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enji todoroki sat at his dining table, across from his son shoto. it was just those two, the rest of the family being busy.
taking a sip of tea, enji paused and looked at his son.
“shoto.. you are… gay, yes?”
the room was silent for only a few seconds, but the awkward energy made it feel like an eternity. shoto todoroki’s expression could only be described as puzzled. he tilted his head, eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
“..i- yeah?” he couldn’t recall ever formally coming out to his father. in all honestly, he didn’t know how his father really knew. [of course, it was painfully obvious.]
“do you think you could tell me what a.. ‘bear’ is?” enji was oblivious to how strange this was to ask his son.
jaw opened in bewilderment, shoto was beyond flabbergasted.
“hawks called me one.. told me to ask someone who is.. gay, what it means.” enji looked at his son, wondering why he looked so very baffled.
-
“happy pride month, endeavor.” hawks nudged the much larger man with his elbow, usual smirk on his face.
“…thank you?”
hawks snickered, looking up at him. “what, you’re not homophobic, are ya?” he joked, of course. if enji was homophobic, he’d never be caught with a fruit like keigo.
“no, of course not. shoto is gay. i think…“ endeavor looked down at hawks, making eye contact then looking away. “and i am proud of him for that.”
“man, i’m surprised you don’t have more queers in your fanbase.” hawks brushed his hair back. “considering how much of a bear you are. figured the gays would go crazy.” he exhaled sharply out of his nose, looking around.
“a.. what?” he raised an eyebrow. “a… bear?”
with another laugh, hawks grinned. “ask a gay person you know, they’ll tell you.”
-
shoto blinked, wondering why his dad would ask *him* this of all people. hell, he only knew because of his friends. he went to pride with some people from his class, and was tought some terms.
“you.. really are asking me this?”
enji groaned, wondering what his colleague had set him up for. “is it something bad?”
“it depends.” shoto internally winced, imagining having to explain this.
-
“holy shit!” hawks was borderline cackling. he gripped onto endeavors arm for support, barely able to keep up as he laughed hysterically. wiping a tear from his eye, he finally managed to say something again. “you asked shoto? fuck, thats hilarious!”
endeavor watched him with a straight face. “you told me to ask.”
“not your son!” a couple stares were drawn to them as hawks laughed loudly. “fuck, i can’t believe you said i called you one, and he had to explain it!”
with a sigh, he averted his gaze. “i’m not even gay, hawks.”
“pfft.. you suuuurre?” he looked up through his lashes, grin on his face.
maybe it was something to think about.