Work Text:
Tenya awakes to the sound of thuds. Which, in his experience, is never a good thing. (His experience being Tensei, the best trainer there is for dorm life, really). So, he puts his glasses on, and decides to make sure none of his classmates are turning their rooms into fiery infernos of quirk malpractice. As teens are prone to do.
The thuds are pretty, well, loud-- so he listens in on the room next to him. No dice. Other wall? Zip. Below? Definitely not. Above? Bakugo goes to bed at 8PM. He wouldn’t be thumping at this hour. Tenya tries to follow the sound with a quick pace around his room so he doesn’t have to wander aimlessly through the school and potentially suffer the same fate as Present Mic the time they caught him with his hair down. That was not a good day.
Reminiscing aside, he catches sight of something outside his window. While he does have his glasses on, his vision still isn’t the best-- but after a moment of squinting, he makes out a figure in the darkness, shaking trees-- and what is most definitely a tail. Huh. Since when did Ojiro wander out by himself? That was dangerous! Besides, curfew was in effect.
Carefully opening his door (and taking note that Ojiro’s was ajar), he makes his plan as he carefully treads down the hall, trying not to wake anyone. Step one: Find Ojiro. Step two: Bring him back inside with a curfew reminder. Step three: Get water/snacks/hot coco as needed to help Ojiro fall asleep from whatever’s keeping him up. Step four: go to sleep. Step five: Success.
Just a hop, skip, and jump later, he’s trotting through the courtyard, shivering a little in the cold. Of all nights, this was one of the worst to be out in! What if his classmate caught a cold? Not very plus ultra. It takes him a hot minute (or, well, a cold minute) to reach the small grove of trees, which are currently under assault by the martial arts hero-in-training.
“Ojiro?” He calls out, a safe distance away. But it’s only a few paces, and despite his nighttime blindness, he can tell the other is currently knocking heaven and hell out of those trees. The tailed teen jumps, hair and tuft puffing out in an instinctual defense mechanism.
“Oh- Iida, I didn’t-”
“It’s rather late- you should be indoors, Ojiro. After all, it’s past curfew, and you’re not exactly dressed for the weather.” He gestures to the tank top and boxers the other boy sported as pajamas, concerned.
“The exercise keeps me warm, don’t worry. I’ll head inside soon. You should head back, though. It is pretty chilly.” Ah, classic. A dodge of the request, followed by an assurance and a nudge at Tenya’s departure. Something was amiss.
“I’m sure I’ll manage. Or, if you’re truly worried, we can head to the gym. I’m sure I make a much better sparring partner than those poor trees.” He offers a smile, careful not to impose with how much taller he was. Tenya did take pride in making sure he could help his classmates comfortably, after all. And it seems to work, his comment drawing a dry laugh and sheepish grin from Ojiro.
“Yeah, alright. Although, are you sure punching you is gonna hurt less?” The joke reassures Tenya as well, and he adjusts his glasses.
“Well, I never said that .” Another laugh. Success. Thus the trek across the campus to the gym begins, leaves crackling under their feet. Despite their amicable conversation, Tenya can see his classmate’s tail lashing agitatedly behind him as they walk. His brows are furrowed with thought, and three glances from the side, he can see his eyes staring off blankly, unfocused. Mm. It could just be exhaustion, but he doesn’t think so. There’s something deeper here. But patience and understanding is key! Finding the best path to inner conflict resolution is the best way to go about this.
“Are you cold?” He asks, rolling his thumb against the knuckle of his first finger to keep himself focused. Ojiro gives another sheepish smile, glancing at the ground.
“A little.” His paw taps against the ground. Right. Paws-- He had never seen Ojiro wear shoes, come to think of it. Must be a little chilly. Note to self to look around for any before another holiday comes up. He searches his mind to try and figure out what his companion celebrates, in order to make it an appropriately timed gift. He DID know that Ojiro could be pretty stubborn about repaying gifts, and he didn’t want the other to feel indebted to him. Hm… Regrettably, the two hadn’t had many conversations about themselves. Think, Tenya! New Year’s was a big celebration in the dorm-- what was it that Ojiro had mentioned? He had said he was glad New Year’s was on a full moon, so he could celebrate the Buddhist New Year, too. Right, that was it. Admittedly, Tenya didn’t know that much about Buddhist customs, but he’s sure there’s something he could find on the matter. But now was not the time for contemplation of Buddhist practices. (Although it would be filed away for later) Now was the time to help his friend be a little less chilly in the autumn weather. So, he slips off the outer shirt of his pajamas, offering it to the smaller man.
“Here- now that your body temperature is returning to normal, it’s prudent you cover up a little.” His gesture seems to surprise Ojiro, who holds up his hands.
“I don’t want you to be cold, Iida. Thank you for your offer, though.”
“I have less skin exposed than you do, and I’m much larger. I assure you, I won’t freeze.” He seems to mull it over, before hesitantly taking the outer shirt and slipping it on. It’s much too large, and lined with fleece. Good. That should keep him warm. Another little victory towards the comfort of his classmate.
“Thank you, Iida.”
“No worries! It wouldn’t suit for you to catch cold.” He offers a bright smile with his words, and is delighted when a smile is flashed back at him. The gym isn’t too far off now, their relatively clipped pace easily gaining ground towards the building. However, when they arrive-- the door is locked. Dammit.
“Oh, geeze. Guess we can’t spar after all.” There’s a slight disappointment in Ojiro’s voice, but Tenya just kneels down.
“Not so! I’m sure, that so long as I do not break the lock, it’ll be fine if I just pick it for tonight. No harm done.”
“You can pick locks?”
