuyumi nodded. "And you are. You might not know this, but... when he's older, Shoto doesn't always show his emotions well. But during our calls—he talks about you. All of you. Midoriya, Iida, the class... but especially you. You're someone he trusts. Deeply."
Momo's breath hitched.
"He doesn't say it outright," Fuyumi continued, "but it's there. In his voice. Every time he mentions school, it softens. You gave him something we couldn't... a place where he could be himself. A family."
Momo's eyes widened. She looked down at the small, quiet boy in his sister's lap—the boy she always assumed was distant or cold.
But he'd loved them all along.
"...Oh, Todoroki..." she whispered.
Bakugou stirred, hearing her voice crack. "Mowmo?"
She looked down, smiling gently. "I'm okay, Baku. Just happy."
He blinked, unsure, then leaned into her, resting his head on her shoulder. Momo rubbed his back, kissing the top of his head.
Fuyumi beamed at them before turning back to her brother. "You're too cute, Sho-Sho. I wish you could stay this small forever."
"Mi-Mi!" Todoroki babbled, squealing as she tickled his tummy again.
"But I know you're a first-year now," she said, pulling him close. "Trying your best to be a hero. Just like Mom always believed you could be."
Todoroki blinked, she hugged him once more.
" I love you little brother."
Todoroki blinked before snuggling closer. Fuyumi sighed as she glanced at her watch. "Oh, man. I should head out."
Momo blinked, " Are you sure?"
"If I stay longer, I might not leave," Fuyumi joked, kissing her brother's cheek. "I'd take him home and spoil him rotten."
Momo chuckled. "He does love attention."
"He used to," Fuyumi murmured, placing one last kiss on Todoroki's forehead. She gently laid him on the couch, though he reached for her as she stood.
"I'll always be there for you, Sho-Sho. No matter how big or small."
Todoroki blinked as he sucked his thumb, she leaned back and she smiled. Momo rose, placing Bakugou on the floor briefly as she stepped forward.
Fuyumi looked over at Momo and she gave her a bow. " Thank you for taking care of him and please continue to do so."
Momo's eyes widen, " O-Oh I-"
"And I know this is a lot for you but please... don't feel guilty when he calls you 'Mama'. Let him have that. Just for now." the woman's tone softened.
Momo swallowed thickly and nodded. "O-Of course."
Fuyumi smiled through watery eyes. "I should get going before Dad starts pacing."
She gave her little brother one a kiss on his cheek, Fuyumi looked and she grabbed the teen's hand.
" I know taking care of them is a lot, but you are truly an amazing person and please continue to help my little brother during and after this please."
Momo's facial expression softened as she nodded, " Of course."
" Mi-Mi," the little one whined from the couch.
Momo bent down and scooped him up, Fuyumi watched how the little one snuggled up against her. She smiled before reached for her bag, then suddenly gasped, " Hey, let me give you my phone number! So I can help you with Shoto!"
Momo smiled as she bounced the little one in her arms, " Why of course!" She used one hand to give the older her phone, Fuyumi smiled as she typed in her number.
Fuyumi quickly typed her number into Momo's phone. "I'll send you a list of tricks my mom used. Ways to calm him down. He... he always responded best to routine. And soft music."
Momo nodded, still bouncing the little one. "I'd appreciate that."
Fuyumi gave her phone back, she then ruffled her little brother's hair, " You be a big boy Sho-Sho, and be good for Momo ok?"
"Big boy," he softly repeated.
She giggled. "That's right."
Then she turned to Bakugou, who clung possessively to Momo's leg. "You too, young man."
Bakugou grunted and turned away, making them both giggle.
Fuyumi laid her eyes on her baby brother, she rubbed his cheeks softly as she whispered out. " I love you."
Todoroki giggled as he tried to play with her fingers. She laughed and let go to softly ruffled his hair. Momo smiled as she adjusted the little one.
" Oh I forgot you were such a giggling baby," Fuyumi cooed as her little brother reached for her fingers.
She stared at him before more tears welled up in her eyes. She quickly blinked them out and smiled at the teen, " Well! I should get going!"
Momo frowned at her but didn't say anything.Fuyumi and Momo walked towards the door, Fuyumi opened the door and turned around, " Thanks again for everything Miss Momo, I truly can't thank you enough."
Momo hestianted but she still said it, " Are you sure you don't wanna...take him with you?"
Her saying those words hurt more than it should have but she knew she had no right to feel this way.
This was his sister we're taking about and she's just his one of his classmates.
But Fuyumi's smile faltered. "He's safer here. And... he's happy. I won't take that from him."
