Chapter Text
During the healing process after the battle with All For One, Dabi didn’t say much. To be fair, he was high on pain meds most of the time as fixing puncture wounds wasn’t exactly easy on any of the party involved, so Dabi mostly slept or drooled and would stare at the walls rather than at Tenko, who usually sat beside his recovery bed.
When Kai finally gave the all clear for Dabi to move around again and not have to take medication, Tenko was pleased, but also anxious. He didn’t really know how to act around Dabi, or what to really say. Where could he start?
Like, ‘oh hey, so, turns out I may like you more than a friend…’ or ‘soooo I may or may not find you to be very attractive, as in, you shooting my almost dad was super sexy and you did it twice, but also your whole bad boy thing really does something for me and I’m concerned that I only seem to fall for villains.’
There was a good chance that what Kai had said about Dabi liking Tenko in a romantic way had been a false assumption. Because Kai and Dabi didn’t exactly know each other well, and hated each other. To the point that they couldn’t be alone together in a room, or else a fight would break out (literally, and it had, numerous times). Whenever it had happened, Kai henchmen had quickly warned Tenko, who would break it up by yelling at them. It was honestly pretty exhausting.
Interestingly enough though was the fact that Kai and Dabi had been conspiring for a long time about the plan to use the overhaul quirk against All For One as their secret weapon. So secret that they hadn’t told Tenko about the plan—apparently as a precaution just in case All For One somehow took over his mind or something. So Tenko couldn’t remain mad at them. He just didn’t understand why they could work together on such an elaborate plan, but not have civil conversations together.
Dabi and Kai had worked together to pull off that stunt at the UA tournament after all, and shred the UA’s reputation, even faking Kai’s death so he could be free to go about being Overhaul. And even if Tenko had been the one to throw off that plan, it had still worked, yet Dabi and Kai acted as if they couldn’t cooperate.
“That’s what happens when two guys like you,” Magne told Tenko, as she fixed his tie.
The League had been recruited by Kai to join his ranks, after Tenko had asked him. This was a temporary home for some of them, but for now the remnants of the League seemed happy to terrorise their hosts, and go around boasting about being honorary yakuza.
“Yeah, of course they won’t get along if it’s you they actually care about!” Toga chimed in, fluffing up Tenko’s hair. “Damn, you look adorable in a suit, Ten!”
Tenko sighed, not liking how restrictive the material felt. “I’m not aiming to look adorable. I’m having dinner with Kai and his family, so at least I want to look presentable. You know what yakuza can be like—all prim and proper.”
“Dabi is gonna be so lonely!”
“Actually, he’s tagging along.”
Toga gasped. “What?! And Kai is gonna let him?!”
“Well, yeah. I just asked and he agreed so…”
Magne laughed, shaking her head. “I would have never thought that someone like you would one day have two powerful villains wrapped around your finger. They’re so whipped!”
She wasn’t wrong, but Tenko didn’t like thinking about it. It was too weird. He had never seen himself as a desirable person yet…
He swung by Dabi’s assigned room, who had put on a buttoned black shirt with long sleeves, which covered the burns on his arms, and torn jeans because no Dabi was not going to dress up too fancy, because that wasn’t his style. And Dabi had failed to button his shirt all the way, showing off his collarbone and some of his burns.
When Dabi noticed Tenko, he also noticed where Tenko’s eyes had drifted and raised an eyebrow questioningly. “You good?”
Tenko nodded, face flushed, almost gulping. Everyone was saying so many weird things and how did Tenko act around Dabi after everything? He wished that he didn’t have these conflicting feelings. He missed the time when he felt comfortable around Dabi, but now he just felt embarrassed and like puddy—because Dabi was beautiful. In a physical sense, he was more handsome than pretty, but Dabi himself was amazing and maybe Tenko was the one who was too smitten and whipped.
Then Dabi smirked, and Tenko had to look away and take in a deep breath. Ok, could these feelings vanish? He felt like a little kid with a silly crush, though he had never experienced this. His childhood had been pretty lonely.
“L-Let’s go.”
“Alright, boss.” And that stupid nickname! Dabi had so many nicknames for Tenko and it was irritating (but a part of him liked it).
As they got into the car that would drive them to the restaurant, Tenko managed to glance over a bored looking Dabi who was scrolling through Twitter on his phone. “You look…n-nice.”
Dabi lazily glanced at him, but the look was short, which was disappointing. “Is this the part where I’m meant to say the same in return?”
“NO! I was just trying to make conversation, you dick!” Does this mean that Dabi doesn’t like how I look? I… That hurts.
“Seems more like you were fishing for a compliment.”
“Argh, just forget it!”
Dabi sighed, and finally put his phone in his pocket and gave Tenko his full attention. “Kitten, do you need my input? If you think you look good, then that’s all that matters.”
“Please don’t quote sappy trite to me right now.” Because I’ll get even more upset. “Do you like how I look or not?”
“As in the clothes or you in general?”
“Dabi.”
“It’s an honest question, Tenko.”
“Don’t talk to me for the rest of the night.”
Dabi huffed. “Geez, fine. You sure have gotten touchy lately…” he grumbled.
And now Tenko was rethinking his feelings about Dabi. Because could he love someone who couldn’t even say a nice thing about his appearance? His low self-esteem was in desperate need of the reinforcement.
