Archive of Our Own

Sunlight comes through Tenya’s office window in a solid column and seems to highlight a particular stack of papers on his desk. All reports about search and rescue missions done in the past week -- these kinds of incidents are becoming less frequent. In general, life with Quirks has changed dramatically. After the final battle with Shigaraki Tomura, Quirks, heroism, and villainy became less black and white and more gray in discussion. Quirks weren’t immediately categorized to weed out who was a hero prospect or who might become a villain. It was that kind of attitude that created so many of the terrible villains of Tenya’s teen years.

Now, there’s programs to catch young people with Quirks at risk for bullying and emotional turmoil, and hero work is less of a flashy position and one of duty. Tenya doesn’t always get to save people, but at least he’s still doing work he loves.

That stack of papers is warming in the light and he watches dust motes swing and dance in the air. It’s kind of like suspended animation, Tenya thinks. Maybe the little motes are stuck doing the same dance over and over...no. He’s getting too introspective about this. “Come on. We’ve got to get this work done.” He states to himself. After all, he has to get home to check on Tensei. After their parents got on in years, Tenya felt guilty about sending Tensei to a facility to be cared for. The guy really didn’t need much help! He’d adapted to his paralysis well and they’d been privileged enough to have the money to hire nurses and caretakers for when Tenya had to work. Most of the time his brother would insist he didn’t need so much care, but this is what Tenya was used to. Loyalty, propriety, and care of his loved ones.

At least Tenya’s happy with his work! He saves people from accidents, whether they’re caused by villain-hero fights or natural disasters. Yes, he’d love to be more on the front lines, but after the battle, and Midoriya’s departure from U.A., his opinion had changed on the way hero society worked. Tensei reminded Tenya that he could still be a hero doing the work he does now, and that makes him feel better.

His way home from the office is the same as always. Same train to and from the same stops and the same walk to his home. Things being the same aren’t always bad. In fact, consistency is important for Tenya! His teen years taught him that spontaneity wasn’t always the best or safest call, so his schedule is not entirely despised. A little bit of pride in their driveway-- an Aston Martin DB4 he’s repairing. Tensei jokes that his brother lives for that car, but it’s really just a bit of fun for Tenya. The car needed a lot of repairs when it came to him and with each day it starts to look more and more like the machine it should be.

The sun is setting quickly and for a minute, Tenya watches the sunlight hit off the pearlescent blue-grey paint of the vehicle. He’s always been attracted to flashy things.

Inside, Tensei has rolled himself in the kitchen and is cooking dinner. “Lil brother, back from the grind.” Tenya laughs tiredly while shrugging off his jacket. Tensei’s gotten him to soften up a bit, but he’s still the more laid-back of the two brothers.

“I think this Saturday we’ll go see about finishing the engine in the car.” He replies, and Tensei gives him a look.

“Going to finish your car and finally go get a life?” Tensei jokes. He’s plating rice and chicken curry for them. Tenya knows Tensei’s right. He doesn’t go out unless his friends force him or he’s got a work function.

“I have a life!” He protests weakly. His life is nice enough but Tenya knows what his brother is getting at. Then again, Tenya’s not dated since his first year after high school and that ended because Tenya felt like he had no time.

Tensei nods to the table. “Yeah yeah, come on. Dinner time! Besides, I got to see some interesting things from the porch today.” Of course he does! Tensei’s a social butterfly who knows all the school children, neighbors, and happenings of the kogai they live in. He knows when people move in and move out, new babies, marriages, graduations -- so naturally, Tensei’s the gossip.

Tonight’s dinner is no different. Tensei makes light conversation. “Mom came by! She looks alright, a little thin, and tried to do our laundry but I kept telling her to stop. A couple kids came by to show their report cards! Good kids. One of them reminds me of you, he’s a little stickler!”

Tenya’s halfway through a bite of curry before he answers. “I don’t think caring about grades made me a stickler…” He thinks on it. Damn. “Yeah...Yeah! You’re right. So, what else? What’s new in the neighborhood?” He likes listening to his brother’s updates. They’re a break in the comfortable monotony. As they eat, Tensei takes his time and checks that the brakes for his wheelchair are on-- one time they weren’t and he accidentally rolled backwards away from the table. Tenya thought that was pretty funny. He chuckles about it as Tensei mentions a new neighbor.

“Pretty thing- looks like she’s from out of town. Came by on a longboard today and really knows how to skate. I can’t remember her name, started with an F thought. Maybe you’ll meet her soon.” It’s clear from Tensei’s tone that he’s trying to build a little mystique around the new neighbor. A few times over the years his brother has tried setting Tenya up with people, but it’s usually been turned down or not worked out. “She mentioned she does some hero work and is like a Big Sister too, on the side too. Really nice and mentioned she liked the car!” Tensei winks and Tenya actually laughs. He’s really trying!

Tenya takes Tensei’s plate and gets him a second helping. “Maybe! Please just let it happen organically!” It’s kind of a weird thing Tensei does when he tries to force a set up and does a big song and dance to talk Tenya up to the other person, and then Tenya gets performance anxiety and doesn’t think he can live up to the hype. “You don’t have to talk me up to her..” He continues. Really, it would be best if Tensei didn’t talk him up at all; that way there’s no disappointment when the mystery girl meets Tenya and isn’t amazed by the reality.

Tensei pats his stomach halfway through his second plate and gestures with his fork. “Alright, alright if you say so, big man. I won’t be sayin’ a word.” He winks.

At the end of the night, Tenya aids his brother with putting away his chair and checking the fittings. It’s the little things he doesn’t want to overlook. After their father died and Mom got sick, Tenya wanted to do right by his brother. Of course his sense of duty comes at the risk of being overbearing, at least according to Tensei. “The chair’s fine! I’m going to be, little bro!” Tenya waves him off and continues checking some screws. “Tenya. Go to bed. You still have two days of work.”

And then his precious Saturday off. He eventually does get to bed and thinks about how it would be nice to have someone next to him, but that thought is quickly replaced by a mental grocery list. Maybe mystery girl will show herself Saturday.
---------------
By the time Saturday morning rolls around, Tenya’s looking forward to a bit of time fixing the car. It’s his self-care: just the car, his music, Tensei sometimes on the porch making commentary, and him. Bliss. The trip to the autoparts store was fruitful as well! They find several parts for the engine, with the exception of one needing to be ordered in. A few young people recognize Tenya and Tensei for their hero work and they grant them some photos and autographs. A very young girl hands Tenya a heart shaped letter and Tensei comments in the car. “Ah, she’s a little young for you, yeah, Tenny?”

“Quit it!”

They fall into comfortable laughter.

Tenya swore to himself this Saturday that he was going to go do a few inside chores as well, especially because he hasn’t gone through his closet in a while or done the annual Marie Kondo-ing of the home. Tensei’s probably happy about that because last time Tenya accidentally gave away his chicken-themed potholders -- a major slight.

He throws on a pair of older jeans and notes the rip across the back of one thigh. They were getting old anyway but they’ll be fine for working on the car, he muses.

As Tenya makes his way out to the car to start on the oil change and repairs, Tensei’s on the front porch, doing work from home. He provides mental health support to heroes injured in the line of duty, and it turned out to be a perfect profession for Tensei. “Your pants are ripped. That’s a rarity for you, better fix it.” He notes. Tenya waves his hand.

“Ah, it will be fine. I’m just working on the car!”

How wrong he’s going to be.

Heat beats down on his back as he turns nuts and bolts and checks hoses. A gentle breeze is making its way through the rip on his jeans but Tenya doesn’t mind. It’s not like he needs to be wearing his Sunday’s best to be working on the car! Nobody special is going to be seeing him. The sounds of 1970s classics pump out from his phone on the toolbox next to him and he’s feeling good. The neighborhood around him provides some ambiance -- children playing in yards, cars driving slowly down the lanes, trees rustling, wheels on the pavement. Wheels on the pavement? That’s new. Must be a kid roller skating. Immediately Tenya panics because the kid’s going to notice the rip in his pants and children are RUTHLESS commentators.

But this? This is so much worse. The voice of a grown woman rings out as wheels skate behind him. “Nice ass!” Tenya stutters and smacks his head on the inside of the car hood, inciting a little laughter from the woman.

“Gah! What?!”

“Your pants are ripped, babes!” The voice calls out, a little further away. Tenya spins and lands a hand on his butt, finding that the rip has in fact, shown a whole ass cheek. And to his fascination and bewilderment, a whole new face is skating away from him. For a brief moment it all moves in slow-motion -- the way she’s skating backwards into a turn, the breeze pushing bright auburn hair around her face, gold eyes that seem to drill into him, the cars driving around them. And then she turns around on her little red roller skates and she’s gone around the corner.

Tenya doesn’t move because now Tensei’s having a laugh at his expense from the porch. “Told you your pants were ripped!”