Momo looked down to see the little one laying down on her chest with his finger in his mouth as he blinked. She smiled as she kissed the top of his head, the little one only cuddled deeper.
Fuyumi's smiled returned." Thank you again Momo, call me if you need anything."
Momo nodded, " Of course."
Fuyumi grinned, she gave her little brother one last kiss on the cheek before heading out, Momo watched her leave. She slowly shut the door, she then heard a little one whine out.
"Mi-Mi..." the little one whimpered.
Momo cradled him close. "Don't worry, little one. Your sister will be back."
Todoroki blinked before he hugged her, Momo smiled as she closed the door.
" Wasn't that nice of your sister to come over," she cooed at the little one in her arms.
Todoroki smiled and babbled as snuggled deeper. Momo smiled, held him tighter, and whispered into his hair."You have so many people who love you, Sho-Sho."
He blinked his mismatched eyes up at her. "Mama."
Her breath caught. Tears slipped free as she held him closer.
"I love you, Sho-Sho."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Nowww, what's this one?"
Midoriya crouched on the living room rug, knees aching and voice laced with the cracked cheerfulness of a man unraveling slowly but surely. His hand lifted the next flashcard like it was cursed.
It showed a cartoonish fire station—complete with a bright red truck, coiled yellow hose, and a smiling Dalmatian peeking out beside a waving firefighter. A cheery, storybook scene.
In front of him sat Bakugou—tiny, fuming, and dramatic.
Bakugou, dressed in a bright green T-shirt with roaring cartoon dinosaurs, matching dino-print shorts, and socks that didn't match (one with tiny T. rexes, the other with jagged black "claw marks"), squinted at the image like it personally offended him.
He jabbed one tiny finger at the card and proclaimed, with all the righteous confidence of a scholar about to publish, "Dat's a HOUSE."
Midoriya blinked slowly, struggling to keep his tone steady. "It's not a—Kacchan, no. Look again. It's not just a normal house—"
"It gots woof. It gots doa. It house!" Bakugou declared, folding his arms in grand toddler defiance. "Big wed house! Wif a hose! For baffs!"
Kirishima, lounging on the couch with a juice box, immediately snorted soda through his nose and curled forward, wheezing. "He's technically not wrong..."
Denki slid off the couch, wiping tears from his eyes. "The logic checks out. It does have a door and a roof!"
Bakugou folded his arms triumphantly, chin high. "WED. HOUSE."
Midoriya groaned. "It's a fire station, guys... that's a firetruck right there—"
Bakugou squinted harder. "Dat's a box."
Midoriya threw his arms in the air. "It has wheels!"
Beside him, Todoroki sat in quiet silence, legs folded under him, wearing the softest baby blue overalls with tiny embroidered stars scattered across the front. A pale shirt dotted with puffy clouds peeked from beneath, sleeves a bit too long and nearly covering his pudgy hands. His white-and-red hair was ruffled from nap time, a small tuft sticking up like a rebellious dandelion.
He clutched his stuffed bunny—Bun-Bun—close to his chest, its fur matted in some spots, one floppy ear trailing across his cheek. A pacifier bobbed gently in his mouth as he leaned closer to look at the card...
And then—
"Achoo."
A soft, squeaky sneeze. The kind that made hearts melt.
"Awwwwwwww!" Denki and Kirishima chorused from the couch.
"Bwess you," Bakugou muttered gruffly, reaching over to gently pat Todoroki's head with surprising gentleness.
Todoroki blinked, then mumbled softly through his pacifier, "’Ank oo."
Midoriya, eyes wild, took a steadying breath and quickly flipped the card. "Okay! Moving on! What's this one?"
He flipped the flashcard around. It showed a bright blue airplane soaring through a sky of fluffy white clouds, complete with tiny smiley-face passengers looking out the windows.
Bakugou's eyes widened. "Wace caw!"
Midoriya stared. "No, Kacchan—no—it's in the sky. It has wings."
Bakugou nodded like a wise elder. "It zoom. It fast. It go VWOOOOOM! So... it wace caw."
Todoroki, ever the quiet echo, tilted his head and softly murmured, "...ooom."
Midoriya's soul visibly left his body. "Kacchan no...it's not a-"
Bakugou clapped his hands. "Yay wace caw!"
"I'm not calling it that," Midoriya groaned
Midoriya turned to Todoroki, desperate now. "Todoroki? Can you help me out here?"
Todoroki blinked, his gray-blue eyes unfocused and soft, then slowly resumed sucking his pacifier like it held all the answers.
No response.
Just pacifier noises.
Midoriya dramatically flopped backwards onto the floor like the universe had personally betrayed him. The flashcard fluttered to the ground beside him.
