kurapikaisnowdrowning69

[kurapikaisnowdrowning69]

 Love is a gentle thing

It's just as dark in the room as when you fell asleep, making you doubt you even dozed off at all. Plus, the bed is warm and soft, and you roll over to burrow even deeper when muffled voices and sounds of movement reach your ears, correcting your assumptions. With a good deal of effort you make yourself sit up with a yawn, hair a tangled mess in your eyes. 

   You slip out of bed quietly to find a solution for the dryness in your mouth, shuffling into the bathroom to flick on the light. 

   Shigaraki is right where you left him, the only difference being the loll of his head and steady rise and fall of his shallow breaths as he dozes. He's curled up in what seems to be an awfully uncomfortable position-lanky legs pulled to his chest, neck bent awkwardly-and it makes you wince on his behalf.

   Once you finish brushing your teeth with the prepackaged toothbrush already left out on the counter you creep out, and only after a split second of hesitation you snag the comforter off the bed to gently drape over his slumbering form. He barely stirs, breath hitching before evening out again. 

   He looks so...peaceful like this. Lips that are normally pressed tight are slightly parted, his nose not scrunched or twitching. You can see his dark, thick eyelashes so well now that you're so close up. As you're lowering your hand to carefully tuck the blanket around his strong shoulders he tilts his head and nuzzles his cheek to your palm, sighing a little in his sleep. 

   You still, but he doesn't show any indication that he's gonna wake up. Shigaraki's skin is warm and surprisingly soft, marred only by dry patches scattered across his cheeks and neck. Little irritations are peppered like red freckles, so easy to fix. A pang goes through your heart at the obvious lack of care he shows himself. Something like this is so easily remedied...You stop that train of thought immediately. As if he possibly has the time. 

   Slowly and carefully you shift your thumb, brushing across his cheeks in small circles. The lines between his brows smooth out as you so do; his constantly tight muscles melting ever so slightly. Tracing your eyes along the sharp planes of his face you let your fingertips follow your gaze as you gently commit this gentle version of his face to your memory. This is the face you think of when you think of the kindness he showed you in the van. This Shigaraki isn't cruel or harsh. 

   After a few moments of this soft petting you get brave, thumb brushing lightly over his bottom lip. It's soft and plump, marred only by the patches of skin constantly being picked at and abused. This time he does move. Shigaraki twitches, eyes snapping open as he quickly shoves the blanket off of him and blinks up at you. 

   You jolt your hand away as if scalded, hiding it guiltily behind your back as you take a step out of his personal space. 

   The scowl is back, but his shoulders loosen slightly once he processes it's just you. "You look like you were about to smother me with a pillow. You're so cagey." He snorts, standing up and lifting his arms high above his head in a stretch that makes his back pop gratifyingly. You'd never admit it, but the satisfied moan he lets out makes you feel like you've been dunked in ice water, and you will your flaming cheeks to calm down. 

   You finally find your voice, hating that you're such a pervert. "Sorry for waking you. I just wanted to, y'know," Gesturing lamely to the blanket you falter, not sure what to do now that he's up and glaring at you again. 

    "I shouldn't have fallen asleep." He sighs and stifles a yawn, but he can't hide the hollowness in his eyes and sluggishness to his step. It's incredibly tempting to shove him towards the bed and scratch his back until he falls asleep. "I'm gonna shower. Go make sure those idiots aren't finding some way to kill themselves." 

   His Adam's apple bobs as he swallows another yawn, blunt nails reaching up to scrape at the delicate skin under his chin. You nod and grab your laptop off the bed as a half-assed excused to still be in the room, waiting until the door is closed and you hear water hitting the tile to head downstairs. 

    You're barely halfway down the steps when a burning smell assaults your senses, making tears well in your eyes and your throat  tighten uncomfortably. The air is thick as you pick up your steps and get to the kitchen, eyes scanning for a fire or attack. 

   "Looks like sleeping beauty's finally awake." Dabi announces, snickering as he flips a runny egg in a black cast iron skillet. His apron is frilly, with a big lobster saying 'kiss the cook' on the front. The poor crustacean is covered in mystery stains and smears, the face barely visible. 

   You hear Toga's voice from the living room, a sitcom laugh track running in the background. "Shigaraki?" She guesses, twisting around on the couch to see. When her golden eyes land on you she squeals and jumps up, socked feet thudding on the wood as she runs over to throw her arms around you. 

   "Oh my god, you're alive!!!!" She giggles, cheek smushed against yours as she hugs you even tighter before pulling back to hold you by the shoulders. Her eyes rake over you, lingering on your neck as if to check for marks. "We honestly didn't know if Shiggy would disintegrate you....I'm so so SO glad you're alive!!!!" 

   Her words don't even phase you at this point, and you return the hug before sitting at the kitchen counter. Toga stands behind you to play with the ends of your hair, her long sleeves falling past her manicured nails until she shoves them back up. You yawn. "Whats that burning smell??" 

   Toga wrinkles her nose as if just now noticing this, finishing off your loose braid and skipping back to the couch to finish her sitcom. Twice and Spinner sit with her, the latter eating from a chipped cereal bowl perched precariously in his lap. He twists to crane his head back, lips quirked down. His purple hair is clipped back out of his eyes, his white tee shirt loose and comfy. 

   "Someone decided he didn't want cereal like the rest of us and wanted to make eggs. Even though Kurogiri doesn't let any of us use the kitchen." He deadpans, and you hear a mumbled "For good reason."     

   You snort, watching the carnage unfold. The egg carton is mostly empty by now, half of them scraped into the bin and the other half still caked in the skillet. They're burning and crusting the entire pan, making the freshly cracked eggs impossible to cook. Everythings black and charred, but Dabi's just humming.

   "Do you see Kurogiri?" He pauses, smugness seeping into his tone when no one pipes up. "Didn't think so. Now everyone say 'thank you Dabi for the eggs' and get off my back." He grins, hand reaching to crack another egg into the pan and dropping the shells to the counter with a wet plap. You can see shell bits in the broken yolk even from here. 

   There's a collective groan from the other room, a pillow thrown only to be smacked away by the skillet itself. Egg splatters over the cabinets, but Dabi doesn't spare it a second glance before reaching for a new one. No one seems to care; even Spinner has given up and gone back to the show. 

   Shigaraki's request echos in your mind. This probably counts as something stupid they're doing? With a huff you stand and grab a paper towel to wipe the walls, dropping it in the trash bin with the other failed attempts. "Where's Kurogiri anyways?" You tilt your head, curious. Dabi just shrugs, shaggy hair even messier than usual. 

    "Dunno. Probably teleported to some five star hotel to get away from us." He grins. "We're on our own." With a cheery whistle he twirls the pan so the gooey egg spreads out, sizzling against the charred edges. "These look pretty good. Boring though." 

   The burning smell gets even worse, and it's safe to assume it's coming from that hell of a skillet. When Dabi's distracted looking the other way (directly in his line of sight is a bag of powdered sugar, and you suppress a disgusted shudder) you reach out to snag the pan from his loose grip to try and salvage the breakfast before Shigaraki comes down. 

    You wonder why it's freezing cold even after being held in a warm hand for so long. But once your brain catches up to your neurons you yelp, fingers spasming and locking before finally going limp, letting the pan clatter to the floor with a loud crash. Pain shoots up your fingers to your wrists, your entire hand throbbing so badly spots flicker across your vision. 

   Dabi whirls around, eyes wide. He flexes his fingers as if surprised he's not holding anything anymore; when he see's your hand cradled to your chest he puts two and two together. His lips part silently and he reaches out to try and grab your wrist, twisting your clenched fist to try and see your palm.

  "Shit-are you okay????" He winces at your bubbling skin, trying to peel your fingers back to see the worst of it. "Why the hell did you grab a hot pan??"

    Hissing in pain as he manhandles your poor hand, you gingerly tap each stinging fingertip to your thumb to make sure everything's functioning. Satisfied it's not life threatening, Dabi loosens his grip, still cradling your hand in his large palm as he stares incredulously at you. 

  "I didn't know it was hot." You whine defensively, biting the inside of your cheek as you wait for the burning to calm down. Dabi just stares at you, bewildered. "You held it with bare hands." You say accusingly. Something smug stirs up in your stomach at the look of bafflement you caught on his face. 

    "I have a fire quirk-" The surprise of it all makes him forget to mask his words with snark or sarcasm, concern written plainly across his face. You tug your hand away and he's about to protest when the TV pauses, Compress calling out. 

   "Everything okay?" The kitchen is right off the living room so they can basically see you guys. You force any shakiness from your voice and nod, raising your voice as well.

    "Yeah, just dropped a pot." The TV unpauses and you let out a trembling breath, wincing as your hand gets jostled.

    Dabi pinches the bridge of his nose with a groan and points to the sink. "Go run that under lukewarm water-not too cold-and keep it there until I say to stop." 

   Doing as he says (he seems to have experience) you gingerly turn a soft spray on, letting just the tip of your finger touch it. The immediate white hot pain that flares up makes you instinctively jerk back, but a rough hand lands on your wrist and shoves it completely under the water. You hiss in pain and buck backwards to squirm away, but Dabi's grip only tightens. "Come on, it's not that bad." He pauses, testing the water and turning it a little cooler. "-Baby."

   It's not an endearing pet name. He says it like an insult, all concern replaced with amusement as he watches you try and wriggle away from the pain. But he's right; after a few minutes he lets go, the burning replaced by a dull throb. You bite out something nasty at him that makes him laugh, but he only steps back to go clean up the mess while you check over the injury. 

    It's not horrible. There's a thick, red line spreading across your palm and fingertips from where your hand curled around the pot, but the blistering isn't even as remotely bad as it felt. Before you can even begin to look for some gauze, Dabi huffs. "Don't even think about bandaids. Let it breath for a bit." 

    "You're an ass." You snarl, letting the poor hand drop to your side. He snickers, tossing you a paper towel roll.

   "Yep. Now clean the cabinets and I'll wash the pan before Shigaraki comes down and bites our heads of-" He see's your wide eyes trailed on a spot over his shoulder and pauses, whipping his head around right in time to see the man himself standing in the steps entryway. Shigaraki's hair is damp and pushed back, his strong arms showed off by his thin black tee shirt. Like you, he's in sweatpants, only his actually fit him and don't have to have the waistline rolled 4 times to prevent them from slipping.

   "Why would I bite your heads off?" His voice is cool, lips flattened as he glares past Dabi at you. Thankfully he doesn't seem to notice the hand hidden awkwardly behind your back for the second time this morning, his eyes sliding back to Dabi. 

    Dabi shrugs lazily. "You tend to do that a lot. Especially when you don't get your beauty sleep." His blatant mockery makes you panic, unsure how Shigaraki's gonna react. But oddly enough he just huffs and walks into the kitchen, shoulder bumping Dabi's. 

    "Clean this up." He mutters, pushing his mop of bangs back as he crouches down to grab a new skillet, setting it on the counter as he gathers what he wants. Butter. Eggs (the few remaining). Chives. Salt and pepper. You wonder how a safe house is so well stocked on such short notice. Shigaraki almost seems upset about this fact, frowning at the fresh veggies before he does anything with them. 

   By the time you and Dabi have begrudgingly wiped up the congealed eggs coating the kitchen Shigaraki is already adding a second egg to the buttered pan, one pinky lifted up as he works. They don't look like the best eggs you've ever seen-one yolk is broken and seems a little overdone-but compared to Dabi's horrors they look like ambrosia. Especially coming from Shigaraki, who doesn't strike you as a person who even knows how to boil water for ramen. 

    He hums tunelessly under his breath as he thinks, casting an unimpressed look over at Dabi's cheesy apron. "Dabi, pour juice or something." He tosses offhandedly, clearly just wanting him out of the way. 

   "Sure boss." Dabi grins impishly, grabbing some orange juice from the fridge and setting it on the counter. You're chopping chives, trying to be useful, when you feel a body press against yours from behind you. The unexpected contact makes your grip on the knife tighten, pain flaring from your blisters. 

    Dabi steps back a split second later and you twist around, brows furrowed. He has a few glasses from the cabinet above your head in his grasp, but the twinkling in his eyes makes you second guess the innocence in the action. Shigaraki seems to feel the same, because you hear him release a hissed breath from your side, eyes narrowed and face tight. 

   Dabi is snickering before he even knows what Shigaraki's about to say. "That's it. You're fired." The light haired man hisses, looking about ready to hit him with the skillet. "Out. Now." He shoos him away, and the bemused Dabi scurries out, but not before tossing you a smirk over his shoulder that you can't quite decipher. 

   "He's a pain in the ass." Shigaraki grumbles to you as he slides the cooked eggs onto a plate, hand outstretched to you. You pass the chopped chives and spices, watching him carefully prepare everything how we wants it. 

   The plate is full; there weren't many eggs left, but he made it work. Seems like enough food for anyone who wants it. Your stomach grumbles at the thought.

   He makes a face at something on the plate, eyes flicking towards the pepper still on the counter. Before he can reach for it, you've grabbed it, passing it over. "For sure-" 

  Shigaraki isn't paying attention to you; you doubt he's even hearing the words coming out of your mouth. His sharp gaze has landed on your bright red palm, his jaw ticked at the blistering burn. Before you can even make a move to hide it behind your back, he's grabbed it, his touch an electric shot tingling up your arm. 

   What is it with these guys grabbing my wrist??

  Now that you think about it, Shigaraki hasn't touched you before, aside from the weird van thing. You're not complaining though. His rough hands against your softer skin makes you feel both electric and hazy at the same time, as if you could get drunk off his fingers alone.  

   His angry bark snaps you out of your thoughts. "I'm gonna actually kill him." His grip tightens, his pinky and ring finger still held a careful distance away from your flesh. It takes you a second to process who he's talking about.

  "What..? Oh, Dabi??" Shigaraki's murderous expression only darkens, and you scramble to interviene before he decides to do something violent. "No no no, this was all my fault. I grabbed a pan and didn't realize it was hot y'know? So I just burnt my hand a little bit-" You trail off, not sure if your words are reaching his brain or not.

   He huffs, twisting your hand to make sure you're not hurt anywhere else, and when he's sure your story is believable, he lets go. "Idiot. Go sit down or something before you blow up this whole cabin doing something stupid." The gruffness in his voice almost totally masks the concern, but you still see through it. 

   Masking a smile of your own you nod and climb up on the stool at the counter, the cushion soft and cushy. Shigaraki yells in the other room to see who wants food, and once he gets a few yells of confirmation back, he gets to work grabbing plates and glasses. Its...odd, seeing the boss of this whole thing making breakfast for everyone. 

   You break the silence, making his eyes snap up to yours for a split second. "Where'd you learn to cook?"

   There's a pause before he speaks, but not an uncomfortable one. "Kurogiri showed me a little bit." His eyes soften ever so slightly. You've noticed the way Kurogiri seems to bring out the calmer, more subdued side of his liege. "Master never had me do any of that stuff myself. He said it was," He pauses, searching for the word, "a useless thing to learn. Kurogiri disagreed."

   Oh, you didn't realize he grew up spoiled.

  "Who?" You question.

   This makes him really stop what he's doing, eyebrow raised. "Uh...the shadow guy? I swear he's made you like, a dozen drinks by now. Guy behind the bar ringing a bell??" He trails off, waiting for understanding to light in your eyes. You snort.

   "No, I know Kurogiri. I mean-" You hesitate, the words oddly thick in your mouth, "Master." You finish grimly, keeping your face smooth and impassive. It's not the first time you've heard the name. Everyone's said it by now;all in different ways. Dabi paired it with an eyeroll. Compress with hesitation, as if unsure whether to call him that or not. Toga always had an excited bounce in her step and hum in her voice whenever she mentioned him. And Shigaraki speaks his name with a touch of adoration, as if 'Master's' word is law. 

   His parted lips betray his surprise, before he seems to remember it was actually his job to explain this to you. He clears his throat and goes back to plating breakfast, finishing the plates and moving on to juice. "That was an unnecessary thing to know. You can do your job as is." Shigaraki's frown silences the protest on the tip of your tongue before it's even brought to life. "Having said that; you should know about the leader of this whole thing." 

   "Woah, you're not the boss??" The words slip out, and you wince at the flash of annoyance plainly written across his face. 

   You honestly don't even expect a response, but he surprises you again. "As far as you're concerned, I am. But there's a lot in play here that you don't need to even think about. You'll meet him eventually."

   There's definitely an air of finality in his tone, but you decide to ignore all hints and warning signs to end this topic on a good note. "Well, I think you're an awfully good boss on your own." It makes you cringe internally;the words sounded less cheesy in your head. You don't even know what compelled you to blurt it out, but the caught off guard look on Shigaraki's face makes it somewhat worth it. 

   Shigaraki's face flushes ever so slightly, a gentle dusting of pink over his sloped nose. Shockingly, his immediate reaction is to scowl and shrug you off. "Whatever. Kiss ass." You just snicker in return, making his lips twitch. 

    There's a slam, as if someone hit a wall in their haste to get in, and Twice comes barreling in with a huge grin. His mask is tugged up over his nose today. "Is that eggs??? I swear to god, eggs are disgusting in the morning." He says cheerily, his voice immediately turning ice cold. 

   "Yep. Get it while it's hot." Shigaraki says dryly, sliding him a plate. He glances at you, at your hungry expression, and chuffs softly before he passes an egg over to you. 

   The drool-worthy scent lures the others in one by one. Soon, everyone's on a stool or at the tiny card table, scarfing down scrambled eggs and more bowls of cereal. 

