Chapter Text
Shoto had never appreciated the fact that his life was managed as if he were just a puppet.
Since his childhood, his parents had controlled his life, deciding for him what he studied and the people they spent time with. So they ended up with people he hated to the core. People who were the exact opposite of what he wanted to be. A group of rich aristocrats, each as boring as the last. All rotten to the core and not thinking of anything but the money he would make when they were adults.
Only one of his friends stood out: Tenya Iida. He was the only one Shoto could bear. He was not like those other idiots.
Like him, the blue-haired man detested how they lead their lives in this place. He had simply confessed to him, judging that Todoroki was the only person he could trust without being judged or having it spread like wildfire. He trusted him because he knew he was not like the others.
The two-toned man was honored at first, but he was especially happy not to find himself alone in this mess, feeling oppressed by this way of life that did not suit them and was imposed upon them.
After this revelation, the two men had grown closer and had become very good friends, much to the delight of their parents.
Time passed, and Todoroki and Tenya were slowly approaching marrying age. A very sensitive subject for the two-toned man who had no desire to marry, or even spend his life with a woman or man he would not know and certainly would not appreciate.
But he had little choice.
While talking with his friend, the latter came up with an idea.
“Why don’t we pretend to date each other?” he asked. “We wouldn’t have to marry anyone else, and we could make them believe that we love each other.” Todoroki thought for a moment about this possibility, weighing the pros and cons of this idea.
On one hand, he would not have to concern himself with a partner, as Iida pointed out to him, and he could continue to feel at ease alongside the young man as he always wished to be. Also, if their parents were unwilling to accept their fake relationship, they could argue that the relationship would benefit both families economically as a business connection.
On the other hand, they would have to act in front of their families to show that they love each other. Meaning - kissing.
Considering the majority of the advantages that would come out of it, the two-toned man was left with no choice.
“It’s okay. Let’s go with this idea. Hopefully it will work.”
This is how the Shoto Todoroki - Tenya Iida relationship began.
~~
“YOU… WHAT?!?” Howled Enji. His wife, Rei, tried to calm him down.
“You heard very well, Father. Tenya and I are dating,” Todoroki repeated.
“I don’t understand why you chose this young man.” The director of Endeavor Industries sat in his office chair. “We had perfect candidates to become your future spouse.”
“I know that, Father. But don’t you see the benefits our relationship can bring to your company as well as Togenium Inc.? Weren’t you dreaming of an alliance with Japan’s Number 3 company?” he asked. Shoto grit his teeth, repeating to himself this was what his father wanted - he would accept it.
Enji put both hands under his chin, deep in thought.
“Imagine what their technology knowledge can bring to our household appliances. We could make them even more intelligent.”
The director now looked him straight in the eye.
“You know what? You’re not really wrong on that point,” he confessed. “This could bring us a lot of benefits in the coming years. And maybe even allow us to surpass Yuei Industries to earn the rank of Japan’s Number One company.”
Shoto smiled discreetly. Seeing his father’s enthusiasm, he knew he had him convinced. The red-haired man approached the two-toned man to take him in his arms. “SHOOOOOOTO, thank you.” Shoto responded to the hug without conviction.
~~
“How did it go?” asked Tenya on the other end of the phone. Shoto placed his phone in front of him so the blue-haired man could see it.
“They accepted our fake relationship,” replied the two-toned man. Opposite, the blue-haired man could not hold back his joy that their plan was working. Everything was falling into place.
“Should we take the next step? That is, moving in together?”
“I think it’s still too early, but knowing my father, it wouldn’t even bother him. You might even feel more comfortable if you move in. We would finally have a place to feel like ourselves.”
“Maybe we should wait a week then?”
“Alright. One week.”
~~
Last week, the two men spoke with their parents as planned about the new decision. As expected, Enji was happy with the news, understanding that the wedding could take place soon and thus unite the two companies. His mother Rei, on the other hand, was less convinced, judging too fast. But she couldn’t contradict her husband.
It only took a few days for Shoto and Tenya’s parents to find them something to settle into, and a few more days for them to settle in and find themselves at home.