"Zuzu sweepy?" Bakugou asked innocently, poking Midoriya's leg.
"...weepy," Todoroki repeated, pacifier muffling the sound.
From the couch, Denki whispered between giggles, "I swear this could be a sitcom."
"I'd binge it," Kirishima nodded. "We should call it Hero Daycare: Chaos Edition."
Mina padded down the stairs, her pink hoodie sleeves dangling past her fingers, eyes curious. "What's going on down here?"
Kirishima wiped tears from his eyes. "Midoriya's losing a one-sided battle with flashcards."
"And he's trying to quiz them," Denki added. "It's not going well."
"He's asking flashcard questions like they're in kindergarten," Kirishima grinned.
"Aw, that's cute," Mina cooed, stepping around to peek over Midoriya's shoulder.
At that moment, Bakugou was hitting the cards against one other muttering "wed... house... wed..." while Todoroki had started using Bun-Bun to gently bap Midoriya on the head.
"I'm studying their regression!" Midoriya groaned from the floor. "I'm documenting behavioral shifts for analysis!"
Denki raised a brow. "We also made bets."
"I said Bakugou would explode by card five," Kirishima announced proudly.
"I said card seven," Denki said, "and I bet Todoroki would try to eat one."
Mina chuckled and looked at the scene with amusement. Bakugou was now stacking flashcards like building blocks while Todoroki was humming softly to Bun-Bun and whispering to him in nonsense syllables.
Midoriya sat up and sighed, trying to restore order. "Okay, okay—almost done."
He held up a card with a silly cartoon monkey swinging from a vine.
Bakugou lit up. "MONKEY!"
Midoriya exhaled dramatically. "Thank you! We know monkey! Finally, something!"
"...onwey," Todoroki echoed gently through his pacifier.
Midoriya turned to him. "Todoroki, buddy, I really don't think you need that anymore."
Todoroki blinked up at him innocently. When Midoriya reached to remove the pacifier, Todoroki let out a soft whimper and scuttled behind Bakugou, hiding like the floor was lava.
Bakugou blinked, then immediately shifted into battle stance. "No touch Sho-Sho! He baby!"
Midoriya let out a breath. "He's not—okay, fine. Let's just keep going." He pulled up another card. "What's this?"
He held up a picture of a yellow cartoon bird.
Bakugou's eyes narrowed in focus, then he grinned. "BIWD!"
"Close enough. Todoroki?"
From behind Bakugou's back, a quiet voice murmured, "...iwd."
Midoriya placed the flashcards down with a sigh. "Okay, let's try something different. Maybe some basic math?"
Bakugou flopped onto his belly with a groan. "Zuzu, I wan pway."
"'Way," Todoroki echoed, gently patting the floor.
"I know, I know, but just a few more questions! I want to test your comprehension and critical thinking."
Todoroki turned to Bakugou and tugged on his sleeve. "'Aku... dat?"
Bakugou sighed. "Zuzu bein' bowin'."
"'Owin'," Todoroki echoed, tilting his head.
Midoriya gasped, scandalized. "I'm not boring!"
Denki and Kirishima both burst out laughing, with Mina covering her mouth.
"Let's move on! Okay, math time! What's 5 + 2?" Midoriya held up his fingers. "See? Five fingers here... two more here..."
Bakugou tapped his chin dramatically. "Uhhh... fibe!"
Midoriya facepalmed as Denki choked on his juice.
"... Kacchan."
"I wight?" Bakugou asked, proudly grinning.
"...No."
Bakugou pouted hard, lip quivering.
Midoriya turned to Todoroki. "Okay, buddy. How many fingers do I have?"
Todoroki blinked. Then he calmly removed his pacifier...
...only to shove his own fingers into his mouth instead, and smiled serenely.
Midoriya groaned. "Seriously?!"
"Et fowty-fibe!" Bakugou shouted triumphantly.
The teens on the couch howled with laughter. Denki dropped his head onto Kirishima's shoulder, shaking.
Midoriya fumbled for another question. "Okay! What's 1 + 1?"
Bakugou raised his arms dramatically. "FOUA!"
"Nooooo!" Midoriya cried.
"Dis game hawd!" Bakugou said, flopping backward in protest.
"Todoroki, please. Work with me." Midoriya leaned toward the boy and gently removed his fingers from his mouth. "How many fingers am I holding up?"
Todoroki blinked... tilted his head...
"...Mama."
Midoriya choked.
The couch trio screamed in laughter.
"I—I—what?!" Midoriya spluttered.
Bakugou stood dramatically and pointed. "Sho-Sho say MAMA!"
"Mama," Todoroki said again, smiling softly.
