I Loved You First (Dabi X OC X Hawks)

Chapter 36 - How I Met Your Mother

Eventually we touched down in front of my parents small semi-detached home. It was painted a faded yellow that once shone out in an obnoxious custard shade in my youth. Though the colour of the house was largely masked by the vines and crawling flowers that spread out like tributaries around it, clutching at the door and window frames as though the hands of nature were clawing to be let into the house. The house nextdoor, owned by an elderly Chinese woman named Mrs Chen was in a similar state of disarray. The same plants climbing across the shared walls and binding them together, not that my mother nor Mrs Chen minded. They had always gotten on well and a part of me wanted to introduce Keigo to her as well.

"Say umm Babybird? What if ... what if she doesn't like me?" Keigo mumbled tugging at the neckline of his crisp white shirt nervously.

"What happened to all that big talk this morning huh?" I mocked feeling more confident now that our earlier emotions seemed to have reversed.

"I know it's just. It's different being here you know? It's more real now. I don't want to make a bad impression." He spoke quietly as he looked down at the white and purple flowers.

Before I could reply with words of reassurance, the front door burst open revealing my mother with a broad knowing grin on her face.

"Well who do we have here?!" She cried her arms opening as she springs forward only to engulf me in a tight embrace. I chuckled as my face became buried in her silky brown curls, the familiar scent of her apple shampoo permeating my senses.

"I heard every word so he already passed the first test don't you worry." She muttered close to my ear, little did she know that given Keigo's sharp senses he probably heard every word. I felt myself let out a breath of relief, well this is a good start I suppose.

"And who is this handso- you have wings." My mom said in disbelief staring at his red feathers in shock.

"Hello ma'am. Umm yeah I have a bird related quirk." Keigo said awkwardly shuffling on his feet. Seeing him look so awkward was both strange and hilarious but I couldn't help but notice my mom's eyes light up at the word 'bird'. Well, looks like he has passed the second test too.

"Oww I do love birds! Has Kimiko introduced you to Peanut yet? Oh, he is such a sweetheart. Where are my manners?! Come in dear, come in! It's lovely to meet you I'm Hana Kita, Kimiko's mom!" She smiled ushering us both into the warm hallway.

"It's nice to meet you too ma'am. I'm Keigo Takami. These-these are for you!" Keigo almost shouts thrusting his hand out and handing my mother the bouquet. Mom looked slightly taken aback but gave a small smile once she saw the flowers.

"Lupins and Foxglove. Oh these are my favourite! Thank you dear! Come on into the dining room I have dinner prepared already." Mom said guiding us to the table which resulted in Keigo almost crying with joy upon seeing the roast chicken sitting in the centre surrounded by vegetables. 

"It's not the most traditional meal but I've been reading up on Western Sunday meals and wanted to try it out. If all else fails I have the rice cooker on standby!" She smiled as we sat down and Keigo began to salivate looking at the chicken.

"Sounds good!" I grin back taking Keigo's hand under the table, feeling him squeeze back in reassurance.

"So why don't you tell me a little about yourself Keigo?" My mom asked as we all began to eat, the flowers Keigo gave my mother perched happily in a vase in the corner of the table.

"I'm a hero ma'am. Though I haven't really been around very long I have a small agency based not too far from Kimi." He smiled at me as my mom nodded her head in approval.