Chapter Text
Opening that note was the worst decision of his life.
It starts small… Paying a little more attention to his words. Noticing the way Izuku fidgets with his hands. Analyzing the way he acted, just that little bit more. Tenya has never been in love before, but now he thinks he might be.
He would write this in a journal, but this, this just feels too personal. He unlocks his phone, the same picture of him and Tensei as children greets him, just as it always has. But now the photo worsens the pit in his stomach.
The group chat is full of new notifications as always, and the reminder still sits that he needs to update the rules for the dorms. Tenya opens his notes app, he doesn’t want to write what he needs to, because admitting it means it's real.
With shaky hands he writes it
“I think I’m in love with Izuku”
There’s no fireworks, or sparks. No celebration, no tears. Not yet. All Tenya can do is sit on his bed, and stare.
It's a little while before he can force himself into auto pilot. He goes through his usual routine for sleep, makes his way through each level of the dorms. Everyone on the fifth floor is either asleep or studying, same with four and three. On the second floor, he reminds Tokoyami to stop stealing eggs from the fridge. Aoyama is asleep, so he moves to the next room.
It’s Izuku’s.
He has his hand on the doorknob.
“Deku! Stop! Wait! Give that back! No!” She dissolves into a fit of giggles, soon joined by Izuku. Tenya can hear them laughing, they never laugh like that when he’s around. He goes back to his room without checking on Mineta. He doesn't really care much anyways.
--
The next day is slow, most of it occupied with Tenya in his own mind. Midnight gave them an assignment to study for a test. It was a welcome distraction.
The bell for lunch rang and Tenya left the classroom robotically. (Not like that was out of the ordinary.) He didn't bother to speak to anyone. He didn't even turn around when Uraraka called out to him. Normally he would scold himself for being so rude but he felt as though dealing with his rather dull revelation last night was more important.
He’s noticed that his skin feels numb. Not just his skin, everything feels fuzzy. There’s something he’s forgetting… It’s important to him, he knows that. Before he can remember, a notification on his phone goes off. It brings him to a shared note between him, Uraraka, and Izuku.
[HII TENYA!(o´▽`o)ﾉ ITS IZUKU (AND CHAKO!!) WE JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT WE'RE HERE FOR YOU AND HOPE YOU HAVE A GOOD DAY!!! (ง’●’)و]
He smiles. They're great friends, probably the best he’s ever had. He’s finally able to shake the fuzzy feeling as he turns around to find them.
“Oh Tenya!” Uraraka looks up from her phone “We were looking for you!”
“My apologies Uraraka, I had to call my brother.” He knows it’s a lie, and clearly they do as well, but they don’t bring it up.
When they sit down for lunch they chat about nothing in particular. Izuku is rather quiet though, he’s scrolling through his phone, probably looking at a new hero article.
He props his phone up on his bowl, and pulls out a notebook. He twirls his finger around a curl on the side of his face while the other is occupied with writing. Now Tenya notices small details he wouldn't have a month ago.
The way that the tips of Izuku’s pens are always chewed up. The way that he bites on his bottom lip, presumably to stop mumbling. His freckles aren’t just on his cheeks, they dance across his shoulders and down his arms to where light scars wrap around his hands.
“T--ya? Tenya? Hello?” Uraraka pulls her hand away from his face and sits back down. “Why were you staring at Deku like that?” she giggles.
He doesn't answer, but the blush that spreads across his face speaks for itself.
--
The final bell had just rung. Class 1-A files into their respective locker rooms, sore and tired from training. Ahead of him, Bakugo and Sato discuss a meal for the evening. Behind him Mineta and Kaminari are talking about the debut of a new female hero, in less than respectable ways.
Tenya nurses the new bruise on his cheek. A consequence of being distracted while he and Ojiro were sparring.
--
“Oh, thank you Momo!” Midoriya says, accepting the water bottle from the brunette. They sit on the side lines and chat about… something. Maybe techniques? From how fast Midoriya’s mouth is moving he’s probably analyzing--
“Iida! Pay attention! C’mon man!” The wind is knocked out of Tenya as he flies backwards from the hit. He dusts his hands off on his pants and tries to continue the fight.
It isn’t fair that the minute he realizes that he’s-- He’s in love with somebody, his entire brain turns to goo!
Not being able to focus made him weak. Izuku was the reason he wasn’t able to focus.
Being in love with Izuku made him weak.
--
Tenya replays the day in his head, over and over. Every moment that the light hit Izuku’s curls. Everytime he was distracted by the way Izuku laughed. The admiration of his strength. Not only physically, but the way he cared for others.
Dinner has come and gone, he’s spent time with his friends in the common area, trying to pry Mineta off of the ceiling. He’d gotten himself stuck up there after making some inappropriate remark towards Jirou and Momo.
Everyone is happy.
--
Tenya is lying in his bed now, surrounded by the faint sounds of a video game coming from Kaminari’s room. There isn't exactly much for him to do now. He could let himself wallow in his feelings for Izuku, although that doesn't sound pleasant, not at--he looks over at his digital clock-- 11:37 pm, it doesn’t.
Of course, wanting to not think about it has led him to do exactly that. The sinking feeling in his stomach returns, but he can’t exactly place why. Izuku is great! He’s smart, and kind, and he’s funny-
And he’s a he
Tenya Iida is in love with another boy, and this is not a realization he’s prepared to deal with.
So?
He decides to text Momo, someone he’s known since, well, forever really. Momo’s parents create support gear, and the Ingenium Hero Legacy are their main customers.
[Hello Momo, if you have the time, I’d like to confide in you about something.]
It’s near midnight now, he wouldn't be surprised if she was asleep. Then he sees the message bubble pop up that indicates she’s typing.
[Of course Tenya!! Kyoka is with me, is that alright?]
She won't say anything, he trusts Jirou.
[Yes, That’s fine. I'm not exactly sure how to write this, so I'll be upfront about it. I have a crush on someone and im fairly certain that Im bisexual.]
[Congratulations Tenya!! Im rly happy for you! Does anyone else know?]
[No. And I’m not sure I'll ever tell them. I don't want to shame my family’s name any further than I already have. But i trust you]
The chat pauses for a moment.
[Get ur mans class rep!!- KJ]
[Oh]
[Thank you for the support Jirou. I’d prefer it if you didn't tell anyone.]
[np- KJ]
[And dont worry iida, im sure there are plenty of queer heroes]
[Good night Momo.]
[You too, Tenya]
He doesn’t get much time to take in the realization that he just told two people that, because he gets another message, from Todoroki.
[Iida, please try to be more subtle about your crush on Midoriya- Todoroki]
[Iida, are you ok? You looked distracted today- Todoroki]
[You should answer your texts]
Tenya doesn’t have the energy to respond.
[I will send a cat meme to cheer you up]
And he does. At least he’s predictable.