Midoriya ran both hands down his face. "Oh my god. I'm never gonna recover from this."
Bakugou suddenly gasped. "WAIT! I KNOW!"
Midoriya looked up, eyes full of desperate hope. "Yes? Please?"
Bakugou held up three stubby fingers with pride. "It... THWEE! Jus' wike ME! I wight be cuz I bwave!"
Midoriya's jaw dropped. The entire couch burst into chaos.
"Baku bwave!" Todoroki cheered, clapping for his friend.
Bakugou stood tall, tiny fists on his hips. "I iz! I smawt! I smawt king!"
Midoriya fell back onto the rug, covering his eyes. "I give up. They win. The babies win."
"YAY! I WIN!" Bakugou jumped.
"Win! Win!" Todoroki clapped his hands, bouncing.
Midoriya sighed and scribbled in his notebook. "Confirmed. Still toddlers. Deeply, unhelpfully, toddlers."
Bakugou giggled before he sniffed something, his face scrunched up as he used his tiny hands to cover his nose, "Ew! Wat da smell!?"
Midoriya blinked, then he got a whiff, his body strinked, " What is that?"
Sniff.
His face fell. "Oh no."
He crawled closer to Todoroki, who was happily babbling to Bun-Bun. Midoriya leaned in, then recoiled.
"Oh my god. It's Todoroki."
Todoroki giggled. "Win win!"
" More like lose-lose," Midoriya muttered.
"Alright. Who has diaper duty," Kirishima asked.
Mina looked at Denki who waved his hands, " Don't look at me, I had it yesterday."
Mina desperately glanced over at Kirishima who winked at the pink girl." All you Mina."
" Aw what? Ugh," Mina pouted as she made her way to the stinky red and white haired two year old.
" Come on stinky man, let's get you changed," Mina told as she scooped the little one up.
"Bun-Bun come too?" Todoroki asked sweetly.
Mina paused, then smiled. "Of course he can."
Todoroki squealed and bounced in her arms as she carried him upstairs, babbling, "Bun-Bun! Pwaytime!"
Mina giggled, as they headed upstairs, Denki covered his nose, " Aw man, who knew that babies could reek dude?"
" I know." Kirishima chuckled.
Bakugou pouted as he stomped over to them, " Sho-Sho no week! He jus baby, yous weave him awone!"
Kirishima and Denki put their hands up in defense.
" My bad Bakubro," Denki told.
" Yeah Kat, we're sorry," Kirishima added.
Bakugou huffed. " You no mean tos him no mow!"
" Understood," the two teens on the couch told.
The three year old gave them a sharp nod before he saw some of his toys on the ground. His eyes sparkled as he ran over to them and started playing.
" Dude, three year old has some wild mood swings," Denki added.
" It's kinda cool that since they're regressed Kat's more protective of Todoroki, too bad he can't act like that when they're the same age though," Kirishima hummed.
Midoriya looked at his childhood best friend playing with toys, he thinks that Kirishima is wrong about that. Bakugou is protective but his way of showing it is way different.
He showed it with fists. With yelling. With stubborn loyalty.
Now it was simpler. Purer.
He looked down at his notes and he sighed, no changes but can heavily confirm that they're stuck like this until the villain is caught. No matter how he change how he speak to the toddlers or ask them many questions, they're still toddlers.
Now he needs to find a way to lure the villian to them without getting anyone hurt.
His thoughts were interrupted.
"ZUZU!"
Bakugou waved a plastic All Might figurine in the air. "PWAY WIF MES!"
Midoriya blinked... then smiled and set down the notebook.
"Why not?"
Bakugou's face lit up. "Yous Awe Might! We supa hewos!"
Midoriya sat beside him. "Alright. Let's save the day."
Bakugou giggled, voice ringing through the room as he waved the toy. Behind them, Denki whispered to Kirishima, "We're gonna need more juice boxes."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Do you see what I'm seeing?"
Aizawa landed soundlessly on the cracked pavement, his capture weapon billowing slightly in the breeze. He scanned the desolate town, his eyes narrowing behind his goggles.
"Yeah," he muttered grimly. "Another town. Completely deserted. Just like the others."
Hizashi Yamada—Present Mic—dropped beside him, unusually quiet. His voice was low with frustration."Damn it. That's the third one this week."
"And no survivors again," Aizawa added, his tone clipped. "At this rate, we're always a few hours too late."
The town was silent, no lights, no movement. Just wind rustling through empty streets and broken windows.
"Let's scout the area," Aizawa said, stepping forward, boots crunching softly against broken glass. "There's always something left behind."
