A/N: Hello! This is my first My Hero Academia fic. I can leave this as a one shot, or I can continue with the long term plan I have. I love Tokoyami and I think he and Asui are adorable. But commenting really helps me know if I should continue with this or not. Let me know what you think. Than you all! (Also I have this on Archive of Our Own)

Traditional Twist

Revelry in the Dark

In middle school, Fumikage Tokoyami was not very popular. No one really disliked the boy, but he wasn't much for his other classmates. Of course, he would chime in when he had something to say in class or when sitting with others his age at lunch. But as his natural introverted nature revealed, he enjoyed his own internal thoughts. That is, his unspoken thoughts.

Dark Shadow, though Fumikage's quirk, had its own opinions. When not projected from the teen's body, the shadow beast was not dormant. Instead, it was like a constant thought running through Fumikage's mind. A constant companion, and a trusted soul to converse with that passed no judgment.

During the Sports festival tournament, he and Dark Shadow discussed their strategy and hopes to win the Human Calvary category. They were instructed to create groups of three or four. One person would ride on top of the others. Each top rider wore a headband with a certain value of points.

"We will have to be fast," Fumikage thought to his inner beast. "This tournament is an all day event."

"No chance they can put the roof on over the stage?" Dark Shadow croaked.

Fumikage shook his head. The dark creature whined, and the teen closed his eyes. He needed to listen and observe. That's when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"You," a short green haired teen spoke, "will you join our team?"

"Midoriya wants me to join him?" Fumikage thought.

"We need a team," Dark Shadow reminded him.

The dark head of the bird teen nodded. "Certainly, Midoriya." The green-haired teen's face beamed.

The team work had paid off. The teams were stacked, and even though Midoriya was a prime target with such a heavy amount of points on his bandanna, they were able to get third. When the timing was right, Dark Shadow stole a headband from their classmate, Todoroki. This allowed their group to head on to the finally part of the tournament. At the end of the day, Fumikage won third place.

It was strange for Fumikage to hear people cheering for him. All Might hugged him, and a warm pride grew inside his chest. Finally, he was finding his place in the world. There was light in the darkness. His entire class, class 1-A, had become a safe group. He was comfortable with his classmates. They had been through immense dangers. They had been attacked by Villians on two separate occasions. He was captured by the League of Villains and it was his friends in his class that retrieved him. They were all now living in U.A. dorms. Through each an every trial and tribulation, his friends were becoming more of his family.

They had been living in the dorms for a month. Habits had be established, clicks were growing, and patterns had emerged. Fumikage enjoyed their personal space, and the bright lights around the campus made it possible to enjoy strolls at dusk in the courtyard. He walked with his hands tucked into the pockets of his black hoodie. He had on dark skinny jeans that were cuffed at the ankle on top of his black laced ankle boots.

As the sun was finally setting and the first few stars made their way out into the sky, Fumikage reached the entry to the dorms, Dark Shadow begant to protests. "The light is going away. I want to play," Dark shadow whined, crawling out of Fumikage's back.

"It's night," Fumikage retorted. "People sleep at night."

He walked through the dorm entrance. Inside the entryway was a set of couches, chairs and a television. The common area was always well lit. No one slept on the first floor, and laundry rooms and bathrooms were down there as well. It made sense for it to be the most illuminated area. Dark Shadow whimpered and retreated back into Fumikage.

"Hey, Tokoyami," a female voice croaked.

Fumikage turned his head to the right to see Tsuyu Asui walking into the entryway from the girl's laundry room. She was wearing a white baggy shirt that swallowed her entire body; it was much too big for her. He could barely see the hem of the pink and blue plaid shorts she was wearing udnerneath. Under her arm she carried a white basket filled with clothes. Right on top, a light green bra hungover the side of the basket.

Fumikage blushed. "Asui," he said raising his hand to his mouth to fake a cough to hide his flushed face. He had to regain composure.

"Ribbit!" Tsuyu eyed the basket and quickly flashed her tongue at the bra. "Sorry about that."

"Not a problem." Fumikage placed his hands in his pocket and stood up straight.

"What were you doing outside?" Tsuyu asked, trying to change subjects. "Did you just return from meeting with your mentor?"

"Oh, no. I was on a walk," he explained. He walked beside her and down the hallway.

