Chapter Text
Whether long, short, complex or sincerely loving, they somehow carry a specific heap of problems. Otherwise, it would not be a relationship, but a sugary-unrealistic picture from a shoujo manga.
However, the relationship between Todoroki Shoto and Iida Tenya began, oddly enough, just like that. There were no problems, quarrels, disputes, jealousy, and other trivial things from the replicated books for aging housewives.
Shoto was calm, Iida was understanding, and any possible conflict was resolved at the stage of its beginning.
Their relationship worked like a perfect little machine, without any stumbles.
However, there was one minor condition. Everything worked perfectly, only as long as their relationship was a secret.
-Tenya, I don't want to hear about this! - Todoroki for the first time in a long time allowed himself to raise his voice to a partner who looked at him with eyes full of sincere bewilderment. - I don't want to, that's all. The old man lived without this information and will live on. He doesn't care at all! I do not care! Nobody cares, only you, Tenya, for some reason give a damn! - the man's right side involuntarily heated up and began to spark, threatening to set fire to the kitchen curtains.
Iida sighed heavily and, standing up, carefully pushed the curtain to the edge of the practically blazing hero. These were the third curtains in two months, and he did not want to change them again just on principle.
-Shoto, I understand that talking to parents about relationships is difficult. But we can't hide forever. I didn’t even tell my parents in order to somehow be in solidarity, but they still think that we rent an apartment together to save money, - Iida smiled softly, easily shaking sparks from other’s hair. - If you want, we'll go to my family first. There will be some kind of training. And then we'll speak with Todoroki-san. And if he reacts too ... emotionally, then we will immediately leave.
Shoto pursed his lips stubbornly, looking at the floor. He didn't want to talk to his father. Especially on a topic like this.
Although in recent years the former number one hero has shown participation and, in general, miracles of adequacy, constantly offering help, both financially and with heroic work, resentment towards his father for his past actions still lived in Todoroki.
It smoldered like a small, evil ember in the depths of his heart and did not want to fade forever.
But Tenya was right. It was too hard to hide. Even without taking into account the whispers of colleagues, stupid excuses about why they live together, and the banal desire to take a partner by the hand on the street, Shoto understood that for Tenya that was even harder. His family was sweet and loving, but the man hid the relationship from them just so that Shoto could too. After all, Tensei would definitely tell everything to Fuyumi, with whom he was friends, and she, unable to stand it, would tell her father.
- Good. I'll try, - It was hard to squeeze out these words, but for the sake of Iida, he was clearly ready for more, - But first we'll talk to your family. They certainly have a right to know.
Iida immediately shone like a polished five hundred yen coin, and, joyfully picking up the sluggishly resisting Shoto in his arms, kissed him on the cheeks and nose, without ceasing to paint the partner in all colors the advantages of this idea.
Shoto was still very doubtful, but he could not resist the energy emanating from Iida. Tenya looked genuinely happy, and to upset him seemed like the most blasphemous act of all to Todoroki.
Therefore, he had to come to terms with the upcoming conversation with his father.
In the end, if you remain silent most of the time, then Tenya can do everything himself, chat with the Endeavor in such a way that he eventually does not understand anything, and they can quickly return to their small, cozy apartment and never again think about the elder Todoroki, nor about his lonely empty estate.
First, it was decided to solemnly remove all seven seals of the secret in front of Iida's family. This was obviously less of a problem than having a hard conversation with the Todoroki family.
As it turned out, not the whole family could attend this significant event, since the father of the family was on a business trip abroad, and only the mother and Tensei, with whom Shoto was already well acquainted, remained at home. Iida's brother was friends with his sister, and a small part of the man suspected that everything was not limited to ordinary friendship there. But that was their own business.
Iida had been on pins and needles all morning and was running around the apartment a couple of times faster than usual, sometimes even using his engines. Shoto, on the other hand, was sitting on a stool, where he was very gently seated, handed a rice cracker so that he “did not get in the way.” The guests were due to arrive only in half an hour, and the apartment already looked cleaner than any operating room, and Iida kept checking the orange pie in the oven.
- Tenya, everything will be fine. I'm sure they'll love your pie. It will not become tastier if you constantly look at it, - Todoroki melancholy gnawed for the third cracker, looking at the nervous Iida, who once again brushed off non-existent dust from the countertop. Your brother is one of the nicest people I know. I'm sure your mom is too.
Iida just waved his hands nervously, nearly knocking over the sugar bowl. With age, he got rid of this habit, but sometimes, it still manifested itself.
- They are very cute. But still. Everything needs to be perfect, - the hero once again looked into the oven and was about to open it to check the readiness of the pie, when the doorbell rang. - They're already here!
Iida rushed to the door, somehow pulling off his apron, and after a couple of minutes of trying to put the key in the lock, he finally opened it:
-Mom, brother! Welcome.
Shoto got off the stool and went out into the corridor to finally greet the guests and generally satisfy his curiosity - after all, he never had a chance to meet Iida's parents in person.
In the doorway stood a smiling Tensei, one hand leaning on a cane that he still had to use even after numerous surgeries and long-term rehabilitation abroad, and a rather young-looking dark-haired woman with glasses and a bob haircut
Shoto saw Iida's family in photos, but when they met in person, the mother of the family was showing the vivacity of her reddish eyes, gleaming behind thin glasses, and a sincere, kind smile directed at him.
He remembered Rei's smile, timid, but as if forced, even after being discharged from the hospital. It had nothing to do with Iida's mother's smile. Mothers of a complete, happy family, who endured together all the hardships, and the tragedy, holding tightly to each other and not lowering their heads.