  "When can we go home??" Dabi whines, seemingly back in Shigaraki's good graces. 

   "I second that." Compress chimes in, waiting to swallow before politely speaking. 

   Around a mouthful of food, Toga asks, "Uh huh, how long do we have to be here??? There's no good shows and its soooo boring."

   Going off of the slowly darkening look on Shigaraki's face, you keep your mouth shut, just taking a bite of breakfast. It's surprisingly good; the eggs are soft and fluffy, and a wayward glance at the hard fried egg on the plate next to you makes you grateful this is what you got. 

   Slowly, like a parent explaining a simple task to their child, Shigaraki speaks. "Not sure. Depends what Master says, and whether or not we find who, if anyone, tipped off the heroes." He takes a bite and chews, knowing they'll wait for him to continue. "Hopefully just another night or two. Could be months." 

   You could've sworn you saw him flash you an impish look from the corner of your eye, as if he was just saying this to rile them up. You immediately decide you like being in on jokes. 

    If that was his intended reaction, he executed it perfectly. Dabi scowls and stands up, Toga leaping to her feet as well with a gasp.

   "WHAT????" She yells, grabbing onto your arm and shaking as if saying 'are you seeing this???'

   Mr. Compress frowns too, pushing the remains of food around on his plate with the fork. "Months? We're the League of Villains; we shouldn't be cowering like this."

    "I never said that's gonna happen. Just that anything is a possibility right now." Shigaraki shrugs, grabbing your now empty plate, as well as his, to bring to the dishwasher. Toga tosses you a slightly incredulous look but you're not sure why.

   "Still. If we're cooped up here for too long I'm rioting." Dabi leans against his palm, elbow braced on the counter as he stretches his neck out. "This 'Little House on the Prairie' crap is making me lose my mind already."

   You push down the urge to snicker. "It's been one night. I find it kinda peaceful, actually." You take a swig of water, throat unexpectedly dry. Shigaraki comes back from the sink, eyes flicking towards your neck as you swallow.

    "The internet is surprisingly good for such a rural place. I didn't expect a single bar, but I can play pretty much any video game I want." Spinner notes, starting on what seems to be his third bowl of Lucky Charms. "Pretty fancy place."

   You think that over for a second. Having never really been far out of the city before, you aren't sure what to expect. But he's right. You're in the middle of nowhere, yet have quick internet, a fully stocked fridge, and even -You wriggle your toes on the tile- heated floors!! Shigaraki's master/boss/father figure must be loaded.

     Shigaraki hums. "I almost forgot you weren't with us last time we used this place." He sits down across the counter from you, his hair now completely dry and fluffed up in his eyes. You like it like this. Its...boyish. "The internet is fast and totally encrypted. It's almost safer here than the bar itself." 

   Interest shines in the mutants eyes, and he sits up straighter. "Woah. How did they set it up? I stopped seeing power lines along the road miles before we got here." 

   You tune out their babbling about the technical aspect of this place. No one seems to be questioning who got this whole thing built, or why it needs this insane cyber security set up; yet another aspect of this whole thing that you're unused to. You guess villains do need to be able to run away and hide at a moments notice...

    "Wakey wakey...." A drawn out voice snaps you back to the present, your frame of view blocked by Dabi's bright cerulean eyes boring into your soul. "We said we're gonna watch a movie in the basement. You seemed totally in your head there." His grin is quick.

    You honestly forgot about the basement. Swallowing the last bit of your breakfast you wash it down with a swig of orange juice and stand to follow them as they chatter and roughhouse. "Why not just up here?" You throw a longing glance towards the bright, sunny living room. 

    Even the habitually quiet Shigaraki cracks a small grin at that. "Trust me. The basements better."

   They're right. The basement is sprawling; it has to be even bigger than the house. Right as you reach the bottom of the steps you're met with a fully stocked bar, with plush leather stools and a shiny counter top that's clearly not had enough use to get scuffed up or sticky yet. There's a whole pool table, and tucked behind it is the biggest couch you've ever seen. Every teenage sleepovers wet dream. 

    "Woah." You breath out as Toga snags your bicep to drag you to the couch. It's an L shape, and you guys happily claim the corner. "I changed my mind about wanting to leave." Its not entirely true; but you will say the thought of your small apartment and springy couch is less appealing now. 

    Spinner snorts, flopping down on the cushion across from you guys. "Trust me. You'll change your mind after a few days when the fresh food runs out and you're stuck watching shitty soap operas." He tilts his head back to hang over the edge of the couch, watching as Dabi and Compress make a beeline for the bar. "Make me something!"

   A few other voices ring out in agreement, but you keep quiet for now, breakfast still sitting heavy in your stomach. 

   You can't get your mind in the present. All the worst scenarios are flashing in your head-what if Rem thinks somethings wrong and decides to write Shigaraki's name down???? What if Rem does something rash and dies because of it??? You wish you could trust Ryuk to convey what happened, but you really wouldn't put it past him to get someone killed to ease his boredom for 30 minutes. Worry gnaws at your belly. 

    You almost would've assumed you had a drink or two already, feeling the fuzziness creeping up your fingertips and the heaviness in your arms. Not even Togas restless hands in your hair make you feel better. Distantly, as if underwater, you hear snippets of conversation. A zombie movie is turned on. You close your eyes at some point, willing your breathing to stay nice and even. Shit, now you're thinking about your breathing and you forget how to breath and-

    Before it picks up too much, a sharp pain between your eyes makes you hiss and shrink back. Dabi is in front of you -again- and he presses something cold and damp against your cheek. It sharpens your senses, and you tug away with a wrinkled nose. 

   "What??" Your words come out too sharp, but he doesn't seem phased. "Did you just flick me..?"

   "Uh huh. You zoned out. Again." He shakes the glass in his hand and the ice rattles. "Made this for you. On the house." He snickers at his own joke, pressing it into your hands and stepping back to admire his work. 

   You don't know what to say. The drink is a light pinkish color; but it's hard to tell with the lights dimmed like this. You sniff it experimentally, and it smells oddly sweet. There's a poor excuse of a salt rim around the lip. 

   "Oh, thanks b-" Before you can decline you pause, editing. "Um, nevermind. Thank you." It's tricky, but you force a grin, and it becomes a bit more natural when he beams back proudly. 

   "Don't mention it. Refills are a call away." He wipes his hand, damp from the glass, on his pant leg, passing the other glass in his hand to Toga. She seems to have gotten the same sweet drink you got. 

    When he's back behind the bar you sniff again, taking a tiny sip. You immediately deduce Dabi's skill lies in the bar, not the kitchen. It's the perfect mix of sweet and strong; like the stuff Kurogiri makes you, just with alcohol. Barely missing a beat, you take another sip. 

    Toga hums happily. "Love this stuff. Kurogiri neverrrr makes them strong enough." 

   Even without quite knowing how he makes them, you can't help but nod in agreement. This is perfect how it is. Anything less would make it too sweet. "Mhm. I might be getting another one in a bit." You flash a devilish grin to Toga, and she mirrors it.

  Now that you're settled, your eyes immediately search for Shigaraki. He's curled up on a chair at a dark wood card table, poring over some notes spread out. He lifts his head with a wrinkled nose. "Those fruity little things are a trap. It taste's like juice but has like, what, three shots??" He pauses, thinking. "Four?" 

   The glass is halfway to your lips and you pause, hearing the subtle warning in his tone. He won't stop you, but he's letting you know. You set the glass down and flash him a small smile. Toga snickers.

   "Oh shush, we all know you love these." Her voice lowers conspiratorially, but still purposefully loud enough for Shigaraki to hear as well. "He's like those people who drink black coffee in front of people and little mocha lattes when they're alone."

    Shigaraki scoffs, but clearly isn't too annoyed. His head dips back down to his work, hair falling in his eyes once again as his attention zones back in. It's tempting to try and coax him over to join in on the fun, but you want to get out of here just as much as everyone else. The sooner he gets it sorted out, the sooner you can make sure Ryuk isn't sabotaging everything. 

    The couch dips as Dabi crashes down next to you, drink lifted above his head to avoid sloshing. It's a simple whiskey on the rocks; probably expensive whiskey. He whistles. "Come on, you started without me??" He snags the remote from a protesting/apologizing twice and hits rewind. "Ungrateful punks. I made you all drinks."

   Spinner snorts and grabs a blanket to toss to you and Toga, and she curls into your side with a yawn. The movie credits scramble as they're skipped, until it the movie finally gets to the beginning. It's dark and loud, but this doesn't seem like the type of group to be phased by a gory movie. 

   Toga twists a little. "Shiggyyyyyy come watch with us!!" She begs, drink almost empty. You crane your neck back too, watching his mouth twist in annoyance as he looks over. The rejection dies on his tongue as he stares at the spot between you and Dabi, and he huffs. You frown, puzzled. 

    "Fine. Just so I don't hear your whining later when I actually have to work." He shoves the papers into a pile and stands, barely waiting for you to scoot to make room before he's plopping down between you and Dabi. You hear a soft snicker, then a low 'oomph' sound as if someone got elbowed in the ribs.

   A smug looking Shigaraki settles down, arms crossed over his chest as he stares at the TV. So far the movies pretty slow; not a single zombie in sight. The scenes just being set. It's a small farm, with a sweet looking family with plenty of sweet looking animals. You feel uneasy, and snuggle closer to Toga under the blanket. 

    By now the whole League is on the couch or rug, watching this gory movie, and the weird domesticity of it all hits you like a truck. They're this little family...and you're a bigger part of it than you may have realized. There's this weird warm feeling in your chest that not even the movie can chase away.

   It's not even 20 minutes later when you take that all back. Someone turned out the basement lights, so you can barely see anything, and on top of that, Toga decided to stretch out with her head in Twices lap, so you're alone now to watch the carnage on the screen. Unless you wanted to hold Toga's feet for comfort, which is looking increasingly more tempting.

    Shigaraki's frowning slightly as he watches the bloodshed on the tv, (shockingly, the zombies got through the poorly barricaded windows with ease and are now eating the family) and he's slightly closer to you than he was at the start. Maybe. Or it's in your head. You shift uncomfortably on the couch, forcing your eyes back to the movie. 

   It's loud. Chomping, ripping, squishing, and the sounds of squirting blood fill the basement, Toga giggling occasionally at the violence. The only other squeamish one seems to be Twice, but even he seems super into it. 

   Dabi stands with a yawn, grabbing his glass to refill at the bar. As he's walking behind the couch, his voice dips to a soft murmur that you can barely pick up. "That one kinda looks like your white demon." He points out passively, pressing his cold glass to your neck as he walks away. You flinch, hand automatically lifting as if to scrub away the sting. 

   You hate to admit it, but he's right. The zombies stretched faces and ashen skin does bare a striking resemblance to your preferred Shinigami. Maybe that's a big part of the dryness in your mouth and weight on your chest as you watch. You try and snap yourself out of it. This is a silly movie for god's sake; get a grip. 

   "Pussy."

   The taunt startles you, and your head whips to the side. Shigaraki snickers at your furrowed brow, his own eyebrow quirked up in amusement. "Is this scaring you?" He whispers in mock horror, and you roll your eyes. 

   "No. Just...needlessly gory. No plot at all." You're lying through your teeth, but it's impossible to explain the real reason why you're worried. He doesn't seem satisfied by your answer, and he crosses his legs under him as he leans towards you. His finger taps against his knee. 

    He hums quietly. "Uh huh." He draws it out. He seems in a better mood now than earlier. "So if I told you it's your turn to keep watch for heroes in the woods tonight, you wouldn't be even slightly scared?" 

   "What????" The blood drains from your face, and you grimace as someones head is ripped off on screen. Shigaraki grins, stifling a laugh at your expression. 

    "You are such a liar. You're a baby." 

    Understanding dawns on you, and you exhale in relief. The edge of blanket being worried between your fingers is dropped. "Haha very funny. Lets send the new recruit into the woods at night." The movie gets loud for a second, and you pause to let it quiet down again. "With my quirk, I'd be dead the second someone found us. I dunno if there would be much I could do."

    He watches you quietly for a second, face illuminated by the warm glow of the TV. Shigaraki's lips quirk, and he shrugs. "You could handle it." There's a solidness to his tone. He really thinks so.

   You smother the small smile creeping on your face. Before you can respond there's a loud boom on the TV, and you recoil as the Zombie's face gets blown off. The main characters apparently got a hold of some weapons; you hear Toga cheer. But as your attention locks back on the TV, all you can see is the lifeless body of Rem crumpled on the hay of the barn. Realistically, you know this is silly. Rem's explained that if a Shinigami dies, they turn back into dust and stay on earth. And on top of that, the zombies resemblance to her isn't even that strong. 

    But your body doesn't get the memo. You hear your breath catch, before speeding up and shallowing out, your vision narrowing on the Shinig-no-the zombie bleeding out on screen. The smell of iron practically bleeds through, even if you know its all in your head. 

    "Wait, are you actually scared?" You feel a leg press against yours, and you look to your side. Shigaraki's arm comes next, bumping yours lightly as he gets your attention. "I feel like the car chase was scarier than this. This is cheesy."

    It's hard, but you take a sharp breath and rub your eye to try and get out of your stupid head. "I guess so. I might just not like gore." Your casual shrug doesn't seem to convince him much at all. Shigaraki gives you a long look, before glancing around to make sure everyone's distracted with their own stuff before pressing closer. 

    The warmth helps more than you would expect. You huff out a soft laugh as warmth creeps up your cheeks. "It's not too bad, just a little creepy." You're honestly already feeling a little better already. Shigaraki's body doesn't move, and you're secretly grateful.

   "Whatever. We're sharing a room," He pauses, rolling his eyes, "if you're up with nightmares and wake me up, I'll be pissed." His eyes go back to the TV, and you both quiet down. 

    It feels like where ever his skin presses against yours, sparks pop under your flesh. You're still wearing his shirt, and the sleeves fall to mid-bicep, leaving the rest of your arm bare and sensitive. Goosebumps prickle each time he shifts. Every once in a while your gaze slips down to any point of contact, watching his muscles ripple under his skin when he moves. He's not a bulky guy by any means; but not nearly as scrawny as he looks. 

   It makes the movie a lot easier. It's a little over halfway through by now; the carnage has slowed down, but you know its too hopeful to assume the gross parts are over. 

    Though if things keep up like this, the gore might not be too bad. 

   You can't help but mentally scold yourself. What would Rem say if she saw you?? Crushing on the boss. The boss of a league of villains. The same one who probably wouldn't even hesitate to press the pad of his thumb into the dip of your collarbone and wrap his fingers around your neck until you're a pile of ash. 

  But Rem isn't here, and the body next to yours is doing a great job of feeding into your delusions. You're painfully aware of his shoulder bumping yours when you both happen to inhale at the same time; dizziness clouds your brain as you try and time your breaths for that spit second of contact. His hand is propped under his chin. You're not sure what to do with yours.

     Finally you settle on grabbing your glass from the small coffee table you set it on, careful to not make it seem like you want to move away from Shigaraki. The ice is melted and the sweetness is watered down, but you'll take anything to help the dryness in your throat. Your throat bobs as you sip, and you settle back against the sofa to try and get your mind focused on the movie yet again.

   The next chain of events happens in less than a beat.

      Shigaraki squirms slightly too. His arm lightly bumps yours right when you're readjusting your position and your grip loosens, the glass slipping out of your grasp. You both reach for it. His fingers touch it first, disintegrating it before it can tumble off your lap and shatter on the floor. Your fingers curl around the glass too, and a weird tingling sensation shoots up your hand as your brain screams at you to let go NOW; and you let go right as it crumbles to dust. 

    There was barely any noise. The only indicator that it even happened is the small wet spot from the tiny bit of liquid still in the glass that ended up on your pant leg, and the dust you've already brushed off. Right as you open your mouth to whisper a thank you to Shigaraki a hand snags your wrist and you turn to the hyperventilating, wide eyed Tomura. Panic shoots up your spine at his expression.

    "Let me see your hand." He doesn't even bother to whisper or wait for your reply. The others perk up, looking over. 

   You're at a loss for words. His gaze rakes over your hand, barely lingering on the already fading burn mark, and his grip tightens before letting go altogether. It only now registers that the movies paused, everyone holding a bated breath as Shigaraki stands up and shoves away the blanket at his feet. 

    There's a trembling in his hands he tries to hide. "I'm gonna go work more. Don't bother me." He announces to everyone, voice tight and laced with something panicked. You go to open your mouth but Dabi silences you with a look. The hint of empathy in his eyes is the only thing that makes you listen and keep your mouth shut.

   Shigaraki snags something off the table before, much like a spooked cat, darting upstairs, the door slamming behind him. A beat passes and the movie gets unpaused.

   "Did he decay your hand at all?" Toga's voice is uncharacteristically soft. Still, the words hit you like a blow to the head.

   Oh my god. He almost disintigrated my hand.

   You fervently shake your head, holding your hands out to prove it. "No no, not at all!!! I just grabbed the glass at the same time, he didn't even touch me." You trail off, feeling vaguely sick to your stomach. 

    Mr Compress sighs and leans back, shrugging. "His quirk spreads by contact. I'm truly shocked you still have that appendage." 

   "Lucky duck." Dabi whistles, mouth set in a grim line. There's a heaviness in the air, the mood soured slightly by the close call. You cast a now-somber look towards the stairs, debating following him. You're not even sure why you think that would help anything. 

    As if reading your mind, Spinner pipes up with a slight shake of his head. "Give him some time to cool off or he might actually decay you on purpose." His voice is dry, but laced with humor. Dabi cracks a grin.

