Pinkies Up

Enji thought about it. He had heard a few people against it, but everyone else seemed excited. There was definitely a lot of coverage. In all sorts of different media outlets.

He briefly recalls a moment of his own fear. But he had never tried to talk to anyone about it. Enji just shut it down.

Of all his years he never thought he would be the one sitting with one of his father’s retired colleagues, helping him come to terms with his queerness but at the same time if it was his pale ass someone could open up to so be it. He’d known being afraid. 

Afraid of wanting to be a hero as a kid, afraid of his own bisexuality. If he could help someone overcome it then he would. 

He sits back down. Even more confused now.

“They would?” He questions.

“When did things change?”

“Slowly I guess? Overtime? I remember being a kid and being terrified about it but...All Dad didn’t judge me. And then when people find out they didn’t judge.” 

Tenko looked at his bottle. 

He wanted to protest, but there was no other interpretation for that picture. Enji is just…stunned into silence. Never before has anyone shown him any proof. He didn’t remember that photo. But it was obviously him.

“...you know it’s not bad anymore, right? Like...we have support in this day and age.” 

Tenko just watched the other stare at the picture and silence. 

“No I don’t. That’s disgusting.” Did he? Enji didn’t recall ever doing it. Especially not since Toshi had retired. Maybe a few times…but that was completely accidental right?

“You’re making it up.”

“You probably don’t remember because it was a long time ago. I was still a teen.” He pulled out his phone and flicked through the photos. “There it is. Here.” He held it out, an old picture. One of himself as freshman intern, All Might, and an indifferent looking Endeavor. 

“I’m not one of you.” The emphasis on you made his meaning plenty clear.

Shoto’s wedding was currently the only regret he had about passing his hero name down. Because the news always said pro hero Endeavor when referencing Shoto and the wedding. Said wedding Enji was still debating attending.

On one hand it would look very bad if Enji didn’t attend. He had been trying to take some baby steps into repairing his relationship with Shoto. On the other it would make it look like he supported it. And frankly he still didn’t like Bakugo.

“One of me?” 

Tenko laughed at that, head cocked to the side. His bangs swung to cover half his face. 

“No, I need to get out of here before I’m recognized.” He pulls out his wallet ready to pay his own tab and get the hell out. He definitely didn’t want rumors getting started about what he was really doing after retirement. Would be even worse if they saw who he was talking to.

Now Enji assumed Tenko was one of them. Obviously Tenko knew what the place was and was here anyway. Clearly looking for the previously mentioned hook ups. Probably why he had started talking to him in the first place.

“Yes...all of those reporters lurking in the walls and behind the paintings will totally get you. You do know the man that has your hero name is getting married any day now. We were invited to the wedding.” 

Tenko took a drink from his beer, pinky extended more from habit than necessity nowadays. 

He quirks a brow. For hook ups? Who hooks up at a sports bar? On the market? He had gotten a divorce a few years ago, but Enji hadn’t really been looking too much. Finally he sees two men making out in a booth and realizes that he isn’t in the right place. The fact that there was only men here hadn’t struck him as odd.

Enji immediately gets up almost knocking the stool down in the process.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. I walked in here by accident.” Damn the name and logo made a lot more sense now.

The white haired hero started laughing, warm and friendly sounding. His lips curled into a playful smile. He raised a hand to the bartender, motioning for the another round of drinks on his tab. 

“Relax Mr. Todoroki, no one’s gonna make a pass at you. I kind of figured you were in here accidentally based on what All Dad has said about you.” 

With one gloved finger he pushes the bottle toward the other and grins. 

“Yeah take as long as you need, just make it one very long hug.” Dabi mutters, letting his own arms wrap around Shigaraki.