The streets were still—too still. The windows of the small homes stared blankly, like hollow eyes. Once, there had been laughter, shops, children. Now, there was only silence.
Present Mic followed, eyes darting between alleys and rooftops."This villain—'The Cucu of Doom,' right? Even the name gives me the creeps. It's like we're chasing a ghost with a vendetta."
Aizawa's jaw clenched."Ghosts leave energy traces. This thing doesn't. No residual quirk signature. Nothing for the Support Team to analyze."
"Not even Search picked up anything," Present Mic added. "And Ragdoll's quirk is no joke."
They passed an old bakery—its sign hanging by a single chain, swaying. A child's drawing flapped limply in the breeze, half-taped to the door. Crayon smiles. A sun. A stick family. A smudge of red where a handprint used to be.
Present Mic stepped around a crushed scooter, then stopped. His voice was quiet."How are the kids?"
Aizawa's eyes softened for a moment."Still regressed. Both of them. No quirks. Barely forming full sentences. My students are watching them at the dorms. They're doing their best to keep them safe."
"Bakugou and Todoroki..." Hizashi exhaled slowly. "From top of the class to... toddlers. It's messed up, man."
"They're lucky they're still alive," Aizawa said darkly.
Before Hizashi could respond—
"WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"
The scream pierced the night like a blade.
Both heroes froze. Aizawa's head snapped toward the sound, eyes wide. Present Mic was already moving.
"That came from the north side!"
They sprinted, leaping over stalls and rooftops. The child's wail rang again—panicked and raw. Aizawa's boots hit pavement first, and he stopped cold.
"I don't see anyone," Hizashi hissed. "You sure that wasn't—?"
"It wasn't an illusion," Aizawa snapped, scanning the area. "Sound was real. Echo placement checks out. But now..."
He activated his Erasure—but there was nothing to erase. Just dense shadows curling unnaturally near the alley edges.
Then a cold, crawling thought slithered into Aizawa's mind.
"Bakugou said he saw it."
The sketch.
The name.
The Cucu of Doom.
Not just in person—but in a dream.
"A villain powerful enough to break into a dreamscape... that's not just quirk usage. That's psychological warfare."
"You're saying it uses fear?" Hizashi asked, already knowing the answer.
Aizawa's voice dropped."It regresses people physically and slowly mentally, then hunts them psychologically. Their intellect is gone. Their defenses are gone. But their fear?"
He shook his head. "That's left untouched. No filters. No logic. Pure. Raw. That's what it feeds on."
"Like a sentient version of that villain Mustard," Present Mic muttered. "But worse. Way worse."
Aizawa's voice was tight now, full of rising dread."It turns victims into helpless toddlers and then enters their dreams. It causes night terrors to amplify the fear. That's how it gains strength."
He looked at the shadows that seemed to be swirling unnaturally."That's why we can't find it. It doesn't exist on one plane."
Hizashi's mouth went dry."You're telling me this bastard slips in and out of physical space and dreams?"
"Yes," Aizawa said flatly. "We've been hunting a predator with no pattern, no footprint, and no face—just fear."
"So what do we do?" Hizashi asked, voice steady but grim.
Aizawa looked up, eyes glowing faintly red in the dark.
"We stop treating this like a villain. This isn't a man with a grudge."
He turned toward the deepest shadow, eyes narrowing.
"This is a monster with a taste for innocence. And it knows we're coming."
Then—movement.
They stopped.
A pale hand... no, a finger... sticking out into the moonlight from behind a dumpster. Small. Still.
Both men froze.
They edged closer.
It was a child.
A little girl, no older than four. Sitting on the ground, shivering, barefoot, with bruises littered across her arms and legs. Her dress was way too big on her but it was torn. Her hair matted with dirt. She sobbed softly—quiet, broken hiccups.
Hizashi approached, kneeling down slowly. "Hey there... You okay? We're heroes. We're here to help you."
The girl looked up—
And screamed.
A sound so broken, so desperate, it felt like it could shatter glass.
She screamed again and scrambled backward, fingernails scraping the concrete, her tiny body trembling with terror. Then she collapsed, sobbing violently, trying to drag herself away on raw knees.
Both Pro Heroes froze, expressions darkening.
"It's okay, sweetie," Hizashi said gently, crouching down with open hands. "We're heroes. We won't hurt you."
The girl's eyes locked onto him.
And she whimpered one word through her sobs:"Y-Yellow m-m-monster..."
Aizawa's heart stopped.
He knew those words.
The exact words Bakugou had whispered, over and over again after they found him and Todoroki in the woods.
The exact words Bakugou said when he had those nigtmares.
Yellow monster. Yellow monster.