    "Agreed. And maybe bring him one of those fruity drinks when you do go up." He adds.

    They snicker and settle back to watch the movie once again, and you shove away the needy little voice in your brain that tells you to go up and follow Shigaraki; as if that was ever a good idea. The room is filled with the sounds of gore once more, and you can't help but rub your hand slightly as it tickles uncomfortably. Just the idea of almost loosing it-and it happening so quickly-fills you with the prickly feeling of dread. 

     You also can't help but wonder how he'll react when he finds out you're not only lying about your quirk, but that you also have no intention of ever killing the #1 hero for him.  

[kurapikaisnowdrowning69]

 Do you feel ashamed when you hear my name?

A harsh jolt startles you awake and you flinch, head throbbing as you rejoin the land of the living. It's pitch black, but you feel the steady rise and fall of a chest beneath your cheek as you shift on the lumpy pile of blankets you're sprawled out on. 

   You groan as you swipe your palm across your cheek, a distinct feeling of dried drool being scrubbed off the skin. The weird lumps under you seem to shift slightly, but its impossible to muster enough energy to care right now; All you want to do is curl up and go back to sleep as if none of this ever happened. 

    "We're almost there. If you tell me to double back one more time I'm driving us off the road." a voice grumbles, thick with irritation. It's muffled, distant, like the sound's struggling to reach you. Something heavy falls near your head, pressing against your ear, and the voices fade even further into the background. The sensation of fingers gently massaging circles into your temple draws you closer to sleep, and for a moment, you almost forget where you are. Almost.

    You try and tune out most of the conversation, letting yourself slip back into unconsciousness, but as you become more aware it's harder to ignore reality any longer. Slowly, the weight of reality starts to pull you back. The memories come flooding in, each one sharper than the last, sending a chill of panic through your chest. You don’t even know where you are anymore.

  A gravelly voice cuts through your foggy thoughts, so close to your ear it makes you tense. You try to stay still, holding onto the illusion that you’re still asleep. "Would you rather get there earlier and have heroes swarming the safehouse? I'm not doing this because it's my idea of a fun time." The hand moves from your ear to your hair, fingers tangling somewhat painfully in the strands. 

   His voice turns even sharper. "It might be hard to believe, but I am the boss and I do have reason behind my actions. Just shut up and drive." Your muddled brain finally places the voice as Shigaraki, and his grumbling puts you at ease slightly. 

   Spinner grumbles from behind the wheel, his scaled tail curling around a bag of chips open by his hip. "Oh gee thanks for driving us for 5 1/2 hours straight Iguchi. It must be tiring to not get a break even when it's 11 pm at night-" Dabi snorts at his words right as you feel the lump beneath you jerk to the side, presumably Shigaraki throwing Spinner a death glare. It works, a hush falling over the van once more. 

   Even when your eyes are open it's hard to tell where you are or whats around you. You and Shigaraki are leaning against the back of the front row of seats, moving blankets spread beneath you and tangled in your legs, and Dabi is still in the corner diagonal to you two. The only light is dim and flickering in the front, but not strong enough to even help you see your hand in front of your face.

   "Watch it be swarmed before we even get there." Dabi huffs dryly, voice laced with mirth. Only Compress responds, voice a good octave or so lower than you're used to. Seems like he just woke up. 

   "Don't jinx it." He murmurs, and you hear the sound of fabric brushing across leather as he shifts in his seat. There's only one row of seats in this van, so you assume people have moved around while you've napped. "And there's a chance. Maybe we should have everyone awake just in case we need to fight or hightail it out of there."

   Your ear tickles as Shigaraki's chest rumbles in a slight growl, voice quick and sharp. "No. It's safe. Master vouched for it." 

  "Doesn't hurt to be carefu-"

   Compress is cut off by Twice, who sounds like he's somewhere in the trunk with you guys. "Try and wake up Toga and you're dead meat. She looks so cute sleeping like this right????" The magician huffs and they squabble for a bit, easy to tune out.

   The feather-light scratching is back, dulled nails tracing the nape of your neck and sending delightful shivers down your spine. It seems thoughtless, as if the slightest acknowledgement would send him skittering off. As if he doesn't expect you to notice. But you do. You lie still, trying to ignore the sensation, not wanting to acknowledge it, but it's there. And it’s unnerving.

   The banter fades into more indistinguishable noise as you drift in and out, the gentle scratching against your skin becoming more insistent. Everything blurs together as the van bumps along. The scratching turns to rubbing which turns to tapping which turns back to scratching; it moves down to your arms and then back to your head. You can't help but doze in and out of sleep, barely catching snippets of conversations. 

   After what feels like an eternity the road turns rougher, hands curling around you in the dark to make sure you're not jostled too badly. It's almost hard to really believe this is Shigaraki; nothing really feels real right now. With the adrenaline and darkness it feels like you could do anything. But before you can think too hard about it the van hisses to a stop, the door lights flitting on and making orange burst behind your closed eyelids. Immedietly you feel the figure pressed against you squirm away, leaving you slumped against the seat.

   "Shit-turn that down." Dabi groans, back popping as he stands up to open the backdoor and kick it open when it sticks. Crickets chirp even louder now, nothing blocking out the sounds of nature anymore. The pine smell reminds you of the cologne your mothers boyfriend would let you use on special occasions back when he was still trying to impress you. 

   For a second, in that warm little limbo where you're not quite awake but not quite asleep, you stay curled up with the hopeful notion you'll be carried inside like a child and her father. But a rough shaking to your shoulder makes you remember you're not only in a van full of murderers and sociopaths; you're also with Shigaraki. 

  "Wake up dumbass. We're here." He sounds somehow even meaner than usual, and he's a good few inches away from you now that lights are on. Blinking, you rub the sleep from your eyes and stifle a yawn that threatens to escape. Getting a good look at his face now, you notice hints of shadows under his eyes and the ever present cracking to his skin. It's twisted in a scowl as well, fingers scratching deep, angry lines into his pale flesh.

   "Where?" Its hard to get the willpower to get up, but somehow you manage to untangle from the blankets and scoot to the edge of the trunk, dropping down onto grass. It sags beneath your weight, the mud squelching. Not at all what you expected. 

   Shigaraki huffs as if this is the stupidest question he's ever heard in his life. "A safehouse." He doesn't offer any further explaination, turning on his heel to stalk away.  You scramble to stand, turning to see Dabi and Compress following as well. Toga's still asleep, being carried in by an exhausted looking Spinner. 

  Everything's so dark. Probably darker than you've ever seen the city get. Tall, looming trees surround you and the crickets and frogs scream at you as you walk down the mossy stone path to get to the small, nondescript cabin you didn't even notice. There's a chill in the air and it prickles your skin. 

You’re not used to this—this suffocating darkness, this isolation— and you pick up the pace to fall into step with Shigaraki as he furiously jams a code into a small keypad on the door. "Where does all of this even come from??" Thickness in your throat chokes your words, and you clear your throat to shake off the lingering effects of sleep. 

   "Master is generous when he wants to be." He sounds almost bitter, the words whip-like and combined with a harsh yank on the door to unstick the ancient wood. It opens with a pained groan and he steps inside, flicking on the lights.

   Its...not what you expected. For one, its warm, the room small and cozy; barely fitting a roomy couch and fur rug in front of the fireplace. Everything's a weird mix of rustic yet modern, almost like the cabin version of glamping. To the left is a pony wall separating the living room from the kitchen and a door you assume leads to a bathroom, and to the right is a carpeted stairwell tucked in the corner.

  The others begin to trickle inside, Dabi limping slightly as he enters, his lips tight with exhaustion. He collapses onto the couch with a dramatic sigh.

   "Finally. Dibs on my own room." Without bothering to kick off his boots Dabi drops his feet up on the tiny coffee table with a thud. Shigaraki's eye twitches but he holds his tongue. 

   "You guys figure that out. I'm going to my room." He huffs, jerking his head in your direction. "Come on. I need your quirk." 

  Right now the last thing you want to do is share a room alone with Shigaraki, but you're not in any position to argue. You've already come to terms with the fact you must have hallucinated everything nice he did in the car; its not like it can get much worse. 

  Shigaraki storms up the stairs, his familiarity with the place evident as he strides down a narrow hallway, shoving open a dark wood door sandwiched between two other doors. The upstairs isn't huge, but there seems to be plenty of space for people. 

   "Bathrooms over there. Go change." His nose wrinkles and he plops down in a fancy looking chair in front of an even fancier looking monitor, booting up the dusty computers. You frown.

  "I don't have clothes." You rasp, standing awkwardly in middle of the room. It's a blank slate; there's a bed, beside table, dresser, and a door to the bathroom, but no photos or indications that this is anything other than a safehouse. The computer set up is slightly insane, but even that seems to be rarely used. 

    Theres no indication that he's heard you, but after a drawn out minute of typing he pauses to twist and reach around to rummage in a drawer of the dresser. From what you can see, its pretty sparse in there-barely more than a few bundles of clothes stuffed in the corners.

     A crumpled ball of fabric is lobbed at your face before you can process it, and you flinch a second after it hits. "Hey-"

   Shigaraki's already back to peering down the soft slope of his nose to glare at the glowing screens, ignoring your spluttered protests. "Chuck your laundry over in the corner to do tomorrow." He pauses, fingers hovering above the keys as he debates something. "Stay awake for a while. I'll use you for something once I finish this."

   Your headache's back, and it doesn't take much persuasion to usher you into the tiny bathroom to get out of your grimy jeans and sweater. Smoke clings to you like a second skin, coating the singed fabric with its own weird texture as you kick the door shut behind you and get to work peeling the layers off. 

   At least the shower is hot and clean, the spray helping scrub off some of the blood and dirt caked on your skin. Before you looked in the mirror you didn't even realize how gross you were. The dust and ash is all over your face, smeared with the crimson still trickling from the nasty gash on your temple. 

   It burns as you wash it off with the body wash in the shower, but you figure its better than nothing. It shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Shigaraki doesn't seem like the type to have conditioner, let alone face wash or lotion. It helps keep the shower short and sweet, not giving you any excuse to linger in the warm water. 

   You shiver and wrap your arms around yourself as you step out onto the chilled tile, wrapping a nice, expensive looking towel around yourself as you start to dry off. The mirror is fogged up and you reach out to swipe your palm over the glass, peering at yourself for a second before grabbing the pile of clothes to examine. 

   A black tee shirt, black boxers, and a pair of gray sweatpants. Boring. But the fabric feels like heaven against your flesh as you tug the shirt on over your head, replacing the towel and moving that to wrap around your hair in a turban. The boxers and pants are next, smelling faintly like someone familar that you can't place. Now that you think about it; you smell different too now. Must be the shampoos and soaps. 

   Shigaraki is impossible to read, but you highly doubt he'd be pleased if you linger for long in the bathroom. So you grab your laundry and usher out, shivering as the steamy air dissipates in the bedroom, leaving you damp and cold and standing awkwardly yet again. Shigaraki hasn't moved from his chair, the other computer screens booted up as well now. 

   Based on his low grumbling and hunched shoulders, whatever he's trying to do doesn't seem to be going very well. He breaks the silence with a sudden groan of frustration. 

   "Fuck. I can't figure it out." His bloodied hands thread through his dusty hair, fingers curling to dig into his scalp. If his nails were any sharper you would be concerned. After a moments hesitation you pad over, peeking over his shoulder to try and decipher the screens. One moniter shows a list of names and faces, the other one displaying dozens of tabs with writing, maps, and messages. Shigaraki's elbows are braced on the desks edge, keyboard light blinking tauntingly at the two of you. 

   You're just as lost as he is. "Uh, what are you working on?" You hedge, words light. He groans again. 

  "Someone ratted us out." He snarls, hands raking down to claw at his neck now. "It's a sketchy area, but only because it's never patrolled. It can't be a coincidence that there were suddenly so many heroes and cops at the ready."

  "...You think someone in the League betrayed you?" Apparently it's the wrong thing to say, because the chair suddenly spins and his face is inches from yours. You can see the slight redness to his nose from the dust and smoke, his chapped lip curling. His teeth are almost surprisingly white. 

  "Betrayed me? You act like you wouldn't be screwed too if we got caught." Suspicion sparks in his eyes, and you try not to flinch back. "Unless you said something." He says accusingly, leaning forward so you're even closer together. His breath is hot on your face, but not unpleasantly so. 

   All moisture leaves your mouth, and you resist the urge to gulp. That would probably look suspicious. 

   Stop that. You have nothing to hide, calm down.

  Tugging your face back slightly you frown, struggling to meet his eyes. "I didn't have anything to do with it. I just meant  they betrayed you because you're the boss." Thankfully something in your voice must decide it for him, because he pulls back with a small huff to sit back on his haunches. The anger seems to seep from his muscles as he slumps back, fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. 

   "Whatever. Just be ready to kill someone when I find them." He mutters, back to violently picking at the abused flesh of his neck. A small part of you wants to reach out and gently move his hand away. But you don't have that amount of courage. 

  Something about his words makes you pause, a light feeling settling in your bones. You feel funny, as if something in your brain is justtt out of reach and shrinking even further away the harder you think about it. "Alright." You hum distractedly, hand lifting to scrunch some moisture from your damp hair. He blinks at you, as if just snapping into the present, and you see a light dusting of pink on his cheeks. He turns back to the computer quickly, fingers resuming their rapid clicking. 

   "I'm gonna work on this. You can go to sleep or go downstairs, I don't care." He almost snaps, voice thick with hostility again. It doesn't look like he's gonna be very talkative, so you might test your luck downstairs.

   "Sure. Do I, uh, come back here to sleep..?" As the words pass your lips you internally cringe, but he doesn't even hesitate.

  "Yeah." The 'duh' is left unsaid, but you can read between the lines. "If Dabi harasses you, tell him I'll disintegrate his ugly face."

    Silence hangs in the air, and you snort unexpectedly, caught off guard by the sudden playfulness. Shigaraki doesn't exactly seem to be teasing, but you can't stomp down the grin rising to your lips. With a slight pep in your step you turn to leave the room, closing the door behind you as you pad down the steps and into the main room with the others. 

    Toga's on the couch, legs crossed under her as she flips through a deck of cards pinched in her hands. The second you poke your head out of the stairway she brightens, teeth shockingly white contrasted against her ashy face. There's a dark smudge on her cheek, as if a hand tried to wipe away some dirt but only mussed it up more.

   "Yay, Shigaraki didn't kill you!!!!" She giggles, thankfully not making any move to hug you. Even she knows she's too dirty right now. "Dabi's in the shower down here, and Twice and Compress went up to their room. I think I'm getting the downstairs room if you stay with Shiggy."

   "There's a room down here?" You question, surprised. This cabin doesn't seem big enough for so many rooms. You saw three doors upstairs...No way those are all bedrooms. 

  Her blond head bobs as she nods. "Mhm! In the basement there's two rooms, and upstairs there's two rooms. And I think every floor has a bathroom? Boss really went all out for us." She goes to speak more when you hear a door open, warm steam pouring out of the room connected to the living room. Dabi steps out, dark sweats swung low over his hips and towel over his bare shoulders. His hair drips, the shaggy layers falling into his eyes and dripping more water over his staples. 

    Toga pops up, eyes wide. "My turn!!" She runs over to the bathroom and slams the door behind her, water running almost immediately. 

   You don't like the smugness in Dabi's walk, the way he plops down next to you on the couch with a lazy grin. That weird prickling in the back of your mind is back, screaming at you to just remember!!!

    "I heard what the boss wants you to do," he sing songs, tipping his head back against the cushions. The damp fabric darkens beneath him, but he ignores it. "He's not gonna be happy when he realizes his little darling lost her monsters and can’t do anything useful."

   Your stomach drops.

  Ryuk. Rem.

 They're both gone.

 You barely check to make sure you're alone before you flinch, whirling on the snickering villain. "Shit, where is Ryuk??" Panic flares hot in your chest, eyes wide as you realize you forgot something very important. Dabi snickers, bumping his shoulder to yours and letting his skin touch yours in a painful reminder of what he holds over you. You flinch, before you realize it doesn't even matter right now. It's not like there are any Shinigami's around for anyone to see.

 Dabi hums, tapping his disfigured cheek like he's trying to remember. It makes you feel sick. He's just dragging it out, wanting to see you squirm. But you're not in any position to argue.

"I guess he was up on the roof? I saw him poke his head down during your little cuddle sesh about an hour into our drive when we got gas. Said he was bored and going home." He shrugs faux-casually, eyes sliding to yours to study your reaction. You don't want to indulge him, but you're heart is racing and the corners of your vision is darkening and shrinking. 

   They're both gone, and probably have no idea where you are. Rem must be furious. And on top of that, you're basically quirkless until you're back with them or have the Death Note itself.

   "Fuck-why on earth would he leave???" Its so incredibly tempting to bury your face in your hands and scream-or jump Dabi and rip his staples out-but you're painfully aware of the fact you aren't as alone as you seem. Someone could walk in at any moment, and they probably won't be as misleading to Shigaraki as Dabi is. 

   He shrugs, eyes fluttering shut as he stretches out on the couch. "He doesn't seem very...loyal. Did you really expect him to stay?" 

  You grit your teeth, forcing your breathing to even out. Your eyes trace the lines of his skin where purple meets olive, trying to ground yourself before you crash out. His words strike a chord. "Don't act like you have any idea of what my Shinigami's are like." You snap defensively, shoulders tight. "Ryuk probably just wanted to tell Rem. He's not the brightest."     Hopefully he doesn't pick up on the fact that you're lying through your teeth right now. Ryuk is admittedly clever; and not loyal in the slightest. He'd probably write your name in the Death Note for a single apple. But Dabi doesn't need to know that. 