They walked into the restaurant with an uncomfortable tension between them, but both acted as if nothing was wrong when they sat down at the assigned table, across from Kai and his father—and there was a little girl with white hair and red eyes seated on a booster stool. And it dawned on Tenko that this is the little girl that Kai had mentioned (and had implied that he had wanted to research before Tenko had talked him out of it).
“Tenko, Dabi, it’s a pleasure to see you both,” Kai’s dad said. He gestured to the girl. “This is Eri, the child of my estranged daughter. I took her in and—”
Eri pointed at Tenko, and her hand was so small and delicate that Tenko just wanted to protect her and smack Kai on the head for considering using her in his experiments. “Pretty ruby eyes!” she exclaimed, giggling with delight. Then she pointed to her own. “Like mine! Like mine!”
There was no way in hell that Tenko would ever allow any harm to find her. And he grinned at her, hoping he didn’t look too scary when he smiled. “Yeah, we have the same eyes, don’t we?” I guess they’re not so bad. She makes the red look less…evil. There isn’t a malicious thing about her.
She smiled back and thumped her feet in what may have been excitement, though Tenko wasn’t too sure on the behaviour of kids. He hadn’t really been around any.
Kai obviously hated them, because he looked irritated, and Dabi quietly snickered in his seat beside Tenko.
And then Eri hoped down from her stool, surprising everyone, and raced over to Dabi as if there was an emergency. He turned to her and stayed seated as she stared at him with her innocent eyes. “Mr, you’re hurt!” she exclaimed, pointing at his collarbone. Some of the burns there were indeed fresh, caused by the fight with All For One. It made Tenko wonder if there were others, and if that was why Dabi was mostly covering up.
“Eri, it isn’t very nice to say such things to our dinner guests,” Kai’s dad said, but his tone was too soft to seem stern. He truly did cherish this child.
Then Eri reached out a hand, and everyone’s eyes widened, for different reasons, as there was a flash of light, and all of the sudden the burns had vanished from Dabi’s collarbone. Eri smiled sweetly, and clapped her hands happily. “All better! All better!” And then she reached for Dabi’s face, but was too short, and Dabi leaned away uncomfortably.
“Hey, hey, don’t heal ‘em all, kid. The scars make me look attractive.”
Eri didn’t seem to fully understand, but she stopped trying to get to them at least. “S-Sorry… Wanted to help…” Her lower lip quivered, and she looked away.
“No need to pout, kid, you did help. Thank you,” Dabi replied easily, with a soft gentle tone. “It’s just that some of these burns make me…me. I would look…boring without them.” And at least he chose easier words for a kid to understand. Tenko could relate to the meaning of keeping them, even if he hated his own scars sometimes (until he thought about the fact that Dabi wore his own with pride).
Eri smiled at Dabi, delighted, and then struggled to sit in the seat beside him, so Dabi helped her up, and she couldn’t really see over the table, being so small and short, but she seemed perfectly happy to stare at Dabi as if he were her new best friend.
Strangely enough, Dabi smiled back at her, and then gave her a fire show, flicking small blue flames around his fingertips, holding his hands high above her, so that she had no chance of reaching up and burning herself. The consideration was charming.
So what in the hell had been up with Dabi in the car being a jerk if he was capable of being considerate?!
Tenko sighed and look back over at Kai and his dad, and both look flabbergasted, though Kai seemed rather spooked. “Has she ever used her quirk in such a controlled way?” Kai asked.
Kai’s dad shook his head. “It’s a surprise to me too, but a delightful surprise! She’d make a wonderful pro hero one day.”
“Dad, seriously?”
“It was your decision to do what you did at the UA, and I’ve mostly kept my opinions to myself, but I did and continue to think that you too could make a fine hero. Of course, we’re yakuza, but if you had wanted to be a hero…”
Kai glared at the table. “Heroes are a disease, and so are villains. It’s the yakuza who should go back to running things.”
“…I know that your opinions on this matter cannot be swayed, but all I’m trying to say is that I want Eri to have a bright future, and for her not to get involved in our way of life. I’ll support her no matter what she decides, just as I’ve supported you. I don’t always agree with your actions but you’re my son, Kai, and I’m proud of how successful you’ve been so far. Taking on All For One helped make business better for us, and the Shie Hassaikai’s reputation is better than ever.”
Not many people knew why Kai had gone to such lengths, and had taken such a risk, but Tenko knew. In the end, it hadn’t been about the yakuza at all—it had been about Kai saving Tenko, and that was admirable. It would be a lie to say that Tenko didn’t have embarrassing feelings towards Kai when he thought about it.
His fate was sealed, because he liked two different guys, and wished that his heart would just settle on one. His old flame, and a new flame. It didn’t make things better knowing that Kai and Dabi didn’t like each other. If Tenko went for one, then the other would be spiteful, right? Not necessarily, but it was possible. Kai seemed to actually encourage Tenko getting with Dabi, but Dabi was a bit of a mystery. There was no way of knowing whether Dabi felt anything beyond friendship for Tenko unless he was asked, and Tenko didn’t want to be wrong, and confess, resulting in him embarrassing himself.