“I still don’t think we’re even a little free,” the two-tone man commented, dropping down onto the sofa. Tenya settled down next to him.
“We’ll both be able to breathe a little easier.”
~~
Weeks passed and the two men’s friendship only grew deeper. The inevitable happened, and the two families decided to have a family meal.
They met at the most chic restaurant in the city.
Everyone was together.
On Tenya’s side of the family, his parents, his brother, and his companion were together, while on Todoroki’s side, only his parents and siblings were present.
“Tell me, Shoto, how did you and my little Tenya fall in love?”
The aforementioned man dropped his spoon while the blue-haired man tried to keep a neutral gaze. They hadn’t decided on those kinds of details - details that seemed trivial to them, but could be important when their parents asked them.
“On my part, I think it’s after hearing him laugh for the first time. I liked it right away. It sounded like a sweet melody to my ears. And Tenya is naturally beautiful, that played a part as well.” Shoto cast a discreet glance at his companion. A light dusting of pink had appeared on the man’s cheeks, who was trying to drink as if nothing had happened.
It was the first time the two-toned man saw him blush and he thought it was cute.
“I didn’t know you were a poet, Shoto.” Fuyumi added, her eyes full of stars at the sweet statement.
“I’m finding out too.” He answered before biting into his meat.
“I don’t know about you,” Natsuo continued. “But I’m not buying your ‘relationship’. The few times I’ve been with you since you announced you were together, I’ve never seen either of you show affection for the other.”
“Shoto and I have decided not to show that we are in a relationship when we are outside and in the public eye. We still prefer that our relationship remains discreet. For now.”
“Since we’re all alone in this restaurant, why don’t you kiss to prove it to us?”
“Natsuo, that’s enough-”
“If that’s what you want, brother.” Shoto replied, forgetting about his agreement with Tenya. Maybe the blue-haired man didn’t want to kiss in front of their families, but at the moment, Todoroki didn’t care about the young man’s opinion. All he wanted was to shut his brother’s mouth, once and for all.
The two-toned man turned to Iida. The latter’s cheeks, still stained pink, began to darken further. Shoto slowly leaned in, closing his eyes. Tenya did the same. Not seeing what he was doing, it was when their lips touched that the young Director’s son knew that he had achieved their goal.
At first, he didn’t immediately trust the feel of his friend’s lips against his. But the longer the contact lasted, the more a feeling of contentment rose within him. Tenya was the first to end this kiss. Todoroki turned to his brother.
“Happy?”
The concerned man said nothing, revealing only a grimace. Shoto knew he had won.
The rest of the meal passed peacefully, although this was not the case with everyone’s thoughts. Particularly Shoto, who was still thinking about the kiss he shared with his friend. He had ever experienced such a good feeling, and he’d be lying to himself if he said he didn’t want to kiss the blue-haired man again.
~~
“I’m sorry for what happened at dinner.”
Tenya looked at his friend. “It’s nothing,” he replied, a little embarrassed.
“You liked the kiss, didn’t you?”
Tenya stopped sharply. “Of course not,” he stammered, trying to still his hands so his friend didn’t notice them trembling. “I don’t see why I would enjoy it.” Tenya forced a laugh, trying to downplay the nervousness he was feeling. The two-toned man moved closer to his friend before cupping his face and leaning in to rest his lips against his counterpart’s. Their second kiss tasted like chocolate.
“Do you still think you didn’t like it?” the two-toned man asked again after ending the kiss. Tenya remained silent and shifted his gaze away, but his reddened cheeks were a good clue as to his answer. “On my part, I liked it.” The blue-haired man looked back at his friend, surprised.
“I have feelings for you,” Tenya confessed. “I’ve had them for quite a while.”
“That’s why you came up with this idea? To try your luck?”
The blue-haired man simply nodded in response.
“I don’t know if I actually have feelings for you. But I think I want to give it a shot.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
Tenya melted against Shoto’s lips, who responded with pleasure.
Starting at that moment, the fake dating was no more.