  "Maybe. But that still leaves you in a bit of a pickle, doesn't it?" Mirth shines in his eyes, and you wonder if he's ever taken anything seriously in his entire life. "Alone with a bunch of villains. No demon friends to watch your back. Totally vulnerable." His grin is all teeth, sharp and knowing. 

   From what you've seen with Dabi, he's just trying to get under your skin. Even if you know he's not being as malicious as he seems, the tiny Rem in your brain still screams at you for being so stupid and getting in this situation. Maybe its time to admit to yourself you rushed into things a little bit. 

   "You don't know that. Maybe they have nothing to do with my quirk." You shrug calmly. 

   He snorts. "You're bluffing. I'm not that stupid." You both perk up when the shower shuts off, and you hear moving around as Toga presumably gets dressed. Taking it as an escape you stand, resisting the growing urge to throw something at the smirking Dabi still reclined on the couch. It's pretty late; Shigaraki will probably want you back in the room soon. 

   As you're hopping off the couch to manuver around his lanky legs, he pipes up. "Maybe he'll be sweet once the lights are off." Dabi jabs, having to get the last word in. It takes a second to sink in, but once it does you flush an angry shade of red and hurridly climb over the coffee table to get away from him. 

  By the time Toga's opening the door you're halfway up the carpeted steps, taking them two at a time to avoid getting stuck in some card game or conversation. The hallway is quiet, and you can see dim lights under your door from the computer monitors.

   Shockingly, Shigaraki hasn't moved from his spot hunched at the desk, but he seems to be working on something different now. Maps of a school are pulled up, and he's typing furiously on his phone. You clear your throat to make sure he noticed you, and he snorts humorlessly.

   "I'm not some small time crook. I notice when someone is behind me." He rubs his eye and turns back to you, lips quirked down. "You're not exactly quiet either. We need to work on that."

   Unsure how to respond, you walk over to the bed, perching gingerly on the edge of the dark sheets. 

   "Did you find the person who tipped off the heroes yet?" You're praying he says no, and the sudden lack of keyboard clicking makes you tense. 

  "...Not yet. My resources are limited right now." There's a tired edge to his voice, a slight dullness rounding out the harshness. Shigaraki continues, lowering his head to lean against his palm on the desk. "I'm not even sure how long we'll have to stay here. Without knowing who ratted us out, we have no way of guaranteeing that it won't happen again." 

    The sheets suddenly feel rough against your skin, and you sit up with a jolt. "Wait, this isn't just for tonight?"

  "It's a safehouse- We'll be here for as long as we need until its safe again." He hesitates, nose scrunched in thought. "Too much is happening right now to risk anyone getting arrested."

   Any protest you had dies on your tongue as he turns to you, crimson eyes bearing into yours. "Why? Do you have something you needed to do?" That little hint of suspicion is back, the soft drumming of his fingertips hitting the wood slowing down. 

    "I have work. I have...pets I need to check on. I can't just drop everything to have a week long vacation." You silently send an apology to Rem and Ryuk for referring to them as your pets, but you can't exactly tell Shigaraki you have to check on two 7 foot Shinigami gods who may or may not write your name in the Death Note if you don't get back soon and explain. 

   Shigaraki pauses, then rummages through a drawer to toss you a laptop. It's shockingly new, and looks unused. "You have your phone, right? You can use this too to make arrangements for work and someone to take care of your pets." 

   Your eye twitches, but deciding not to look a gift horse in the mouth you accept it with a thank you, setting it beside you on the bed. Too bad Rem refuses to try and learn how to use technology, otherwise this might actually be somewhat useful "Sure. Still, do you really think we'll be stuck here for long?" 

   "No way of knowing." His clipped reply is quick, shutting the conversation down immediately. It's quiet for a bit as you watch him mess with stuff on the computer. "By the way, the left side of the bed is mine."

    You purse your lips and scoot to the right side of the bed, folding your legs under you. It hadn't really occurred to you that you're sharing not only a room, but a bed as well. He seems like the type to kick in his sleep.

   The room is dark, and when Shigaraki opens a bright tab on the computer you have to blink to adjust your eyes. "You won't disintegrate me in my sleep, right?" It's probably not the most tactful question, but it's pretty important. 

   His head whips around, his eyes narrowed and lips pursed to mirror yours. "Depends if you keep your mouth shut or not." He snaps back. That's enough of an answer for you, and you shut up. Waiting until he turns back to his work, you shift in the bed, slipping under the cool covers and settling back.

   It might be in your head, but you swear the screens dim slightly, the brightness behind your eyelids dulled and helping you relax. Unease churns in your belly from your conversation with Dabi, as well as the mere fact you're sharing a room with Shigaraki of all people, but you just squeeze your eyes tighter and roll on your side. You're sure if you pretend he's not here you'll fall asleep eventually. 

[kurapikaisnowdrowning69]

 I'm not a good person; I'm barely a person at all

It goes on like this for about three weeks. You get a call, go to the address provided (sometimes at the bar, sometimes at the warehouse, once or twice at a new location), and always end up bumming around with Toga and Spinner. Twice has been getting called in more and more lately. But not you. And lately it even feels like Toga's job is to babysit you.

  It feels almost like a test and you're not sure if you're passing. Surely they would've wanted your help with something?? Ocassionally they'll come out, thrust a packet at you and send you off to work your magic, but never for anyone important. 

   If it couldn't get any worse, Dabi's at your shoulder more and more often. Most the time he'll be in the meeting room with the other self proclaimed big shots, but either way you'll feel rough fingers over your neck or wrist, then eyes on the back of your head for the rest of the day. At this point, not being allowed in the meetings with him is almost a blessing. On top of that, he hasn't said another word about it since his confrontation with Rem. 

   Shigaraki hasn't mentioned 'catching' you with Dabi either, though you catch him staring just as much, if not more, than your blackmailer himself. But unlike Dabi, who'll give you a lazy smirk and slide his gaze away, Shigaraki glares until you look away, neck tingling uncomfortably. You always feel like you're doing something wrong.

  Rem doesn't help that feeling go away. The shinigami has been distant lately, eyes sharp and disapproving as she watches you run around the city the second they call, desperate to please. Ryuk has been the one to tag along lately. Things feel strained, but you know she'll have to get over it eventually. This is your life now. 

   But how long will this last?

   This time when you come in Dabi's sitting on the couch, fingers tapping away at his cracked phone as he texts. It took you longer to get here today;this buildings on the outskirts of the city, identical to the other gray-siding apartments on the block. It's small too, more of an office space than apartment. Crummy part of town, but quiet. 

  He perks up when you step through the door, Ryuk trailing behind you. Stifling a groan you head over to perch beside him, trying to subtly twist your hand in a way he can lightly tap. It doesn't seem like everyone is here yet, but Spinner, Compress, and Shigaraki himself are all crammed in this tiny office and you don't feel like having them question your sudden closeness to Dabi. 

  He doesn't seem to get the message, reaching up to brush a strand of hair behind your ear, fingers grazing the skin of your cheekbone. "Hey doll." He purrs, eyes lidded. For some reason you find yourself glancing at Shigaraki, who's sitting tense in his chair, expression hidden by the taxidermied hands clutching his face. You look away.

   "The others are late." Shigaraki snarls, nails digging into his neck and dragging down. "Iguchi, you told them the correct time, right??"

  Spinner, who you assume is Iguchi, nods, opening his snout to speak when the door bursts open and in comes a laughing Toga and Twice. Their giggles die down slightly when they notice the tenseness in the room, but even that doesn't deter them too much.

   "Woah, so serious! Chillax guys-Did something happen???" You see Twice wince and tug his mask even tighter over his face, trying to get control of his voices. Toga pats his arm sweetly. 

  "This place is new!! I like it." She skips over to sit next to you, and you barely have time to move any exposed skin out of the way before she's piled on your side, head on your arm. Ryuk's almost disgusting grin stretches even more grotesquely, eyes twinkling at Dabi, then back to you.  

  You passed along the story to Ryuk when you got home that night, and immediately regretted telling him once he opened his mouth and reminded you that its Ryuk. The Shinigami's opinions on the matter are drastically different; Rem thinks you need to leave the League and get your life in check, and Ryuk is torn between killing Dabi and becoming his best friend. You disagree with either option. 

   "Yeah it's different." You twist and angle your body so you're facing Toga, your back to Dabi. This couch is certainly cleaner than the one in the warehouse hideout, but your ass is already sore from the firm cushions. The mystery stain's charm might be growing on you. 

   You drop your voice slightly, chin braced on your palm. "I don't see any other places for rooms. Y'think we'll be kicked out?" You murmur, watching the girls expression carefully. But Toga just shrugs, eyes big and round.

   "Dunno. I guess they finally have plans for us?" Her head tilt reminds you a bit of a birds. Her shoulders lower and she slumps against the couch, teeth flashing as she yawns. "I'm guessing it's something big. They've been planning this for forever." 

   Blowing past any hints that his presence is not wanted in this conversation, Dabi snorts, lighting a flame between his middle finger and thumb and letting it dance over his already scarred knuckles. "Duh dumbass. Have you not paid any attention to Crusty over there??? He's been jumpy and weird for weeks. Obviously he's planning something."

   "You've been in the meetings, so your opinion doesn't count." You mutter, resisting the urge to shrink away from him. The smoke from the tiny flame tickles your nose as you stifle a sneeze. 

  "I know about as much as you do." At your obviously disbelieving frown he raises his palms, eyebrows raised. "Honest. Shig wants us to know the bare minimum before him and daddy-dearest figure it out."

   This is the first time you've heard anything about Shigaraki's family. Honestly, you assumed he didn't have anyone-which is naive. But before you can raise your question Toga huffs, leaning over you so she can hear better.  

   "But they're always planning stuff. How are we supposed to know if it's important or not??" She challenges, brows furrowed. 

   "Just don't be an idio-"  Kurogiri appears in a twist of shadow, cutting the argument short. Everyone shuts up, attention on him. Even Toga sits back on her knees, no longer hovering over your lap. It seems everyone's here now. 

   Shigaraki stands, his hoodie replaced by a long coat with frayed edges. Droplets of blood roll down his neck, but he doesn't acknowledge it, instead clearing his throat and pushing his bangs back. "We're finally ready to take the next step." His voice is a weird mix of shaky and firm, but rings clearly across the room. "Attacking UA itself. They underestimate us, and they've gotten sloppy;We've got the location of their training camp." 

   You can see the tips of his lashes through the gaps in his weird mask of hands, crimson flashing dangerously as he see's everyone mumuring about the news. Shigaraki pauses for a moment, letting it set in, before he continues. "It's in July. That gives us nearly four months to prep further and recruit more villains. But even with adding further members, we're the League. We have the important tasks."

   A chill runs down your spine at his passionate tone, your chest feeling light as your head swims. For some reason everything's feeling scarily real right now. Theres a lump in your throat, and you feel weirdly panicky as Shigaraki's focus lands on you. Shoving down the panic you smooth your features, tongue pinched between your teeth to ground you.

   But he seems to pause, then looks at Compress instead, who's perched by the window. "We're making an extraction. Does everyone remember the explosion boy from the Sports Festival? We've decided he has potential to be...converted. Compress, you're going to contain him." He turns to Kurogiri, who seems to already be in on the plans. "We'll bring him to Kurogiris portal, and then back to the bar. Dabi, you'll cause a diversion with your flames. Make it flashy."

    He seems to hesitate, deciding how much he wants to share right now. Dabi takes it as his moment to jump in. "Why not use newbie here to just kill the teachers? What are a bunch of teenagers gonna do without them?" The way he speaks about killing as if its no big deal freaks you out a little. This guy is blackmailing me.

    Before you can figure out some half baked excuse on why you can't do that, Shigaraki curls his lip, voice tight. "Because. We have plans for her. Your job is to create the diversion. Not hers." He turns to a whiteboard on the wall and reaches up, yanking down a map and letting it slap the board. It recoils but stays down, and he jabs a spot that seems to be in the middle of the woods.

   "This is the camp. Our mole is still getting details, but we'll come in from around here." 

   Holy shit. They have a mole. Like in a movie.

   He continues. "We need something to lure them all out. Something big enough for the students to think the teachers need them to intervene. And we'll strike at night." Looking closer at the map, you can see notes and labels, but most of it is gibberish to you. You snag a look back at Ryuk to see if he's paying any attention, but he's happily turning over a rubix cube in his leathery palms. 

    "Are we all gonna go?" Toga chimes in, giddy with excitement as she bounces in her seat. Shigaraki nods, lips pressed tight.

   "Chaos. That's the key to this whole plan." He stuffs his hands in his pockets, turning away from the map. The air is thick with excitement, and you can practically feel the power radiating from him. Really, from everyone in this room. No one here is a small fry when it comes to quirks. "No one will be able to notice a missing student or two when the woods are on fire and kids are being attacked left and right. When we get a more specific map, everyone will get their tasks, but thats the gist. Attack people, cause destruction."

   Sirens ring in the distance, and Shigaraki pauses. Mr Compress perks up and they share a look, and then he's up, heading to the stairs to check it out. Shigaraki hums, not missing a beat. "So yes, everyone's going. Plus masters sent a few others our way to help out. For some reason, he doesn't seem to pleased about this fact. Again, you wonder about this mystery person. Is he his dad? Or is this someone totally new.

   You lean over and subtly nudge Toga, voice a hissed whisper. "Who's 'Master'??" 

   "Oh, no one told you??" She whispers back, eyes wide. "So like, um, if Shiggy's the boss, he's the bosses boss. He has the final say in all of this."

   It's tempting to press more, but Shigaraki's attention swings back your way and you both shut up like guilty children. Compress is still gone, and a hush falls over the room for a moment. You can hear far away voices, and unease stirs in your belly. Everyone seems to feel similarly, because Toga stands to tiptoe over to the door, peeking out and down the steps to the entryway where Compress is. With the door open the voices are clearer, and you can clearly hear him talking to a person; maybe two. Togas eyes widen and she hastily closes the door, running back over to whisper yell.

   "Cops!! Compress's mask is off but they seem suspicious, I think I heard them alert a hero-" Everyone launches into action, Shigaraki's hand shooting out to snag the map with all five fingers, the whole board crumbling to dust in seconds. You kick at the pile to spread it out slightly, unsure of how else to help. Thankfully, Shigaraki's the boss for a reason.

   "Fuck- Okay, there's a van in the back, everyone down there. Iguchi, you drive, pull it around front. Dabi, stay here and be ready to help Compress get out. Wait until you see the van so we have time to pull up before it escalates and heroes are swarming, but then attack." He barks out orders, the commands barely getting through the fogginess of your brain right now. Your stomach lurches, and you want to puke. 

  Thankfully Shigaraki seems to notice this, because he snags your sleeve to yank you to a door you didn't even notice on the other side of the room. Everyone else seems tense but not panicked, and they follow his lead and run down the steep stairs of the cramped corridor. You stumble a few times but he doesn't let up, all but dragging you with him as he kicks open the door. Light blinds you, but as your eyes adjust you recognize it as some alleyway with a light van tucked under a pavilion. 

    Everyone knows their roles. Spinner launches himself in the drivers side and jams the keys in to get the engine going, and Toga slides in beside him. Twice throws open the wide doors of the trunk and jumps in, Shigaraki following as he yanks you in. You narrowly avoid careening into his chest, and you feel a hand steady you by the shoulder.   

    "Shitttt it's not starting-" You hear Spinner curse as he slams a fist on the dashboard, which miraculously works, the engine rumbling to life. Toga cheers, feet on the dash, the windows already being rolled down.

   "Go. Now" Shigaraki snarls, and practically on command the van goes tearing backwards, the doors slamming closed and shutting you in darkness. You lose your footing and bump into something hard, but throw yourself forward to grab the wall. It's basically pitch black back here, and not tidy at all. Moving blankets are piled in the corner, multiple boxes stacked to the side and taking up a good portion of the van. "Twice, make copies and send them in different directions. Make them go on a wild goose chase."

   As your eyes adjust to the dim lighting you see him turn his attention on you, making you balk. "You. Your job is opening and keeping the doors open." Before you can process this you're being nudged forward, hands thumping on the doors to stable yourself.

   "W-what??? While the car is moving??" You yelp, eyes wide. You can barely keep your balance as is. 

  Shigaraki looks at you as if you're the stupidest person on the planet. "Yes. We're not gonna stop the car???" 

   It's terrifying, but you plant your feet and close your fingers around the handle, pushing the door open and throwing your weight against it. Reaching out with your leg, you kick open the other one, which jerks open as the car lurches forward and down the street. Sure enough, despite the setting sun, you can see cop lights flashing in the distance, sirens only now being turned on. Heroes are gonna be here any second. 

   Wind whips at your face and hair is flying in your eyes, but you don't dare let go of the door for even a second. It feels like you're going to be sucked out and go splat on the pavement at any moment, but somehow you stay firmly planted in the trunk, knees locked. Twice stands on your other side, making copies who in turn jump out of the van and take off running in all directions. 

   "Wheres Compress and Dab-" You start to yell over the wind rushing in your ears when a deafening boom almost makes you lose your balance and grip on the door. But you just hold tighter, righting yourself as a striking blue explodes in the sky. It's hard to see from your spot facing the back of the car, but you can smell it. Smoke, burning flesh, iron, the acrid smell of burning rubber. 