But then there were times when Dabi acted cold, and shut off from the world, and that made Tenko second guess himself. Except that Kai could be like that too, but more like Kai acted like a stuck up bitch sometimes (most of the time), and Tenko had been fine with that.
Argh, is this what teenage hormones do?! Make me indecisive?! This shit sucks!
“What I’m trying to say, Kai, is that if you’ve chosen a path, then I’m sure you’ll be successful.”
“But just don’t dive down too deep and forget the important things,” Tenko was quick to add, drawing their attention.
Kai stared at Tenko with understanding. And briefly glanced at Eri, considering. He then looked at his father and sighed. “Ever the anchor, aren’t you?” Kai said vaguely, specifically to Tenko, and no one else listening would comprehend what they meant.
Tenko smiled. “I’m still your best friend, aren’t I? I’ll keep you afloat.”
For once, Kai’s face reddened, and he turned his face to the side, but couldn’t really hide it.
Kai’s father smiled. “I’m glad that you have such pleasant friends, Kai.”
“That’s one word for us,” Dabi replied with a laugh.
Tenko smiled. Despite all his conflicted feelings, he was glad to have met Kai and Dabi in this life. He wondered how different things would have turned out if not for them. They both helped save him from All For One, and if they hadn’t helped then… Then Tenko just wouldn’t be who he is today. He’d be Tomura Shigaraki, the successor of All For One, and a supervillain.
I think I’ll be fine with these two jerks in my life.
We’ll be alright.
*
On Tenko’s birthday, he was out at a bar with All Might, when he got a text from Kai, who he hadn’t seen all day.
KAI MOTHERFUCKING CHISAKI:
Look at channel 6 bitch.
Even more weird was the fact that Dabi texted him moments later.
FUCKING DABI:
happy birthday cat boss
enjoy
Confused but intrigued, Tenko grabbed the remote control for the bar TV and flicked to the channel, only to see a news report—and the very officer who had shot Tenko all that time ago on live television.
“I-I was the one who…attacked first. T-Tenko Shimura didn’t threaten me, or my peers. We made a m-mistake…”
The cop looked nervous, as if he’d be killed if he didn’t speak the truth. And Tenko sighed and face-palmed because sometimes he didn’t really think about the fact that his friends were villains. Not just villains, but supervillains. Who had killed people before, and would likely threaten a police officer to confess their mistake. He didn’t agree with their methods, but a sick part of him deep down was fine with it. Because justice wouldn’t be found otherwise, because hero society just didn’t care to own up to their blunders and faults.
So Tenko pulled up their group-chat.
TRIO OF MEGA BITCHES
TENKO MORE LIKE TEN HOE:
So u 2 assholes can go on murder dates together but cant get along 4 5 mins in the same room???
KAI MOTHERFUCKING CHISAKI:
I would not call it a ‘murder date’, but it seems that when we have a common goal then we can momentarily put aside our hate.
FUCKING DABI:
wat chick said
TENKO MORE LIKE TEN HOE:
OMGGG WHATEVERRRRRRRR YUR BOTH SO STUPID!!!!!!
We will dicus this when I get home
*discus
But
Thanks
I guess
…
<3
Tenko sighed and put his phone away before he could read their responses. Because they’d likely get into an argument and he didn’t feel like dealing with that right now.
“Are you alright, young Tenko?” All Might asked, worried.
“Actually…I feel great. Seems like things are starting to get back to normal for me. Well, as normal as they can be. And you still don’t have your number one spot back.”
“I don’t need it. After everything you’ve been through, I’d be a fool to take it again. I think I’m just going to do what I do best, and save as many people as I can. No more popularity contests for me, and no more brand deals.”
Tenko laughed and sarcastically said, “That sucks, because I’ll totally miss seeing your face plastered everywhere! On toilet paper, clothes, posters, underwear—”
“No need to go on! Now, how about a round of drinks? It is your eighteenth, so you have two years to go until I can buy you actual drinks but…”
“No need. I don’t think I’ll be a drinker. Besides, Mountain Dew is gamer fuel, don’t you know?”
“Well, good thing that they have Doritos here as well! If only I had made you a gamer cake…”
Tenko smiled and felt warmth in his chest. He had thought that it’d be impossible to actually enjoy All Might’s company without feeling uncomfortable, but here he was. It helped that it had been so satisfying to see All Might slog All For One in the face. Violence was the true way to his heart it seemed.
“So, have you decided what you want to do? The UA might accept you back.”
“Too many bad memories associated with that school. I’m already living with my friends right now, so I think I’ll just go with the flow. I…don’t think I’ll ever be a pro hero, not via the usual path, but I’ll be an everyday hero. I want to help people who society has turned their backs on—kids with problematic quirks.”
“That is quite an honourable decision, Tenko. I’m proud of you.”
Tenko grinned, genuinely delighted. “Y-Yeah…”
“Nana would feel the same way, if she were here. With your black hair, you’re practically a spitting image of her.”
“I wish I could have met her.”
“And I wish I could have done more for you, but we need to accept the past and move on towards making a brighter future.”
With those words in mind, for once in his life, Tenko enjoyed his birthday, and was excited for the future.
*
“Dabi, we need to talk,” Tenko said, as soon as he stepped foot in Dabi’s room in the yakuza compound.
