Hey hey and welcome mates! I'm starting this small? project, because reasons. I'm not full on sold on this yet, but given the feedback from all of you, I'll see where it goes! Please, note these are my personal headcannons, and they may not be what you imagine, and that you respect that. Thank you!
This is going to start off a bit slow, because I love establishing stuff, but it'll get to the good stuff soon! I also fully blame the mates on the Dadzawa and Shinso discord that I'm even doing this - hope you're all happy! xD

Also, please note that I won't be going into relationships here. See them if you like, but it'll be platonic in this story. Thanks!

Anyway, read, review and enjoy! =D

Chapter 1 A Promise

The Sports festival has ended, Katsuki Bakugo was the victor and many students showed their potential. People were clearing out as the kids waited and collected their things. There was a feeling of proudness in the arena, coming from almost everyone. This year was spectacular and so many interesting people showed up. Truly, one to remember for years to come.

Shinso was leaning on a fence on the balcony overviewing the ring. He already had everything packed and was just waiting for his classmates to finish up. It was strange, standing there in silence as he could still hear the cheers and yells of the crowd.

"You were really cool, Shinso!"

"Good job!"

"You put up a great fight against the guy who placed first in the obstacle course!"

"That Quirk would work quite well against villains. I wish I had it…"

"UA's not every smart of he's in General Studies."

"You hear that, Shinso? You're amazing!"

He couldn't help the smile as he came to his face or the prickle in his eyes. It felt like a dream, but he knew it wasn't. It actually happened. Maybe there's hope for him yet. Hope of becoming a hero, just like he promised.

"You're gonna catch a cold like this," the sudden voice startled him and he spun around, eyes wide, before seeing who it actually was.

"…You shouldn't sneak up on people like that…" Hitoshi said back, turning around and faced the heavily bandaged Aizawa.

"Old habits die hard," Shota shrugged, standing at the start of the stairs.

"…Why are you here?" Shinso looked the man directly in the eyes.

"Teachers are looking for any last stragglers – the buses are here," Eraser said, closing his eyes briefly.

"Oh," Hitoshi couldn't stop the disappointment in his voice as he started walking towards the stairs.

"And," Shota spoke, stopping the boy from walking away. "To congratulate you."

Hitoshi froze right on the first step, clenching his fists and biting his lip. His back was to the teacher, but it was clearly visible he was tense.

"I haven't seen you that fired up… in a long time… It was good to see you haven't given up on your dream."

"…"

"Hitoshi," the boy closed his eyes as he felt the man step next to him. "I'm proud of you. I'm sure you'll make a fantastic hero."

Shinso remembers the orphanage where he grew up. It was special, made to work with children whose Quirks were difficult to control or dangerous to other people. His was both. He doesn't know what happened to his parents, just that they didn't want him. The old lady there said something about nearly killing his father one time, but Hitoshi doesn't remember that. He doesn't even remember their faces, their voices, their touch… It's all darkness and shadows and yelling and crying. He hates it.

At the orphanage, he was treated a bit better – so he thought anyway. He was four when he was sent there, so he didn't know much of anything. Just that he was alone for a lot of the time and he didn't mind it as much – no one would yell at him or hit him. That was good. But the people there also didn't talk to him. They would just listen, and never speak back or answer his questions. They didn't let other kids near him and he was kept separate. He didn't know why they did that, but he was lonely. It was still better than what he remembers of his old life. He had enough to eat, he had some toys and he had a proper bed. It was good. But he was all alone and could only talk to himself.

Every so often, someone would come – someone who'd help him. This person didn't speak to him – not like other people he's known. No, this one talked in his head. She said she was a Telepath and that she could read his mind. He could answer her back. And it was great. But then, she stopped visiting. It was so sudden and when he asked what happened, no one would tell him. They'd ignore him. And Hitoshi thought it was his fault – that he did something wrong again and drove her away. He didn't want to talk to anyone again after that, because he was scared something would happen as well.