God this is embarrassing. Tenya’s sweat and flustered as he walks up the ramp to the porch covering his ass. The new neighbor saw half of his butt and she’s stunning and now there's no way he isn’t going to look like a fool if she comes by again! His first step towards redemption is to throw out these jeans and hide in the apartment. Tensei follows him inside eventually and finds his brother having a crisis, half-lying on the couch. “You know that was…” He starts, only to be met with Tenya’s signature sharp hand gestures.

“The new neighbor, I know. I FIGURED.”

“She’s pretty, yeah?”

“Devastating. And now she’s seen my butt.”

“Oh how dreadful for you. A hot girl saw your ass.”

Tenya flops around in upset like a fussy child. He’s never been wildly confident around attractive people. Hell, when Izuku asked him out sophomore year, Tenya spent twenty minutes arguing that Izuku could certainly date better than him and that he wasn’t the best catch. All his partners: Izuku, Ochako, Mina, Tokoyami, that lovely girl his mom set him up with from the bank, the guy from the tattoo shop, they’d all argue Tenya couldn’t take a compliment.

He does eventually finish his work on the motor with Tensei staying close by. “Once we’ve got those last few fittings, this car should be ready. We can take some nice rides with this baby.” Tenya talks pridefully. This Saturday is somewhat successful, aside from the ripped pants! Tensei loves seeing his brother’s face light up in the wake of an accomplishment. It reminds him of the look Tenya would have with hero work, good grades, and new friendships. He’d like to see that more.

-------
A few days later, Tenya has not gotten the woman out of his head. He’d only seen her for a couple minutes but that’s all it took. That hair, those eyes, the fluidity of her movement. Now that he can recall, her face was vaguely familiar. Maybe she had skated once and he hadn’t noticed before. It’s obvious he’s lost in thought because Tensei has to chuck a bread roll on Tenya’s dinner plate to get his attention. “Earth to little brother, you in there?” he jests before putting more salad on his plate. Tonight, Fuyumi is coming by for a date with Tensei, so he’s in especially high spirits. Tenya shakes his head to try and empty his thoughts, but to no avail.

He remembers a line from an Audre Lorde book. Dark-bright fire lit eyes.

Her eyes were so bright it was like she was lit by the sun itself.

“That woman hasn’t been by.”

“Ah, thinking about her.”

“She said I have a nice ass.”

“I heard. Congratulations!”

Tenya rubs his face and sighs. “It’s so embarrassing!”

“Hard to believe you’re not still a virgin.”

Tenya tries to swat at Tensei who is once again having a laugh at his little joke, but the front door opens and Fuyumi’s voice rings out. “Boys! I’m here. No fighting.” She’s got her hair pinned back and is dressed nicely. Apparently they’re going downtown to a bar to meet up with friends. “Tenya, Tensei.” She immediately lays a thousand kisses on her boyfriend and Tenya feels a pull of jealousy. He’d love that kind of affection, but it’s not like he’s doing much work to get it. Fuyumi moves around the table and ruffles the younger man’s hair. “How’s it going, buddy?”

Tensei rolls into the kitchen to start getting tupperware to put away dinner. “Tenya’s in love with our mystery neighbor!”

“Am not! I don’t even know her name.”

Fuyumi steals a bread roll and cocks her head. “Oh? And are you avoiding her?” She isn’t going to tease Tenya at least -- just be inquisitive.

“No, I just work and don’t see her.”

Tensei arrives back at the table and smirks. “But I do. She asked where you were and if you fixed your jeans yesterday.” That little bit of information turns Tenya into a verbal volcano all while Tensei packs up the dinner as calmly as possible.

“She ASKED ABOUT ME?! What did you tell her, what did you say? Hah! I fixed my jeans! I can’t believe she saw-- nevermind Fuyumi don’t worry about it!!” He takes a long, deep breath after and shrugs in his chair. “She’s just a very pretty woman who roller skated by me and I had a rip in my pants and I never saw her again. The end.” But obviously that’s not the end because Tenya keeps replaying that smooth spin the woman did on her roller skates and how her body moved like water and how badly he hoped he could swim in that current.

Tensei gets right beside Fuyumi and puffs up and smiles. “I told her you were at work and very thankful she complimented your ass. Also, her name is Freya. Very foreign.”

Yes. No one has a name like that around here. “That’s a nice name. Nice name for a nice face.” Tenya says that second part quietly.

“Man, just try to catch her one of the times she skates by. It’s a matter of chance. She’ll roll right into your life again.” Fuyumi poses this scenario. Tenya’s very into the idea.

“You know what? I will. I’ll do that! I’ll even find out her last name!”

Tensei and Fuyumi are heading out and seem to be placating them in their “Goodnight” calls.

Tenya’s determined. He’s going to try something new. He’s going to pursue someone.

-----------
The final part for the engine comes in on the following Thursday when Tenya’s off. Another sunny, breezy day in the neighborhood. Most people are at work but not Tenya. He’s overjoyed to be working on the car again and in the back of his mind, Tenya’s looking forward to a possible Freya sighting.

He’s not going to make a fool of himself this time. Not at all. He’s listening to Earth, Wind, and Fire and finishing up the car after the engine repair. As Tenya gives the car a wash and jives around it, wheels sound off on the pavement and he tones down his little dance party.

And there she is, cruising on a longboard, looking so effortless. It’s slow motion again as her wrap skirt flutters in the wind and Freya looks at him like “I know you’re watching.” But she slows down and stops, and the idea that she is about to talk to him is a wild reality. Tenya scrambles to turn off the hose and it splashes him across his shirt. “Damnit!” he curses. Freya stops only a few feet from him and smiles at him like...like he actually isn’t a fool.

Oh. What a beautiful face. What a devastating, beautiful person.

She’s tall and lithe and has little freckles on her arms and smells like orange creamsicle and her eyes are even brighter up close. How in the world is one person able to make him so nervous? So weak?

“Hey there. The car looks good. Sorry ‘bout the other day.”

And her voice is to die for. That accent is distinctly Scandinavian and an audible treat. Tenya shrugs and laughs, like he isn’t bothered at all. “No! No worries. Honestly you were quite funny.” He almost leans against the car before catching himself. “And you skate really well.” Hell, Tenya could watch her move all day. Even the grace of how she reaches out to shake his hand will be implanted in Tenya’s memories. A palm, impossibly warm when they touch, skin spattered with little freckles, and long pretty fingers. “I’m Iida Tenya.”

“I know. You’re Ingenium. We’re supposed to work together eventually, but I started my work here not long ago.” Freya speaks matter-of-fact and looks right into him. “Freya. Freya Jinton. Yeah…”

She can see him almost thinking around her name, like it’s a puzzle for him. “My parents like the old gods. A little cheesy, but I’m not complaining. So. The car’s finished?” Tenya looks back at the car and grimaces a little at the wet texture of his shirt clinging to his midsection.

“Car’s ready! I’ve been working on this for a while. It’ll be nice to go on rides. Maybe uh, I could take you sometime?” He broaches, and then rubs the back of his neck. Asked way too soon! God, ask her out to dinner first or at least be a friend, you dope!

Freya gives that smile again and circles the car, being careful with her board around it. “I’d like that. But maybe we get to know each other a little more first. For instance, I do hero work too. Might know me as the Valkyrie.” As she says this, little bits of light glow out of the tips of her fingers.

He HAS seen her before. Valkyrie was a combat hero in her home country, and works under Bakugou. Tenya knows her instantly -- Freya only looks different because she isn’t clad in armor and braid, or jumping off a building. Her Quirk could destroy cities if she wasn’t careful. All that light, used however she likes, but right now she’s as calm and cool as a spring day. “You’re Ingenium. I’ve seen your search-and-rescue work. It’s commendable.”

“Yeah? You’ve seen my work?” He utters. Gods, his heart is beating fast.

The conversation is easy with her. Tenya tells her about how he cares for Tensei, likes classic cars, has a vigilante friend, and volunteers at cat shelters. How he usually doesn’t show his ass to the neighbors. In return, he finds out that Freya is very Norwegian, as if the name didn’t give it away. She’s a Big Sister to some kids in the area, likes disco, and that her parents are heroes back in the home country. He learns so much in just one conversation; some things Freya doesn’t have to say, he just sees it.

Like how she facepalms when she messes up a Japanese word or kicks the heel of her foot on the ground when she’s excited, how she has to let off little bits of light to not overheat. Her phone is playing a Sufjan Stevens song that sounds happy but Tenya knows it’s sad. There’s a sun tattoo on her chest, obscured by her shirt. The uptick in her sentences happens when she talks about the teens she works with.

And he knows she’s effortless.

“We should talk more. Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow. Then we can talk about that car ride again, Tenny.” She says that nickname like it’s always been hers to say. Freya gets back on her board and rolls away with ease and a placid look on her face.

Tenya’s left in the driveway, watching hair like a campfire and a green wrap skirt skate away from him.
---
She comes by again and again and again. Once time Freya’s even in partial hero garb! That sends Tenya for a loop because he would pay to have her kick his ass. The gold and white of her armor looks regal and he can just see her now, doing all sorts of heroic stuff. Not to be a weirdo, but he’s found a video of her catching a runaway train and watched it close to a hundred times.