Dabi was lying on his bed, gazing up at the ceiling lifelessly. “Oh boy, I’m in trouble again, aren’t I? I swear I didn’t threaten a man again with my fire… It was Toga, and she used a knife.”
“W-What?”
“Forget I said anything, except that the prick had it coming.”
Tenko sighed and sat on the bed. Dabi was obviously in one of his cold moods again. He was still staring at the ceiling, blank-faced. It was honestly…starting to get worrying. Probably because they knew each other better now, nearly seeing each other every day. In the League, they had gone days without interacting.
“There’s something that’s been bothering me.”
“Another thing? Ok, shoot.”
“Do you remember when we went out for dinner with Kai and his family?”
“Uh-huh, I hope Eri visits soon.”
Tenko smiled slightly. Well, at least there was a sliver of warmth within Dabi. “Do you remember in the car, when I got upset at you?”
“Kinda. Dunno why.”
“I asked you how I looked, and you didn’t give me a straight answer. I thought that hey, Dabi doesn’t like how I look.”
“But I asked about whether you meant you or the clothes…”
“As if that matters.”
Now Dabi finally gave him his attention, and it was irritated. “It does? Like literally I was asking, ‘do you mean do the clothes look good, or that you do with the styled hair.’”
“I feel so lost.”
“How?!”
“Dabi, right now, do I look good or not?”
Dabi considered Tenko, who blushed under his gaze. “Your clothes are baggy.”
“Y-Yeah?! And?!”
“Your hair looks soft? You look like you today, just like you do every day.”
Tenko wanted to pull his own hair out. “I give up,” he sighed out, flopping down next to Dabi with some distance between them. “You did it again.”
“Well what was I meant to say? Feed you some bullshit from a chick flick? Like ‘woah, baby, your ass be looking mega thick today.’”
Silence.
Then Tenko roared with laughter, and it hurt to laugh so loud, and he covered his warm face with his hands. “N-No! What the fuck?! Who would ever say that?!”
“I seriously don’t get what you want out of me,” Dabi said, and while he sounded a bit amused, he didn’t seem to comprehend the issue.
So when Tenko calmed down, he sat up and looked down at Dabi who was staring at him. “I just… Ok, so, when you look at Kai, what do you think?”
“That he’s an asshole, a peacock, and you call him pretty so he must be, and he does have long lashes, so I guess? Mostly I just think ‘oh, there’s that guy I want to cook with my flames but can’t because Tenko said no.’”
“Dabi… Have you ever…thought about your sexuality?”
Dabi shrugged. “Nope.”
“Ok, do you have a type or…?”
“I slept with whatever gender. Didn’t really matter, I mostly slept around to survive. Didn’t really care to form attachments. They were all just trash anyway. Not really sure what it’s like to have sex when it’s not something I have to do in order to get something.”
“I’m…sorry.”
“Told you not to feel bad for me, remember? I don’t gotta do that shit anymore. Pretty sure Kai would cut my neck open if I offered to do ‘sexual favours’ for him. More than fine with me.”
“True. But then what would you like out of an ideal partner, if you were to ever want one…”
“Well, they can’t be overly sexual. I couldn’t take it. It’s been so long since I’ve had to do that stuff and I’m happy to just use my quirk to get what I want now. To date someone like that would just give me…bad memories. I guess. I’m not the same guy from back then. I guess I wouldn’t know what I’d like in an ideal partner. It’s not something I knew that I could ever have. Even now…”
“You deserve one, Dabi, I know you do,” Tenko insisted, reaching out a gloved hand. When Dabi didn’t pull away, Tenko grazed his fingers over Dabi’s cheekbones, hoping that the touch was comforting rather than flirtatious, because this wasn’t the time. “But it’s ok to not have one. You can live a perfectly fulfilling life being single and having a bunch of friends.”
“Hmm… I guess so.”
For now, Tenko decided to not push Dabi further. But at least a few things had been cleared up. It seemed that Dabi didn’t view people in the same way as him. Somehow it had sounded similar to how Kai talked about his own feelings. Rather than be upset by this, Tenko was just glad to have figured something out.
For now, he was perfectly fine with the way that things were.
*
Sometimes Dabi would sit down with Tenko on the couch, if no one else was around, and just keep him company while Tenko played video games. Sometimes Dabi would fall asleep, and lean up against Tenko. And sometimes, Tenko would wake up to the sensation of gentle fingers running through his hair. And he pretended to sleep for longer.
*
Tenko felt a sense of strange calmness after the downfall of All For One. A calmness that he had never felt before. A calmness that felt freeing.
He lived with Dabi and Kai now, and was much happier. They actually moved out of the yakuza compound about a year after the downfall, into a fancy apartment with three bedrooms, but they only needed two.
It took some time for Tenko and Dabi to actually talk about their feelings. And it was a long talk. It didn’t end with kissing, or something more physical. They just held each other tightly, not wanting to let go. And Dabi had cried, even if it had been by blood leaking out of the burns under his eyes.
“I love you,” Tenko had breathed out, running a hand through Dabi’s hair. “I love you for you. You’ve done so much for me, and I never want to let you go or leave you.”
“And I want to protect you in return, with all my fire, and keep you safe,” Dabi had murmured into his neck, promising it, as if it were an oath. “You made me feel things again, Tenko. You made me care, and I’m a better guy because of your influence. I never want to lose you, so I’ll fight with all my strength to keep you.”