  You hear the screams, but they're cut off relatively quickly. Readjusting your sweaty grip on the door you push it open even more, making sure its open enough for them to leap in without resistance. Right when your fingers are closed tightly again the car picks up speed, going basically through the fire and carnage. You squeeze your eyes shut, and when they're open you see two figures running behind the car. One laughing manically, smoke twisting from his fists, the other fixing a mask back over his face. 

  "SPINNER SLOW DOWN!" You scream, praying you can be heard over the sirens, wind and explosions. Your knees buckle as the van slams to a stop, and Dabi slams into you in his haste to leap in the car. You go careening back and hit Shigaraki, who snarls and wraps his hands over your waist and arm to steady you. Thankfully his anger seems directed at Dabi this time. But your head clunked against something, and red spots flash in your vision as your skull throbs.

  "Watch it." He snaps as Dabi drops to his knees at the back of the van, doors still open as he sends blasts of flame behind the now moving vehicle. He ignores his boss, teeth bared in consentration. Compress is safely climbing over the seats to sit in the front with the others, Toga squished in the middle. Twice, Shigaraki, and you all back up to give Dabi space to work.

   By now the sun is mostly set and the sky is dark, an unblemished backdrop for the swirl of colors in the sky. You can see hints of orange and red sunset clashing with the deep cerulean of flames, gray smoke taking up any clear space in your vision. The second it starts to clear Dabi shoots off more flames, the air thick and hot even with the wind from the car. It's beautiful; Dabi's blue flames curling with the bright flames of the sunset.

   Burning flesh permeates the air, making you gag and finally snap your eyes away from the carnage you're all leaving behind. Heroes are starting to arrive, but Dabi makes quick work of them, and Twice's doubles are sending them in every direction. The smoke helps hide the van, drawing attention to the masked figures running through the flames. But the doubles aren't fireproof, and you can hear the screams they let out as the rubber of their suit melts and fuses with flesh. You turn away, face burying in whatever is closest. You can't even think about that right now.

   A hand gently cups your skull, a quiet rasp reaching your ringing ears. How you manage to hear it over the thrumming of your brain and the commotion around you is a mystery. "You're a villain. This should be child's play." A thumb rubs small circles against your scalp, and your muddled brain settles even further at the pleasant sensation. The voice is tinged with something cruel, but beggers can't be choosers. Your head hurts even more now, pain pulsing behind your eyelids. "Aw, poor baby doesn't like fire?" The mystery voice is mocking and familiar, but you can't place it.

   You can't place anything now that you think about it. Everythings too loud, too confusing. You try and focus on the roughness of the blankets under your legs, but that only makes you more dizzy, and the rest of your body follows your face to slump forward against the chest you're nuzzling. Knee's shift open around you to make room, and you settle in a nice cocoon of a body. Pressure is on either side of your body, and you start to let your eyes slip closed. 

   "Hey, what are you doing???" The voice is still a cold sneer, but its a little more frantic now. The hand cupping your head moves down to your temple and you hiss in pain, wincing as you open your eyes. "Shit. Why didn't you say anything???" It's hard to see anything besides the blurred edges of your vision, but the fingertips in front of your face are tipped with blood. Is that mine..? You find you don't have the energy to care. 

   Right as you're slipping into dreamland a sharp pain flares across your cheek and you whimper, eyes flying open. The bloodied fingers stop pinching you and tug back, shifting you to a sitting position. 

   "Stay awake." He sounds annoyed, and you blink a few times to attempt to snap back to reality. The flames have died down and it's quieter now. Its also dark again; you look around and see the doors are closed now. Dabi sits against them, waving off his still smoking fists with a wince. 

   A burning to your temple makes you jerk back, but a hand pinches your chin and keeps you in place. "OW, hey, stop!" You try and squirm away, and a hand swats your leg.

  "Shush, you're bleeding." The pain helps sharpen your muddled mind, and cold dread settles in your stomach as everything hits you. What happened. What's currently happening. Who's lap you're in. 

   Shigaraki drags the damp cloth over your forehead again, ignoring your pained groans. After a second he slaps a bandage over it and leans back to look, seemingly pleased with his work. "Done. Next time say something instead of falling asleep. Thats a pretty useless thing to do." He mutters, but doesn't seem to mad. You're wide eyed like a deer caught in the headlights, still shocked he hasn't shoved you off of him yet. 

   And he surprises you further by turning you so your back is to his chest, then letting you settle there, leaning back. Head throbbing you follow his lead, half positive this is a hallucination. Even so, your cheeks flush. "We lost them?"

   You feel arms wrap around your torso, and hot breath hits the shell of your ear. You smell cinnamon. "Yep. A while ago actually. You dozed off." His words confuse you; wasn't it just a second ago that you were holding open the doors for them? Everything's fuzzy. Thankfully he supplies a bit more information. "We're heading to a safehouse for a night or two. We're not sure yet how they found us."

   He pauses. "We're gonna double back a few more times to make sure we've really lost them, but then we'll head that way. You can sleep." The hand is back to your head, four fingers tangled in your hair as they trace aimless patterns against skin. It beckons you to sleep, but you resist.

    "Why're you being so nice?" You mumble, voice sounding far away in your ears. You feel his chest move under your cheek as he snorts, hands pausing. 

   "What, am I not always nice?" Shigaraki's voice is dry, and you can practically hear his eyes rolling. But he's silent for a minute while he gathers his thoughts. The whole van is quiet; the mood isn't somber, exactly, but more of a soft feeling. Almost like this is a normal family roadtrip and only the adults are awake, talking softly in the front. "We're more alike than you realize."

   It's not answering your question, but it's something. He doesn't wait for you to acknowledge that he's spoken. "You don't fit in either-at least, you don't think you do-I can tell." His voice is oddly quiet. The words float around your brain a bit, trying to rearrange them into an order that makes sense, and your eyes close again. 

  You're so warm. The soft scritching on your scalp is haze-inducing, and the heartbeat under your ear harmonizes with your own. It would be so easy to drift off right now, laying in a warm lap with the gentle bumping of the van driving on the highway. You don't even mean to fall asleep, but your eyes can only stay stubbornly open for so long before sleep pulls you under, a gentle swipe of the pad of a finger over your lips the last thing you feel before everything's dark and warm. 

[kurapikaisnowdrowning69]

i am a moth who just wants to share your light

    You can't even disagree with Rem. You are an idiot. Having to go home after the fiasco you had last night was bad enough; but having to sit down and recount the whole night to an obviously disaproving Rem??? While Ryuk cackled as he lounged on your bed, clawed feet kicked in the air as he chimed in at the worst possible moments??? Horrible. But that doesn't stop you from tuning her scolding out as you pace in your room, blinds drawn tight. 

   "I know, I know it was stupid." You groan, hands fisted in your hair as you flop on the bed. It hasn't even been 24 hours yet, and you're already sick of the nagging and disappointed sighs periodically tossed your way. "But I said I was sorry. Who knows, they might even change their minds and never contact me again??" There's a hopeful lift in your voice towards the end, which immedietly falls flat and dies at the glare leveled on you. A groan rumbles in your chest and you close your eyes.

   "We both know that's not going to happen. There's not going to be an easy way out of this." Her stare is stony, one golden eye peering at you from under her bandage wrap. The dread coiled in your stomach twists uncomfortably under her scrutiny. 

  Your fingers curl around the skull patterned blanket under your head, pinching and tugging black fuzz off in tiny clumps. "Fuckkkkkkkk why did I tell them I would kill him???" You roll onto your stomach dramatically, face smushed to a pillow. Voice muffled, you continue. "I mean, they're gonna kill me when they find out I'm a liar. I have no intention of killing All Might, who I've damn near idolized for the last six years, which is the only reason they let me join their league. I'm screwed Rem." 

   Your dramatics garner no sympathy from her. It was silly to expect her to welcome you with open arms to whine right after going directly against her warnings; with Ryuk no less. Rem might be loyal to a fault, especially compared to your other Shinigami companion, but she is still in no way warm. You dug your grave, its time to lie in it. "You know I'll kill them before they can hurt you. But you still have to reap some consequences for your actions." She rasps.

    "Oh how you spoil me." You say sarcastically, voice still muffled by the mattress. You hear her huff in annoyance and step back, the floor whining. 

    It's incredibly tempting to just lie in your soft, dark bed forever and try to forget about the mess you got yourself into. You kick yourself mentally. If you were so desperate to fit in somewhere you should've joined an occult club or something. Not a freaking League of Villains. They kill people all the time; who's to stop them from turning on you all of a sudden? It's stupid to risk your life to get in with this crowd just because the leader is hot.

  A delirious giggle bubbles up your throat at that notion. Obviously that had nothing to do with your decision, right?? Right. You still aren't entirely sure the reasoning behind your empty promises last night. But it's still early in the day, and you have no plans; plenty of time to wallow in bed with chips and ponder over your stupidity. 

   It's barely been 20 minutes when Rem pads back in, a grubby flip phone pinched between two claws. It's ringing. She doesn't look happy.

  "This isn't your phone." No other words are needed. Like a scolded puppy you reach out and take the phone from her hand, lifting it to your ear and trying to remember which button you needed to press. Dabi gave you a quick rundown last night when Shigaraki told him to get you a phone, barely tossing the scarred man a glance, but its hard to remember right now. 

   The ringing dies down, but immeidietly starts again a second later. This time you press the button in time, Dabi's now familar rasp crackling on the other side of the line. 

    "Figured the little death girl couldn't remember her instructions. Next time I won't be so nice. Remember, when this phone rings, you pick up." He drones, amusement dripping from his voice. You can just imagine the smug quirk of his lips as he tries to twist you up. It irks you.

   "Uh huh. Didn't expect a call so soon." You try and force coolness into your tone, but you can't quite match his lazy drawl.

   The ancient flip phone is quiet for a second, and then you hear a scratchy laugh. "Yep-" He pops the p, almost obnoxiously so."We got a meeting today and the boss wants you here. Got a pen?"

   Dabi keeps chittering while you scramble around your vanity for a pen, finally grabbing a bubblegum pink ballpoint and scrap of a receipt from Spencers. He finally gets to the point and gives you the address, letting you scribble it down before he passes along the time and other details. 

   "So that's the other place everyone kinda bums around; the bar you saw was more business shit." He finishes it, and you hear a noise in the background. A muffled voice seems to snap at Dabi, and he snickers. He seems smug about something. "Anyway, be there." The line clicks and goes dead, leaving you alone with an even more unsettling Rem. You flash her a grim smile, setting the phone down on the blanket pile by your hip. 

   "Explain." 

   "I totally forgot-" Her level stare makes your stammered apology die on your tongue, and you decide getting to the point is probably the best option right now. "Um, well, they thought my phone could be traceable so I got this one for specifically League stuff. I don't think they trust me enough to not rat them out so I don't get any cool villain gadgets yet." Grabbing the phone again, you twist it around in your palms, the silver material slightly sticky but smooth. Well used for sure. "Yknow, they'll give me jobs and stuff through this."

   Rem doesn't seem happy, but she stays quiet. She's made herself clear on her veiwpoint of the whole thing; she won't push if you don't want to listen. "I'm coming with you next time you go. What did the boy say?" 

   You glance at the receipt with squinted eyes, reading aloud the information. "It says today at 4. A place like 15 minutes from here." Lazily rolling to the side you glance at the clock, shooting upright once you realize its much later in the day than you realized. "Shit. I should be leaving like now." 

  Rem makes no move to follow you as you scramble to pull on pants and a jacket over your tank top, grimacing at the impractical clothing choices. But from what you know of the sweltering bar, the cheap buildings these guys squat in often have no heating or no ventilation. Layers are the way to go. 

  "Fuck-Rem, you have the Deathnote right??" You hiss in pain as you jam your finger trying to rifle through a drawer, checking to make sure your nail didn't break. Rem doesn't answer, but when you turn around to look on your vanity you see it in her hand. Sighing-in relief or in annoyance you're not sure-you grab your purse and hurry out of your room to snag your keys and lock up the apartment. Ryuk is nowhere to be seen today, and you don't bother looking for him. 

  The subway ride to the warehouse building is pretty quick, but there's a noticeable difference in the sketchiness of the platform you left and the station you arrived in. It's dim, with flickering lights and a thick smell of drugs and humaness. Rem wrinkles her nose but remains stubbornly silent, the Deathnote clutched in her hands.

   "It should be right here...." After a quick walk you're standing in front of an old looking brick building, probably two stories on the verge of collapse. Moss and ivy climbs up the sides and curls around bars over the windows, the glass cracked and taped on the other sides, the bars rusted and russet colored. Overall it screams 'villain base' for sure.

   Raising a fist to knock, you double check your notes, but someone beats you to it. The door swings open, the masked guy you've seen before grinning down at you. He still has his extravigant top hat on, but he's in more casual clothes today. You feel overdressed when you see his sweats and hoodie. 

   "Ah! You showed up." With a grand flourish of his arm he steps to the side, letting you hesitantly step through the door frame and take in the room. You realize you were wrong about the two story theory. From what you can tell its more of a loft space, with tall. vaulted ceilings and a huge room stuffed with shipping crates and construction equipment. It's bitterly cold from the concrete walls and floor. "Here's the humble abode-the common areas are behind here. That's where everyone else is, this is more where we meet our more hostile clients." He hums cheerily as he leads you down behind a large crate to a door, the dimness immidietly lifting once the door opens. 

   You hear Rem clunk her head on the doorframe behind you and you smother a giggle, blinking to let your eyes adjust to the sudden influx in nice, warm lighting. This corridor is drastically different from the cold concrete of the warehouse. Instead of sprawling yards of grey its carpeted, the almost outdated patterns creeping up parts of the walls to blend with peeling vinyl. The hallway is short, leading to a small staircase and an apartment looking loft space. You guys pad inside, and the laughter and chatter dies down. 

   Dabi smirks from his spot sprawled out on a yellowed couch, leg thrown lazily over the armrest. "Finally. You guys are late." He sits up with a catlike stretch, jaw and scars strained as he yawns. 

  He means me and the guy who opened the door, right??? I'm just being paranoid after he touched my arm the other day.

   But your heart stutters in your chest as he stands, brushing past you and bumping his shoulder to yours as he turns the knob to another door connected to the small kitchen area. The rough drag of his fingers down the sensitive skin of your wrist is impossible to brush off as anything other than intentional. Pulse jumping you stumble slightly backwards, but the touch is gone as quick as it appeared. Dabi doesn't even spare you a glance as he ducks into another room, door closed behind him. It was too quick to see, but you could've sworn you saw a few figures milling around a table in there.  

   "I missed you oh my god I'm so excited!!!" Toga pops off the couch, a bottle of nail polish immediately long forgotten on a battered coffee table. This time you're prepared for a hug, barely flinching as she throws herself on you to nuzzle her cheek against yours. You tentitavely wrap your arms around her back, muscles loosening slightly. "We didn't get to talk nearly enough the other day but now we have all the time in the world!!!!"

   Twice grumbles something from his spot sitting on the rug, dead gaming controller in his hands. Spinner, the lizard guy you talked to, sits on the couch behind him, foot braced on Twice's shoulder as they play some shooting game. 

   "Shit. Move your fucking head Twice." He snarls, neck craning to see the screen better as his fingers smash buttons. They don't seem to be in any hurry to start a meeting. 

   Gently untangling from Toga you tilt your head, looking around the shabby living room and its occupants. Twice, Spinner, Toga, and Mr compress. No Shigaraki. Even the weird shadow man is missing. "Um, did I miss the meeting thing?" 

   Toga giggles and waves you off, grabbing your arm to tug you to the couch. You're eternally grateful that you remembered to wear long sleeves, even if you're sweltering slightly in such a heavy jacket. 

   "Nope. But Shiggy doesn't want us in there with him. Top secret stuff he said. Pretty cool." Her lips curl and she claps once. "More time to hang out!!" 

   Your brain stalls, all the grand ideas and daydreams of these villain meetings withering up to die. "Wait, so I don't get to hear anything?? How do we know what to do???" Annoyance and disappointment prickle in your chest, and your fingers twitch as you sit down tenderly. The couch is springy and the smell burns your nose, but its relatively comfortable and clean...ish. 

   "I dunno, they just tell us I guess?? They'll argue for a bit in there then come out and yell at us until we do what they want. Depends if Shiggy's in a mood." Toga picks the polish back up, peering at her nails as she swipes crimson over her nailbed. Spinner scoffs, eyes not leaving the bulky TV.

   "He's always in a Mood, who are we kidding. At this point can we even say that's not his default personality?" He pauses, eyes finally sliding to yours. His expression is unreadable. "Maybe you can fix that. He'll probably settle a bit once All Might's dead." 

   With a noncomittal hum you shrug and turn to angle your body slightly towards Rem, who's standing by your side next to the couch. She's watching the closed door Dabi disappeared in. Toga jumps in. "Mhm!! He's been talking a ton about you. He's so...fixated."

    She says it like its a good thing, but you're really not sure how you feel about having Shigaraki 'fixated' on you. You shove it to the back of your brain. "This is kinda ridiculous. Why are we out here like children while the big kids talk??" 

  No one seems to share your qualms. "They are the leaders. And it gets too crazy if theres too many people arguing at once." Toga points out, a now painted claw being examined. Now Compress jumps in.

   "Exactly. We've been hired for manual labor, not the planning parts. It's best to leave it to them."

  "Who is 'them'? I saw Dabi, and I can assume Shigaraki is in there too." You turn to look at the door, but it remains stubbornly closed. A cacophony of groans rises up suddenly as something goes wrong in their game, and Spinner slams the controller down on the couch before begrudgingly handing it over to Twice. Game over flashes on the screen. 