The time’s pretty consistent when she skates on by and into the driveway. Afternoon, as the sun’s starting it’s descent and things are all glazed in that creamsicle orange and yellow glow. All this thinking Tenya’s been doing about monotony in his life: work, home, car, Tensei, eat, sleep, repeat. Occasional addition of a phone call from a friend. He’s in a love-hate relationship with the cycle but the new routine of Freya and her almost daily visits.

This he can get behind.

He tells her little things each time they talk in the driveway. About high school, and how his parents were heroes. The time Tensei was crippled. The League of Villains. I-Island and the UA Student Festival. His love of birthdays and beef stew and olives on pizza. The battle with Shigaraki. How he misses seeing his friends more.

Freya is full of fantastic things. She can dance pretty well and teaches him a little longboarding. Her uncle is a villain and she keeps tabs on him while he’s in a maximum security lockup. She loves summer but hates humidity. She’s in the Big-Brother, Big-Sister program and works with kids with ‘sensitive’ Quirks. For all the good things, Tenya’s sure Freya’s got some personal improvements she’d bring up, but they’re just getting used to each other.

This is dipping your toe in before a cannonball.

It’s particularly warm the day Tenya learns some deeper truths about the new lady in his life. His friend? Yes! Freya’s his friend.

This time she’s on her longboard and has a bag from the corner store in her hand and looks so tired from her day, but those wheels still turn into the driveway. “Honey, I’m home!” She says with a tired laugh. Tenya’s blushing already. His crush is still surface level but a bit hard to hide. Hopefully she doesn’t mind. “Just a funny little joke from me, hah. Oh. Orange juice!” Freya gestures to the plastic bag in her hand -- inside, two shiny blue cans of a new brand of orange juice.

He takes it and one of his fingers trails the back of her hand, registering the softness of that skin. “For me?”

“Yessir! Remembered what you said about your Quirk!”

“That’s kind of you. You didn’t have to do that.”

Freya pushes her braided hair back over her shoulder. “But I wanted to, so I did. You should try it...just doing things because you want to.” The way she says it so deliberate and her eyes are all molten gold just makes Tenya think.

You’re right, and there’s so many things I just want to do.

Instead he steps back a little to respect her space and look her over. It’s obvious she’s tired. “Long day. I can see it in your face. Big Sister, or hero work?”

“Both. I...hm. Sent to rescue some hikers, and one of them broke a leg. The kid though.” Freya’s almost whispering, as if normal volume would fully wipe her out. “Sometimes I wonder if what I do makes a difference.” And that makes Tenya hyperfocus on what she’s saying. He’s heard that before, from friends and colleagues. From himself.

“What happened with the Little Sister?”

“She’s got this Quirk where she uh, she can mess with someone’s senses. Take them away or amplify them. Relentless bullying because the first time her Quirk manifested, she blinded a schoolteacher. Now she has to wear these gloves and people don’t get close to her because they think she’ll steal their senses. She’s happy when we spend time together but when I take her home, she shrinks. I can see how afraid she is to get close to people. Am I really doing something for her if she only feels relief for a couple hours a week? And my hero work? I don’t want to like...go apeshit like we used to do, but we could do more. I know why we can’t, and why it’s that way, but I want to make a difference. I don’t want that girl to grow up feeling disconnected or unloved and turning into a villain because someone looked at her Quirk and said ‘You’re a bad egg!’” Freya takes a long breath after that. It’s clear she’s wanted to say that all day and was waiting for the right moment. The right person.

Tenya looks down at her and admires her honesty. It sits in her features so naturally. Freya’s not the person who hides her feelings; she puts them on not just for fun, but to own them. He talks just as softly as her to match the mood. “You’re not the only one who feels like that...like the things you do don’t matter. But I can tell you, Freya Jinton, that it does. You make more of an effort than most people bother to, and I think that if you listen to people, they’re already telling you that you’re changing their lives.” He didn’t expect to get this sentimental today but that’s alright.

Another unexpected thing happens in his day, right in that moment: Freya turns to him and hugs him. A kind of funny side hug where her face presses to his shoulder and he can smell honey on her hair and see the smattering of freckles on her arms.

He will not ask for another miracle this year. No. Tenya will be grateful that this effortless, beautiful person decided to be close with him, even if only for a moment. She’s holding on and mumbling something against his arm. “Yes, Freya?” It’s all in whispers now.

“I said thank you. And that you’re a good man.” She’s got her head tilted up to look at him and they’re close, so close. When was the last time he wanted to be this way with anyone? Maybe a year ago. Slow motion again as Tenya watches the sun catch red hair and eyelashes and Freya lets go only to hold his hand for a moment. “Hey.”

He must have frozen for a moment. “Yes?”

“How about, Saturday I bring dinner by? For you and Tensei. For being so nice and welcoming, and we can properly hang out.”

The offer has Tenya smiling wide. “Yes. Sorry I just...zoned out?” Freya cocks her head and grins.

“What were you thinking about?”

He gulps. “I was just looking at you.”

Just looking, appreciating, and admiring this person. Okay, he definitely has a crush.

Freya pulls back, face turned down. He can see a soft blush across the top of her cheeks. “See something you like?”

“I think so.”

Freya’s kicking her feet absentmindedly. She stutters a little and chuckles; how cute! He didn’t think anyone could be more coy. “That’s...hm. Hah. Thank you.” Her voice is small and it’s like she’s unsure of this compliment. Is it a compliment? Oh shit, he should flirt! This could be his chance.

“You’re really...beautiful feels too small of a word.”

“Oh?”

“I’ll come up with something eventually.”

Freya starts back onto her board. “You’ve got some time. Saturday’s a few days away.” It’s unfair how easily she slips back into confidence and coolness. A wink and a smile, and she skates away.

Tenya’s got to think of something good by Saturday.

------------
Much to Tenya’s surprise, a group of his friends have decided to drop by Saturday afternoon and force him into social time. It really just consists of day drinking on the porch and in the driveway. Tetsu, Sero, Mina, Izuku, Ochako, Camie, and Inasa have all made it. They’re all pretty busy with hero work or side jobs but apparently they all have a little time today to come by and harass him. Half of them are hanging out in the house around Tensei and the others stand in the driveway around Tenya and the car.

Tetsu takes a slow sip from his beer and Sero and Camie hum. Tenya’s happy to be near his friends for the first time in months. It’s quiet, for now, and they’re just enjoying the day. The only sound is their occasional sips and the breeze of spring time until Tetsu pipes up. “Man, we should do this more often.” He looks over at Tenya and the other man stops staring at the car like a proud father for a second. 

“We should. I’m sorry I haven’t been around. I just get busy and...yeah. I keep busy.” But lately he’s been making time. At least for his special guest. Sero claps him on the arm and gives that wide, cheesy smile that he hasn’t lost in adulthood.

“Gotta get a good balance, man! Once a week, talk to a friend. Any of us. You know we’ll pick up.”

Camie pushes up against Tenya’s other side and he only gets a little flustered because he can never tell if she’s being flirty or not. “You know it bae! It’s not very cool to be a hermit all the time. Like,” she gestures gracefully with her hand. “Gotta get out more.” He laughs to himself and they fall into easy conversation. Sero’s going on a retreat to the mountains with Bakugou and Kirishima in a month, Tetsu landed a new athletic brand deal, and Camie’s still living loose and free, being the charmer of the hero community. Eventually the rest make it outside, with Tensei in tow. Mina and Ochako are hovering over Mina’s phone, looking at YouTube and drinking wine coolers. Izuku and Inasa talk quietly with Tensei about...well.

Ever since Izuku left U.A., his hero work hasn’t exactly been on the books. He doesn’t often mention the channels he goes through to get things done, but Deku is honorable in Tenya’s eye. He’s sporting a few new scars in adulthood and there’s times where their friends wish they could have changed the tide for Izuku to stay in the academy, but he seems happy. Izuku’s making his way down the stairs when Sero prods Tenya with the end of his beer bottle. “So, what’s new with you big man?”

Tenya thinks. What is new with him? He’s not changed much so there isn’t anything to report. “You know, same thing, different day. I uh, got to do a fire rescue last week. Always exciting, and at least the firemen follow the rules and do fine work. And I finished the car! Take nice drives out in the country now.” He glides a hand over the side of the car and thinks fondly of the places he and sometimes Tensei will go. Tensei has made it down the ramp to go check the mail and clears his throat.

“Excited for your lady friend to come by, little brother?”

His friends explode into a litany of questions.

“Lady friend?! You got a date?”

“Tenya! You said nothing new happened. Tell us!”

“Oh so you do date! Who’s this girl!”

He gives Tensei a glare down the driveway as he tries to placate his friends. “She’s just a friend, and her name is Freya…” He doesn’t get to finish that sentence because Camie seems to know exactly who Freya is. It only makes sense since she’s the social butterfly.