With those confessions, the deal was sealed with a kiss, and they became partners.
After they officially started dating, Tenko arrived home one day only to find that Dabi had dyed his hair pure white, and that had taken Tenko’s breath away.
“I’m still Dabi, but I’m no longer denying who I once was,” Dabi had murmured to him, against his lips, before kissing him for the second time in their relationship.
“Well I like you as you are, Dabi,” Tenko had replied between kisses. “The white hair does definitely suit you.”
Dabi had kissed him more passionately, so it had been the right thing to say.
*
Interestingly enough, Tenko had mentioned polyamory to Dabi one day, saying, ‘I wonder what it’s like’ and ‘is it really possible to do that kind of thing without hurting feelings?’ And Dabi hadn’t seemed upset. He had seemed quietly thoughtful. Probably because Tenko didn’t hide the fact that he still liked Kai, even if it was different to how he liked Dabi. The two men were so different, but Tenko really did want them both in his life.
Dabi and Kai still didn’t get along, and were always arguing (not always over Tenko, but often enough), so it was a shock when the two revealed that they had discussed polyamory in private, when Tenko hadn’t been around, to see if they could work something out.
And now Tenko was in a polyamory relationship with Dabi and Kai, and was beyond happy. These two guys loved him for him. It seemed too good to be true sometimes. And it did give him a bit of an ego boost, considering that two hot men were in love with him (and it went both ways), though they viewed Tenko differently in their own eyes, and that was just as flattering.
Magne had guessed that the two could be asexual, a sexuality in which the person wasn’t sexually attracted to someone, but could feel romantically attracted (and could enjoy sex, though some asexuals didn’t). So it was less about the physical form, and more about the person within, and thinking about that was even more flattering to Tenko. But also gave him ammo to joke around with Magne and Toga, as he had somehow gotten two very different asexuals to fall for him romantically, without meaning to do it. Though he never mentioned these discussions to Kai or Dabi, who seemed to never really talk about sexualities too deeply, so there was no point bringing it up, as it wasn’t an issue. Just a funny coincidence, since the two were alike.
In their twenties, life couldn’t be better. They remained together.
The most astounding thing was when Tenko returned home one night only to find that Dabi and Kai both had bite-marks and bruises on their skin, both blushing when he noticed. Because biting and pressure wasn’t something that Dabi and Tenko did to each other, and Tenko was mostly dating Kai on a romantic level rather than sexual, which was Kai’s preference. But apparently Kai didn’t care for his own personal boundaries when it involved getting back at Dabi.
Dabi and Kai hated each other, that was clear, but in a weird way that Tenko couldn’t ever understand. How could hatred turn into something sexual? He’d never be able to figure it out, and didn’t bring it up, letting Dabi and Kai sort those things out on their own. He was just happy that they were somewhat ‘getting along’.
He asked Magne about this, who seemed the wisest about such things as she liked to have these conversations with him, and she said, “Yeah, that is a surprise! Especially since they’re not sexually attracted to each other, so they’re not even doing it for the usual reason why people get into these hate affairs… Not that asexuals don’t and can’t enjoy sex of course, but all I’m saying is that they must somewhat feel something for each other. Just more conflicted. But honestly, I wouldn’t worry too much about it, as long as everyone is happy and consenting adults then its fine!”
From then on, Dabi and Kai seemed to argue less. They bickered, sure, but they seemed more comfortable around each other, as if what they had done had resulted in breaking the ice between them. Tenko didn’t dig too deep into it, as they truly seemed to be working it out on their own.
While Kai was at work (up to his usual yakuza routine), Tenko tagged along with Dabi to go to a hospital. Dabi hadn’t said much about why, and Tenko hadn’t asked because Dabi had seemed hesitant. And suddenly they were in a hospital catered for those with mental health issues, and Dabi was scribbling their names down on a visitor list, though Tenko doubted that Dabi used his real name.
Thankfully the receptionist didn’t ask about Dabi’s appearance, as she seemed more distracted by Tenko, who was very known to the civilians of the city. Now though he seemed to get more positive attention than negative, and it helped that All Might had sung his praises and gone on rants on TV talking about Tenko’s work helping people with destructive quirks. Tenko had attended protests, and had even given a few speeches at said protests, talking about what had happened with him and the media demonising his quirk. And people had listened to his speeches.
Tenko was suddenly glad for his reputation, as he and Dabi had no issues walking through the facility, with Dabi leading the way.
He stopped outside of a room and frowned. There was voices inside.
“Maybe other visitors are here,” Tenko said. “We can leave if…you don’t want to go in. We can try again another day.”
Dabi shook his head. “I doubt that this will go well no matter how many people are here. Besides, a family reunion was going to happen at some point. Wish it had been later, when I’m strangling the life out of Endeavor.” His lips curled into a deranged grin—so Tenko was quick to grab his hand in his own to stabilise him before the mania got too high.
“We’ll go in together. This is why you brought me here, right? So let’s meet your family.”
“…Alright.”
They walked in, and Tenko didn’t expect to see so much white hair. There was a woman in a bed with brown eyes, and three teenagers standing around her. A girl and two boys. All had the same blue eyes like Dabi, except for the youngest, who had one blue, and one brown eye. And half of his hair was red.