   Once the disappointment fades and the blond guy is back to shooting zombies on the tv, Spinner turns fully towards you with an annoyed sigh. "So nosy. Well, there's Shigaraki, obviously, Dabi, uhhh then Kurogiri, the shadow guy, then sometimes Compress joins in too. And whoever they're in cahoots with at the time." He pauses, thinking. "Right now I think it's some big blond guy. Muscle-man or something." He shrugs and turns his attention back to the game, whooping at a paticularly good shot Twice makes.

   Not very helpful, but thanks. 

  It's a weird situation, not at all what you expected when you came here. But not horrible. Toga is chatty and easy to talk with, immediately acting as if you've been friends all your lives. You find yourself falling into a rhythm, soon sprawled back with them as you leer at the game and talk about random stuff. You even forget Rem, who's sitting down and reading something. 

    "Uh huh. Eraserhead for sure. He's so cool." 

  Toga shakes her head, lips pressed firmly together. You catch a whiff of a sweet smelling perfume when she pushes a strand of hair behind her ear. "No way. Stainy is way cooler, and he pulls off the bandage thing wayyyy better." She giggles.

   "Hey, vigilantes don't count. The question was about our favorite licensed hero." You gesture aimlessly with your hand, stretching out your shoulder. Their meeting is still going on, and you've lost track of how long you've been lazing around with the others. 

  "Fineeee I guess that mountain lady is pretty cool. But I'm mainly excited for the next generation of heros." She pauses, gathering her thoughts. "But Eraserhead, really??? He's so....greasy." The blonde can barely get the words out around her giggles, legs kicked out to dangle over the end of the couch. Her boots are worn and similar to yours. 

   Unable to resist joining in you nod, grinning. "Like, half the people here are greasy. But come on, he's not only a total smokeshow, but he's also has the coolest assist weapons ever." Twice mumbles something to Spinner, but his other half seems unable to stay quiet. 

   "I'd for one let Eraserhead tie me up-" He pauses as a door slams, and everyone turns to the side to see Shigaraki storm out of the room right as he says that. Like both times you've seen him, he's in dark sweats and a hoodie, hair mussed and fluffed in his eyes. He's pacing through the room you're in, barely sparing anyone a glance as he heads to what you assume are the rooms, but he pauses when he hears Twice speak. Like a drug dog who just sniffed out pure crack, he whips around, eyes narrowed. He doesn't look happy with the turnout of the meeting, if you had to guess based off his mood.

  "Huh?" His hand lifts to his face and you think he's going for his neck, but he suddenly swtiches directions and starts to pick at his lip. 

   You hear a soft snort come from Spinners direction, but Shigaraki doesn't even notice. He's finally seemed to realize you're here, and his scowl hardens slightly. Twice is slightly freaking out over being overheard, so Toga pipes up.

   "We were just talking about our favorite heros. I said Stainy but someoneeeee said he doesn't count." Her tone is singsongy, and her eyes suddenly widen. "Hey, isn't Eraserhead a vigilante too? He shouldn't count either-"

  But Shigaraki ignores her, his tense body relaxing ever so slightly. "You like Eraserhead?" He rips a tiny piece of dead flesh off his lip and a dot of blood bubbles up, and he wipes it with his thumb. He scoffs. "Day one in the League and you're already idolizing heroes?I should kick you to the curb right now." He mutters, foot scuffing at the wood floor as he tosses hair from his eyes. But his tone isn't as harsh. More teasing almost? Still with a nasty undercurrent, but totally unlike his words to you up to this. It unsettles you slightly. 

  He seems to pause, as if to say something, but decides against it and turns back to walk to his room. Everyone goes quiet; even letting the game go idle, zombies swarming the farm and ending with a game over screen. A group intake of breath, a pause...and no slammed door. Everyone exhales, almost in surprise. Spinner is the first to speak.

  "Woah. He was in a good mood."

   No way that was a good mood. You might've made a mistake in joining th-

  Toga pipes in, nodding vigorously. "Yeah, should we talk about his man-crush more often???" Everyone laughs, as if this was some inside joke. Before you can ask about it, the door opens again, and Dabi pokes his head out. Kurogiri leaves the room and heads to the kitchen, and Dabi crooks a finger at you.

   "Hey, fuckface, I have to talk to you." He ducks back in the room, and you hesitate. Toga whines and mumbles something about not wanting to share, but doesn't protest at all. You take that as a sign to get up, casting a look at Rem to see if she's following you. Obviously, she is. 

   This room is smaller than the living room, with no windows, peeling wallpaper, and suspicious stains on the carpeted floors. A dark wood table takes up most the room. It looks like the most expensive thing you've seen here yet. Dabi makes no move to sit, and you follow his lead to lean against the wall a good distance away. It smells like cigars in here.

   "It's a different one today." He muses, and icy dread pools in your stomach. 

  You swallow thickly, not wanting to give anything away. You don't know Dabi at all; he could be some genius who guessed a part of your quirk and is bluffing. It's almost hard to get the words out, but you do. "Huh? I don't get it."

   His eyes brighten at your words, as if he was hoping it would go this way. He smirks, lifting a hand to gesture painfully casually towards Rem, who's been standing tense at your side since he started speaking. Panic settles in your chest, but you glance in that direction and painstakingly avoid letting your gaze linger on Rem for long. But you see her wide eyes, the Deathnote still left vulnerable in her grip. 

   "Aw, playing dumb?? Those big monster things are connected to you, right? And this ones different. White this time, and not as scary." Dabi's eyes are locked on your face, barely acknowledging Rem. He doesn't need to; he knows she's there. 

  You don't mean to let your expression change at all, but it must've flickered with something because Dabi lights up as if all his suspicions were confirmed. You curse mentally, trying not to cringe as he steps forward. You stay silent, shrugging. But its a pathetic attempt at casualness. If he can see Rem, he can see her. You're screwed.

   "And I can see it because...?" He gives it a second, frowning a little when you don't fill in his musing. It's almost as if you let his expectations down somehow, but he quickly recovers. "I touched you. Skin to skin? You haven't been letting anyone else do that." He snickers. "Fuck, when I accidentally touched you the first time I nearly pissed myself when I saw that demon spawn out of nowhere. But you looked at it a few times. Not as subtle as you think."

    "What do you want?" Keeping your voice level you step back, finally letting yourself look at Rem. She has the book, and you shake your head. She begrudgingly puts it away.

    This is the exact thing Dabi seemingly wanted you to say. His lips curl and he shrugs, pausing like he's pondering over his demands. Like he hasn't been planning this. "I can tell you're not gonna be honest about your quirk. So I get to touch you whenever I want." He leans close, voice velvety, and you flush. Your lips part in a spluttered protest, and he cuts you off with a smooth laugh. "Nah, don't get your hopes up. I just wanna see the demon freaks. It seems like I'll have to figure this all out myself." 

   The impish glint in his eyes reminds you he's trying to get you flustered and upset, which oddly enough helps you calm down. Huffing, you think it over and come to the conclusion you really do have no choice. If anyone finds out you're lying to them about not being able to kill All Might, you're screwed. But Dabi doesn't seem to care about those same ideals. He has his own plan-which is what, you're not sure, and that's almost scarier than knowing you're dead meat-but you have a gut feeling this won't get back to anyone if you play along.

   Fully prepared for Rem to bite your head off, you nod, and Dabi's smug smile widens. Thankfully at the news he steps back to give you some space, and you subtly gulp down the air you didn't realize you were running low on. The glint in his eyes reminds you he knows something you don't, but now's not the time to worry about that. "Oh, and if you're thinking about killing me? Don't even think about it. I have everything planned out in a way that if I die mysteriously, it all comes back to you." 

    He has to be bluffing, but you can't even be sure about that. So you nod nervously, keeping eye contact until he laughs and looks away, about to say something when the door opens. 

   "What the fuck are you guys doing in here?" Shigaraki snarls, pinky finger barely lifted over the doorknob as he glares at Dabi. The dark haired man looks like he got caught watching nasty videos on his computer, his grin slipping for a second before he regains his composure and shrugs, taking a step forward to bump past Shigaraki through the door frame. 

   Based off the wild glint in his eyes, you half expect Shigaraki to lash out, but he stays still, just glaring at the retreating Dabi. Now his attention is on you, lip curled in annoyance. Any pleasantries from earlier have disappeared. 

   "One rule. Don't screw the coworkers or our deal is off and I'll grab your face until you're a pile of dust." His voice is sharp, making Rem step forward threateningly. But obviously he doesn't flinch, not able to see anything other than your already pale face. He sneers, taking your silence for guilt. 

    You hurry to clarify before you screw this whole thing up. "Shit, no, there's nothing happening. He just had a question about my quirk, and I didn't say anything you guys don't already know." He doesn't look like he believes you, but also doesn't look like he's about to jump you, which is an improvement. He huffs.

   "Whatever. And you can go home; everyone here is an idiot and we got nothing done during the meeting. No jobs for you yet." His voice is tight, fingers alternating between clenching and picking at his cuticles. Something about his tone makes something stir up in your chest, and you straighten. Rems narrowed eyes go ignored. 

    "Um, I'll help with anything!!! Just give me a job and I'll do it. Y'know, chipping in and all." You had a strange burst of enthusiasm when you started talking, but that quickly fizzled out, leaving your words to fall flat towards the end. Shigaraki just blinks. "I mean, I want to help. So, uh, yeah."

   His eyes narrow and he scoffs. "Like you're able to do all this crap. Tell me when you're able to kill All Might and then I'll pat you on the head." But something in his voice changed. It didn't soften exactly-he is not soft-but it's not as biting. The goal in this conversation is not for him to be cruel just to be cruel. And it's pathetic how just that makes your chest warm. "Now scram."

   Not wanting to push your luck, you nod and duck under his arm to leave, stilling when you feel his fingers brush a strand of hair to the side. It's hard to breath, heart thudding out of your chest as his fingers carefully closing around the tag of your shirt poking out the neckline. It's something thats been bugging you all morning, and you feel the tickle of dust as it falls down the small of your back. His hand lifts away, and he doesn't acknowledge anything. 

   With a muttered thank you, you head out, cheeks on fire as you hurridly wave goodbye to everyone. Avoiding both Dabi and Shigaraki's eyes, you leave, wondering about your two strange conversations in one afternoon, and what you're gonna do to get yourself out of this mess. 

[kurapikaisnowdrowning69]

we were wrecks before we crashed into each other

"Bloody hell. She actually did it." Spinner breaths out, eyes on the battered TV as the reporter prattles on about the villains found dead this morning. One from a heart attack; the other, and exploded head. Very flashy. The mutant swivels around on his chair, flashing a toothy grin to his grim faced partner. "Come on, this is pretty exciting."

   "I couldn't care less about some shitty second rate villains. I asked her to kill All Might, and the bitch said no. And I let her leave." Everyone groans at Shigaraki's griping. He's been whining about you since she ran out of the bar, tail between your legs, less than two days ago. And their sullen boss won't get over it. 

    Dabi pipes up from his spot lounging on the springy, worn fainting couch by the door. He's practically claimed it as his, though no one put up a fuss to share the moth-eaten seat; especially now that it smells like cheap second hand smoke. "Kill her then. She's clearly useless." He drawls out, voice like velvet.

  For some reason the suggestion makes Tomura's stomach tighten, his fingertips twitching with the urge to reach out and grab onto the villains face. But he refrains, gritting his teeth and swirling the whiskey around his cup as he stares at the TV. "No. Not when there's still a chance we could use her." His tone is final. Conversation over. No one in the bar protests, just going back to their own conversations and letting him sulk in peace.

   Everyone with the bandwidth to notice anything besides their own problems sees there's something wrong with him since you came. He's even shorter than usual, riding everyone's asses about stuff that doesn't even matter. A good part of it can be chalked up to his plan failing, but even that only goes so far. The mood in the league is hesitent; no one wants to be the one to set everything off.

  Everyone except Dabi, apparently, who's made it his life mission to piss Tomura off. "If you think she could still help us, you should ask her to join the league." He pipes up, lips curled in a lazy smirk. His tone makes Tomura pause. This doesn't seem like something he just thought of on the spot. But he doesn't push.

   "Fuck no. Why on earth would you think that's a good idea?" A low groan leaves his throat, sore from nights of more scratching than usual. The pale skin is covered with faint red lines, a solid few of them scabbed over already. 

   "You just said we could use her. This is us using her." Dabi points out, making Toga's smile widen. Little fangs poke at her lip as she leans over a booth, the vials of blood she was sorting forgotten.

    "Yes!!! Come onnnn Shiggy I want a girl my age in the League, pretty please???" Tomura winces at her shrill voice, subtly resting his head on his palm with it covering his ear. Toga bounces excitedly in her seat, and Dabi flashes him a smug look. They're ganging up on him. Traitors.

    Even Twice seems open to the idea, despite being threatened less than 72 hours ago. "No way josè. She's crazy man. Oh yea we should totally ask her." He pipes up, mask tugged low over his face. This only gets Toga more excited, giggling as she latches onto Jin's arm to bounce up and down. It's like when a kid knows one parent is okay with getting a puppy, and that the other one will be overruled soon enough. It pisses him off.

   "I said no." He all but growls, fist tightening around his glass until it disintigrates. Amber liquid splashes down onto his lap, soaking the fabric of his pants and only increasing his sourness. "We know nothing about her, and I think this conversation is inconsequential." He pushes back on the stool, hopping off and letting it tumble to the ground with a loud bang as he storms off. The scent of whiskey stings his nose, but he doesn't rub it until he knows he's completely out of sight.   

  Second rate idiots. 

  He hasn't even decided where he was going before Toga comes running in, canary eyes wide and excited. She skids to a stop in the living room area, tucked behind the bar, magazine held in her outstretched hand as she jabs a finger too it. "I knew i recognized her!!!" She's out of breath, running and speaking too fast to breath. Tomura blinks at her as she gulps down air, taking the magazine between his pointer finger and thumb to dangle it in front of his face. He doesn't notice anything about it other than he has no interest in her silly teenager magazine. 

   The cover picture is of a girl in a tight tank top and long, dark skirt, her hair black and teased. Dark makeup lines her eyes, popping against pale skin and a deep burgundy backdrop, tied together with silver jewelry and chunky boots. But he doesn't recognize the girl. "What??" His crimson eyes narrow in annoyance. 

    "Shoot!" She snatches the paper from his hands, flipping to a page and handing it back. He barely spares it a glance, but immediately feels heat shoot to his cock as he recognizes your face, tongue poked out while you flash a peace sign. "See?? It's her." Toga seems ignorant to the tent growing in his pants as he stares dumbstruck at the page. It seems like it's modeling for some clothing line, but Tomura can't get out of his head how stupid you are. You're some lowlife villain, but decide to be photographed willingly and printed out??? Not to mention in those clothes. It makes his jaw tighten and his eye twitch as he snags the magazine and stuffs it behind his back, scowling at Toga.

   "I don't give a damn. Her name is officially banned in this building." He snarls, making the girl huff in annoyance. 

  She extends her hand, red manicured fingers outstretched. "Fine. Gimme my magazine back." 

   Tomura debates it, but the second he sees not only there are multiple pages with you, but it also has your work number??? The poor books fate is sealed. He spins on his heel and books it to his room, ready to shove it under his bed for later, ignoring Toga's yelling.

    You're bored to death. 

   The initial adrenaline from the other day has worn off, leaving normal tasks feeling dull. You finished the other jobs; you even added your own little signature flair you think they'll appreciate. But now what???

   The poor stone on the sidewalk gets the wrath of your boredom, repeatedly being kicked while you walk. It rolls forward, launching side to side when it hits an angle in the pavement. Mildly entertaining stuff. At least Ryuk is having fun, the large Shinigami floating behind you as he munches on a crisp apple. His uneven laughter bounces to you, slightly grating your ears. 

   "Can you touch someone? I wanna freak someone out." He asks for the fifth time, taking a large chomp of his snack. If there was a question of Rem being a sidekick or partner, Rems darker counterpart is more of an annoying pet than anything. You stifle a groan, rolling your eyes and picking up the pace. The rock finally gets some relief, forgotten in the grass.

   "No. We're not drawing attention to ourselves." You tug your hood up as if to prove your point, the furred hem ticking your cheeks. Hands stuffed in your pockets to combat the chill, the two of you walk from your last shoot down to grab a bite to eat. The modeling studio isn't too far from a cute town with tons of options for food. "I already put us on the Leagues radar. We don't need the cops to notice a 'quirkless' girl talking to herself and murdering people with a book."

    It seems like Ryuk already forgot about his request, now focused on getting the apple core as thin as possible without breaking. Shockingly, his clumsy fingers snap it in half, and he lobs it at your head. You yelp, rubbing your skull where it hit. "You are so annoying"

  He giggles, reaching over to paw around in your bag to grab another one. This one's a honeycrisp, making his eyes light up. "Rem's your friend, not me. I still think you're totally inferior." His tone is casual as he sinks his teeth into the apple, making you gag dramatically.

   "Trust me, I have no ill feelings about this arrangement." Rolling your eyes again, you grab and apple of your own to snack on, careful not to ruin your lipgloss too bad. 

   "I do. I think it's ridiculous you have a Death Note and I don't." Ryuk grunts, eyeing you from his spot flying above you. He lowers himself with a thud, padding beside you now.