“Norwegian chick, skates, shoots light out of her hands? Ugh, she’s great. I mean that in a good way! I do!” Camie chatters, taking a sip of her drink after. “Is she like, coming over? Today? We can hang?” Obviously she wants to get as much information because Camie loves to meet people. Part of Tenya thinks it’s because he turned her down a few months ago and she wants to size the woman up. He hopes it’s the former.

The rest of the group either have worked with Freya or only distantly know of her work. Tetsu’s already trying to hype him up which will definitely lead to that performance anxiety that Tenya thought about a while ago. “Man, just be cool and nice and charming like I know you are and she’ll be so into it. And I don’t know her real well, but I’m sure she’s chill if you like her. And try to like, relax a little! You get so nervous man! You’ve got nothin’ to worry about!”

Tenya’s already nervous. What if he’s too boring or uptight or straightlaced or she’s just too out of his league? Here comes the anxiety! Everyone’s trying to talk him up or down depending on your perspective, and more drinks are drunk. It’s clear that the friends are trying to at least see the arrival of Tenya’s crush. Tensei’s even offered to buy them dinner to stay longer, which makes Tenya even more stressed! He was already freaked about being on a maybe-date but now his friends will be here and Tenya’s not going to be impressive and Freya will never come by again! That’s it, curtains!

He’ll just shoot his own foot if that happens.

“Oh, shit, hey! Didn’t realize you’d have company!” A new, but familiar voice calls. Tenya lifts his head and finds that it’s Freya and she’s gotten here...he looks at his watch. On time. His friends have stayed late and now he feels like everything is colliding and he all but shouts his apology.

“NO! IT’S ALRIGHT! THEY JUST SHOWED UP! YOU ARE FINE!”

The group is watching with a mix of bemusement and knowing because this is vintage Iida Tenya, circa freshman year. Freya looks up at him, sporting two cans of the orange juice again. “No need to shout. It’s cool. I can get everyone dinner.” She’s just tall enough to lean forward and whisper near his ear. “And maybe you and I can talk later?”
Oh. Damn. That musical voice of hers makes his stomach swoop. She wastes no time in greeting his friends and offering pizza dinner and being so easygoing.

He knows exactly how he feels about that fantastic woman.
---------

“Yeah, uhm, can I get eight pizzas? Should do it? No?” Freya is a little confused because Tenya keeps showing her different numbers. “Uhm, six. Yeah. Six. Veggies, sausage, plain, tomato…” She’s being generous in getting them dinner and Tenya really, really hopes he can get blessed alone time later because he is greedy. “Yes, thanks! This number’s cool. See you then!” She hangs up and moves to find a little empty spot on the couch. Camie looks like she’s going to swoop in with twenty questions for Freya but the little redhead seems to have another plan. “Ten, come sit. You don’t have to stand in your own home.”

He nearly runs to the spot next to her and Sero chuckles and shakes his head at his friend. “Yes, I uh! Why don’t we watch something?” He lets the friends fight over the remote and change the channel a bunch of times. Tenya doesn’t care; he’s sitting with Freya and just feeling her up against his side is enough.

Tetsu’s managed to get the group to watch wrestling and Mina is already arguing with him about the drama of professional wrestling. Sero, Inasa, and Izuku are all looking over some videos of vigilante justice. That leaves Ochako and Camie to settle on the floor and get some insider information on Freya. After all they’re Tenya’s friends and they should know about the new lady! Camie looks at Freya with renewed interested, but more like she’s sizing Freya up. “I don’t think we’ve ever hung out. I see you skate like all the time to Bakugou’s agency but you’re usually alone!” She tries to wriggle in between Tenya’s and Freya’s legs but it doesn’t work and she’s annoyed. Camie loves touching even when it’s just friendly. “And you’re close with Tenny now too! That’s awesome. Are you like, staying in Japan?”

What Tenya sees, that Camie doesn’t know, is that Freya’s caught on to being sized up. The slight arch of her brow shows her readiness to meet the standard -- it’s a microexpression Tenya’s seen in their conversations. “I’m splitting my time between countries. And yeah, I’ve seen you around a couple times. Great Quirk -- you know how to distract and divert like few can.” Freya’s starting the verbal ping-pong she’s accustomed to. “Tenny and I are friends. He’s a good man.” And as if to further fluster him, Freya slinks an arm behind him on the couch to perfectly circle his shoulders. Her skin seems to heat right through his shirt. Ochako can see the look on his face clear as day. Tenya’s always been easy to shake, and pretty things giving him even a little attention make him crumble. She takes a little ease in the conversation.

“You know, I hope we weren’t intruding on your hangout! I know we kind of dropped in unannounced! It’s just nice to see Tenya meeting someone.”

“Ochako, I’m not a total hermit!” he protests.

Freya leans into him and laughs, a little tipsy from her drinks. “I think it’s nice. The solitude. Means you’re comfortable being on your own.”

“Well we’re happy you’re here! Right, Camie?”

Camie gives a flashy smile. “Of course! Totally. You’re a cool new addition. Oh!” The doorbell rings. Dinner. “We’ll get to know each other better.” As Freya goes to answer the door, Tenya shares a look with the two girls. They’re protective, but he wants them to trust his judgment. Freya’s a cool, nice girl and yes he could have dated other people here but it didn’t feel like the right time and now feels right.

At least dinner relieves a bit of the tension. Tenya, Tensei, and friends eat and be merry, and change the television to a dance competition and mostly everyone is watching complacently. Tetsu and Freya have ended up on the floor where he’s trying to get her to come on with him to do that athletic brand line. Tensei’s got himself on the couch next to his brother, where Tensei says some simple, profound things.

“It’s nice when you let new things happen.”

“Hm?”

“I’m just saying. You don’t allow for a lot of change, but I think this,” Tensei gestures to their friends scattered around the living room. “This is good for you. Have people over, be spontaneous.” The two brothers sip their beers. “And her.” Now Tensei nods to Freya, who’s talking excitedly with Sero and Izuku about something he can’t quite hear. “She’s a little aloof, but you’ve always liked a challenge, a chase. I think you have a chance.”

Tenya looks on in want. “I hope so, but I mean look at her,”

“Shush. You’re talking the way I did about Fuyumi. Just, have a little confidence. Just listen. Treat yourself to new experiences. Life gets pretty boring when you don’t. Now, I’m going over Fuyumi’s tonight after everyone peaces, so be good.” Tensei ruffles his brother’s hair and jostles him.

“I think I can manage.”

Tenya’s friends stay later than expected, helping pack up the pizza and taking some leftovers. Tenya’s busied himself with cleaning so he can get on with his night. As much as he loves his friends and is happy they came...well. There’s a lady. In a quiet hallway of the living room, Camie’s grilling Freya again.

Freya doesn’t love this. She’s just come into Tenya’s life and really, really likes him and it seems like this girl is weirdly suspicious or protective, or jealous? None of it should matter, but it’s annoying. Freya feels like she’s always had to work harder for approval and acceptance. This is no different. “You know he turned me down. Not that long ago either!” Camie tells her, as if it’s supposed to change the other woman’s mind.

Freya gently takes Camie’s empty bottle from her. “Tough luck. You’re cool, and I’m sure lots of people would be interested.”

“Yeah, I just don’t get why he said no.”

“Because people have preferences? Don’t know.” Freya shrugs nonchalantly. “Why waste your time wondering? World’s full of options for a beautiful person, like you.”

“Oh! Are you flirting? I mean, you’re super cute.”

Freya laughs and shakes her head. “No honey, I’m just being honest. Do you not want me to like your friend? I’m gettin’ the impression.” And Camie looks stunned at her apt observation.

“I’m just kinda surprised. He’s not one to date. And then you show up.”

A pause for consideration. Some muffled laughter in the kitchen. Freya peeks her head out to see Tenya hugging some of his friends. “I don’t know what’ll happen. But I like him, honestly. Genuinely. I’m sorry it didn’t happen for you. Don’t know if that helps.”

Camie’s expression looks less cunning now. All the times Freya’s ever seen her, she wondered if the glamour ever had an end. It does right now. “Yeah, yeah. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to grill you. I guess it’s the protectiveness and a little jealousy. You really do seem good for him.” Freya bumps Camie’s hand with her own and gives her another reassuring smile.

“It’s all good!” They start walking back into the kitchen. “You care about your friend. I’m not bothered. I just hope you and I can be cool too,” And the tension’s gone, just like that. No problems! Tenya’s looking at them with hope in his eyes. Freya nods and he visibly sighs.

People are starting to leave out, giving their goodbyes, including Tensei. It seems he wants to get to his girlfriend’s house as soon as possible. “Remember what I said!” He jokes. “Behave!” Tenya blushes and grumbles.

“Yes Dad!”

Camie and Uraraka are the last two to leave; they talk with Tenya outside on the porch and it seems like his new crush has the golden seal approval. This is important since it comes from a good friend and an ex. Uraraka pinches his cheeks. “I like her! Just don’t freak out if things get touchy~” He knows exactly what Uraraka means. Camie bumps him and gives a quick hug, which was probably done to not be so touchy.

