Hello! It has been a rough week, I will not lie. This chapter is a little short, but it is here. My life is chaos as winter break approaches. This means that I can really only handle one story at a time. That Story I have chosen is this one. Yay! That means that I am putting anything else on pause for a moment so if you are also following anything else that should have been finished but isn't (cough Mad Banquet, cough) then I apologize. I just need to free up some more time in my life, and Ashes to Ashes is my coping story for my sad children so I will not be removing it!

Please enjoy this chapter and let me know what you think.

Traditional Twist

Chapter 9

Bakugou was frozen with tired irritation. It was late, half past nine to be exact. The small girl was nervously rocking back and forth. She was yawning but refusing to lay down. Bakugou was also tired, but he refused to fall asleep before the child did.

"Pipsqueak, just go to sleep!" Bakugou snapped.

Sora yawned but shook her head. "Not until Fumi is back."

Bakugou growled. "He will be fine, just close your eyes."

"I'm afraid to sleep without him," Sora admitted.

"You've slept without him before now, right?"

Sora gave an uncomfortable nod and hugged her knees. "I normally just stay up until I can't anymore."

Bakugou flinched at that response. "This is even passed my bedtime. How do you stay up this late?"

"I listen to music," she answered.

"That loud crap? No!" Bakugou stood up and pointed to the bed. "Head down, now!"

Sora reluctantly placed her head down on the pillow. Bakugou stared before sitting down on the carpet. Sora sniffled as he stared. "Bakugou?"

"What?"

"I don't like being in the bed alone. Would you stay with me until Fumi comes?" Her yellow eyes shook with tears.

Bakugou glared at the girl. This was ridiculous. How could he be up this late with fear? She had been home alone for some time, surely, she would have adapted to sleeping alone. Unless… Bakugou heard the sounds of Sora yelling about recovery girl. He looked at Sora who had a death grip around the pillow.

He finally moved when he was the first tear bubble over. He kicked off his shoes and flopped down on his back. "Don't say a word about this."

Sora beamed and rolled to have her hands tightly embracing Bakugou's chest. She set her head down on the blonde's chest. "Thank you, Bakugou."

Bakugou pulled out his phone and lifted the screen above his head. "Yeah sure. Just go to sleep! It's almost ten. I have my extra class tomorrow."

"Extra class?" Sora asked.

"Yes, now go to sleep!"

Tokoyami's feet thumped like lead as he made his way from the elevator to his room. Sora was bond to be upset. She was not equipped to try and take care of him.

"She wanted to protect you," Dark Shadow said over the teens shoulder.

"Yes, but that's not her job," Tokoyami muttered.

"It wasn't yours either, but you still did it for years," Dark Shadow argued.

Tokoyami sighed. "I suppose you are right." He reached the door. "Hopefully Bakugou will be understanding of our late time."

Upon opening the door Tokoyami was surprised to see both Sora ad Bakugou asleep on his bed. Sora was curled on Bakugou, while the blonde had his left arm draped across the girl like a seatbelt. Dark Shadow snickered in the teens head at this. "You should take a picture. When else is Bakugou this calm?"

Tokoyami shook his head. "You honestly want to wake up a sleeping Bakugou?"

"I didn't think about that," Dark Shadow sank back into his hosts body.

Tokoyami sighed. "We need to wake him up."

The avian teen walked over to the two sleeping on his bed. Tokoyami reached out and lightly grabbedthe arm that was on top of Sora. immediately Bakugou's right hand shot p and wrapped around Tokoyami's neck. Red eyes met red eyes and Bakugou released his choke hold. He removed his hand from Sora, and Tokoyami lifted her up and placed her on the bed.

Bakugou sat up. "You shouldn't wake people like that."

"Apologies," Tokoyami said.

Bakugou stood up. "It took her forever to fall asleep. What time is it?"

"It's almost eleven," Tokoyami said checking his phone.

"Shit. I need to go to bed." Bakugou's eyes traced up and down Tokoyami's head. His upper lip twitched.

Tokoyami nodded. "I appreciate you help." He bowed.

A small grunt came from Bakugou and he stepped forward. Tokoyami stood up and was shocked when a pair of hands were gently resting at his neck. Bakugou's face was mere centimeters from him. His fingers playing with Tokoyami's choker. Tokoyami froze. This sort of touch from calloused hands on his neck; it was different.

"Your choker got all fucked up when I grabbed you. Hold still." Bakugou's eyes never left Tokoyami's neck. He unwrapped the cloth, exposing Tokoyami's neck.

Tokoyami closed his eyes. The weird, rough fingers on his neck as the cloth came off. Tokoyami held his breath. It was a mix of familiar and unwelcomed sensation with an unfamiliar feeling and familiar set of hands. This was too much, but could he push Bakugou away? The panic began to subside as the warm cloth was replaced around his neck. Bakugou's thumb smoothing out the choker as he tightened the wrap. The tight wrap… was secure.

Bakugou released Tokoyami from the hold. "There. Goodnight." Bakugou walked out of the room, lightly pulling the door behind him. The door did not close completely.

Tokoyami dropped to his knees, hands on his neck. Dark Shadow emerged from Tokoyami's chest. "Fumikage, are you alright?" the Shadow asked in thought.

Tokoyami took a deep breath before responding. "This choker has been off too much today."