"Oh, that makes sense." Tsuyu adjusted the basket so it was on the opposite side of her male counterpart.

They stopped at the elevator, and Fumikage pressed the button to go up. The door dinged, and the two entered. Fumikage pressed the level two button and then turned to Tsuyu. "Are you on level four or five?"

"Five," Tsuyu corrected, and number illuminated. The doors closed, and the elevator slowly began to lift the two.

No more than a few moments had passed when the elevator comes to a screeching halt. The lights flickered out and space was pitch black.

"Ribbit. Looks like the powers out," Tsuyu noted.

Fumikage froze. He felt the shadow creature freely crawling out of his body. The teen began to panic. He was not alone in this elevator. There was a risk he could hurt his friend. Memories of the campgrounds seeped into his mind. Dark Shadow grew so fast. It destroyed trees, and even took out a villian with a single swipe! And Fukiage had no control. The pain and fear of losing control made his heart race. He heard Dark Shadow squeal with delight.

"Stay in, Dark Shadow!" Fumikage commanded.

"Play!" Dark Shadow cried out as he pulled away from Fumikage's body.

Fumikage felt the shadow growing. He didn't have much time. He reached in his pocket and pulled out his phone. He brightened the phone's screen. Dark Shadow hissed, and Fumikage quickly opened up a flashlight app and shined the light on himself. Dark Shadow cried and retreated into his master's body.

With the relief that his quick was under control, Fumikage leaned against the the wall and slid down into a sitting position. His hands quaked. He closed his eyes and took several deep breaths to calms himself down.

"Ribbit," Tsuyu hiccuped in the darkness.

Wary of his position, Fumikage adjusted the angle of the light on his phone to the face of his classmate who had pressed herself up against the opposite wall. Tsuyu, though very calm in nature, had a concerned look on her face. Her eyes were large, and a small trickle of sweat crept down her forehead.

"Asui, are you all right?" Fumikage asked.

"Yeah," she responded. "Are you?"

Fumikage nodded his head. "I apologize. I hope Dark Shadow didn't scare you. It just likes the dark much more than the light."

"That makes sense," Tsuyu said. She squatted down into a frog position. Her right pointer finger tapping against her chin. "It's odd that the emergency lights are not on."

"You are right. We should have some sort of light in here. Why is is pitch black?"

"I'm going to call Ochaco," Tsuyu said, pulling out her phone. "We need to let someone know we are in here."

"Right," Fumikiage nodded. He turned to his phone and opened his contacts as well. He scrolled through his contacts until he reached Mezo Shoji. He tapped the text icon and quickly compiled a message.

FT: Trapped in elevator. There is no light. I am in here with Asui.

"Ochaco."

Fumikage looked up as Tsuyu began speaking.

"I'm fine. I'm in the elevator with Tokoyami."

Muffled voice.

"Do you know why the power went out?"

Muffled voice.

"Oh, I see. Have you called anyone?"

Fumikage felt his phone buzz. He looked down to see that Shoji had responded.

MS: You must remain calm. Are you using the flashlight I asked you to place on your phone?

FT: Yes.

MS: Good. We have called Aizawa sensei. This problem should be solved in a little while. How's your battery?

FT: I'm at 50%

MS: Just hang tight and talk with Asui. She is very good at staying calm.

"Thanks, Ochaco." Tsuyu ended her call and turned to her fellow companion. "Looks like Kaminari was hanging out with Sato to get something to eat. He was impatient and thought he could speed up the electric oven by giving it more power."

"Why am I not surprised?" Fumikage sighed. "I texted Shoji. He said they have contacted Aizawa sensei."

"Yeah, but they don't know how long it will be."

"I hope not too long."

"I don't mean to intrude, but what happens if your flashlight goes out?" Tsuyu asked. "We have to be prepared in case this takes a few hours."

"I have to remain calm and in control of Dark Shadow." Fumikage's grip on his phone began to quiver. "It will take a lot of concentration when it gets dark."

"So, Dark Shadow is very much tied to your emotions, ribbit." She stared at Fumikage's hand. "You don't seem to be very calm right now."

"I… I'm startled. Being confined in a dark elevator is not my ideal scenario."

