A/N: Hello! Sorry I have been a bit off with my weekly uploads. Y'all, report cards were quite the experience this time. Took a long time to write up lol! Anyway, I think I should be able to get back on my normal schedule (fingers crossed). This chapter was originally supposed to be a part of the next chapter, but I realized while planning things out the next chapter is going be a long one. So, I had to think of a way to make this section a bit longer as well. So, there is some fluff, but this sets everything up for the next chapter.

Thank you all for being such kind readers. I appreciate all your comments and feedback. You all are so sweet.

Thank you and let me know what you think will happen next chapter.

Traditional Twist

Chapter 17

Two weeks had passed since Fumikage encountered his grandmother. Hawks was true to his word and set up several counseling sessions. Fumikage and Sora went each time after class. Sora would then spend time with either Hawks, Bakugou, or Mirio and Eri while Tokoyami trained. There was a time of consistency, following the pattern school, counseling, training, repeat.

Tonight, Tokoyami walked back to the dorm with Bakugou and Kirishima from the gym. Lifting with Bakugou was paying off. He could feel how much stronger he was getting.

Kirishima punched Tokoyami in the arm. "Dude, you are gaining muscle fast! You lifting more than when we started."

Fumikage smirked. "Thanks,"

"You still have a long way to go, bird brains," Bakugou said. "Don't let a few more reps get to your head."

"Noted." Fumikage nodded as the three reached the dorm door.

They walked inside to see the rest of their class gathered around the table. Iida and Momo were organizing letters and packages into piles. The class buzzed as their class President and Vice President worked to sort out the large package of mail.

Kirishima pumped his fist in the air. "Alright! It's here!"

"I assume that whatever it is, is in this box." Iida plopped a heavy box on the ground beside a smile pile of letters. "What did you order, Kirishima?"

"Weighted clothes," Kirishima explained. "I need to get faster and stronger. I figure if I wear them every day while doing non-training stuff like school work, I'll build my endurance."

"You better wash them every day if you're going to wear them every day!" Bakugou yelled. "I'm not dealing with your sweaty ass each day."

The class laughed. It was an excellent point. Momo finished distributing the final piles and began calling people by name to hand them their mail. Tokoyami couldn't help but note Bakugou's surprised reaction when he heard his name called.

Momo extended a letter to him. "This one's for you."

Bakugou growled as he snatched the letter. "Who the hell set me a letter?" He asked as he ripped the envelope open with his teeth.

"It's from Gang Orca," Todoroki said in a low, deadpan voice.

Bakugou scanned the paper aggressively. He scoffed at the end. "Character reference? How the hell is that going to help?"

"A good hero should be likeable and easy to approach," Iida stated.

"Who's asking you?" Bakugou shouted.

Iida flinched and continued passing out the mail to other students.

"If we get a good score on our character reference, then we will be entered into an earlier hero license," Todoroki said, reading his letter. He looked up at Bakugou. "Good luck finding someone who can represent you by Friday."

"WHAT DID YOU SAY HALF AND HALF?" Bakugou charged at Todoroki with explosive fists.

Kirishima wrapped his arms around Bakugou's waist to pull him away from Todoroki. "Easy Bakugou. When in doubt I can always go for you."

Iida pointed his hand at Todoroki. "You shouldn't taunt people like that!" In response Todoroki shrugged and walked away.

As Kirishima struggled to hold Bakugou back, Momo handed Tokoyami a thick letter. The words "confidential" was printed on the envelope. Tokoyami thanked the class vice president. He looked at the envelope and his eyes widened. It was a letter from the Family Court Office.

Tokoyami looked round. He couldn't read this here. With as much stealth as he could muster, Fumikage slid away from the group and headed up stairs. He got into the elevator and pressed the second-floor button. The doors began to close, but a massive pair of hands reached in and halted the doors.

Shoji walked into view. He slid himself between the doors and stood silently besides his companion as the doors finally managed to close. "You left in quite a hurry."

Fumikage nodded. "This isn't something I wanted to read in front of others."

Shoji's eyes fell. "Perhaps I shouldn't have followed you."

Fumikage shook his head. "I don't mind sharing with you."

The elevator door opened and within a few minutes the two were in Fumikage's room. Fumikage stared at the envelope. What if this was a rejection? What if his parents were now suing him?

"Who is the letter from?" Shoji asked as he sat down on Fumikage's bed.

"The Family Court," Fumikage answered.

There was a long pause. The room felt warmer as the minutes passed. "Are you going to open it?" Shoji asked.

Fumikage nodded. He slipped his finger along the edge and broke the sealed paper. He pulled out the contents and read them to himself. His mouth dropped.

"What does it say?" Shoji asked. The larger teen walked over from the bed to get a look at the letter.

"The court is accepting my case. I am being summoned to the office on Friday at 8 in the morning." Fumikage gulped. "How is this happening so fast?"

"That's good, isn't it?"

"I'm not sure." Tokoyami wobbled and as he stood. Shoji wrapped an arm around his shoulder. Fumikage flinched at the contact but relaxed against Shoji's arm. "Perhaps I should sit down."

The two moved to the bed and sat. Shoji removed his arm once Fumikage was seated. He could tell the avian teen was concerned. "What are you thinking?"

Fumikage sighed. "I'm thinking about all the possibilities. It is hard for me even conceive this future event. I don't like not knowing what is going to happen."