With a twirl of her hair and a wink, she gives her approval. “She’s hot, smart, and chill as fuck. Don’t blow it!”

Well, he’s not intending to.
--------
This night just keeps getting more interesting. “Hey, you’ve got a pretty sweet back balcony.” Freya says, nodding to the sliding doors off  the back office room. Tenya decides he can make a little joke.

“I know you like my ass, but that was pretty creative.”

She cackles and even if the laugh is supposed to be ugly, he still loves it. “Okay. Okay! That was cute!” Freya admits. “Let’s go sit outside. And uh...do you smoke? I know we’re heroes but like...this won’t hurt.” Her hand pats the little purse she’s carrying. For a moment, Tenya considers how stupid it might be to do this. He knows marijuana can stay in your system for a long time, but he also knows Bakugou smokes all the time to calm down and he’s never gotten in trouble and Tenya’s never tried but he’d really like to oh god he’s thinking too much!

“Never have!”

“Ah! Well do you want to?”

“Sure. If it’s with you.”

That’s how he’s shown how to roll a joint by a pretty woman and smoke. “The trick is to not take a huge drag right away, easy now…” She lets him go first and of course, Tenya takes a huge rip and starts coughing and hacking up a lung. “Damn, okay, water. Water,” While he’s catching his breath, Freya’s trying to give him water. It’s sweet that she cares so much! It must not be the first time she’s gotten someone smoked up. Water helps and he takes a look at Freya and his whole body feels different. Floaty. It’s probably too fast to be high but he can watch his companion get high.

Everything about her seems effortless: The smoke rolling out of her mouth, her half-lidded eyes, her smile after and the change in her voice. Yes. That’s why he’s so into Freya. He finally gets the balls to try again. “Frey, I want another.” It’s quiet except for the buzzing of cicadas outside while Freya considers this.

“Here’s an easier way. We can shotgun.”

He looks at Freya likes she’s got two heads. “You have a gun?”

Freya laughs and flicks ash off from the end of the blunt. “No no no no! It’s like a way to smoke. There’s a couple ways, but the way with the blunt in both our mouths is gross. One sec,” She moves her entire chair closer. “I’m gonna smoke and then you’re gonna get real close, and I’ll feed you the smoke.”

He doesn’t understand, but she must know what she’s doing. Warm hands cup his face and Tenya’s so close he could kiss Freya right now, which seems to almost be what’s happening. Smoke pours out of her mouth and Tenya opens his mouth to receive this gift -- not only her getting him high, but the closeness. Eventually the smoke dissipates between them and Tenya’s stuck stupid watching Freya’s mouth. She’s talking and he doesn’t hear her the first time.

“I said, are you feeling it?”

He nods slowly. Tenya’s body feels slow and like it’s shaking; no, vibrating. He’s never been high but it kind of feels like he’s stuck in honey when he tries to move. “I think so?” One of his hands lifts up in the air like Tenya’s testing his motor skills. He lets it flop back into his lap. “I got it.”

Freya grabs the hand he’s playing with. “Let’s go chill. Where’s your room, if that’s alright.”

“This way.” It takes so long to get back down the hall to Tenya’s bedroom because he checks the bathroom lights four times and looks at his watch to figure out if it’s the next day. “How long has it been?”

She giggles. “Like ten minutes, Ten. Just take a breather and we’ll go lie down. Don’t psych yourself out.
”
------
If being high feels this good, Tenya thinks he’ll need to do this more often. Lying on the bed with Freya, listening to music, and watching the ceiling fan spin is not upscale first date material, but that’s alright. Nothing wrong with this moment.

He can’t find a single thing to complain about!

His body feels heavy enough to sink through his bed and to the floor. The ceiling turns slowly in his vision and the song fills Tenya with a dreamy feeling, like he’s in that part of the romcom where anything can happen. Right now it is full of promise. Freya’s eyes glitter in the soft light of his bedroom. Okay, maybe that’s his mind playing tricks on him, but he can fully appreciate the woman lying next to him. That hair made of fire, the sharp cut of her jaw and cheeks, her voice whispering the lyrics of the song like they’re meant for him. Long, lithe, intriguing creature, Tenya thinks to himself.

“I know the compliment now.”

Freya turns on her side. “Mm? What’cha thinkin?”

Now he can say it. Tenya pushes himself onto his side and remembers to keep his hands to himself at first because just grabbing her would be rude.

“You’re effortless.”

He pauses and watches her reaction. Freya looks intrigued. “Go on,” she says.

“I kept trying to think of what nice thing to say to you and every word I thought of felt cliché and boring and underwhelming. You’re effortless. I know you work hard on lots of things, but everything that I see in you, it just happens. You flow. You move and talk and dance and act so free, there’s no end to your authenticity and how effortless you are at being you. Yeah, you’re strong and beautiful and I like your hair and freckles and the sound of your voice and everything, but just how you that you are really gets me.” He takes a big breath after and Tenya doesn’t look away. He shouldn’t because it would seem like he’s being a coward and HE’S NO COWARD.

The longer she goes on staring and just smiling at him, the more Tenya thinks he fucked up. Freya’s whole expression looks pleased but is she really? What if he’s misconstrued all their interactions?

“ Damn.” Freya answers breathlessly. “No one’s ever said anything like that t’me. Ever. You really think that?” He nods back and decides on a little bit of risk taking. Shotgunning before was nice but he wants a taste.

Freya tastes like grapefruit and weed smoke, and kissing her is as easy as Tenya dreamt it would be. Her hands cup his face and the curve of her hip compliments the space of his palm just right. The subtle movements of their mouths and bodies fitting together are matching the mood of the room and the song keeps playing from Freya’s phone.

“ Have you ever loved? Would you go again?

Don't be down when it's over, baby, yeah

I'll be your man”

They pull apart and are soaking in each other’s presence. After the song ends and a new one begins, this a little two fast-paced for Freya’s tastes, she compliments Tenya. “I like you because...well, there’s no one like you. And you’re kind of shy and funny and that makes me like you more. Really cute in the way you get flustered or overexcited. Hmmm, I’m not giving as good a compliment as you, my words are all messy.” She kisses him again and Tenya manages to pull her onto him to feel that blessed warmth.

“You’re doing perfect, baby.”

She blushes and bites at the inside of her cheek. “I like you because being around you...just because. It’s you. You’re not trying to be big and tough and put up a dishonest front. Never liked that about people, when they put on an act thinking it’s going to impress someone.”

Tenya pulls them both up to the head of the bed and pulls a blanket up over them. “Guess it doesn’t help anyone to present a mask instead of a true face.” Freya’s phone is moved to the bedside stand. “But sometimes people hide because they’re afraid of being rejected. Being hurt.”

“I get that. This isn’t one of those instances.”

“You like me?”

“I don’t kiss people I don’t like. Now, scoot over. If I’m sleepin’ here I need to get comfortable.”

That’s when Tenya hops up from bed. “Oh! Oh okay! I can get you pajamas! Maybe Fuyumi left something here in Tensei’s room?” But Freya’s already looking through his drawers and plucks a large black tee from the neatly folded pile. 

“Nope, I’ve got this. Just cover your eyes.”

This whole night is going to give Tenya a heart attack in the morning when he fully realizes he’s smoked with, kissed, and slept next to his crush without what he considers the “proper” amount of time spent getting to know her. He doesn’t open them again until he hears the soft rustling of bedsheets. “It’s kind of not fair how good you look,” he mumbles, looking at Freya snuggling back into bed.

His high is finally dying down and Tenya is soothed by Freya choosing to cling to him and talk freely about whatever comes to mind. “A couple heroes are supposed to come to the Big Brothers, Big Sisters office next week. Gonna talk to the kids about staying out of trouble, hero work, and hopefully keep some kids from going down the wrong path.” Her hands are balled up in his shirt while she talks slowly.

“Tuesday? I’m coming in that day. My agent said it would be a good idea to share my story about Stain and try to guide the kids about good...boundaries?”

“I remember seeing about Stain in the news years ago. You tried to fight him. Kind of stupid, pretty ballsy. You said ‘fuck the authority’. Hot. The kids will have to have it explained that it is not smart to do that.”

He laughs. “Maybe you can be there to be my moral support?”

“Anything for you.”

-----------
Iida Tenya is watching his old friend, Bakugou, talk to some of the teens in one of the agency hangout rooms. If this was maybe five years ago, Tenya would be gritting his teeth wondering when Bakugou was going to call a kid a gremlin, but not now. Time will do amazing things for personal growth and Bakugou Katsuki is proof of that. He isn’t so verbally aggressive anymore and the kids seem comfortable to ask him some sensitive questions.

“People really thought you’d be a villain? Sometimes people think my Quirk is bad shit.”

From where Tenya is standing, he can see that Katsuki's expression is sympathetic. “Listen, you don’t let a single damn person tell you how your Quirk defines you. Too many people get defined by power and it gives them complexes. A Quirk isn’t good or bad. What matters is what you do with the power and if you’re making good choices. It’s why you have your mentors here. They’re here to help you.”