Present Mic stepped back in shock. "W-What?"
Aizawa slowly approached, his voice low and steady, crouching beside the girl. She flinched, but didn't bolt. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she looked at Hizashi—and wailed, curling tighter.
"Y-*hiccup*... Yellow monster... *hiccup* Yellow monster..."
Her voice was broken. Her eyes—wild with something no child should ever know.
Aizawa gently unwrapped part of his scarf and began bandaging her scraped leg. His voice dropped to a whisper, soothing and careful. "Shh... You're safe now. He's not the yellow monster. He's my friend. He's here to help."
She trembled. Her tiny hands gripped his scarf like a lifeline.
"N-Not a... m-monster?" she whimpered.
"No," Aizawa said. "He's not. The thing that hurt you... it just wore his color."
She hiccupped again, snot and tears running freely. Behind them, Hizashi stood motionless, face pale and stricken.
Then tiny arms reached up.
She clung to Aizawa's neck and buried her face in his shoulder, sobbing against him like he was the last safe place in a ruined world.
She was shaking.
Uncontrollably.
Aizawa lifted her gently into his arms, cradling her close to his chest. Her breath came in ragged gasps. He turned to Hizashi, who stared at the ground like he'd just been punched.
Present Mic's hands curled into fists."She thinks I'm the thing that did it."
"No," Aizawa said, standing with the girl still in his arms. "She thinks the monster looked like you."
He turned his gaze toward the shadows, his eyes glowing faintly red.
"That means it's not just watching anymore. It's studying. Learning us."
And somewhere in the shadows, just beyond the reach of any quirk...
Something stirred.
Two unnatural eyes, glowing an unholy sickly yellow, blinked open in the void.They weren't eyes meant for light. They were forged in nightmares—slitted, jagged, pulsing with something ancient and cruel.
They didn't waver.
They watched.
Slowly, deliberately, the creature opened its mouth—
Not a grin.
Not a smirk.
A jagged, gaping maw lined with crooked, nail-like teeth, stretching far too wide for any living thing.
And it smiled.
A smile that promised torment, not joy.
A smile that had tasted fear.
Had tasted pure flesh...
Hungry.
Watching.
Wearing their faces.
It didn't need to chase.
It would wait.
It always waited.
Because fear...
Always came back.
And it was coming.
Not for one.
Not for some.
For them all.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"We do not throw food on the ground, young man."
Momo's voice rang with patient authority as she knelt beside the high chairs, her brows furrowed in concern while her hand reached down to retrieve the squishy, rejected carrot pieces now scattered across the tile. The bright orange stood out starkly against the clean kitchen floor, the mess somehow louder than it should've been.
Bakugou hiccupped sharply, still flushed and red-faced, his little lips in a defiant pout. His tiny fists were clenched, chest heaving with small, angry breaths. He was still so mad—mad at Sho-Sho, mad at carrots, mad at everything.
"I know you don't like vegetables," Momo continued with a tired sigh as she wiped up the sticky carrot smears, "but we do not throw food. And especially not at other people."
Bakugou's lip curled. His cheeks puffed out, arms crossing tightly. "Sho-Sho mak’ me mad!" he snapped, glaring at the two-year-old across from him. Who was quietly eating his rice and stared at the older with an innocent curiosity.
Momo sat back on her heels, placing the napkin of retrieved carrots on the table behind her before settling on the floor directly in front of them. "That may be true, Katsuki," she said, soft but firm, "but that doesn't give you permission to throw food. Hurting others because we're upset isn't the answer."
Bakugou scowled, cheeks puffed. "He copy me," he muttered, stabbing a chubby finger at Todoroki, who was now casually holding a rice ball with both hands. "He do ev'wyfing I do! He anowy!"
Todoroki blinked again, then mimicked the motion and poked his own finger back. "Anowy."
Bakugou let out a gasp as if he'd just been slapped with betrayal. "You baby!"
Momo dragged a hand down her face. "Boys..."
Todoroki's brow scrunched in that adorably serious way only he could manage, his little nose wrinkling. "You bad."
Momo sighed and gently pinched the bridge of her nose. "Boys..."
"YOUS bad!!"
Todoroki puffed his cheeks up like a balloon and let out a loud raspberry in retaliation. Bakugou growled, picked up another carrot, and hurled it with precision, smacking the younger boy right between the eyes.
"Katsuki Bakugou!" Momo's voice rang out sharp as she stood up. "What did I just say?"
Bakugou's triumphant smirk quickly faltered. His shoulders hunched up to his ears. "He... he say I bad..." he muttered, shrinking in his high chair.
