Work Text:
There's a certain type of kindness that comes with being able to enjoy a peaceful night of sleep, comfortable, safe and… well, happy. Touya could tell, because he was enjoying that right at the moment, with the sounds of the night fluttering around the room and mixing with the encompassed breathing and light snores being proffered by the resting figure that was carefully and lovingly held between his arms. Puffy black hair tickling his neck and chin, helping conceal the tiniest of smiles that started to graze his lips.
A shared secret for only the darkness of the room, and sometimes, for Tenko, to see.
But that was fine, he didn’t need to display his affections at every waking moment or otherwise, for his lover to know how much Touya felt and yearned for him. For Tenko always insisted that he could easily read those sort of things from the light dancing on his eyes. As blue and lively as his flames, and just as pretty, not the words the Todoroki would use, but he would take them and use them proudly anyway, because he knew Tenko was sincere when he said them.
He blinked slowly, hazily for the laziness clinging to his body and requesting him to keep the musings short and get some needed rest. But he couldn’t help to realize just how well it felt to be like this, he usually remembered his past, the hurt and coldness that seemed to cling to him when he was a child enduring the abuse of a cruel father, wishing for retribution just as strongly as he wished to protect his mother and siblings and see them happy, even when joy felt like the figment of some gracious illusion in the best moments, a cruel mockery at the worsts. Distracted and pained he would wander through life, by motion more than intent during some days, not being able to utter his wish to return back to a home he never felt he had, or would have. The house his family, the real and good one that was just as miserable as him, used, was nothing more than a prison, cold and unforgiving and deceitful as the image of power and protection that his father showcased to the world, and Touya knew the truth, he knew and wouldn’t dare feign ignorance because that would be an insult to himself and the rest of them.
He had grown bitter, cold, cynical, little by little, something ugly growing and stirring, and then he met him, seemingly meek but truly bold and sarcastic and sharp, and kind, extremely so, to boot.
He felt like he would dislike him, maybe he did at some point, he couldn't really recall but it didn't matter, because prettier feelings had taken to bloom in his heart in the end, and he no longer felt charred and consumed. And he liked to think he helped Tenko with the uglier parts of his emotions and machinations too. They antagonized but also clicked and understood in ways others could not, it was sympathy and knowing, and caring for real.
And falling to each other had felt like the most natural thing to do.
And now they were there, holding and being held, appreciating and sweet. And Touya knew that like this, concealed under the covers and in the arms of Tenko, he had found a place to belong. A home.
Real, and perfect.
And he closed his eyes, taking a breath, holding Tenko a little bit tighter and drifting off to sleep. Content.