A Tenko x Dabi Beauty and the Beast

The (Unwanted) Suitor

Tenko walked along holding his basket on one arm and the pheasant which was leaking blood onto the ground in the other. He was angry and agitated for allowing Chisaki to get him so flustered and would be scratching his neck if it weren't for his hands being full. On his way home from the village he chanced upon a beggar and partly taking pity and wanting to be rid of the damned bird he gave the beggar the pheasant.

"Enjoy" he said and walked away the beggar happily thanked him and walked away to return home to feed his family.

Tenko finally returned home to the small cottage he shared with his father on the outside of the village. The fields of wheat and grain just beyond. He could see there only horse Nomu in his pen chewing on grass. While the chickens were on the side of the house pecking at the ground and clucking quietly. Tenko strode up the stairs to their house and opened the front door walking in.

"Hello, I'm back from the village." Tenko called as he walked in setting his basket down and hanging his cloak up. "Please never let me go there again." he said mostly to himself.

"I'm back here." called Kurogiri who was in the back of the home where a small set up for distilling spirits was installed.

Tenko walked back where Kurogiri was carefully eyeing the amber colored liquid as it was dribbling into a pitcher taking up his concentration. "Hello Tenko, have fun in the village?"

"Not really." murmured Tenko. "Papa do you think I'm strange?" Tenko asked gazing at his reflection in a metal pitcher.

"You strange? What gave you that idea?" Kurogiri asked in disbelief lifting his yellow eyes up to look at his anxious son.

"Oh, only every time I visit the village it seems. I don't belong here, Kurogiri. I just don't fit in I never have and never will. I don't have anyone I can really talk to." Tenko said feeling bad about himself.

Kurogiri couldn't help but feel guilty for forcing his son to remain in this village for all these years. He had hoped by now the villagers would have grown accustomed to them and not treat them as if they were outsiders. Evidently he had been wrong. When he saw Tenko lift a hand subconsciously to his neck he stepped forward pulling it back down.

"Why I think of your grandmother everyone thought she was strange and then they began to admire her a great deal." Kurogiri added.

Tenko only looked as he had no memories of a grandmother aside from a picture he saw once.

"What about Kai Chisaki he seems to have taken a liking to you? he is a handsome fellow and he is popular in the village." Kurogiri said.  He had noticed the boys fixation on his son for a couple years now but out of respect for his son had pretended to be ignorant of it.

"I guess you could call it that. Really to him I'm just something else he can tame and submit. The only reason he shows any interest in me is because I think he is a rude, arrogant, prick."

Kurogiri tried to resist the urge to laugh not wanting to encourage his son as Chisaki was a known patron of his spirits but failed. "Ah, I see." is the response he gave before schooling his features once more.

"Tenko" Kurogiri started before resting his palms on his sons shoulders drawing his attention back. "The reason we have stayed in this village all these years is because it is quiet here. It is safe here. We have not been found here. You may not remember because you were a young child back then but you were in terrible danger. I saved you myself and I worry what might have become of you had I not gotten you away to safety. Not a day goes by that I don't regret my decision but now I live in fear that 'He' could still find you." Kurogiri said not wishing to say his name while caressing his sons face tenderly with a father's worry and concern.