There was one thing he could do however, and that was watch the television. When he did, the world seemed to fade away as he watched the news of all the heroes with all these awesome Quirks and abilities. It was amazing! And then… Then came a new hero, who didn't look like much and his Quirk wasn't even all that flashy. It was simple, but strong. The media called him "Eraserhead" and he was only around for a little while. No one even knew what his Quirk was, but it was cool. He instantly became a favorite of Hitoshi's, even if he didn't see him after. Eraserhead. He asked for a poster one time and the caretakers managed to get one. They didn't talk to him about it, but he didn't care – he finally had something to remember and see his hero every day.

It was a year after he came to the orphanage, that someone else came. A man, looking like a mess and tired like he didn't sleep much. Shinso was getting his meal and that's the only reason he was even downstairs when the man came. But as soon as Hitoshi saw him, he squealed and started jumping because that was Eraserhead. His favorite hero was here! He looked different in the flesh, but still cool. Even if his hair was in a ponytail, it was still easy to see it floating around him as he jumped all over the television.

"Eraserhead!" Hitoshi yelled and ran towards the man, one hand holding a book the other a pen. The adults turned towards him, the caretakers quickly saying something to the man who seemed to raise an eyebrow.

"Please! I'm your biggest fan! Can you give an autograph?" Hitoshi was jumping, offering the items in his hands. He saw the caretakers trying to shoo him away, still never speaking, but he wouldn't let it. Not now. He really wanted the autograph and he would get it.

"…What's your name?" Eraser asked, his eyes seemed to glow red and his ponytail started floating, but Shinso got absorbed into the moment that someone was finally speaking to him and that someone was his hero. The man seemed to ignore the panicked looks of the caretakers as he kneeled down.

"Hitoshi Shinso!" the boy said excitedly, eyes shining with joy.

"Well then Hitoshi, how would you feel if I took you out of this place?"

For the kid, everything seemed to stop for a few seconds. His expression slowly changed to shock and surprise as he dropped the book and the pen, looking with wide eyes.

"Mr. Aizawa… How did you find out about him again?" the old lady asked, holding some papers which had ADOPTION written in big, red letters.

"A friend visits places like this for his radio. Present Mic? He told me all about this one from what he heard from you," Eraser quickly glanced at the woman before looking back at the boy, still crouched down.

"I see… Well, you can take him, the conditions are all met and you seem capable of working with his Quirk."

"What do you say kid? You can live with me and a friend," his hero gave a smile and offered a hand and all Shinso can remember is being strapped into the backseat and watching the orphanage fade as they drove away from it.

Somehow, as he followed Shota down the stairs now, Hitoshi felt a similar feeling. Like he's going somewhere that'll be better than before and that he'll be able to be himself. After today, things would change, be it for better or worse. But if nothing else, he was even more determine to get into the Hero Course. He can always try next year and the next, but he will be a hero when he finishes school.

"I'll wait for you when we get back – Hizashi is going home early," Aizawa said suddenly as they saw the buses.

"Ah, thanks," Shinso blinked, too deep in thought to react immediately. He could see some of his classmates waving at him as they got on the bus. Shota gave him a final nod before walking to the Class 1-A bus and needing to apparently calm down the students. Bakugo especially, since he seemed to want Todoroki to fight him.

"You okay?" he heard Yukino ask as he walked closer.

"Yeah, fine," Hitoshi answered, stepping on and taking a seat by the window.

"Dude, you were so close! You'll make it next year, I'm sure!" Iba carefully punched him in the shoulder.

"Haha, yeah, hope so," Shinso smiled weakly as he rubbed his shoulder.

"Hey, at least Eraserhead agreed with us – the entrance exams are total bullshit!" Hondo had his arms folded as he sat next to him.

"The way he talked, you'd think he got the same treatment!" Finn shrugged, grinning as everyone seemed to laugh at that. Shinso however, opened his eyes wide. He never did ask his father about his years at UA. Maybe he should get on that…

By the time they got back to school, Hitoshi was tired and slightly dozing off. This took out a lot of him and he was ready to sleep. Probably been a while since he's felt like that.

