Heaven, Hell

Part Two

Is that really Natsuo? He's a year younger than himself and yet Natsuo grew like bamboo since Tenko last saw him. He's been peeking around the corner waiting. He was with someone, but he doesn't care about that.

Tenko wants information, so it's only natural to go after the youngest.

"Natsuo!" Tenko runs over. Natsuo looks back and the person with him glances at both of them before continuing to walk away.

"You're…Tenko right?"

His eyes light up at the recognition. "Great, you remember. Let's go talk." He looks hesitant so he sweetens the deal. "I'll buy snacks."

Natsuo's ears perked. He doesn't get to have treats often. It's usually fruit, which is delicious in its own right, but he gets jealous of some of the things he overhears classmates get to eat. There's one problem. Tenko isn't technically a stranger even if he knows almost nothing about him, but he can already picture his big brother getting mad at him. "Don't tell Touya-nii."

"Easy. Now let's go." They start walking in the opposite direction he was initially going. "I don't plan on talking to him, but why don't you want me to mention it to him?"

"I don't know why, but he doesn't think you're a good person to be around."

That was the polite way of saying his brother thinks he's a villain. He's not the first.

Natsuo can hear Tenko lowly grumble but can't make out any specific words. "Do you think the same? I'm not forcing you to come with me."

"I don't know. I don't really know you. All I remember is you being weird about age and now you're bribing me."

Tenko's frown tighten. That's irritatingly fair.

They enter the convenience store and the first thing Natsuo rushes to is shrimp chips and sour candy. He takes another bite.

"You're going to choke eating that fast."

"What do you want to ask?"

"Tell me about your brother and sister."

"That's it?"

"What do you mean that's it?" Tenko twists in his seat so that the back of the chair faces his side. "Keigo keeps spending time with them, but your brother sounds miserable."

"He's not miserable," he defends. Or maybe he is. "He's just…" How does one even put it into words. He loves Touya, but he's incredibly sensitive. It's not a bad thing. Of course he was sad when his quirk hurt him. Of course he was going to be bursting with joy and show off when that changed. Of course he would be excited about his dreams. However, he's also blames others when things don't go his way. He's irritable when he think he's falling behind standard Natsuo can't see. He's annoyed when Shouto gets Dad's attention, even though he's still too young to start training with them. "…finding his way."

Tenko knows misery. "You're a nice person, Natsuo, but he's either miserable or a complete brat. Maybe both." Why couldn't Hana ever stand up for him like Natsuo does for Touya?

"You already know he had problems with his quirk. Isn't it okay to let him enjoy it for a while?" He stuffs another chip in his mouth.

How long is a while? "And it's because of me that Tsunade could help him as fast as she did." Tenko wanting to get rid of his quirk led her to start her research in the first place.

Natsuo blinks. "You had issues with your quirk too?" Tenko stares at him but doesn't answer. Is he missing something?

Tenko twists his bottled drink. "Something like that." He kicks his feet out. "I wanted it gone."

"Eh?" Natsuo doesn't care for quirks all that much. Quirks this. Quirks that. It's what he's heard all his life. Dad doesn't have interest in his because he got Mom's, but even then he's tired of it. Dad's quest. Touya's breakdown. Shouto's birth. He thinks Fuyumi is similar to him though sometimes she uses it in summer to cool down.

"Because of what happened. You don't seem to know but your brother does. Maybe you should have listened to him. Others have been told to keep away too."

Tenko won't look at him, but something clicks within Natsuo. Lonely. Tenko already said it, hasn't he. He wants to know because Keigo spends time with them. This isn't really about his siblings. This is Tenko wanting to protect someone he cares for. In a sea of eyes but left alone. Like Fuyumi and him left behind in everyone's antics. Natsuo wonders what kind of quirk would make someone not want it anymore, but he knows Fuyumi wouldn't be happy if she ever finds out he asked. Instead he asks, "Did you get rid of it?"

"No. I still have to be careful, but I learned that even a quirk like mine can be used for good." His hand curls into a fist. "But I didn't buy you snacks to talk about me. I want to know if they're bothering him. Keigo isn't used to school or making friends. I don't want him getting hurt just because they reached out first."

Natsuo likes back to the first day of the term. Keigo had been the one to reach out, not the other way around. "Fuyumi-nee is kind. Super kind. She would never hurt anyone. As for Touya-nii…he's eager to prove himself to Keigo." He's probably still in denial that anyone could measure up to him. "I don't think you need to worry. He knows how to press Touya-nii's buttons. Honestly, I wish he would do it a little less."

Tenko imagines scenarios of Keigo bothering Touya and a grin graces his face. Ha. Sounds like Keigo. Having him worry when he has everything under control. It's always been irritating. Tenko doesn't know whether he doesn't have boundaries or he just doesn't care. Either way, it's about time someone else suffers under him. "Brothers right?" Tenko freezes. "I didn't say that. You heard nothing."

"Why not? You're brothers aren't you?"

Tenko's cheeks flushed. "No. Yes. Urg, it's complicated. Please don't tell him."

Natsuo doesn't understand how that could be a difficult question. "Okay." He reaches for another chip but feel nothing. He peaks in the bag to realize he already finished them. "You know, you could visit us too. You don't have to spend time with Touya-nii," he quickly adds. "I don't have much to do when they're together and Shouto's too young. You can follow me home after school." Four years old and gets excessive attention from both parents.

Natsuo only now realizes how lonely he's been. He has Touya and Fuyumi. He can play with the kids in the neighbourhood, and he talks to his classmates, but it's because he craves any kind of communication. Everyone knows he's Endeavor's son and get disappointed when they find out he has another quirk or doesn't want to talk about his dad. Dad is all about work and Mom has been withdrawing, spending most of her time with Shouto. Where does that leave him?

Tenko lives with a hero. He wouldn't bombard him with questions, right? He could offer some normalcy, right?

Someone to see Natsuo.

"I don't go to school."

Natsuo notices the lack of a school bag. He thought Tenko waited at the gate because everyone passes through.

"But we can hang out. You can't take it back now."