All of them seemed to get whiplash upon noticing the duo, especially Dabi, who was smiling maliciously, and Tenko wasn’t sure what his intentions even were. To start a fight? It seemed that way.
“So, turns out that I’m not dead… Someone fucked up for claiming that I was. I mean, my soul did die, and a lot of my skin, but that doesn’t count.”
Was Touya seriously declared dead without a body having been found? Well, they had probably assumed he was all ashes, since Dabi kept mentioning ‘burning himself alive’, but Tenko had a feeling that maybe they didn’t search hard enough. And it’s not like Endeavor seemed to have wanted to find him alive.
“T-Touya,” the woman, Rei, stuttered out, throwing off the bedsheets and quickly stumbling her way over to him while the rest of the kids seemed to be frozen in either fear or shock.
“In the flesh,” Dabi replied with a grin, “Though it’s Dabi now. Your little cry-baby of a son died years ago.”
Rei didn’t seem disturbed by Dabi’s words. Instead, she moved close to him, and reached out—Dabi froze up, face paling, but actually allowed her to reach out and place her hands gently on his cheeks as she scrutinised his face. “I-Is it really you?”
Seeing that Dabi didn’t seem to be reacting badly, Tenko let go of his hand and backed off, watching as Rei drew him into a hug, holding him close, desperately, and sobbing. Dabi was taller than her and obviously felt a bit awkward telling by the conflicted expression on his face, but it was a good sign that he wasn’t outright rejecting her—even if he had good enough reasons to hate both his parents.
“It is me,” Dabi admitted.
Rei drew back and then ran her hands through his white hair. “It’s spikier than I remember it being…”
“Yeah, that would be due to hair dye. Hated the white for a while, so it used to be black. And now I don’t care what colour it is as long as it isn’t red.”
Rei drew him into a hug again, and Tenko was glad that things hadn’t resulted in Dabi burning this place down. And looking at Dabi’s siblings, they seemed ready to hug Dabi themselves, and were crying just as much as Rei.
Dabi didn’t cry, but the eventual calmness on his face was very telling.
For the moment, Tenko just stood by and watched.
He watched on as Dabi’s usual indifference gradually melted, more and more with each soft touch and acceptance from his family. None of them shied away from him, even if he had a reputation. Surely they knew what he had done, especially while in the League. But they didn’t seem to care, at least not right now. They had a lost soul back—they had Touya back. Soon they’d learn that Touya would never return, and understand that Dabi was in his place, maybe for good. Tenko had already accepted this. Despite the horrible things that Dabi had done, Tenko couldn’t hate him for it. Maybe that made him a horrible person, but a part of him understood what it was like to take lives. Tenko had killed his own family, and nothing he did would ever change that. His own father’s death hadn’t been an accident. The memories were so clear these days, that sometimes they kept him up at night.
Even if there was no way to repent for the lost souls, Tenko still strived to help people. To make sure that the outcasts knew that there were other ways to solve problems. Killing wasn’t something that could be taken back. And living with regret could be unbearable—but living felt worth it when Tenko could reach out and save lives, rather than hurt with his cursed hands. To the point that he…could actually control decay now. It had taken a long time, but after All For One was locked away, Tenko ended up experimenting with his quirk. He had never believed that he could keep the power contained, but he had done it, and accomplishing that had made him feel…lighter. More confident. In control.
And it seemed that Dabi had been making his own progress with his own demons, because why else had Dabi come here? Rather than confront his father with his flames, he had reunited with the part of his family that had cared about him. In his own way, Dabi was healing. And Tenko couldn’t be prouder.
This reunion wouldn’t ‘fix’ Dabi, because there was no way to ‘fix’ someone, but it had brought him a sense of peace. And Tenko was so glad. They’d all have to make up for lost time. And—
“Your b-boyfriend? HUH?” Dabi’s sister, Fuyumi exclaimed as she openly gawked at Tenko.
“Yeah, that a problem?” growled out Dabi, ever overly protective. Which was a trait that Tenko actually liked. He could defend himself but it was charming when Dabi got this way—even if Tenko was probably a better fighter overall. With Dabi’s limitations with his quirk use (as Tenko bitched at him for overusing it), and as Tenko was the one who had actually trained for physical fights. Plus decay was a more reliable one-shot (that Tenko would of course never use to kill someone because he didn’t kill, but as for threatening…).
“N-No! Seriously, I just never expected you to be dating someone so damn gorgeous! Look at those ruby eyes! How did you manage to convince such a beauty to date you?!”
Tenko laughed awkwardly, face feeling warm as everyone stared at him. “To be fair…I think I fell for him first so…”
“You’re allowed to date other guys?” the youngest, Shoto, asked, befuddled.
Natsuo sighed. “Geez, did no one ever give you the talk about the gay agenda or something?”
“…Gay…agenda?”
“Never mind. How are we related?”
“Well we share the same parents so…”
Dabi was looking at Shoto as if he were an alien. “I guess you really do got half and half in your brain, too—well, it’s missing a half.”
“Touya, don’t insult your brother.”
“Ma, his name is Dabi now so we should respect that,” Natsuo retorted. “It’s not as if he repeated it like a dozen times…”
“O-Oh! I’m sorry Tou—Dabi! It’s just…something I need to adjust to.”