That’s something they really needed to hear. Tenya knows how Quirks were coveted back in his high school years. Blame can be placed on a lot of people and systems for losing young people to villainy and the Quirk-based bullying many faced, but now heroes are tasked with preventing those things from ever happening again. Just today, Tenya and the other heroes speaking here have met so many young kids who are at risk, many of them with Quirks that make them even more vulnerable.

Bakugou’s giving some parting words and introducing Ingenium to the group. “This guy I’ve known since high school, and he’s probably one of the strongest men I know. Ingenium. Listen to him, ‘cause he’s got good advice.”

As Tenya walks in the room, he has some jitters that Bakugou eases with a hard clap on his shoulder. “Chill, you big nerd. They’re just excited to meet some damn heroes.”

Every kid in the room is looking up at Tenya expectantly. He should bestow some wisdom and be inspirational. Bakugou’s already watching from the doorway which is a little nosy of him, but it’s partial support and partial Bakugou needing to watch Tenya squirm. A teen girl with seafoam green hair pulled into a French braid is the first to ask him a question, even before Tenya gets a chance to make his speech. “Miss Freya said you’re one of the best heroes she knows.”

He stammers a bit. “Hah-uhm, oh-okay! She said that.”

The class nods in agreement and the looks on their faces are full of knowing. What did she say about him? Freya’s praise is special to him and Tenya is a little heated just thinking about her bragging about him. The girl waves her hand. “By the way, I’m Hikari. Her Little Sister.” Tenya snaps back to attention and gives a big smile to the class, while Bakugou can be heard snickering from the hall.

“Hikari! Yes, Miss Freya talks about you often. She’s very proud of you.” Now he knows he’s forgetting what he wanted to talk to the teens about today, all this discussion of his crush getting in the way. A young guy with short, spiky, powder blue hair kicks his boot adorned heel against the group.

“Come on man, tell us something.”

“Ah-alright! Yes, my apologies. I do need to be very honest with you about hero work--”

A door opens at the side of the room and there she is, dressed so nice, like she did it on purpose. Freya, wearing a blue-green sundress; she sits primly at the back of the room and doesn’t interrupt. “I am grateful for the opportunity to come talk to all of you about the realities of hero work. It’s a complicated profession. Hell, complicated is understating it. Heroes can’t always do right by everyone, the decisions we make are difficult, and our personal lives are strained because of the work. Today I wanted to talk to you about the mental health issues we face. Personally, I wish more teachers and heroes would’ve been real with me and my classmates about how much hard stuff you go through. I’ve lost friends, colleagues, teachers…”

It’s a hard conversation. He decides to talk about Tensei, and the PTSD that Tenya and his brother developed from the Stain attack, fighting the League of Villains, and more personally for Tenya, the injuries Izuku sustained in that legendary fight. “Sometimes I’m just on edge the whole day. My brother was injured fighting the Hero Killer, and he lost the use of his legs. I tried to kill Stain and nearly died, had it not been for my friends. Sometimes it’s the sight of blood, or a sword that brings me back to that night. I blamed myself a lot for the things that happened those nights! Thought if I could have been stronger, faster, more adaptable, quicker, sharper, my brother would still be walking or I would have beaten Stain, but the truth is, I was young and a lot of life was out of my control. Heroes go through things mentally that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. That’s why I’m here. If you’re thinking about becoming a hero, really consider your options. We have better mental health services now, the support is there for us, and I have to thank my therapist and support team for being there and keeping me on track.”

In between the anecdotes, Daizen, the kid with the powder blue hair, asks a question. “So should we not be heroes? It still seems awesome.” He’s been listening though, taking notes all throughout Tenya’s speech.

“I’m saying do your research. Talk to heroes, listen to testimonials, and think about how you’d react to the work. Everyone has different capacities. Being a hero has it’s rewarding aspects too! I get to save people from dangerous situations and bring relief to those needing it. Fighting villains isn’t the main function of my work anymore, but it happens. You get to stand up for what’s right as much as you can and affect people’s lives in a positive way. But with the pros, you’ve got to weigh the cons.”

Daizen shrugs and the students altogether seem to be understanding. “You’re just sayin’ make sure we know what’s right for us.”

“Yes! There’s so many jobs that are still important for helping others and it’s important to do something you love doing. Work that doesn’t make you feel good gets to be discouraging...no that’s no the word. It’s doesn’t make you feel engaged or excited. If you’re going to be looking towards your future, figure out what you want to do in your future that’s going to excite you and best use your talents.” He sits down on the little stool provided and Tenya takes another question.

“What scares you about being a hero?”

That one’s easy to answer. “Losing people I love, or not being able to protect someone. My family’s been in the hero business a long time and we pride ourselves on saving people and being effective heroes.” Tensei immediately comes to mind; Tensei who is alive and happy but still suffered pain and loss that Tenya wishes he could take back. At her seat, Freya’s leaning forward in interest, so Tenya feels like he’s doing a good job.

His tone is sincere as he explains. “Sometimes villains find out who matters to you and they try to use those people against you or hurt them. You have to almost hide parts of your life so the people you love won’t suffer. I’ve gotten lucky that my people are heroes.”

The talk ends with him giving his office number to the kids and his email so they can reach out and offering to come by for their fair next month, and he makes his leave while Freya follows him to the hall to the chorus of teasing ‘ooooo’s’ from the kids. Katsuki passes them and gives a cheeky little wink which Tenya blushes at. Freya pulls them to a small breakroom labeled “Volunteers”.

“You did so well. I’m proud of you.” Her hands slide into his and he is falling apart already. Shit. She didn’t even smoke Tenya up first and he’s a mess. He can’t be high the whole relationship! 

Wait. He never asked her out right. Tenya starts to sweat because he already missed a vital part of the dating game.

“Y-yeah?” He lifts their hands and presses his lips to her fingers to hide his nervous smile. “I just wanted the kids to know how it really is to be a hero. Do you ever feel those things?” Freya presses the tip of one of her fingers to his nose.

“Yes, I do. Now, let’s go get dinner.”

----------
It has been two full weeks of Tenya having a girlfriend. It’s that fizzy, strawberry-flavored, rose-colored, honeymoon feeling that he’s wanted from a relationship. Every love song on the radio sounds right to him! Sunshine is a bit brighter, any new change in his life is welcome, and Tensei’s witness to the little visits Freya makes to the driveway. She brings dinner and even teaches Tenya new skating tricks. This feels carefree and light-hearted; Tenya has to admit that he wasn’t expecting an adult relationship to have.

He knows it isn’t always going to be this way but for right now, Tenya basks in the delicious feeling Freya has him near drowning in.

This new bliss follows him everywhere and today is no different. A rare opportunity has been afforded to Tenya today with his hero work -- he’s patrolling the streets. His parents feel it’s time to get used to some of that hero work again, and Tenya’s inclined to somewhat agree. Being in close battle makes him remember old fears. He’s talked to his therapist often about what he’s scared of; mainly it’s about losing a friend. He nearly lost Izuku all that time ago. His brother. His parents have been very close to death’s door. Hell! Tenya could have died fighting Stain.

Everything about today seems alright. The sky is clear, people greet him on the street with a smile, there’s not even been a pick-pocket in sight. He’s able to take photos with some fans and even comes across a couple other heroes, including Pinky and Chargebolt. Mina and Denki decide it’s better to patrol with Iida than without. “Strength in numbers, you know?” Ashido mentions.

“I think so! It’s nice to be out here again.” He means on patrol. Looking for trouble to stop. Denki claps a hand on Tenya’s shoulder.

“And we’re glad to see you back!” Denki starts. He talks freely about the lower rates of crime and how heroes are finding themselves moving into other forms of employment; infrastructure, security, and manufacturing. Tenya thinks he’d not use his Quirk for anything other than hero work. Their conversation ranges into Mina discussing how she’d go into fashion if she was leaving hero work and is abruptly cut off by the sound of alarms and screams a block over. A flash of brilliant light accompanied by a powerful boom goes off in that direction and the trio rush to the scene. Their comms are going off reporting a robbery of a bank in the city.

Three suspects on foot!

One Quirkless, two Quirked!

147! 147! I repeat, suspects are armed!

The suspects haven’t shot anyone, but Tenya’s already on high alert because both heroes and civilians are at risk for physical injury. Guns and quirks? That’s overpowered.

When they arrive on the scene the action has moved down the avenue with two police cruisers and a hero in pursuit. Mina is using her slime to propel herself forward after the explosion of activity, and Tenya decides to let Denki ride his back to the action. The closer they get, it’s clear what’s going on. People are hiding in their cars and piling into businesses to avoid the chaos and running along the tops of parked cars, a woman sprints along the tops of cars as she pursues the suspects. Three people on speedbikes are evading the blasts of pure light coming from the hero pursuing them. As Tenya bursts again, Denki leaps from his back onto the police cruiser and shoots lightning at the bikes riding head. Two of the bikes flip end over end, with one skidding to a halt when they realize they’re being outnumbered. One of the suspects flawlessly flips off and away from the bike, fingers grazing the package strapped to the back of the bike and missing as the vehicle crashes and slides into another car. 