“My brother taught me! Victims can sometimes become frightened and lock themselves into rooms. When that happens, it’s best not to make a violent or aggressive entrance, and rather, pick the lock in order to keep the peace. That is, if talking doesn’t work.”
“I see.” He sounds impressed, as Tenya pulls the lockpick kit he carried on his person out of his pocket. A few clicks, a bit of wiggling-- boom. The door swings open silently. “That was really cool.”
“Thank you!” He steps in, and Ojiro follows, claws tip-tapping against the waxed floors. “So, how shall we go about this?” Closing the door, he watches Ojiro carefully fold the jacket he was given and place it on the bleachers. How considerate!
“Well- I suppose we could just old-school it. A training mat, no quirks...You know?” He glances over to where the giant training mats are rolled up against the wall. “I think it’ll be nicer that way. Help me unroll the mats?”
The mats are retrieved with no incident, and laid out across the floor with a resounding “slap”. He always found that noise satisfying. They take up position, exchange their bows, and then--
Tenya pushes forward, relying on speed to get in the first blow. Even if this was a spar, he didn’t want Ojiro to feel like he was going easy on him. The other had a strong sense of pride; which Tenya could greatly respect. Ojiro ducks low beneath him, and Iida has to jerk his knee up in order to block the palm strike. Ah, so he wasn’t going easy, either! Delightful! And the follow up, as well, using his momentum to twist his spine and try and go for another hit. Tenya decides to dodge for now, jumping back and using his greater leg span to swing a kick in. Ojiro grabs his leg as it nears, propelling himself upwards with his arms and trying to land an aerial attack. Even without using his tail, the dexterity level is amazing. Tenya bends backwards, grabbing Ojiro by the wrists and swinging with his momentum to throw him back to the other side of the mat.
“So, penny for your thoughts?” He pants out, adjusting his glasses while Ojiro skids backwards. “You seem frustrated with something.” His questions almost throw his friend off guard, but this doesn’t deter him from leaping forward, aiming to Iida’s right.
“I guess-” Ah, a feint! Ojiro’s fist connects with his left abdomen, pushing him back a good few inches. “-but it’s nothing important.” Oof, that’s gonna bruise. Tenya swings his fist, and Ojiro blocks it with his other arm.
“If it’s bothering you, I’m inclined to disagree.” He brings his un-blocked fist up, a knock to the jaw sending Ojiro back. After that, they fall into silence for a few moments, exchanging blow after blow.
“Well-” His foot hooks under Tenya’s, trying to pull it out from under him. “-do you remember the sports fest?” Tenya hits the mat with a thud, and, sitting up, he once again has to adjust his glasses.
“Water break? And yes, I do. What about it?”
“Yeah, let’s take five.” Sweaty and sore, Ojiro flops next to him on the mat. They didn’t even have water.
Oh well. A nudge with his elbow prompts his friend to continue.
“I just- I still feel really bad about it. That’s all.” Ah, there comes that familiar furrowed brow.
“Do you regret withdrawing?”
“What? No. No, not at all.” He wipes his forehead with one hand, eyes squeezing shut. “I wouldn’t change what I did, not in a million years. I just wish that I didn’t have to do that, you know?” His voice falls flat. “I mean, I know I’m supposed to stay focused on the present, rather than a past I can’t change and all that-- but I can’t stop thinking about it.” Tenya nods.
“A grudge?”
“No, it’s not that. I don’t want revenge on Shinsou, or for him to fail, or anything like that. After all, it was his chance to show the world what he had, too. Right?” A note of distress is seeping into his voice. “I just wish that SOMEONE would acknowledge it. Or that he would just apologize, or--” His voice cracks. “I don’t know. I just get upset seeing Kaminari and the others get so friendly with him, knowing what he did.”
“You feel like no one is taking your feelings into account, right?” Tenya folds his hands atop his chest, ignoring the discomfort of him vs a sweaty bra. This is not about that right now.
“I know it sounds selfish, really- but it’s like everyone just forgot .” Ojiro’s tail smacks against the mat, and he can feel the shame radiating off of him.
“I don’t think it’s selfish at all. Your feelings deserve to be recognized, at least by Shinsou.” He keeps his voice even and tempered, trying not to sound aggravated in any way.
“It’s already been a few months, so it should just be water under the bridge…” The words come out in a miserable warble. “I just can’t seem to let go. I get so angry about it, sometimes.” There’s a sigh. “And it seems like I’m the only one, too.”
For a moment, Tenya’s mind feels heavy, memories of Stain pulling at the nerves in his arm. Even after Stain had been apprehended by him and Midoriya and Todoroki, he could still feel the familiar pang of anger in his gut-- lesser, but now tinted with guilt.
“No-- I’ll confess, I’ve, well… I’ve been in a similar place. It feels ugly, doesn’t it?”
“...Yeah, it does.” Another pause, the heating/cooling unit whirring quietly in place of their words. Tenya glances to the side, and he can see the prickle of tears in his friend’s eyes.
“I don’t recommend rushing into anything, but...I think you should talk to him.”
“I don’t know what to say. And what if he just decides to make me walk away?”
“If Shinsou values what he says he values, then I have faith that he’ll listen to you. And if he doesn’t, well...We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. You want closure. There’s no shame in that.”
“...Thank you, Iida.” Tenya smiles, sitting up with an authoritative wave of the hand.
“Of course! As your class president- and friend, I take great pride in helping you through this! So-- shall we continue our match?” Ojiro sits up as well, tail wagging.
“Alright! Best of three?”
“I’m warning you-- I don’t go easy!”
“All the better, then!” Ojiro’s grin is restored. Mission success!
Although, it doesn’t seem like they’ll be getting to bed in a timely manner. Oh well.