"I'm sure Bakugou didn't realize how intimate that would be."

"It felt like her, but it was… safer?" Tokoyami lightly patted the cloth with his fingertips. "It's up higher a well, and tighter!"

"Tokoyami?"

Tokoyami snapped his head to see Shoji now standing in the door. His friend's face was filling with concern. He held several small boxes in his hands, causing him to speak with his true mouth.

Quickly, Tokoyami stood, placing fidgeting hands at his side. "Shoji? What are you doing here? I thought you went to get something to eat."

"I went and grabbed some items from the vending machines. I figured you would be hungry as well." Shoji pushed the door open a bit wider. "May I come in?"

Tokoyami nodded and Shoji walked in. He closed the door, a little too hard. The slam caused Sora to jump up and yell. "What's happening?"

"It's okay, Sora. Shoji just closed the door." Tokoyami placed an arm around his sister and pulled her into a hug.

"Fumi?" Sora nuzzled into his shoulder. "Are you better?"

"I am," Tokoyami said.

Shoji walked over and took a seat on the floor as the two siblings hugged. He placed out the bagged and boxed food containers he had brought in front of him. "They are just some sandwiches from the hot food vending machine," he explained.

Tokoyami smiled. "Thank you, Shoji."

Sora looked at the boxes. "Can I have one?"

"Sure," Shoji said. "You pick."

Sora moved from Tokoyami to the food. She stared at the boxes and then picked a spam sandwich. "Thank you."

"Of course," Shoji nodded.

He grabbed a sandwich and Tokoyami did the same. The three sat and ate on the floor in silence. Shoji ate with his tentacle mouths. Sora was at first curios to how Shoji was eating but continued with eating her own sandwich after watching for a while. Sora finished her sandwich first before yawning again. Tokoyami stroked the girls head. She was exhausted, and he knew she would be asleep soon.

"Sora, it's okay to go to sleep. I'm not leaving."

Sora yawned and nodded in response. She climbed up onto the bed. Dark Shadow crawled out of Tokoyami's back and pull the blankets over Sora as she placed her head on the pillow. She laid down and rolled to face the wall. Dark Shadow stroked her head. Within a few minutes she was asleep. Dark Shadow gave Tokoyami a thumbs up before diving back into his host.

"Should I leave?" Shoji asked in a hushed tone.

"You can stay if you would like," Tokoyami whispered. "I'm not exactly too tired after spending so much time..." He gestured towards the nurse's office.

"Are you saying you want to talk?" Shoji asked. "You said you could talk about your fear later. I suppose I found out partially what was bothering you starting when Recovery Girl removed your choker. I only assume that you were feeling insecure about that when I arrived."

Tokoyami rubbed at his neck with his right hand. "It's a comfort thing."

"You don't have to feel worried about that." Shoji pointed to his mask. "I wear mine to protect myself as well. Many are cruel when it comes to my appearance. A mask is easier to hid."

"I could not imagine why anyone would be cruel to you," Tokoyami said with a small smile.

"Would you like to see?" Shoji asked.

"Your face? Without your mask?" Shoji nodded as Tokoyami asked. Tokoyami nodded. "Only if you want to."

One of Shoji's hands pulled down his mask. He had a large, square jaw with no lips. His nose, though in a prominent spot, consisted of two slits on the bone. "If I didn't want to, I would not have offered." Shoji smiled, brightening his onyx eyes as only very final edge of mouth curled up. A quick flash a of sharp, pointy teeth poked out from his mouth's edge.

Tokoyami's eyes didn't react. They simply scanned his friends face. He too, smiled at his friend. "I see only a kind face."

Shoji laughed, before pulling the mask back up to his face. "I've worn a mask for almost my entire life. Having a mutation-based quirk, I was born like this. Once my teeth began to come in, my mom began to dress me with a mask. It just became a part of my everyday appearance."

The two sat in silence for a few moments. Tokoyami turned to look at Sora, who was in the same position she was before. He turned back to look at Shoji. His eyes lowered to the floor as he spoke. "I wouldn't mind seeing your face more without your mask."

"Thank you," Shoji said with a smile.

Tokoyami leaned back against the bed. He dropped his arms to his side. Shoji eyed Tokoyami's left hand. In a swift motion he moved on of his right hands on top of Tokoyami's. "Is this alright?"

Tokoyami stared at the hand. The feathers on his head fluffing up slightly. "Yes."

Shoji closed his fingers around Tokoyami's and Tokoyami did the same. Shoji leaned back against the bed as well. He closed his eyes. "You have to be very brave and stoic. I can see that you always take great care and attention to everything you do. That must be taxing on you. You watch your behavior, your actions, and everything you say seems to always come with a purpose. You are strong. Just know you can still be strong around me even if you need to show a little more emotion."

Tokoyami squeezed Shoji's large fingers. "Thank you, Shoji."

The larger teen yawned. "I think I need to go to bed." He moved to stand, lightly tugging at the hand he was holding. Started to loosen his grip, but to his surprise, Tokoyami stood with him. A light blush grew on Shoji's face, peeking out from his mask. "If you ever need anything, or just would like someone to talk to, I am always here for you."

"Thank you, Shoji." Tokoyami released his friend's hand. "I really appreciate your kindness."

"And I appreciate you," Shoji said, blush deepening. The multi armed teen turned and left the room. This time, closing the door silently.