Tenya helped his mother take off her coat and, blushing awkwardly, tried to introduce them to each other:
- Shoto, this is my mother, Iida Hana. Mom, this is my Shoto, - at the last phrase, Iida stuttered and blushed, even more, when he heard Tensei's chuckle, who, to his credit, tried to cover himself with his hand.
Shoto smiled sincerely and extended his hand to the woman:
- Greetings, dear mother. I am his Shoto.
The woman smiled, suppressing the urge to laugh, and shook the outstretched hand.
- Very nice. I've wanted to meet you for a long time. And for a long time I wanted Tenya to stop hiding the obvious, - at the puzzled looks of both, Hana nevertheless laughed, - What, you thought we'd never figure it out? You have been living together for many years, you spend all the holidays together. You even sign postcards together, - shakes his head, looking at the embarrassed face of his youngest son, - Tenya, as a mother, I am very happy for you, but as a hero, I am worried about your secrecy skills.
Iida just mumbled something and went to take the cake out of the oven. What do the secrecy and his profile of a turbo hero have in common?
Shoto politely escorted everyone to the table, where everything was already covered, and began to make tea. This was the only one of his direct duties, since Tenya absolutely did not know how to handle a kettle, and the only thing he could brew well, was a triple espresso.
As the leaves opened in the hot water, releasing their fragrance, the man thought that everything was going much better than he had hoped. Iida's mother turned out to be an amazingly sensitive and understanding woman and Tensei - even more so. No reproaches, scandals, or questions about reputation and status in the hero community. Maybe they will be lucky, and the father will be exactly the same.
No.
There must be a miracle for Todoroki Enji to suddenly show understanding of their situation.
Iida finally took out his long-suffering pie, which looked and smelled amazing, and put it on the plates. What was the point of worrying when cooking was his forte and everything always turned out perfect? At least for Shoto’s taste.
- And father? Is he still on a business trip? - Tenya was still taken aback by the fact that his mother and brother knew everything about them, so he tried to defuse the situation with a casual conversation, - I haven't received any messages from him for a long time.
Hana nodded, picking a piece of orange from the pie with her fork.
- The task was a bit delayed. But we are definitely waiting for you to visit us for the holidays, - a strict note flashed in the woman's voice, - Both of you. No excuses this time, Tenya.
Tensei nodded, smiling at his brother and Shoto.
- We all invite, invite, and every time you have some business. This time, even Fuyumi promised to come, so I hope none of you will be on duty for the whole of Christmas, - At Shoto's nod and his brother's heavy sigh, the man only laughed, beaming with a wide smile, - Yes Yes. No shifts for you, Tenya. You'll be celebrating with your family, not cuddling with a plastic cup of champagne and stall onigiri.
Iida muttered something unintelligible again, and Shoto squeezed his hand under the table soothingly.
Todoroki envied his partner with white envy. His family was so loving, giving both of them so much support that Shoto could not even dream of. Yes, Fuyumi tried to glue their family together from pieces, but Natsuo distanced from them, Rei decided that it would be better for her to live separately, and father ... Todoroki did not even want to think about his father.
Well, let. Now he has his own family.
Tenya and his love for Shoto were more than enough. It was more than he'd ever had, and now seeing Tensei and Hana's support, the man felt like he was truly happy.
Therefore, today it was possible not to think about the father and his possible reaction to their relationship. Let this day be completely happy.
In the end, it turned out that way. Hana and Tensei asked the men a lot about work, missions, meetings with classmates, about plans for the future. Tensei even joked that they could have a pet, but Iida only waved his hands at him, as this was a sore subject for Shoto.
Todoroki really wanted to get a kitten, but with their hard work, they simply could not take care of him.
Tensei talked a lot about his work in the heroic department, where he was now engaged in analytics, since, even despite the operations, it was contraindicated for him to return to heroics.
But the man was full of enthusiasm and clearly gave himself to his work one hundred percent, feeling its importance for the heroic community.
It was startling. After all, even despite all the terrible things that happened to him, Tensei did not lose his spirit at all and even teased his brother all evening about the fact that Shoto had managed to turn a robot into a human with a kiss of love.
By the end of the evening, Shoto swore to Hana that he would see to it that Iida didn't work himself to death, that he didn't take holiday duty, and that they would both come to their house for Christmas dinner. There was no such thing as a "family holiday" in their family, so Shoto was waiting for this event with anticipation.
When the guests left, Todoroki quietly crept up to Iida, who was cleaning the kitchen and hugged him from behind, hiding his face in his shoulder blades.
- Your family is just wonderful, Tenya. Now I understand why you are such a good person.
Ingenium grinned, wiping another cup, and lightly squeezed Shoto's fingers with his free hand.
- They are really wonderful, right up to the moment when they start teasing. Sometimes I want to catch brother on something so that I can play a trick on him too, - he smiled softer, turning to the man and taking his face in his hands, - But now it's your family too, Shoto. Since you promised my mother that we would go for the holidays, we will go there. Eating overcooked turkey, looking at goofy baby pictures, and lighting rooftop lights.
Shoto blinked like an owl, and instead of answering, he kissed Tenya passionately on the lips, pressing against him with his whole body. It just sounded amazing.
Better than he could have dreamed.
Family gatherings, a noisy dinner without intense looks, and eternal guilt.
Tenya did not even suspect that such a banality could make his partner so happy.
So the cups could wait a bit. Preferably before morning.