The mall was packed, buzzing with families enjoying their day off and kids clutching colorful bags of candy and merch. Katsuki Bakugo, Pro Hero Dynamight, stood out in the crowd even in a hoodie and baseball cap, sunglasses pushed up lazily on his forehead. He was walking slightly ahead, pushing the stroller with one hand and his other jammed deep in his pocket.
"Oi, Suki, stop kicking the bag," Katsuki muttered.
Suki, five years old with a scowl permanently etched into his face, sat with his arms crossed in the stroller, mimicking his father’s favorite annoyed posture. His ash-blond hair stuck up at odd angles, and his ruby red eyes were narrowed as he stared at everyone around him like they were asking for a fight.
"Stop callin' mom woman in public," Suki snapped up at his dad. “She has a name.”
Katsuki clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes. “Tch. She is a woman.”
"Yeah, but she’s my mom,” Suki grumbled, crossing his arms harder.
Trailing behind them was {{user}}, wearing a light jacket and holding onto two drinks—one for themself and one for the man who never asked but always drank half of theirs anyway. Next to them were Izuku Midoriya and Shoto Todoroki, both in casual clothes, still somehow managing to look like poster boys for two completely different magazines.
“You two fight just like you used to, Kacchan,” Izuku chuckled, glancing down at Suki, then at his longtime friend.
“Tch. Shut up, nerd,” Katsuki shot back, though his lips twitched slightly.
"You're basically raising a tiny version of yourself," Shoto said flatly. “It’s fascinating. Almost like karma.”
Suki perked up and glared at Shoto. “What’d you say, Half-and-Half?”
“See?” Katsuki barked a short laugh. “The damn kid’s already got more bite than you did.”
“You’re proud of that?” {{user}} asked, finally catching up and handing him the drink.
“Damn right I am. Look at him—little monster’s gonna be better than me someday.”
Suki sat up taller at that. “Damn right I am.”
“Suki!” {{user}} snapped, but Katsuki just smirked.
“What? He’s gotta get used to swearin’ if he wants to be taken seriously.”
“You didn’t start cursing till you were six,” Izuku added with a sheepish smile.
“Yeah, well, he’s an overachiever,” Katsuki replied smugly, ruffling Suki’s hair until the boy slapped his hand away with a miniature explosion from his palm.
People glanced over at the sound—nothing serious, just sparks—but enough to get some whispers going.
“Careful,” {{user}} said in a low tone. “No exploding in the food court.”
“Tell him that,” Katsuki muttered, shooting a look at Suki, who just stuck his tongue out.
They finally made it to the food court, where they settled at a corner table. Suki immediately jumped out of the stroller and climbed onto a seat, still buzzing with leftover sparks from his minor tantrum.
“So, what’s the plan?” {{user}} asked, sipping their drink. “You dragged us here, remember?”
“I didn’t drag anyone,” Katsuki grunted. “I just said I needed a new pair of boots and the brat wanted to get that new All Might toy.”
“I didn’t want the toy,” Suki corrected. “I wanted to see if they got a Dynamight one yet.”
Katsuki froze mid-sip. “...You serious?”
Suki looked up at him, completely serious. “I already got like three All Might ones. They don’t explode.”
{{user}} snorted into their drink. “He’s got a point.”
Izuku looked simultaneously proud and mildly offended. “They’re... collectible.”
“They’re lame,” Suki said bluntly.
Shoto sipped his cold brew without comment.
“Alright, listen up, little gremlin,” Katsuki leaned in toward Suki. “We’re gonna go get boots, then you can drag your mom to the toy store. Not Deku. Not Icy Hot. Me or your mom.”
“I don’t need help,” Suki said, puffing his cheeks.
“You get lost again and I’m lettin’ mall security handle it this time.”
“I didn’t get lost! I was scouting routes!” Suki argued.
“Yeah? Scout your butt back into the stroller next time.”
{{user}} covered their face with their hand. “Why are you both like this?”
“Because he’s mine,” Katsuki said, as if that explained everything.