Dabi sighed. “Yeah, yeah.”
“So, Dabi, tell us how and when you met such a cutie!”
To say the entire ordeal went well was an understatement. And seeing Dabi get embarrassed and all flustered was a huge bonus!
*
With the help of Kai’s connections, the Todoroki family (minus Endeavor) managed to secure a live interview with a popular news network. And the whole city tuned in, promised juicy gossip and dirty laundry—and they got what they wanted. Endeavor’s atrocities were exposed on live TV, with everyone recounting the events of what transpired with ‘Touya’. Rei confessed to her own mishaps, though her children did make it clear that her mental health had dwindled during her marriage to Endeavor to make sure that Rei wasn’t the one getting the blame if the media buried all the context.
And just in one night, Endeavor’s reputation plummeted.
The final nail in the coffin was when Dabi showed up midway into the interview when ‘Touya’ was being discussed, and gave his own detailed account. Rather than seem upset telling his side, like his family had been, Dabi had grinned widely, enjoying himself, as he described all the pain he had endured—and the gruesome details of him almost truly burning himself to ash.
Dabi returned from that interview in a deranged kind of mood—but Tenko had held him and soothed his mind by talking to him. And showing him the Twitter threads of people dunking on Endeavor, and all the memes.
When Kai showed up, he hardly hesitated before joining the duo, and took Dabi’s other side. He was better with touching people now (and Tenko had a theory that it had to do with the weird black romance hate thing that the two had going on, but never asked, but it made sense that Dabi was probably helping him overcome touch by…touching him, and yeah Tenko knew better than to pry). Either way, Tenko and Kai stayed with Dabi the entire night, keeping him between them as they slept.
They didn’t mention it in the morning but… Dabi made them both coffee how they liked it, and that spoke enough (because Dabi never did that for Kai, and yet something had changed).
From then on, it wasn’t uncommon for the three to share a bed. The sleeping arrangements would change a lot, as if to take turns sleeping in the middle.
And sometimes, Tenko would catch Dabi and Kai talking softly to each other, and would grin. It felt more balanced now, and he was glad that they were loving each other too, in a less aggressive way.
*
A kid with freckles and green hair ran into the fray—“KACCHAN!”—to save his childhood friend, who was captured by a villain, and using his explosion quirk to destroy rather than to use heroically. His body seemed to act on its own, only focused on saving someone he cared about, no matter how harsh this friend had been to him.
But he needn’t have bothered.
Blue flames hit the villain, who screamed out, “HOT HOT HOT!” And the villain retreated, leaving behind his victim, who was helped up by a man in black, with burnt skin.
Relieved, the freckled boy had fallen to his knees, having slipped when the flames had shown up.
And a shadow fell over him.
“Hey, need a hand?”
The boy looked up, and saw a young man with black hair and red eyes. He had scars on his face, but his smile was kind, and there was warmth in his expression. He offered his hand out to the boy—who accepted it, and was pulled back up onto his feet.
“T-Thank you! A-Are you…”
“I’m Tenko Shimura, but you can just call me Tenko.”
“O-Oh my g-gosh! I-I’ve heard all about you on All Might’s talk show and he mentions you like all the time and oh my gosh it’s an honour and I can’t believe it’s really you and—”
“Please kill me,” the boy’s friend groaned out, rolling his eyes. “Seriously, blue flame guy, just set me on fire.”
“It’s Dabi, and I wish I could kid, but sadly I’m a reformed villain. I ain’t allowed to do that kinda thing…legally.”
Tenko sighed. “Please don’t give these kids any ideas. We save people, remember? Not encourage violence.”
Dabi shrugged. “Whatever you say, hun.”
“Keep that up and you’re going back to being called my ‘honey boo-boo’.”
“Ok, now I’m the one who would rather die.”
The freckled kid and his friend watched the two leave, as if trying to avoid the pro heroes, who arrived on the scene not long after, checking on the kids and asking them so many questions that it was overwhelming. Even so, perhaps All Might wasn’t the only hero that was worthy of being idolised.
*
“Have you considered my offer?” All Might asked, as he and Tenko drank coffee at a café. With All Might being in his true form (his weak form), nobody bat an eye in their direction, though Tenko was sure that he was receiving some curious glances himself, being the one who had helped expose pro heroes—which led to new laws being put in place to prevent corruption. Even so, Tenko and his friends would never take the title of ‘pro hero’. It brought too many painful reminders, especially for the ex-villains (Dabi didn’t refer to himself as a ‘hero’, but it helped gain him sympathy if everyone else called him that term, even if he was truly just helping Tenko, who did use ‘hero’ for himself).
“It was flattering, the offer, but I…can’t accept One For All. I like my quirk, now, and have found a way to balance it into my life and embrace it. To add something else into the mix…might be too much for me to handle. And I know what you’re going to say, ‘that you’re stronger than you think’, but I’m not the perfect fit. And who knows how dangerous it could be to mix the two quirks? I might not be able to control decay anymore.”
“That is a shame to hear, young Tenko, but not unexpected. In fact, I predicted this.”
“Why not give it to someone who truly needs it? You used to be quirkless yourself, but still strived to be a hero. My grandma passed it onto you because she could see a hero in you—I assume, that’s just how it seems.”