"I get what you mean, but on the bright side we can take this as an opportunity to hang out. Everyone is so busy with their mentor internships that we hardly get an opportunity like this."

"That is true. We're all quite busy working on our hero lives." His eyes glanced back at his phone's battery life. 48% remaining.

"So, Tokoyami, how is your internship going? You must be learning a lot from the number two hero."

He flinched at the question. "It's going great. Hawks is a great mentor. How about your internship, Asui?"

"It's going well. It is nice to be able to use my aquatic strengths more."

The battery icon now showed 47% remaining. This was going down too fast. Suddenly, a slimy pink appendage wraps itself around the phone. It yanks the phone out of his hand and goes to Tsuyu, keeping the light on Fumikage.

Tsuyu grabbed the phone from her tongue. "Tokoyami, you are getting more nervous everytime you look at you phone. You need to talk to me, so we can both make it through this situation."

He cleared his throat. "I apologize. I just remember how badly this situation turned out last time."

"You need to not doubt yourself. You will raise your stress level."

"How do you stay so calm, Asui?"

"I try not to focus on the negative things. If I have learned anything this year it is that focusing on a goal and making sure that it is clear is quite helpful."

"And what would be a good goal for now?"

"Getting you to relax."

"You say it as though it is so easy. Right now my main focus is keeping dark Shadow contained. My Quirk isn't simply a shadow I emit. Dark Shadow is alive. It has its own thoughts, wants, and needs."

"I always assumed it was an extension of your emotions."

"We are connected spiritually, so it feeds off my emotions," He explained. "We have a connection even though we are seperate. Dark Shadow lives in me, off of my emotions."

Tsuyu tilted her head. "It would be rather stressful to have something living within you and feeding from your emotions. You seemed to be strained. You should think of positive things. That would be relaxing."

"What sort of thoughts would you suggest?" Fumikage asked.

Tsuyu thought for a moment. She moved slightly closer to the male teen. "When I am stressed I think about my family. I want to be a role model for my younger siblings. Why don't you tell me about your family?"

"There is nothing to tell," Fumikage mumbled.

"What do you mean?" Tsuyu persisted.

"I mean I have no family to speak of." His head dropped, and he shoved his hands into his hoodie.

Those words hung in the air for at least five minutes. Tsuyu was silent. Fumikage sat in the in the uncomfortable air. He focused his energy on calming down Dark Shadow.

"Let me out," Dark Shadow spoke to Fumikage.

"No. Not until you agree to calm down."

"Your the one that is getting upset. I'm all the family you got."

"And some family you are." Fumikage sighed.

Dark Shadow felt the darkened tension and slowly poked its head out from the boy's chest. It was small and wispy in the light. It nudged Fumikage with his head, letting out a whimper. He smirked and gently patted the shadow.

"Ribbit. Dark Shadow seems so calm, now," Tsuyu noted.

"In the light, Dark Shadow can stay calm. It is easier for me to control. But when there is no light, I can't always remain as composed." The creature shrunk back into the teen's chest. I don't know if it would have been that small if that phone light was not on. That's why I kept looking at the battery life."

Tsuyu frowned. "You are using the battery percentage as a timer. You are preparing for something bad to happen instead of trying to prevent it."

Fumikage turned to look Tsuyu. Red eyes met a black certainty and comforting stare. "That may be true." He sighed. "I just don't want to lose control like I did at the campgrounds. Dark Shadow's power is immeasurable when it is pitch black. I can't see what it is doing."

"Perhaps you should get some night vision goggles? Then if you are in such a dark scenario, you can at least see what's happening."

"That's a good suggestion. Thank you, Asui."

"Tokoyami, call me Tsuyu."

Before Fumikage could respond, the sound of a light jingle filled the room. Tsuyu's phone was lighting up. She picked up the phone and held it to her ear.

"Hey, Ochaco."

"We are between floors one and two."

She hung up the phone. "Good news, we are going to get out of here soon. Aizawa sensei has arrived with some experts from the electrical company. They should have the issue resolved soon."

Fumikage smiled. "That's good to hear." He looked away from her, face flushing slightly. "I'm sorry you have had to be stuck in here with me."

Tsuyu frowned. "Why are you sorry?"

His fistes glenched. "This situation has become more dangerous with my involvement. If you were in here with someone else, there would not be so much pressure to get the power back on."