"That still doesn't mean you get to throw food," Momo said, marching over to Todoroki and gently wiping the orange smear off his forehead with a napkin. Her voice softened again, but her eyes were serious. "Even when we're upset, we have to use our words."
Bakugou didn't answer.
Instead, he slumped low in his seat, arms crossed again, but looser this time. The pout on his face was quivering now, and his eyes were no longer angry—they were distant.
Something in his chest felt wrong.
He glanced at Momo and how gently she wiped Todoroki's face. How her fingers combed through his hair with care. She hadn't touched him like that. She didn't call him sweet. She didn't hug him.
She likes Sho-Sho better.
'Cause Sho-Sho not woud. 'Cuz Sho-Sho don't yew.
Tears brimmed in Bakugou's eyes before he could stop them. He turned his face away and bit down on his lip, refusing to let them fall.
Momo let out a breath and unbuckled both toddlers from their chairs. "Okay," she said, trying to stay calm, "let's go get cleaned up."
She gently set them down inside the playpen nearby, placing a few plush toys inside before turning back toward the mess. "I'm going to clean this up. I don't want to hear anymore fighting, understood?"
Bakugou didn't answer.
He shuffled into the farthest corner of the playpen, sat hard, and wrapped his arms around his knees. The soft foam under his feet felt too soft, too fake. He scowled at the floor, but it wasn't anger anymore—it was something deeper. Something lonely.
Todoroki sat quietly, slowly pulling a stuffed bunny into his lap. He suckled his thumb in silence, head tilted just slightly.
Bakugou peeked sideways. He didn't know why, but everything about the younger boy was annoying right now. The way he chewed, the way he blinked, the way Momo always scooped him up first.
Especially when he gets Momo's attention.
Tap.
Bakugou didn't turn around.
He doesn't get it, he knows that Sho-Sho was a baby but he still is very annoyed.
Tap tap.
He clenched his jaw and leaned farther into the corner.
'Mowmo no wike me... she finks I bad... she w-wikes Sho-Sho mow...'
His throat hurt. His eyes burned.
Another soft poke.
"WAT?!" he snapped as he whipped his head around.
Todoroki flinched hard, stopping mid-poke, his tiny shoulders scrunching up as his lip wobbled. His round mismatch eyes shimmered with immediate tears, like the anger hit harder than any carrot ever could.
Bakugou froze.
"Wait—I didn'—!"
But the crying began.
"WAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
Loud and raw and awful. The kind of crying that came from somewhere deep, the kind that sounded like your heart cracking in half.
"W-WAIT! I SOWWY! NO CWY!" Bakugou cried out, crawling over in a panic. "NO CWY SHO-SHO! I SOWWY I SOWWY!!"
But Todoroki was hiccuping between cries now, gasping for air as tears streamed down his cheeks.
Momo ran back in instantly. "What's going on?!"
Bakugou's voice cracked, his own face pale with fear. "I—I no mean it!"
Momo didn't hesitate—she swept Todoroki into her arms and began gently bouncing him, whispering soft words as she rubbed his back.
"Shhh, baby, it's okay. I'm here, Sho-Sho. I got you. You're okay..."
Bakugou watched helplessly. His arms hung limp by his sides, his little fists trembling.
She didn't pick him up.
She didn't say he was okay.
Just Sho-Sho.
Bakugou's throat closed up.
He turned away and crawled back to the corner, his knees hitting the floor a little too hard. He curled up again, tighter this time, hiding his face in his hands.
'No cwy. No cwy. No cwy...'
But a sob bubbled out anyway. And then another. And another.
Bakugou's tiny fists rubbed at his eyes, but they were too wet, too red. His sleeves were soggy now. His chest felt tight—like someone had tied a big knot right under his ribs.
He didn't like this.
Not the carrots. Not the yelling. Not the feeling in his belly that twisted everything up.
He wanted his Sharky.
Sharky always listened.
Sharky didn't look at him like he was bad.
He wanted Momo too. He wanted her arms. Her kisses. The soft kind that tickled and made his hair smell nice after baths.
But... maybe she didn't want him.
Maybe Momo didn't like him anymore.
Maybe she liked Sho-Sho better.
He hated this.
He hated all of it.
She turned to set Todoroki down and froze.
Bakugou was curled into a ball in the corner of the playmat, his little body shaking all over. His knees were pulled to his chest, face buried in his crossed arms, shoulders hitching with every breath.
Silent sobs.
The kind that scared her.
"Bakugou?" she whispered, already moving toward him.
No answer.
Her heart seized.
She knelt fast, barely breathing. "Sweetheart? Are you hurt?"
Still nothing—just a sharp, shuddery inhale, then a louder sob.
