Chapter Text
3rd pov, no specific focus:
It had been about two weeks since Inko had taken in Tenko. At that time, he didn’t talk much. And when he did, it was just him apologizing for accidentally disintegrating his door hand, or a mug or even just dropping something.
Inko was a bit lost, she didn’t have little siblings growing up so she doesn’t know how to really talk to a kid–nonetheless an obviously traumatized and closed off kid. But when accidents happened she didn’t get mad or even frustrated, she simply told him it was okay and that life goes on.
After the first 3 days together, Inko had to bring back Tenko to the police station as they tried to get more information from the very closed off child. After about 5 days, they had finally disclosed what happened at the Shimura family home to Inko.
In brief words, Tenko killed his family. And, truthfully, that scared Inko a little. But she also understood that it was an accident and that his quirk had just manifested, to which he had no control over at that point. Now, at least, Tenko knew the basics of how his quirk worked and was making a very conscious effort to not use his quirk, with a few mistakes along the way.
With a shipment of extra door handles on the way, along with a pair of gloves Inko wanted Tenko to test out, They both sat on the floor of the living room. The TV provided some nice background noise as Inko applied allergy cream to Tenko’s face.
“Well, I got some good news, Tenko. It seems the dryness around your eyes has gone down a lot.” Inko smiled at the boy who gave a small nod and continued to look at the ground.
Inko’s smile faltered as her heart clenched for this poor kid. “I’m glad this cream is helping, with how much you were scratching I was getting a bit worried, but I’m proud of you.”
Tenko looked back up at her, eyes still looking like a fog was over them.
It’s the same cream mom used.. How come it’s helping out now..
“Miss Inko..?” His voice was small and his throat was a little dry.
“Yes, Tenko?”
“Am.. am I a bad person?”
A sad expression crossed her face.
“Of course not!! Why do you ask?”
“But.. I killed my family..”
“Oh, Tenko.. You sweet boy..”
Inko sighed, looking at the boy with saddened eyes. She could only imagine what this kid felt.
“You.. You didn’t know what was happening. You didn’t know your quirk had manifested.. You didn’t mean to cause any damage to your family.. Or your home. You’re a sweet kid, Tenko, It was just a tragic accident.” Inko explained, wiping her fingers off on a small hand towel placed on the coffee table nearby.
“I don’t know exactly what happened on that day.. I was only given bits and pieces from what the police were allowed to tell me—but even they agree. It was a quirk related, fatal accident. As sad as it is, it happens. I’m so sorry that it happened to you Tenko, you didn’t deserve that at all.”
Tenko opened his mouth but let the words die in his dry throat.
“I’ll stay with you.. As long as you’ll let me. The feeling may never go away, and we can’t fix what happened that day.. But I’ll stay by your side and help you in whatever way I can, okay bud?”
Tenko looked up at her and Inko gave a small gasp in surprise. Tears were rolling down his cheeks, his eyes glossy and his expression looked pained.
“Oh shoot!! Tenko I’m so sorry—” Inko began to apologize before being promptly cut off by Tenko latching onto her, his small hands latching onto her shirt as he sobbed into her chest.
“It’s okay, bud. I’ve got you..”
— — —
Ten minutes later, sobbing (mostly) finished and a shirt change because Tenko had accidentally made a hole in the back of Inko’s shirt when he grabbed onto her as he cried, they sat next to each other contently.
“I’m sorry about that.. The.. crying and your shirt..” Tenko mumbled, still wiping stray tears that formed.
Inko placed a hand on Tenko’s head and ruffled his hair gently. “Don’t apologize, Tenko. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
Tenko sighed and smiled softly, leaning into Inko.
“Did you mean it.. When you said you’d stay by my side as long as I’d let you..?”
Inko smiled softly. “Of course..”