“Hmm…”
“In fact, the other day Dabi and I scared away this gross goo villain, and some dumb kid ran into the fray, but didn’t seem like he had a quirk. He just reacted. Not for profit, not for anything to gain other than to save someone else. He had freckles and this really dumb broccoli hair…”
All Might smiled. “Huh, as luck would have it, I ran into the same kid. He’s a huge fan of mine, so that’s going to make the process easier—”
“Well make sure he knows the risks, and be a good mentor or else I’ll kick your ass!”
“Then how about you help oversee my mentoring?”
Tenko grinned. “Hmm, maybe I will. If, of course, I can bring my two scary boyfriends.”
“U-Uhh… If you trust them, I suppose, and if they swear not to share any stories about their past, because a kid wouldn’t be ready to hear about it.”
Tenko just knew that this was going to be fun. Dabi was weirdly good with kids (and often baby-sat Eri, who adored him more than anyone else for some reason), and Kai hated kids. So basically, it was going to be chaos, and All Might looked as if he was already regretting agreeing, seeing Tenko’s devious smirk.
*
If All For One were ever to break out of Tartarus, he’d find more than enough trouble waiting for him. The combined forces of Tenko, Dabi, and Kai, were a horror enough for any foe, but add a bunch of UA students that had been tutored by said adults, along with All Might, was a recipe for disaster (for All For One alone). Not only them, but the remnants of the League and the yakuza were just waiting to try out their new experimental weaponry (because Kai had indeed managed to recreate the decay bullets without having to use Tenko’s DNA, though he hadn’t gone through with mass producing them, and kept them as secret weapons).
All For One wouldn’t find a single sad and scared soul to manipulate—
Instead he’d find Tenko Shimura, beaming with a smile and overwhelming confidence. And all the people he had bonded with would be at his side.
All For One would be alone, and anyone stupid enough to ally themselves with him would be defeated and then locked up (if they weren’t beyond redemption). In the end, All For One would truly have no one but himself, and Tenko would never feel sympathy for an ancient man pretending to be youthful, and going around trying to abduct children.
And after one such event, in the future, after defeating All For One again in a matter of minutes, Tenko was the one to propose to both Dabi and Kai. They accepted, of course, immediately.
To say that the wedding was packed with people was an understatement, and the after party was about as insane as one would expect. There were pictures of Dabi’s family (save for his dad, who had been divorced and had gone into hiding due to all the backlash, and trying to avoid being arrested) drinking with some yakuza members, and probably not realising it. There were pictures of Toga waltzing with multiple people, girls and boys alike. There were pictures of Magne and Twice both in heels, with Spinner in the background looking disgruntled that they were extra taller than him. There were pictures of All Might awkwardly dancing with a woman with green hair, blushing, but happy. There were pictures of Kurogiri and Mr Compress taking the spotlight, dancing together like the beautiful couple they were. There were even pictures of Kai allowing Eri to hold his hand, and drag him around, while Kai’s dad watched on with delight.
There was a picture taken by Toga, of Tenko, Kai, and Dabi standing on a balcony, holding hands with Tenko in the middle, looking up at the stars with their rings gleaming in the moonlight. All three smiling, and happy. Because while their pasts had been awful, their future was already looking bright.
*
BONUS:
A family could be one dad (even if adopted), a brother (also adopted), and multiple aunts and uncles. Eri had long since learnt this.
“Remember to pack you knife, Eri,” Toga said, attempting to hand Eri a sharp knife as they had breakfast at the massive kitchen table.
Before Eri could grab it, Tenko stole it and sighed. “Toga, she won’t need it.”
“But what if a bunch of ugly boys bully her?! How is she meant to stab them?!”
“I can use my horn…”
“No stabbing your classmates,” Kai said, looking up from his phone. ‘Unless you can get away with it,’ he mouthed.
Eri nodded discreetly.
“Just set them on fire instead,” Dabi suggested easily.
“Or report them,” Magne replied. “C’mon, we gotta be good role models. We’re not meant to be villains anymore, right?”
“But that’s no fun!” Spinner complained. “If someone likes a super shit video game then you should be allowed to fight them!”
“Life isn’t a GTA game,” Toga pointed out. “But it totally should be… I’d stab like, so many more people…especially the cops…”
“School ain’t fun, we all dropped out,” said Twice. “CAUSE DROPPING OUT IS COOL DAWG! DON’T STAY IN SCHOOL KIDS! Ahem… I mean… Yeah, totally stay in school because you need an education! But I wouldn’t really know…”
“You all need to take a parenting class,” Mr Compress said, shaking his head. “I, at least, stayed in school.”
Kurogiri shrugged guiltily. “I…also didn’t.”
“We’re getting off topic,” Tenko retorted, rolling his eyes. “You’re going to be fine, Eri.”
“And if we don’t leave now then you’re going to be late,” Kai said, pocketing his phone and getting up from the table. “I’ll drive you.”
“And we’ll walk you to the gates so all the kids know not to mess with you,” Dabi suggested with a grin.
Yes, a family could be made up of so many people, Eri decided. Even a bunch of ex-villains. And the parent-teacher interviews in the future sure would be interesting. And she couldn’t be happier with such an exciting and colourful family.