Her whole chest ached.
She gathered him into her arms, slow but firm. He stiffened with a squeaky gasp—then broke.
Like a thundercloud finally letting go.
He threw his arms around her neck, sobbing hard now, messy little cries full of panic and heartbreak. "M-Mowmo no wike mes... Mowmo wikes Sho-Sho mow! Sho-Sho betta..."
"Oh, baby..." she breathed, voice breaking.
His whole face was blotchy and soaked. His fists clung to her shirt like he was afraid she'd vanish.
Her heart cracked in two.
How hadn't she seen this? She thought she was doing everything right—being calm, being fair, being the grown-up.
But to him?
She'd picked sides.
Momo felt her own tears rising. She hugged him tightly, pressing a kiss into his wild blonde hair. "No, Katsuki. That's not true."
"You... *hiccup *you no hugg'd mes..." he sniffled. "You... mad..."
"I should've hugged you right away. I'm sorry. I got it wrong," she said, cradling him closer, feeling every sob shake his tiny frame. "I love you, Katsuki. I love you so, so much. You're my brave boy. My stormy one. And big feelings don't make you bad. You're learning. You're trying. And that's what matters."
He hiccuped into her shirt.
'I'm supposed to be the grown-up. I'm supposed to keep them safe, not make them feel like this.' Momo teared up.
She felt his breath slow just a little.
Then came a soft, shaky voice.
"I... I no bad...?"
She pulled back just enough to meet his eyes, her free hand gently cupping his flushed little cheeks. "No," she whispered, brushing her thumb under one eye. "You're not bad. You're good. You're learning. And I will always love you. Even when you throw carrots." She smiled as she softly tickled the little one’s side.
Bakugou gasped a tiny giggle, squirming. "Nooo, dat tickohs!" he whined, hiccuping through it—but the sound was soft and watery, the kind that only came after a hard cry.
Momo smiled and leaned her forehead against his. "You needed that giggle, didn't you?"
He sniffed, little fists twisting in her shirt as he nuzzled close again. "M'sowwy..."
"I'm sorry too, Katsuki," she whispered, running her fingers up and down his back in slow, steady motions. "I'll do better, okay? Just like you're trying."
Bakugou nodded slowly, quiet now, his face buried in her shoulder. "'Kay... I twyin' too..."
Just then, a soft sniffle broke through the quiet.
"B-Baku...?"
They both turned toward the sound.
Todoroki was standing a little unsteady on his pudgy legs, one thumb in his mouth. His other arm was stretched up toward them, his cheeks tear-streaked and flushed, eyes huge and watery.
"Baku..." he whimpered again as he stood on his tippy toes. "Wan' Baku..."
Momo looked at him. "Well, Katsuki?"
Bakugou looked unsure—but then slowly nodded.
"...otay."
Momo crouched and gently placed him down.
He stood there, arms folded, watching Todoroki waddle over with his blanket trailing behind him like a cape.
The younger boy hiccupped and reached his arms up again, thumb still half in his mouth. " Baku 'uggie...?" he asked, voice barely a whisper.
Bakugou blinked.
He turned back to Momo, who gave him an encouraging nod and a little smile.
"...Fiwe," he muttered, cheeks pink. He stepped forward, huffing dramatically—but then leaned down and wrapped his arms around Todoroki in a snug, almost protective hug.
Todoroki squeaked a little laugh and toddled forward, immediately smooshed his face against Bakugou's shoulder, mumbling into it, "Sho-Sho wub Baku..."
Bakugou's ears turned red. He looked away. "Baku..wub Sho-Sho too..."
The hug was unbalanced and a little wiggly, but neither of them cared.
They were warm.
They were safe.
Momo watched them both, her heart squeezed full.
'They're just babies. One still in diapers, the other barely out. But their feelings... they're so big. And they trust me to hold all of them.'
She stepped forward and gently scooped them both into her arms, one on each hip. Todoroki immediately clung to her like a sleepy koala, burying his face into her neck, while Bakugou leaned his head against her shoulder, grumbling quietly but clearly needing the closeness too.
She kissed them both—one on the top of Bakugou's spiky head, and another on Todoroki's soft, split-colored hair.
"Now," she whispered, "who's ready for bathtime and snuggles?"
"MES!!" Bakugou shouted, fist up again like a tiny hero.
"Mamaaaa..." Todoroki whined, so soft and sleepy it made her heart melt. "Snoogows..."
Momo laughed gently, her voice thick with love. "Let's go, my sweet boys."
And with her heart overflowing and her arms full of tiny, trusting hearts, she padded quietly down the hallway.
She would never let them feel unloved again.
Not ever.