"Tokoyami, you need to think more highly of yourself. I think it's been quite nice. We don't see each other as much. I enjoy your company, ribbit."

"Thank you, As—I mean Tsuyu. I enjoy your company as well."

They smiled at each other. Tsuyu glanced down at Fumikage's phone. "You have a text message," she informs him. She extends the phone to him.

He reaches out, and his hand gently wraps around hers. He looked up to see tsuyu's face slightly flushed. He felt the warmth on his face as well. Suddenly, the light on the phone fades and the phone light goes out.

"Ribit!"

Fumikage felt a body press up against him. He also felt the creature echoing in his head. "Dark Shadow, stay in!" He commanded. He could feel the shadow crawling out of him.

"Tokoyami," Tsuyu speaks but he does not here.

His hands move up to his head. "Concentrate. Keep Dark Shadow within."

"Tokoyami," Tsuyu spoke again.

He had to ignore her. The only thing he needed to focus on was containing Dark Shadow. He closes his eyes and focuses harder. His focus is shattered when he feels an arm press against the chest. A wide hand spread across his chest. Fumikage took in a sharp breath. He was stunned by the intimacy, and Dark Shadow was as well. The creature became small and began to make sweet cooing noises.

"I uh.. I thought a hug could help," Tsuyu said.

"I uh, I think it may have," Fumikage mumbled. He felt her hand lift from his chest.

"That's nice," Dark Shadow whispered.

"People usually only want to pet fluffy things," Tsuyu began to ramble, "but things without fur like to be petted as well."

Fumikage nodded. In a way, he was grateful for the cloak of darkness. He was certain he was blushing. He felt his classmate scoot closer to him.

"Tokoyami, it is a bit awkward to be in a one sided hug, ribit." She grabbed his arm with her other hand and wrapped it around her waist.

He pulled her slightly closer, reaffirming her placement. "My apologies."

"You don't need to apologize, it's just a hug. Doesn't anyone ever hug you?"

"Not really. If I recall the last time I had a hug, it came from All Might."

"Oh, ribit. But that was at the sports festival. Don't you get any from someone when you go home?" Silence answered the question for her. "You don't have anyone at home, do you?"

"No," Fumikage stated.

"Where did you go before we moved into the dorms?"

Fumikage tensed up. How had this conversation become so personal? "I had an apartment."

"You couldn't have had it for too long. You are only sixteen."

"Does this conversation have to continue being about me? It's pointless to think about such trivial matters."

"I apologize, Fumikage," Tsuyu said. Fumikage felt his body freeze when she said his name. Tsuyu seemed to notice as well. "I realize that I always speak my mind, even to a fault. I didn't mean to be so intrusive. I guess in the dark it is especially hard for me to tell if I am making you uncomfortable." She paused, and Fumikage remained silent. " I hope it is alright that I called you Fumikage. Or would you prefer Tokoyami?"

"Why can't I answer?," Fumikage thought. "I'm acting weird. I need to remain cool."

"You need to breath," Dark Shadow informed him.

The teen boy felt his chest tightening and he opened his mouth. He exhaled, hunching over and coughing as he gasped for air. He felt Tsuyu lean away.

"Are you okay? Ribit."

"I'm fine," he wheezed. He took slow deep breaths to gain control of his lungs. He sat back up, his composure regained. He cleared his throat. "And… it's okay. Fumikage. I'm fine with that."

"Oh, good." Tsuyu repositioned herself. This time her head was resting against his shoulder.

The two stayed put in comfortable silence for quite a while. It was nice. There wasn't anything that either them wanted to say. Fumikage was relaxed, and this made him curious. He hadn't felt this comfortable in quite a while. Tsuyu had always been a comfortable presence. They had fought together and been commended for their communication. This felt… right.

The white light flickered above them, and the elevator jolted the two teens apart. They were moving up. They both shared blushing glances. Now that the cover of darkness was removed, the two were left to face each other and their position.

Tsuyu stood up and walked over to her laundry basket. "I think I'm going to take the stairs to get back to my room."

Fumikage smirked. "I believe that is a wise decision."

The elevator stopped at the second floor. The doors slid open. Standing in the doorway was Aizawa sensei. He looked at the two teen. "You two, follow me. We need to talk."