Chapter Text
Iida Tenya was as straight laced as they come. He takes his role as a member of the Iida family very seriously, and is aware on how his actions reflect on them. So while others make fun of him for following the rules, he see it as a mark of pride.
Of course then, there was his downfall with Stain. Tensei was his beloved older brother, the one who inspires him as a hero. To see it striped away, to see him prone, helpless, crippled for life on that hospital bed, filled him with grief, as well as loathing. Sitting around crying wouldn't change things to what they used to. But he can make Stain pay. He can make Stain regret ever hurting the Iida family.
Now that they're in the safety of the hospital, Iida feels the turbulence of his emotions welling up again. With Midoriya gone from the room to update the rest of the class, Iida has nothing but time to reflect on what he did. The overwhelming surge of guilt and regret caused him to blurt out a meager explanation to Todoroki, the other innocent he dragged into this mess. He's not sure whether if it's worse that they weren't even close prior to this incident. "I was just so... consumed by pain and anger. It wasn't heroic of me, but all I could think of was how much I have to hurt Stain, to pay back the pain he caused tenfold. Nothing else mattered except that he doesn't get the last say." Iida stared in shame at the hospital bed, unable to look at his classmate at his confession.
Todoroki gave a slow blink at his words. Tearing his gaze from Iida, he stared at his left hand. Despite different circumstances, he understood how Iida felt. "I understand that." He said softly, as Iida turned his attention towards him. "When I was young, I got hurt really badly. I was so angry I stopped using my fire side. Before the Sports Festival, I haven't used it in years."
Iida's eyes widened at that statement as he tried to inconspicuously glance at Todoroki's scar. "And are you doing better now?"
Todoroki gave a small smile. "I'm on my way. Midoriya woke me up. For years I was so focused on that anger, it blinded me from the fact that there are more important things as well."
"Midoriya is amazing isn't he." Iida exclaimed in admiration. Todoroki nodded in agreement.
In the lull of silence, Todoroki thought of what Midoriya had done for both of them. Midoriya ripped them out of the darkness and saved them. Knowing him, he would likely continuously support them as well. Midoriya encompasses so much of his father's personification of hope giver. Remembering how he firmly decided to follow in All Might's footsteps as well, Todoroki took a leap of faith.
He cleared his throat to gain the class president's attention. "I would wake you up too." Iida blinked in confusion at his exclamation, as Todoroki decided to elaborate. "If you ever get tunnel vision again, I'll be there to pull you out of it as well."
Iida's eyes softened at those words, accompanied by a firm smile. "Thank you Todoroki-san. And I would do the same for you too. Let us keep each other out of trouble."
With the pact made, the boys settled in comfortable silence, the start of their friendship cemented from that moment onwards.