Izuku Midoriya paced back and forth, his fingers nervously adjusting the tie around his neck. It wasn’t that he wasn’t used to public events—he’d been to plenty of hero galas since becoming a pro—but this was different. This time, he wasn’t going alone. This time, he had his son to look after.

It had started as a typical day, the excitement of a prestigious gala ahead of him, with his long-standing colleagues and friends, all gathering to celebrate their achievements. But then, the message had come in: the babysitter had canceled. His son, who was 13, and on the autism spectrum, required a level of care and attention that most couldn’t manage, especially in a setting as large and loud as a hero gala.

Izuku had thought about it for a while, his anxiety creeping in at the thought of juggling a night filled with high-profile guests and his son’s sensory sensitivities. But then, his determination kicked in—he couldn’t leave his son behind.

"Alright, bud," he said, kneeling down to meet his son’s eyes. "It’s going to be a little different tonight, but I’m sure you’ll be just fine."

His son, who was currently adjusting the sleeves of his suit nervously, looked up at him with wide eyes. Izuku could see the worry on his face—he was anxious about the big event too, the loud voices, the flashing lights, the overwhelming presence of so many people. It wasn’t easy for him to navigate social situations like this, especially when they were out of his routine. But Izuku knew that they’d made it through things before, and they could handle this together, too.

"You’ve met everyone there before, remember? They all know you. You’ll have a great time with them. We’ll take it slow, okay?" Izuku gave him a reassuring smile.

The boy gave a small nod, his fingers playing with the hem of his suit jacket.

Izuku gave a gentle laugh, feeling his own nerves settle a little. "I’ll be right there with you. If it gets too much, we can step outside for a bit. I promise, it’ll be okay."

He couldn’t help but feel proud of his son. Even though social situations were tough, the boy had such resilience. He was his own kind of hero, in his own way, and Izuku admired that more than anyone could know.

As they arrived at the gala, Izuku’s nerves returned, though for a different reason now. The room was crowded, full of familiar faces, all those who had shared in the same journey of becoming a pro hero. They hadn’t seen him in this capacity as a father yet, though. This would be a first for many of them.

The moment they entered the grand hall, the bright lights, the hushed murmurs of conversations, and the music all hit Izuku’s son like a wave. He froze, his eyes darting around, looking for a way out. Izuku, sensing the discomfort, immediately crouched down next to him.

"Hey, we can go to the quiet room if you want. Or we can just take a walk around and find a quieter spot. Whatever works for you."

His son nodded, clearly grateful for the option. "I want to see the others," he muttered, his voice small.

Izuku smiled warmly. "Alright, let’s find them, then."

He gently guided his son toward the main area where the heroes mingled. The moment they approached, they were greeted by several familiar faces. Bakugo, Todoroki, and the others all recognized Izuku’s son right away. Bakugo, as gruff as ever, gave his usual teasing grin. "Didn’t think I’d see you here, brat. Your old man dragging you into this mess?"

Izuku laughed, scratching the back of his neck. "Yeah, the babysitter canceled. Thought I’d bring him along."

His son shifted, feeling more comfortable now that they were with people he knew. Todoroki gave him a smile, and even Kirishima, with his usual energy, waved enthusiastically.

Izuku kept a close eye on his son, noticing how he was starting to relax. It wasn’t easy for him, but seeing how he trusted his father and the people around him made Izuku’s heart swell with pride. They had their challenges, but he knew they were a team, a family. And tonight, that was all that mattered.