"You do like to be in control of your own destiny," Shoji commented.

"That's the issue here. It's not just my destiny at stake here. I must think about Sora. If this transpires negatively then how can I truly help her? This feels like such a big gamble."

"You are taking big chance here. But it will be for the best, right?"

Fumikage hung his head. "That's something I'm not sure. I'm disheartened by this situation. I want a happy family, I just worry that I am being selfish and will only cause harm to others."

"You are not being selfish."

Fumikage was stunned at the abrupt tone that came from Shoji's mouth. He turned to stare at the masked teen. Those black eyes stared intently into his red. Fumikage realized that Shoji was not speaking to him with a tentacle. He was using his true mouth.

Shoji leaned closer. "In no way have you been selfish throughout any of this."

Fumikage's mouth slacked. "I… uh- "

"You don't need to make excuses for them," Shoji interrupted. "Your parents are adults. I can see now that for some reason you feel responsible for them. You even feel responsible for Sora. None of this is your responsibility or should be. You can't keep punishing yourself with worries because you stepped up."

"But Shoji, what if this fails? I have no back up plan. I can't send Sora back there."

"And you won't. If this fails for some unforeseen reason, then we will find another way."

"We?"

Shoji smiled softly. "You can't honestly believe I'd let you suffer alone in this."

Fumikage smiled back. "I suppose not. I never expected so much company for this mad banquet of Darkness."

He sighed and leaned his head against Shoji's shoulder. A large arm draped itself around Fumikage. A few moments passed of peaceful contemplation. Finally, Shoji's tentacle mouth broke the silence.

"So, if all works out Friday, will I still call you Tokoyami?"

Fumikage thought for a moment. "I'd prefer you call me Fumikage."

Shoji's lightened. "So, you are beginning to feel optimistic."

Fumikage shook his head. "I don't know what my name will be, but I do know what I want you to call me."

Though a mask covered most of his face, a rose blush still flushed the larger teen. "Th-then call me Mezo," he stuttered.

"Alright." The two day in blissful silence for several minutes. Both relaxed and content. Fumikage was finally starting to relax against the taller teen when suddenly his phone rang. He pulled out his phone to look who it was. He was shocked to see "Dad" on the screen.

Dark Shadow jumped from Fumikage's chest. The shadow swatted the phone down on the ground. "Don't answer that!"

"Dark Shadow!" Tokoyami bellowed. "You didn't give me a chance to react."

"I know what you were going to do," Dark Shadow said. "Besides, I couldn't help it. All that anxiety and rage you felt just gave so much energy." The shadow lowered his head to his host.

Fumikage scratched his quirk's head. "You always have my best intention."

The phone buzzed against the floor for a minute before stopping. A moment of silence passed, before the phone pinged. It was a voicemail. Shoji extended a tentacle hand and grabbed device.

"Want me to delete it?"

Fumikage paused for a moment. He was contemplating. He knew nothing good could come from listening, but he was too curious. "Play it."

Shoji's eye widened. "Are you sure?"

Dark Shadow flew around the room. "You know it won't be good!"

"I know," Fumikage said. "I think I need to remind myself that I am doing the right thing." He turned to Shoji. "I also think you could also reassure me that Friday will be worth it." Shoji nodded and pressed the play button, then the speaker. What he heard was shocking.

Are you fucking kidding me? You fucking spoiled brat! You are going to tarnish my name! Throw me under the bus! Fuck you! This court order is bullshit! You think anyone could deal with your pissy attitude? Ha! Good luck! Your mother and I didn't even want you! You're a mistake! Whoever you think is willing to deal with your sorry ass will see how much of a mistake you really are. You are a-"

The message was cut off. Shoji pressed pause on the message. He looked at his friend. Fumikage had placed his heads on his head and bent down. His elbows rested on his knees. "Fumikage."

"I'm alright," he tried to reassure his friend.

"You don't look alright," Shoji said.

"Mezo, am I doing the right thing?"

"Of course!"

"What if the court doesn't rule in my favor? What will the other' think? What will happen to Sora if this doesn't work?"

Shoji didn't respond right away. Instead he took his large arms and wrapped them around Fumikage. His picked the smaller teen up and pulled him into his chest and onto his lap. Tentacles pressed together like a blanket.

"Fumikage, you are absolutely doing the right thing. In a way I'm glad your dad did call. You now have this voicemail to add to your case even more. If the court doesn't follow, I know our classmates will do whatever they can to protect you and Sora." Shoji laughed. "I think Bakugou is rather attached to Sora. He'll take care of her. Don't think of the worst possible outcome. Think about what you are doing to make a better life"

A sigh came from Fumikage. "You are right. I need to just figure out what I'm going to do on Friday."

"You can talk to Hawks when he comes back with Sora." Shoji said. He began to loosen his grip on Fumikage but stopped when he felt he avian teen pressed himself against Shoji's chest. The soft feather's lightly tickled Shoji's shoulder.

"Please," Fumikage mumbled, "could we stay like this a moment longer. It's… peaceful."

Shoji couldn't help but smile. He adjusted his grip. "Of course. We can stay as long as you'd like."

"At least until Hawks and Sora return. I want to talk to Hawks."

"Just at least?" Shoji teased. "Are you saying you enjoy my company?"

"I enjoy your company more than most Mezo," Fumikage admitted. Shoji blushed, and the two remained embraced, realizing their time together was always welcomed.