Tenya and Mina round on the cluster of suspects, police, and the fourth hero. Tenya can see immediately that it’s Freya in full hero costume, in a standoff with the three suspects. Just because the heroes have such power, a gun could still kill them.

The day wasn’t particularly hot if you were standing still, but Tenya was sweating bullets in his suit.

Guns are drawn and all the noise of pedestrians and screeching cars start to quiet. All Tenya can focus on is the situation at hand; guns aimed at Freya, himself, and one officer. He can’t lose his cool right now even though someone could be shot very easily. Mina’s the first to try and talk to suspects down. “Okay, everyone be cool. No need to shoot, we all know why we’re here!” The moment she steps towards one of them, the one wearing the turquoise helmet, the gun swivels in her direction. On Tenya’s ear piece, he gets information on the other Quirk. It’s called Reflect; any Quirk sent in the direction of the suspect can be reflected back in the original user’s direction, but it has to be done as a direct reaction. That’s the second big worry--this guy could take any Quirk and shoot it right back at the heroes and hurt them as well.

It’s truly a standoff unless the officers shoot first, but they look young and nervous. It’s likely they won’t take the shot.

Tenya shuffles forward with his hands raised, trying to look non threatening. The leader holsters their gun and takes off a deep red motorcycle helmet. A young man with buzz-cut blue hair is revealed. He swings his gaze around at the situation and moves his gun towards Tenya with intention. “Man, you could knock my block off real quick. The lot of you are gonna let us go, and stop worryin’ about this money.” He speaks with certainty, like this won’t end with someone getting hurt or arrested. Now that the three suspects are staring at Mina and Tenya, it gives an opening for Denki and Freya.

What happens next somehow feels like bullet time and fast motion. Denki sends lightning up around the two Quirked suspects, there’s bullets going off in random directions, and Mina is slicking up the ground so they can’t get away. Tenya moves into slap cuffs onto the three and it feels like he can’t move fast enough.

For a brief second, his eyes pan up and Freya’s already onto the Quirkless suspect, a lasso of burning white light around his limbs, and yanking tight. Everything is so crisp and clear as Tenya throws cuffs on the two suspects currently sliding around in Mina’s acid. Another successful mission and Tenya can’t complain. In fact, he’s surprised it isn’t more climactic.

But then there’s the shot. A stray bullet fired by an officer who yells “He’s getting away!”

Tenya nearly screams. Freya almost got the cuffs on when the suspect she’s handling flips them and in a flurry, the officer shoots wrong. The bullet enters the meat of one of her thighs and a blast of light envelopes her and the guy she’d been cuffing. It makes Tenya see red. Stupid first-timer trigger happy idiot!

“FUCK! YOU FUCKING SHOT ME!” Freya screeches like a wounded beast. Her sclera, her pupils, they’re all gold and full of rage. Haphazard sparks of light spit out of her hands and she’s gripping her leg like she can will the bullet out. EMS have just arrived on the scene but she has more fight left in her.

Two daggers of light she manifests and throws into the legs of the suspect that thought he could get away, sear the guy’s skin and dig into the muscle. “Get him first, holy fuck!” She’s struggling up on her leg as Tenya sprints to capture the guy who continues to crawl. There’s a lack of compassion when Tenya slams his foot into the guy’s side and immobilizes him.

This is that angry part of him he doesn’t like--when the people he cares about get her, Tenya feels more rage than he has any right to. The cuffs go on the criminal a bit too tight and Tenya drags the guy into the back of an open police cruiser before slamming the door. Mina and Denki are bringing the accomplices to the other cars, ignoring the police officer who keeps trying to apologize to them about shooting their friend. “You have to understand, I’m new at this, I didn’t mean to, I was trying to shoot him!” Sweat beads on the officer’s brow as Tenya strides up on his walk to where Freya is being assessed by paramedics. His respect for the police has waned over time. They act too slow or not at all and are too trigger happy. There are plenty of other ways to diffuse a situation but they choose their guns and lack of perception.

Tenya towers over the guy and removes his helmet to stare down the officer. It only makes the dude cry more. “That hero was needlessly wounded because of you today.”

“S-sir, I-i-i-i’m so sorry! It’s my first day!”

“Pretty bad first day. I’d chastise you for shooting a villain like that too over something so minor.”

Because really, a fucking gun? Freya had it handled. Tenya’s gaze shoots to her, being brought into the back of an ambulance. There’s no way it’s leaving without him! Before Tenya rushes to his lover’s side, he holds the officer by the scruff of his collar. “Learn when and how to shoot, you dolt.”
--------

It turns out Freya only needs a couple days to heal. He’s thankful for that! The paramedics had told Tenya several times that he couldn’t ride with him, but he’d made it to the hospital to wait through them removing the bullet and healing the muscle and skin tissue. She’s still in pain, but the best doctors are on it and Freya’s taking it like a real sport. A little pain medication makes Freya loopy but the bullet’s removed and the healing gets her to a point where she can put light pressure on the leg again.

Tenya’s allowed in the room after her treatment and she’s properly dressed again. He mostly behaved in the waiting room, but a couple nurses had to ask him to stop pacing because he was making other visitors nervous, you know, with the constant clanking of his armor and the pissed off look on his face. Seeing Freya doing well eases him quickly and Tenya doesn’t stop from trying to scoop her up from the hospital bed. “Oh, oh! Tenny, I’m okay! Hah! Easy.” He hesitates as he sets Freya down. It wasn’t until the moment she was shot that he thought she might be fragile and simply human. Tenya’s thoughts keep swinging between fear and optimism. His girlfriend is alive and fine but on the other hand, she was so close to death.

Everyday heroes are close to that edge. An unhealthy thought creeps in that he shouldn’t get attached because eventually one of them will get hurt in a way that they can’t recover and Tenya will likely blame himself for it. Watching Tensei be paralyzed was more than enough devastation in one lifetime. Add on the trauma Tenya and his classmates have gone through fighting the LOV, All for One, and Shigaraki, and it makes sense. Too much pain wrought unto people Tenya cared about. He’s brought out of this pessimistic daydream by the quick snap of Freya’s fingers. “Hey! Hey, what’s got you?”

Tenya smiles and looks up into her eyes. “I’m okay.”

“You didn’t look okay. I need you to know it’s alright. I’m alive. I’m still going to be able to fight and walk and mess around with you. And if you’re scared, that’s okay too.” Freya’s fingers ruffle his hair and she looks unbothered by the whole thing. Part of it is definitely the pain medication and the other is probably just her. Where he’s afraid of all the probabilities of things going wrong, Freya thinks about what could go right. “Are you scared?”

“Yeah. Y-eah.” Tenya sits back in the chair next to her bed and rubs his eyes with the butt of his palms. “You were shot today. I watched my fellow heroes and you nearly be mowed down. I don’t want someone else to get hurt. You could have lost your leg or died or Denki or Mina could have gone down!” And now he’s just unraveling. Big, messy sobs overtake him and he feels disappointed in himself. Tenya knows he’s being ridiculous. Even as he cries and shakes in the chair, Freya takes one of his hands and talks him through this breakdown. It came out of nowhere, like they usually do.

Freya doesn’t mince words. It actually kind of helps. “Listen, yeah, those things could have happened, but they didn’t. It was a normal workday for us. Lots of things could have happened. We could have lost the thieves’ trail or the police could have done their job. Mina might have decided a different attack, or Denki could have been shot. But you know what did happen? Your friends and you are okay. And I was shot in the leg, but I’ll tell you, that’s a lot better than being shot in the heart. I know you’re panicking right now, and it’s okay to be scared, and you can be upset and cry and do all this. But when I’m out of the hospital, I want us to go somewhere nice and be happy that today turned out alright. Not perfect, but just okay. Okay?”

He nods. They can do that. She continues with her comforting. “I know when Tensei got hurt you told yourself you’d never want anyone else to get in that position. But we chose to be heroes. I know the risks and so do you. Are you talking with...no. Tenya. Are you afraid I’m going to leave?” Fuck, how does she hit the nail on the head every single time? He reaches forward and curls his fingers into the fabric of the hospital gown Freya’s wearing.

“Don’t leave, please don’t leave, I dunno what’ I’ll do, I dunno, please don’t leave!” Because he can’t take it if she leaves. Freya’s given him so much in such a short amount of time that he won’t be able to hold it together if she goes. He cries and groans against her shoulder and does his best to cling to her so she won’t evaporate out of existence like his brain is promising she’ll do if he lets go. They stay like that until a nurse comes in to check Freya’s wound and provide some care, where she lets Tenya watch from a distance. Why can’t he get his feelings in check? One minute he thinks he should let go because watching Freya get hurt is going to make him snap and the next he can’t hold on tight enough.