  "Not my fault Rem likes me more than you. Or that you lost the one thing that makes you useful." You poke your tongue out at him, making him growl slightly as you speed up. You trust Ryuk not to hurt you, but a 7 foot Shinigami with a stretched out grin is pretty scary. 

   You guys get to the block with most the restaurants and you get in line, Ryuk waiting on top of a car outside so no one bumps into him. It would probably be best if he left completely, just in case someone jostled you and touched your skin, but at this point you'd rather have him as a fail safe if something happened. 

  Who am I kidding. He'd probably celebrate if something happened to me.

    You shove the thought from your mind. The cute little sandwich place isn't too crowded, but you wait for a while, collect the sandwiches and apple and walk outside to the pavilion behind the store. It's warmer than yesterday was, the sun out and shining. The wind still nips at your nose, but it's comfortable spring weather for a nice picnic. At least it's something to do. Ryuk is already outside on the grass, and when no ones looking you lob him the apple, which disappears once his fingers wrap around it. You settle down as well, taking a bite of your lunch. 

   This is probably one of your favorite places in this part of the city. It's a nice little hidden spot, and the fountain is beautiful. You always make sure to toss in a coin or two when you pass it, All Mights smiling face beaming down at you. He's large, the stone across his face smooth and almost scarily accurate; as if it's actually him. The bottom of the fountain always glitters with layers of money, emptied regularly for different charities as well.

   Just the reminder of the gall that crusty gooner had to ask, no, demand you to kill the symbol of peace himself pisses you off. You try and be careful not to idolize him tooo much in your head, but still. All Might saved your mother. You couldn't imagine killing him.

   That day was hell itself, and no one expected her to survive. Why would they? She was trapped under almost 3 tons of rubble. But he was there for hours, lifting and digging and breaking just for her and one other woman. They barely survived, but he cared when no one else did. They weren't just another casualty to him. And for that you'll always be grateful. You were barely eight at the time, your dad already long gone. All Might gave your mom the chance to meet your stepdad, and to have two more kids. 

   Anger pools in your gut as you stew in the grass with your lunch. The entitlement of that brat. If he never called again you would be thrilled. With a huff you flop back in the dewy grass, barely dodging yet another apple core being chucked at your skull. This time it doesn't even earn the Shinigami a reaction, making him huff too as he leans back against the fountain. He doesn't seem to love your stony stare.

   "HEY EMO BOY!! HEY HEY HEY EMO BOY! HEY-" You wince as your ringtone blasts, snatching it from your purse before it gets to the bad part of the song. It's not a number you recognize, but it's on your work phone so it's probably either an agency or someone who saw you in a magazine. With a quick sidelong glance to reassure that Ryuk is out of trouble, you slide to answer, lifting the phone to your ear.

   "Hello?" The other side of the line is silent, then you hear a pop and dial tone. Pausing, you glance at the screen, surprised they hung up. Must have been a wrong number. 

   Not even 20 seconds later you hear a "HEY E-" Before you abrubtly cut it off, picking up the call. This time the voice does speak, a low rasp you almost recognize.

   "Hey. Remember me?" 

   You frown, racking your brain as you set down your lunch and press the phone to your ear. "Uh, who is this?"

   A gravely, almost angry laugh. "Come on, the little princess forgot us already? Use that pretty little head of yours. You'll get it." 

  The way he says it is unsettling, but you don't hang up just yet. After a second, you get it. He said 'us'. "You're that staple dude, aren't you?" Your voice is cautious and unwavering, even as your hands tremble slightly. "From the other night."

   "Ding ding ding!! Now you get a prize. We want you back. We have an offer." His voice is smooth, the voice of someone who knows what they want and how to get it. It almost makes you want to relax.

   "Fuck no. Are you kidding?? That boss of yours looked ready to shoot me in the face." Your words make him laugh, pausing before he speaks again.

   "I'm not gonna lie to you; you're right. But we got him under control. He'll be thrilled to see you. He loves that little...book you got."

    You move the mic from your lips and audibly groan. You're an idiot. He has the magazine. Images of your face cut out up on the dart board run through your head, wondering what the psychopath is doing with your face right now. Probably imagining all the ways he could torture you slowly. "Shit. I'm not saying yes, but what is it you're offering?" Your fingers tighten around the phone to stubbornly stop shaking. Theres no reason to be scared of a phone call. 

    This is such a stupid idea. But you have to admit to yourself you've been chasing the high from that night since then. This is too good of an oppertunity to turn down. The man laughs, clearly thrilled his plan is working. You hate giving into it like this.

   "Huh, not much of a fuss. I like it." He pauses, and you can imagine him twirling a phone cord lazily around his finger. "How about same place, same time? Tonight."

   A part of you almost wanted it to be a day you had plans so you had the self control to refuse. But tonight? You have nothing. "Fine. And do I have a guarentee your boss isn't gonna try and kill me?"

   Your tone was serious, but you just hear a snicker and then it cuts out, sending you back to the dial tone. 

  The fucker hung up again.

  And....you agreed. Rem isn't gonna be happy at all, but you find yourself caring less than you probably should. The promise of being back in that stuffy bar, with the shady people and stale smell? It sends delicious shivers down your spine that you can't ignore. The adrenaline spike is addicting, and the option of sitting in bed on your stupid little website seems even less appealing every passing moment.  

    "Ryuk! We're going on an errand tonight." 

     "You're kidding. You want me to fit through that?"

   "Shut up. Rem fit just fine and you're the same size. Stop pretending you're so much bigger than you are." You shoot back, jaw tight as you raise your fist to knock on the familiar red door. Ryuk bristles, about to say something when the door opens, Dabi's smirk sliding into place. "Surprised I'm here?" You poke, surprised at your own comfort. Sure, you're nervous, but definitely not as scared as you should be. You're walking into the lions den.

   Dabi sure does look like a lion right now, eyes dark and lidded. "A little. Safe you say you've impressed me." When Dabi opens the door he opens it with a flourish, not even making you bump into it to let your Shinigami in. Ryuk follows with a hiss, almost purposefully bonking his head on the top of the doorframe.

   You didn't bump into him. No skin came into contact with his. No fingers brushed along your bare arm. But you swear you hear a sharp, almost terrified breath sucked in as Dabi startles next to you, making you look at him. His gaze slides from Ryuk back to you, as if he didn't see anything. And maybe he didn't. He probably didn't see a thing. Wouldn't he have made more of a reaction if he did?? To go from seeing an empty doorway to an entire demon is enough to make a normal person piss their pants. But just the possibility sours your excitement, making you duck your head to hurry past him through the door and into the winding hallway to the bar. You don't miss the hesitation in his step before Dabi falls into place behind you.

    From the little you know/have experimented with your quirk, if you touch someone, they can see what you see. Most the time, it means nothing. Hundereds of people have touched you, since you were born. Your family, friends, strangers; no one thinks anything of it. But if you're with Rem or Ryuk and someone touches you..? They can suddenly see all of that. They don't get access to the Death Notes or anything like that, but it's still something you want to keep a secret.

   And it only lasts a few hours. So that means if you accidentally touched Dabi, theres a chance he could chalk it up to too much to drink tomorrow when the mystery 'demon' is gone. You hope. 

   He doesn't give you much time to worry before he nudges you inside the bar, everyone's eyes on the two of you. Shigaraki is no where to be seen, but the schoolgirl bounds up to throw her arms around your neck with a delighted scream. Clawed fingers poke into the back of your neck and you suppress a small hiss of pain as her body collides against yours, making your heart fall into your stomach. She's wearing long sleeves and some weird surgical gloves, which helps ease your parinoia slightly, but not by much.

   "Oh my god!!!" Her voice is high and mouse like, her hands lifting to press at her cheeks in small fists. "I'm Toga. We are gonna be such good friends." Hands reach out to touch you again, but Dabi snags the back of her shirt to basically lift her back and out of the way. His icy cerulean eyes are lidded, but the slight tightness to his jaw contradicts his aloof demeanor. 

  "You'll scare her off. Shoo." He barks, rolling his eyes at Toga's whining. But she just offers you one more little grin, teeth poking her bottom lip before retreating back to a booth in the corner. Like the other day, you see Spinner and the other magician guy you don't recognize. The tall woman is no where to be seen, and neither is the boss. It makes unease stir in your belly, which you try and shove down.

  An almost unnatural cackle startles you, but you steel yourself not to react and look over to see Ryuk stealing apples from the bar. Hopefully, no one else will notice the apples disappearing from the bowl on the counter. Bringing him was for sure a mistake, but there's nothing you can do now but ignore him. He isn't any real threat without his Death Note, and you have Rem's tucked safely inside your purse. It looks like a normal journal; hopefully, if someone searches the bag, no one will see anything amiss. 

  The room stills, stuffy air thickening even further when you hear harsh footsteps pacing down the hallway opposite to the one you came in. Dabi's scars stretch almost grotesquely with his widening smirk, his hands touching the small of your back to lead you to sit down on a stool. Sitting, you worry your lip, eyes trained on the doorway. Shigaraki stills when he enters, hand already raised to scratch at his neck.

   "What the hell is she doing here?" His voice is a low snarl, goosebumps prickling your arms. Ruby eyes are trained on you, before flicking to the man still at your side. "Dabi??" His tone suggests choosing words carefully.

   No way. Your eyes widen as you whirl around, betrayal surely reflected in your gaze. "He didn't know I was coming????" You hiss under your breath, making Dabi only shrug with an impish smirk. He takes a step back, palms raised casually.

   "Didn't you want her to hear your proposition? We just thought to call her to tell her the good news." His voice is smooth.

   You can see the tightness rippling under Shigaraki's muscles, his hoodie replaced with a fitted black shirt tonight. His lips are pressed in a thin line and his hands seem to tremble slightly as he stares daggers at his subordinate. "We never made that decision. Do you have a deathwis-" His eyes flick to you, where you're trying to sneak off the chair and back out of the room while he's distracted. He doesn't miss a beat, jerking his head in the direction of your chair right as your ass leaves the leather. "Sit back down. I'll deal with you next."

   Warmth pools in your belly at his tone, and you mentally smack yourself for being a horny freak. You should probably be terrified right now. Especially right now, when the majority of his anger is about to be focused on you. He pauses, a low groan leaving his lips (that doesn't do anything to lessen the stirring in your gut) as he scrubs a hand down his face and closes his eyes. A beat passes. Then two. Everyones quiet, breaths held.

   "Tell me about your quirk." He says lowly, sitting down on a stool next to you so he can stare at your expression. His finger taps on the counter, a slow beat that matches your heart.

  Thankfully, you've prepared for this question. You keep your voice steady, chin untucked. "I can't. If I say something, my quirk won't work for a month. There's a lot of guidelines for what I can and can't do." The lie rolls off your tongue, and aside from the scowl you receive from Shigaraki, no one seems to detect it. 

   "I don't give a fuck how long you can't use it. Explain." He snaps, fingers drumming a bit faster now. Your heart picks up.

   Thinking on your feet, you shake your head smoothly. "You really want to wait a whole month for All Might to die?" Everyone goes silent. It's a bluff, obviously, but none of them know that. Shigiraki stills, white bangs hanging in his eyes as he practically gapes at you. 

   "You're kidding. Little goody-two-shoes suddenly doesn't have a conscience." He rolls his eyes, trying to mask the hint of hope in his tone as he leans on his arm casually. His veins bulge slightly, the shirt doing nothing to hide his biceps. There's nothing distracting him from staring right at you, lip tugged up in the corner. "What changed?" His voice is sharp and confronting, eyes narrowed.

    Your brain stalls, mouth moving before you have a chance to think. "It was a test. To see if you'd try and uh, not pay me after I did it." You wince internally at the horrible excuse, but just double down so they don't call a bluff. 

   "Uh huh. So now that you've got your cash, you're willing to kill him for us?" His biggest mistake is letting his cruel excitement outweigh his reason. Obviously, his tone is still laced with skepticism, but he leans in closer and his glare softens. 

    "Yes." You wince, hearing the question in your voice. You repeat it, firmer this time. "Yes. I just need some time to meet certain requirements." This is just digging yourself deeper in the lie, but it's too late to back out now. You have a feeling none of them take kindly to being tricked. You gulp, watching the gears turn in Shigaraki's head. Ryuk snickers in the background, enjoying watching you squirm.

   "We can work with that." He mumbles, a finger tapping against his chapped lip as he muses. "Until then, consider yourself an honorary member of the League." His tone leaves no room for objection. And even though it's horrible to admit; you don't feel upset about this. Being a part of something bigger than yourself is enough to make your stomach stir with butterflies, a slight heat pooling between your thighs at the intense way Shigaraki is staring at you.

    Blinking, you nod, still a little confused. Your head is swimming with the sharp turn this evening went. You expected another job, but instead...you lied like an idiot and now are a full fledged villain. "Whats that entail?" Your voice is smaller than you intended. 

   You see Shigaraki shove down a cruel smile. "You'll work for us-" He corrects himself. "-With us, to kill other small time hero's and crooks. Y'know, work up to the real deal." He seems like a kid who just got what they wanted, eyes shining with a foreign brightness as he stares down at you. 

   "Welcome to the League of Villains."

[kurapikaisnowdrowning69]

Kiss Me Until I Rot (We Both Will)

    "Is this a good idea?" 

  Rem's purple tipped hair hangs in her eyes as she looms over you, her breath not puffing even in the chilled air. She blinks, yellowed eyes focused on you as you skip down the street. Not many people are around. Rush hour ended a while ago, leaving the streets deserted and quiet. No one around to notice you talking to yourself.

  "Uh huh. They offered a lot of money, and worst case scenario I just give you the signal and you kill them all." You shrug, not a care in the world. You're invincible with such a loyal sidekick. Or partner. Either way, you have a big scary guard dog at your side. A shady meeting in an even shadier bar doesn't scare you at all. Poking your tongue out, you make a peace sign and tap it to your chin, as if to remind her of your plan.

   "You have the book, so no one will be able to figure out how I kill them. They'll be too scared of me to even try anything." 

  Rem hesitates a little, but doesn't voice any concerns, just slumping a little as she pads along the sidewalk with you. She's been voicing concerns about this all day, but when does she not fuss over you?? You mentally brush it off, the pep not leaving your step.

   The wind whips through your hair, threatening to get even harsher once the sun sets. A chill has set in, making goosebumps prickle up your bare arms. But you see the warm orange glow of your destination down the street, making you pick up the pace a little. Heeled platforms click, your jingling bracelets adding to the tune. The familiar noises help you focus a little bit, running over what you have memorized for tonight. The message had requested an in person meeting, not giving much detail other than time and place. 

  Of course, you considered refusing. But a part of you couldn't stop obsessing over the shadiness of it all. For someone to not only track down your website, but to also want to meet in person? This is for sure bigger than some small time crook someone wants dead or a rival companies CEO. Butterflys swarm in your stomach at the thought of something big happening. 

   "I don't like this." Her tone is not lost on you. She's annoyed you're bulldozing past reason, just so you can have some more risk in your life. You've never been able to hide yourself from her. She knows the real reasons for this.

   The alleyway you've been walking down with Rem is thin, making her tuck her wings and fall into step behind you. It's gotten suddenly darker, the only light source a small, broken light above a backdoor to your left. 

   "Well I do-" Something solid crashes into you, knocking you slightly to the side and against the roughness of the brick building. It scrapes against your shoulder, and you hear a slight tearing sound coming from your hip as fabric snags. Just great. A torn skirt before the biggest interveiw of my life. You wince and try and right yourself up, eyes narrowing and flashing to whoever was stupid enough to try and barrel past you.

  "Hey-"

  "Watch where you're fucking going." A gravely voice snarls, already walking past you. The figure is tall and hooded, dark clothes blending fluidly into the shadows of the alleyway. His pace is clipped, red shoes scuffing against the nasty concrete. You go to say something back, but he's already disappeared behind the door you passed. Just as the door shuts, so do the lights, flicking off and leaving you blinking to adjust. 

   "What a prick!!" You exclaim, looking at Rem with wide, affronted eyes. White claws gently wrap around your arm to help steady you, the grip loose and totally enveloping your skin. Interview forgotten, you turn around as if ready to bust the door down and... do something. The idea immedietly fizzles out. You hate confrontation, content to just grumble about issues to Rem or Ryuk. "Asshole."

  "You're alright." She says, gently lifting your arm to peer you over for any injuries. Content that you're unharmed-skirt not counted-she lets you go and lightly nudges you forward. Now that your eyes are adjusted to the bluish light of dusk, you carefully step around dubious looking stains and puddles to get to get to the end of the alley, the rude guy already forgotten. 

  "Ok...So they said end of the alleyway, then take a left and knock twice, then three times." Checking your phone for confirmation, you slip it in your pocket, letting Rem manuver to your other side as you take the turn and stand at the door. Its a deep, rusted red, just as the message said. The paint's peeling, a small pile of flecks at your feet. Slowly, you knock twice, then another three times, eyes flicking to Rem for confirmation. Her jaw is ticked, but she nods slightly. 

  You already regret your outfit choices. If you thought ahead at all, you would've worn long sleeves to avoid any accidental brushes or touching. If someone grabs your arm in there, you're screwed. Worrying your lip between your teeth, you wait for a second, shifting foot to foot. 

  "I don't think they're-" For the second time in 10 minutes you're cut off, the door cracking open with a groan. Warm, stuffy air immediately rushes out into your face, making your nose wrinkle. Vodka, alcohol, sweat...nothing good. 

    Rem steps back with narrowed eyes, ready to step in if needed but also not wanting to be in the way. To anyone else, it looks like you're alone in the alleyway, but it would probably be suspicious for you to bump into something that didn't exist in anyone elses eyes. The two of you have been planning this for days. She knows what to do. 