"Any of you need a ride home?" their homeroom teacher – Lyla Zin, who had the ability to sing anyone into a calm state – asked, looking at her students.

Some of them said that, yes, they could use some transportation since it was late and their public rides were either an hour away or not running right now, or their parents simply couldn't come. Hitoshi simply said his goodbye and made his way to the parking lot and found Aizawa waiting for him inside, door open.

"Ready?" Shota asked, looking up as the boy tossed his bag in the backseat and got in on the passenger's side.

"Yeah, let's go," Shinso nodded weakly and got comfortable, his eyelids dropping a bit. The chairs at the stadium weren't comfortable at all.

"You look like shit," the teacher said as he started the car.

"Like you're one to talk…" Hitoshi gave him a deadpan look, not missing a beat.

"Ow, that hurt all three of my feelings."

"Didn't even know you have that many."

"What can I say, I'm trying to be a human being."

"That's new – what happened?"

"People."

"…Touché."

Shinso hasn't gone home with Aizawa in a long time. Usually, he takes the bus or walks if he feels like it, since his father finishes late and his uncle early. Though, Hizashi can be random with his work-time, so he's been able to catch a ride with Mic as well. Those rides are usually loud and energetic, with either Yamada singing or the radio on. Rides with Shota were calm and quiet, save for the radio on low to just fill in the static. Perfect right now.

Hitoshi wanted to ask his father something, but stopped himself. It's probably not the best time right now, and he wasn't even sure if it's something he'd talk about. He doesn't really know that much about Aizawa's early life – the only one who probably does is Hizashi, but he knows neither of them like to talk about it.

When they arrived at the house, Shota was the first one out as he walked towards the door, the kid soon behind. As soon as the doors opened, Aizawa called a 'We're home!' and closed the door. And moments later, a blur of yellow and black had engulfed Hitoshi into a hug, before the boy could even get his shoes off.

"Welcome home!" Hizashi said quietly, smiling as he hugged the boy. Suddenly, Shinso had the same feeling as when he first set foot into this building.

"We're home!" Eraserhead called when they stepped in and closed the door.

"Welcome home!" a man appeared in the hall, excited and smiling and tall, but he quickly dropped down and hugged the five-year-old. "I'm Hizashi Yamada! But you can call me Uncle Mic!" the blonde grinned as he leaned back a bit to get a good look at the kid.

"He's the friend I told you about," Eraser grinned and patted the child on the head. "We'll both be taking care of you from now on. Welcome to the family."

Hitoshi could only cry at that, loud and ugly as he didn't know how else to react. He finally had someone to talk to, he was adopted by his favorite hero and he'd be living with kind and loving people it seems. He just hoped it wasn't all a dream or something.

"Thanks," he whispered weakly into Mic's shoulder, trying not to relive the same memories as before. He wasn't even sure why he started crying, just that it happened.

"Oi," Shota patted his son on the head, smiling. "Get some rest. You've more than earned it."

"Right…" Hitoshi nodded weakly, sniffing before carefully leaving the warm embrace of his uncle.

"Aww, but I had a party and everything ready!" Yamada pouted, but allowed the boy to pick his things and move.

"Tomorrow Hizashi… I'm heading to bed too," Aizawa grumbled.

"Oi, what is this? What happened to you two? Aren't you supposed to some insomniacs?" Mic threw his hands in the air and while the other man gave him a tire glare, the kid snorted as he walked up the stairs.

"Things are changing, uncle," Shinso said back, smiling weakly. "Besides, you're always telling us to 'go to bed at a reasonable hour', so we're doing that."

"…I'm so proud of you two!" Hizashi wiped away the tears with his sleeve.

"You're proud of everyone," the two said at the same time, before all three laughed. Yeah, this family was a bit weird and unusual, but it was theirs and they wouldn't change it for anything.

And cut! Yeah, like I said, kinda slow and easy at the start, but I have plenty planned for this. Still, it depends on how much people actually wanna read this so, we'll have to wait and see eh?
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed! Do tell me what you think of it - I love hearing from my readers! =D