When the nurse leaves and Freya’s waving Tenya back over to sit, he knows why.

He loves her. It’s glaringly obvious as his hands slide back into Freya’s. He’s in love with her.

Tenya lifts her hands to his lips and kisses those dexterous fingers that so often have traced his knuckles and spun sunlight into power. Like Icarus, Tenya flies close to the sun but there is bliss in the fall.

“I’m not going to leave, you know.” Freya speaks. He’s still kissing her hands as he nods in agreement. Freya wouldn’t leave him on purpose. “Tenya, I’ll be out of the hospital soon. I don’t want you to think that I’m leaving. I know you think everyone you care about is going to get hurt and almost leave, but they didn’t leave. Tensei’s still here, Izuku’s here, your parents are. Most of your friends! Sometimes we lose people but that’s part of our career. I promise I won’t leave unless you want me to, and even if it’s a horrible accident, I’ll do everything I can to stick around.” That feels good to hear.

Tenya leans forward and kisses her sweetly. “Cheat death for me, huh?”

“That’s a tall order!” She hums. “But I would certainly try for you.”

Tenya isn’t allowed to sleep over in the hospital room that night but he does get to have dinner. The whole time he’s wondering when it’ll be right to say “I love you.”  Freya’s readying for sleep and he’s wrapping up a little dessert he didn’t eat when she reaches a hand and tugs on his shirt. “Yes, honey?” He asks. He looks down to see her staring at him with big, watery eyes. “Oh no, don’t cry! Why are you…?” Tenya sits on the bed and goes to brush her tears away but Freya grabs his hand.

Her voice is low and sultry. “I love you, you know.”

Nothing stops him from grabbing her and pulling her right into his lap. Deep, desperate kisses are exchanged before he’s whispering against her lips. “You beat me to it, I love you, I love you, I can’t be without you.” More kisses ensue and Tenya knows they’re starting to fall into the hospital bed. It would be so risky to fuck around in this hospital bed and Tenya’s not quite shedded all of his propriety, so he has to still himself and pull back. With a grunt, he looks down at his girlfriend and smiles. “I love you. And when you’re out of here, I am not going to miss a single opportunity to show you how much I mean it.”

Freya smooths her hands over his shoulders and down his arms. “And I’ll spend every day reminding you. I think I’ll only get this lucky once.” 

----------

It’s a bright afternoon when Tenya picks Freya up in the refurbished Porsche. He promised a nice drive and date after her hospital stay. Much to his relief, she isn’t limping anymore and has returned to hero work with little issue. Mina and Denki visited Freya in the hospital too, which seems to have made her feel more welcome in the hero community. It makes sense that the three of them would mesh so well -- all three are bright, happy people.

Tenya’s planned to do the little things Freya loves: bought her orange tulips, reservation for dinner at a French place, a drive along the coast, and as much quality time as possible.

When she appears on her stoop, Freya looks radiant. That spring green dress is divine on her and Tenya’s aware he is staring, open-mouthed. “That good, huh?” Freya teases. He nods slowly and simply pulls her up into an embrace when she gets close enough. Back in the hospital Tenya was so afraid to lose her to the point of fearing attachment, but it seems so silly to think that way now. He wants nothing more than to be closer.
“Happy to see you as you should be. Come on, sweet thing.”

“Sweet thing? I think I like that name.” Freya likes any pet name but it seems that one is the winner, if the way she leans on his shoulder as they drive is any indication. They take the long way to dinner, along a scenic route. The car’s engine sings as they roll along and sunlight glints off Freya’s skin like shattered glass. It’s brilliant. She’s brilliant. His life is fuller and better with her in it! Before, Tenya would distance himself from relationships to protect himself even if it meant feeling lonely and frankly, a little empty.

The whole way to the restaurant, Freya plays the La Dolce Vita soundtrack off the radio and talks about the dance classes Mina’s inviting her to. For once they’re not talking about being heroes or their work–they’re just living life. This is the kind of feeling Tenya wants to have forever, if forever is possible. “I think you’d like some of the pairs dancing, it’s a nice way to spend time together…how about next month with a few beginner classes?” They make a quick turn into town and Tenya can hear her a little better. “Or we don’t have to, but I thought it could be nice.”

“It will be nice. How about after dinner, we go by the lookout?” Tenya offers. It’s a little lookout on a roadside by the sea. He can say everything he’s been meaning to say about all his hesitations and the things he wants for the future–their future. They stop at a stoplight and Freya sees a few fans off the sidewalk recognize them and wave. Her charming smile and wave are what the fans get back.

She turns back and touches his thigh. “Yes. I’d love that. We could sit and watch the sunset. Watch the stars.” Ever since they started dating, Tenya would take them out to the lookout, usually either with his little old man car, or they’d skate there, and just watch the ocean and the sky. It’s their special place.

Tenya plans to keep it that way.

—
They enjoy a romantic dinner at a private table, where Freya and Tenya keep eating off each other’s plates. Freya drinks a little too much and Tenya has to walk her carefully back to the car. “And maaaaybe we can smoke later and get out of these clothes–”

He chuckles and kisses her gently. Freya feels like her brain is fizzing the whole time. “First, the lookout, my sun.” He murmurs before getting Freya buckled into their pretty little car.


Thank gods they left dinner in time. The sunset has already started and a blend of so much light glazes the top of the ocean. Freya’s kicked off her shoes and crawls to Tenya’s side of the bench seat. “Hey there, little lady,” he whispers as Freya leans up. She doesn’t talk, just kisses him and it makes Tenya’s whole body hum. That always happens and he’s never bored of the sensation. It’s been a minute since they came to the lookout and just sat with each other. Tenya’s content to sit and focus on the weight of his lover against his side and watch the ocean turn yellow, then orange, then yellow, all until the moon takes center stage.

But today he wants to show Freya he means business–more than normal. “Yes? What’s going on, love?” Her expression remains placed; gaze hazy from the alcohol, little grin on her lips. She sits back and faces Tenya. “Hit me with it.” Even when Freya isn’t sober, she can turn on her focus like a switch. He rests one of his hands on her right knee and smiles.

“I brought you here because I want to make my intentions with you clear.” The sound of the ocean below fills his little pauses. “Being with you is one of the great joys of my life. I know you always say happiness comes from other places and not just lovers, but you are part of my happiness.” Freya stays quiet, nodding. “You know how my past is, the fears I carry. You have been patient but not without holding me to a standard. Freya, I don’t have a ring, not yet, but I don’t want to go in this life without you.” The ambient noise seems so much louder while Tenya waits for Freya to say something, anything.

When Freya finally speaks, her voice is low and tender. She only ever talks like this when they’re being serious. “You really mean that?”

Tenya cocks his head. “Yes! You don’t believe me?”

Freya picks up one of his hands and kisses it. “I had a slight suspicion you might like me.”

“Oh stop it, you know I love you.”

They tease each other for a bit, exchanging kisses and lighthearted jokes before Freya answers truthfully. The ocean’s surface and her hair gleam orange in the late sunset. “I never thought anyone would do, you know, forever with me.” She kisses his hand again. “Not because I don’t think I’m like…worthy, or whatever, but I’m reckless. You get it. When you’re a hero, you do things lots of people wouldn’t, things people don’t have to think about because they never have to think about it. When you’re reckless and lead the kind of life I do, people are afraid to get attached because there’s fear. When you’re with a hero, they can be here one day and gone five minutes later.” Tenya can feel this

coming from the bottom of her heart. Freya’s words remind him of his own fears–losing Tensei, his friends, failing the public, his family, bone crushing loneliness. “But I think you’re a little reckless too. I mean, you run right into danger knowing the risks. I jump off buildings just trusting my body to do what it needs to do. So yes.”

“Yes?”

“Yes to forever.”

Tenya’s lit up like the New Year the whole way home.
—-----
“I know it’s been two years, but I still get worried when you leave the house!” Tenya shouts and gestures stiffly as his brother heads down the driveway to Fuyumi’s car. Tensei waves him off.

“Chill, chill, little brother. I was going to leave the nest some day!” Funny, Tenya thinks, that Tensei was the one to move out. Fuyumi hands over some packaged leftovers to Tenya and he helps Tensei into the passenger’s seat. As they head off, Tenya goes back to working on the engine of Izuku’s car. He’s found a vintage Volkswagen Beetle that Tenya offered to pull together.

The warm summer sun on his back, the sounds of children playing in neighboring years, and a torque wrench in his hand are all part of a comfortable feeling. Just as he’s about to lean down and check out a spark plug, Tenya hears the rolling of little wheels on the sidewalk coming closer and closer until they turn into the driveway. “No ripped pants? For shame.” A sun-kissed hand slides over his and Tenya turns from the car to look at his wife. Sunlight glints off Freya’s hair and he looks down to admire that simple gold band on her finger.

“Bet you miss those, honey.”

“Some things never change.” Freya kisses his cheek and gathers up her longboard.

Watching Freya stride slowly up the ramp to his front door, Tenya’s glad some things do change. This change is everything.