  A scaled nose pokes out the door, purple hair flopped in the guys eyes as he scoffs at you. "Wrong place sweetheart. Scram." You've barely been given a once over before the doors being closed in your face. The lizard dude frowns when the door meets resistance, looking down to see your thick boot shoved between the door and the frame. 

  "I'm here for a meeting with Shigaraki? I was contacted." 

  He doesn't seem to believe you, brows tucked and lips pursed, but the door opens a little bit more. You don't move your foot. 

   "Uh huh." He drags out the huh part, clearly skeptical. But after a quick staring contest he steps to the side, letting you in. You make sure to bump the door with you hip, opening it some more so Rem can squeeze in after you. His eyes narrow, but he doesn't seem to notice anything. "He's this way. Everyone is."

   Warning bells flash in your head when he says that. As far as you were concerned, it was just Shigaraki. But it's too late to back out now. 

  You take a step forward into the dim bar, the air thick and almost humid with the weight of bodies and beer. You smell a hint of sandlewood futilely trying to mask the scent of desperation, overpowered by the dusky shadows. The lizard doesn't seem like the type to appreciate you wrinkling your nose or gagging at what seems to be his base, so you smooth out your features and follow him down a side hallway. It seems like you went in a back entrance, so you make a few turns before you empty out into the main bar area.

   It's more crowded than you expected, and Rem clearly is thinking the same. She tenses, stepping closer as everyone sizes each other up. A schoolgirl. A dark haired guy with piercings and leathery skin. Multiple guys in masks, as well as a woman taller than everyone else and smiling at you. Not many people, but more than one. But the person that catches your eye is sitting at the booth, slouched over and scowling. He's wearing a dark hoodie, the hood shoved down around his neck to reveal light, layered scratches.  His eyes are a striking crimson, his lips chapped and thin. Whitish blue hair, the strands long and unkept as he flicks them out of his eyes.

   He's the first to speak. "The hell you staring for? Spinner, who the fuck is this??" His voice is harsh, and you flash a wide eyed look at Rem for a split second as you make the connection. The asshole who slammed into me!!

  The lizar-Spinner- pauses, clearly regretting even letting you in. He seems to shrink under his glare, shoving you forward slightly as if to redirect the attention from himself. Thankfully, he didn't come into contact with any bare skin, and you right yourself. "She says she has a meeting with you. Seemed legit." He grumbles.

  Oh, so this is Shigaraki?? You feel disappointment unfurl in your belly. You expected some mobster, an older big-shot who would solidify your rank as a serious businesswoman. Not some guy covered in acne who barely looks older than you. But as long as the money was a serious offer, you'll stick to the script. Even if you want to shrink under the pure hatred in his glare, now focused entirely on you. 

   "You're evilcatboy??" His lip curls, distrust clear in his gaze as he leans forward on the sticky bar table. The username almost startles a laugh from you; it was your middle school tumblr name, and you stupidly chose it as your work alias. You hadn't even bothered to change it. 

  You nod, sparing half a glance at Rem as you step forward to sit down across from him at the booth. The leatherface guy is leaning against the wall, and the schoolgirl pops up to skip to a table next to you guys to sit down on. You only just now notice something almost totally made of purple shadows behind the bar, cleaning glasses and keeping a lazy eye trained on you all. Like a chaperone making sure everyone keeps hands to themselves. 

  "Yeah. Shigaraki?" He doesn't take your extended hand, looking down at the soft gloves on your hands with disgust. He leans back with a lazy scowl, nose scrunched as he looks you over.

   "In the flesh. Is this a joke?" He deadpans, tapping his finger on his arm. The blatant lack of respect ruffles you, but you bite your tongue and shake your head. 

   "No. I was called here for a job, which I'll do. Nothing funny about any of it." Rem is now standing behind Shigaraki, and gives you a small nod of approval. She looms over him, wings still tucked to save room. 

   The raven haired boy snickers from your side, making Shigaraki flash him a dirty look. He huffs, fingers picking at his sleeve. "You said you could kill anyone for a price. People vouched for you. Prove it." 

  His calloused words, combined with the fact his eyes are trained on his hands, startles you. Prove it? You frown, elbows braced on the dark wood table. It's thick but unstable, tilting if you lean more to one side than the other. Plus, nothing in here seems to have escaped the eternal stickiness you've come to assosiate with shady bars. Shoving down the urge to place a napkin under your skin, you tuck some hair behind your ear to try and match his glare.

  "Not for free. Right now, I owe you nothing."

   Shigaraki blinks, surprised etched on his dry, cracked face. Clearly not many people say no to him. A sneer tugs at his lips. "Fine. We'll tack it on your bill, if you're not wasting our time."

   This is satisfying enough for you. Plus, you already took into account that they would probably want some form of proof before they give you the name of whoever they want dead. Before you say anything you glace around the room, making sure you could pull it all off. Everything seems good. 

   "Alright. Turn the tv on please." Shigaraki glares at you, but turns to one of the masked guys with a huff and gestures for him to grab the remote. 

  Twice. Jin Bubaigawara. Its a relief he's here, or else your research would've been for nothing. Now you have a fail safe if all goes wrong. 

  Twice grabs the remote off the bar counter and hands it to Shigaraki, who in turn slides it across the booth to you. Hoping no one notices your trembling hands, you click the power button and flick through the ancient channels until you get to a news broadcast. Your eyes slide from the TV to Rem, who gives a barely discernible nod and pulls a well worn notebook from her side. Deathnote. Your deathnote. 

   Everyone in the bar is quiet, eyes either trained on you or the crackling of the TV. It seems like a hostage situation, live from an apartment a few neighborhoods away. You wait for it to play for a while, getting the attackers name and face. Then, after making sure no ones paying attention to you, you subtly bring two fingers to tap against your jaw. You barely hear the scribbling of pen on paper before something jolts in your chest, making you smile slightly. 

    "Head exploding? That seems a little extreme." Rem was peering over your shoulder as you scribbled furiously in the deathnote, making sure every possible outcome was thought out. In the safety of your room, your ideas could run wild. 

  "Yeah, but we need that. Extreme might be what we need to get them to take us seriously." Your legs kicked as you laid in bed, your stomach pressed to the mattress and soft blankets. Rem, standing beside your dresser, just hummed. 

  You grinned, quickly rereading what you have written in the notebook. Everything was filled in, besides a name. 'Death from head exploding immediately after being filled in'. Simple, but effective. You slammed the Death Note shut and tossed it to Rem, who caught it easily. 

   "Done. Just remember, I give you the signal, and you fill in whatever poor chaps name I tell you to." 

     Unsurprisingly, it works. You find yourself breathing a bit easier as you hear a scream on the screen, before a bunch of kids come running out and into the arms of parents and adults. In the bar, everyone's faces are tight with confusion, until the cameras zoom in on the scene inside the house before abruptly cutting off. But a second was all anyone needed. Gore, all over the walls and floor where the man laid. Chunks of what was probably brain tissue and whatever crap thats in peoples heads was smeared into the carpet. Blood everywhere, pooling and splattered. 

   No one around you seems too startled by the sight, probably used to way worse. But even Shigaraki has to give you a begrudging nod, leaning back against the booth as if he was never paying attention in the first place. But you saw the light dancing in his eyes as he watched you work, as if finally letting himself get his hopes up about whatever it is he wants you to do for him. 

  "Guess you are legit." He mutters, his scowl not as cruel. Still there, but it seems like his rbf, not anything targeted towards you specifically. "Fine then. Here."

  He slides you a small stack of paper, eyes intense. His hands are just as rough as his face, the nails chewed down to stumps and the palms calloused. You stare down at the files laid out on the table. 3 of them, all with all the information you requested. Name, age, height, body weight, body fat percentage, family members, blood type, basically everything about them. You only need a picture and name, but the goal is to have them know as little as possible about your quirk. Hell, they're the first people to actually know you even have a quirk. 

   The first photo seems fine, and you pick up the thin paper in your hands. Some sleezy looking guy with a big, frown-lined face and greasy hair. Not someone you recognize, but you don't ask questions. Same with the next sheet. You set it to the size, planning to take them home with you so you can write the names down. Shigaraki, his crew, and Rem all watch you closely. They all see your face go pale as you shove the last sheet back to Shigaraki, lips pressed tight. His expression hardens as well, anger flashing in his eyes.

   The symbol of peace grins up at you from the file, making nausea stir up in your chest. All Might's expression is proud and happy, seemingly a picture found off the web. There are so many photos you can get of him like this. You have a few of them yourself. The expression is the polar opposite of the one right across the booth from you. Shigaraki is white knuckled, two pinkies barely raised from the table as he clenches his jaw, eyes sharp and narrowed.

    "Is there a problem?" He grits out, as if giving you a chance to change your course of action. Rem stiffens behind him, ready to jump in, but you shake your head ever so slightly. No need to escalate things. You pray she sees that in your eyes. 

   Swallowing, you nod, trying to lean back casually as if not noticing anything amiss. "I won't kill All Might. I only have a few categories of people I refuse to kill, and he falls into one. Sorry." You force out, hating the stab of panic you feel as you see the anger seep out of Shigaraki, replaced with a cold, cruel look. He laughs bitterly, leaning on the palm of the hand braced on the table. Your mouth feels dry. Here you are, in a bar full of villains. Why the hell are you even here?? What was I thinking???

   He cuts off your train of thought, voice scratchy. Everyone in the room is tensed, even the shadow man at the bar. The glasses are undried and forgotten on the table. "Sweetheart, I don't think you're in the position to negotiate. Just do what you gotta do, kill All Might, and you can still get your money before I get upset." His voice drips with condensation, but you're too frantic to even care. Your neck prickles, a cold dread in your stomach while you try and stay composed. Forcing a small smile, you shrug.

  "I think I am though. Remember how I can kill anyone? I could have three of you dead before you do whatever it is you're threatening me with." Forcing the tremble from your voice, you keep your eyes trained on the crimson ones across from you, watching for any reaction. He does seem to hesitate slightly, before he scowls.

   "You're bluffing." 

  "You have no way of knowing that." Taking a deep breath, you turn to Twice, watching him startle at the sudden attention. The room is thick with tension, even the slightest movement alarming. "Jin Bubaigawara. I researched you before I came. I know everything I need to to have you dead in 3 seconds." Your eyes slide back to Shigaraki's, who's scratching frantically at his neck. The icy dread has seeped back a little as you get on a roll, your fingers feeling light and your head feeling almost airy as the panic retreats. "I also know how important his quirk is for you all. Doubt you want him dead."

    Poor Twice looks terrified, cutting in with an upset, "Come on boss I don't wanna die-" but then a "You should kill the brat!!" and going back and forth until Toga bumps her hip to his and flashes him a look. He quiets down, just staring at his seething boss. If looks could kill, you would have exploded minutes ago. Even now, you want to shrink back from him and hide, and it takes all your willpower to keep your spine straight and face neutral under the weight of his deathglare. You notice the way he shakes slightly with barely restrained rage, and you take it as your cue to stand up.

   "Um, so yeah. I'll kill these guys for you," You snag the two pieces of paper while he just stares, panic jumping in your throat. "And you can send me the money. So uh, I'm gonna go now." You take a nervous step back, the click of your heels painfully loud. No one speaks, but the schoolgirl seems to want to. Everyones waiting for Shigaraki to make a move, and when he doesn't, no one has any clue what to do. So you just grab your stuff, turn down the hallway, and the second you feel Rem beside you by the door you rush outside and take off running down the alley.

   When you get to the main street without anyone following you, you catch your breath with panicked heaves, the cold air cooling the sweat on your arms. It's pitch black outside, no one around aside from a homeless guy and someone in a car. And like you expected, wind whips around you, making your hair fly in your face. "Oh my god Rem" You pant, feeling her hovering around you. She's calm, but clearly not thrilled. Her low, gentle voice helps ground you, especially when paired with the hand on your shoulder.

   "It was a bad idea. You're lucky it didn't turn out worse." Her eyes narrow at the thought as she ushers you along slowly, making you match her shortened down steps. You don't have a car, but you have a bike parked a few streets down. The crisp air helps you sharpen your thoughts, and very soon you're walking normally. 

   "Are you kidding???? That went perfectly!!!" You crow, making Rem flinch in surprise as you pump a fist in the air. Your voice is breathless, but tinged with excitement as you skip down the sidewalk. Wings uncurl as Rem takes to the air, flying low to the ground beside you. She seems exasperated, but right now you couldn't care less. "I threatened them, and got away with it. I got not one, but two jobs," You jab a finger into the paper clutched in your fist. You've held a death grip on it since you booked it out of the bar. "AND got established with a real villain." A happy hum bubbles up your throat as you reach your bike, undoing the chain around it and hopping on. Its hard to use with a skirt, but it's short enough that you can manage.

   "None of that is needed though. You could've made the same amount by staying at home and checking your website." She sighs, speeding up to keep up with your biking. Yellow eyes train on you, burning into the back of your skull. "How do you feel?"   

    You pause, sorting through the emotions tumbling around. "Excited. Terrified. Exhilerated." This pulls another sigh from her and you laugh, speeding up as you reach your block. Taking a sharp turn, the bike pulls into the driveway, and you hook it up before tiptoeing in the apartment. At this hour, everyone should be asleep, but with this neighborhood you never really know. Best to stay on high alert. 

   Rem is quiet too as you creep to the top floor of the old brick building, unlocking the door and padding in. It's not huge, but its big enough for you, Rem, and sometimes Ryuk to all be comfortable in. A good sized kitchen with a bowl of apples. A cute living room with horror movie dvds and gaming consoles shoved in the tv stand. A door to a bedroom and bathroom. Home.

  You toss your keys on the couch and hurry to the bedroom, grabbing your computer to flop on the dark sheets of the bed and kick your feet in the air. You can barely contain an excited squeal as you log into your website and scroll through requests. A buddy set it up for you, totally encrypted so no one could hack into it or find out your identity. And the prices are outrageous enough to spurn anyone who isn't deathly serious about it all. So you're left with dozens of messages every month, begging you to kill someone for them. It's easy work; the hard part is being picky about it.

  Sure, it's tempting to kill a random lady for 10k. But when you look into it and it's because she got the kids in a divorce case? Not tempting at all anymore. But you have a few jobs set aside, so you pull those up and jot them down in the Death Note Rem set on the bed. You tug the blankets up around your knees, still almost giddy from the job today. You have a feeling that this is gonna change a lot of things for you. It looks like Rem thinks so too; but she doesn't seem as thrilled.

     Tomura can't get you out of his head. 

 The events of today run through his mind, from the fury he feels at his plans failing to the hot spike of arousal he feels when he thinks of you in that sweet little dress. He was so close to having All Might dead. So close to having Master be proud of him. Tomura was the one who found your website, and the one who arranged the meeting. But now it's his fault that All Might is still alive and breathing. 

   He clenches his jaw, running a calloused hand down his face to scrub away the water. The shower is cold, the knob turned all the way down; hot showers are for villains who don't let little girls boss them around. He should've grabbed you by that pretty little throat and lowered his finger until you begged him to let you kill All Might. Then he would've brought you to his room and-

    Fuck

   Tomura feels his self control slipping as water beats down his back, a throbbing between his legs making him clench his teeth. Screwing his eyes shut, he rests his head on the cold tile of the shower wall, hand creeping down to roughly tug at his aching cock. He gives it a minute, as if hoping it'll go down on its own, before he bites back a pained groan and gives in.

     He tries to chalk it up to the fact he's been stressed lately. This is just one other aspect of his life where he's pent up and hitting a breaking point. His leaking cock obviously has nothing to do with how you looked in those heels, or how you looked at him through your lashes as if wanting him to praise you after you pulled that little stunt on the TV. He would've.

   Tomura bites his lip harshly until he tastes iron, barely remembering to lift a finger as he braces his other hand on the wall. Water runs down his scarred back, white hair plastered to his neck as he pumps his cock in his fist. His thumb swipes over the tip, his grip bordering on painful as he tries to shove all lewd thoughts of you out of his mind. But you've wormed your way into his thoughts, and he doesn't even know why. You ruined his plans, and you'll probably never cross paths again. But even that just lessens his guilt as he lets his thoughts run wild, imaginging its your hand on him. Or better yet, that soft little mouth of yours.

   The one you threatened him with. You threatened him. He doesn't know why, but that just makes a small groan escape Tomura's lips as he pumps his fist over his hard on. Normally he's quieter-he got caught once as a teenager, then learned to stifle any sounds-but for some reason you have him so pent up he's damn near whimpering. With a small hiss he roughly shoves his hand down once, twice, then finally comes in his hand, pearly white ropes of cum hitting the shower wall. He comes down from his high with his fist still wrapped around himself, staring at the wall with a disgusted scowl. He feels like a teenager again, and he hates it. He hates you. He wants you to do your silly little job then leave him alone. 

   Right?

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me

guess my favorite band😞😞✊

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bro is locked in

people say that biden's dog is too aggressive, but he only and constantly bites secret service agents

I think commander is just a VERY good guard dog

no one armed is getting near the president. not even the secret service

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if you're ok with an incessant amount of boops reblog this so I can get those other 2 badges <3

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tamaki suoh admitted into hospital by fnaf related incident.

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literally in love with this show

my full comic for @ohshc20thzine

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a former classmate of mine shared this fundraiser for her family that is aiming to leave gaza

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the terrible stressors of life will soon be eliminated one by one. by using the power of my reliable friend, a robust bulleted list