Chapter Text
That's something I know all about...
Dabi is awake when he steps inside. He looks up as [M/N] enters, his eyes meeting [M/N]'s gaze. "Couldn't sleep either?" Dabi's voice is quiet, almost as if he's been waiting for [M/N] to come.
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[M/N] closes the door behind him, the soft click echoing in the room. He walks further into the dimly lit space, the moonlight casting a pale glow on Dabi's face. "Yeah," [M/N] admits, his voice barely above a whisper. Dabi shifts over, making room, and [M/N] joins him in the bed, resting his head against Dabi's arm.
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Dabi watches him in silence for a moment, his eyes tracing the contours of [M/N]'s face. There's something in his gaze, something that [M/N] can't quite decipher, but it draws him in like a moth to a flame.
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"You cut your hair," Dabi observes, his voice still hushed. His fingers twitch slightly, as if he's resisting the urge to reach out and touch [M/N].
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"Yeah," [M/N] replies, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Magne helped me with it. It was getting too long."
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Dabi's eyes narrow slightly, a hint of something in his expression that [M/N] can't quite place. "You look different," he murmurs.
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A faint smile danced on [M/N]'s lips. "I could say the same to you," he chuckled, his fingers curling slightly around Dabi's shirt as he leaned closer. He really missed this. "Y'know," [M/N] began softly, "I really want to punch you..." he confessed. "Yup. Yeah. I deserve that." Dabi replied with a grimace.
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There was an awkward pause as [M/N] shifted slightly. "...So..." He began, "How do we break the ice..?"
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"We could have sex," Dabi shrugged casually.
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[M/N] stammered, his face flushing a deep crimson as he hastily punched Dabi's shoulder. "That is not what I meant!" he hissed. "Ow..." Dabi mumbled. "You are so..." [M/N] groaned, burying his face into Dabi's shirt.
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He missed this.
[M/N] shifted slightly to a more comfortable position.
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"UhHh..." Spinner stared at him with a raised eyebrow, "Is that... normal?" He asked.
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[M/N] glanced at Toga, who was wrapped around him like a snake. "...Yes."
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Spinner's expression remained dubious, but he didn't press further. Toga, on the other hand, tightened her hold on [M/N], nuzzling her face into his neck with a contented sigh. "Don't mind Spinner, [M/N]~," she mumbled, her voice muffled against his skin. "He's just a big grump."
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"How do you even meet a gal' like Toga?" Magne laughed. “[M/N] killed a disgusting man to rescue me~!” Toga blushed.
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He… He did do that, didn’t he? [M/N] didn’t remember it clearly, but… it happened.
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[M/N] glanced at his palm. There was a small scar there, already pink from being fully healed.
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He never noticed it before.
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He traced the scar on his palm with his fingers, the reality sinking in. He had taken a life to save another. It was a sobering thought, one that made his chest feel heavy.
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Toga noticed the change in [M/N]'s demeanor and shifted closer, concern etching her features. "Hey, are you alright?" she asked, her usually playful tone softening with worry.
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[M/N] managed a small smile, trying to push aside the weight of his thoughts. "Yeah, I'm okay."
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"Everyone, shut up..." Shigaraki rasped, sitting at the bar. He turned his head back to Bakugou, who was staring at them with unbridled anger. "I'll ask you one more time, aspiring hero, Katsuki Bakugo... Will you join me?
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"If you're gonna talk in your sleep, you should just go to sleep and die." Katsuki spat.
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Shigaraki's hand twitched, fingers crackling with the urge to decay, but he held back. The situation was tense, and [M/N] could feel the building pressure in the room.
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Shigaraki's lips curled into a twisted grin.
"And now, please watch a clip from U.A. High School's apology press conference that just occured."
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Shouta stood up from his bow. "We deeply apologize for the incident that allowed harm to come to twenty seven first years of the hero course because of our unpreparedness." For all he preaches of responsibility and being practical, he was a failure. "We apologize for causing unease in society due to our negligence in properly defending ourselves as a place of learning."
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He bowed once again. The camera shifted to a close-up of Shouta, showing the weariness in his eyes.
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"We are truly sorry."
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And then came the questions.
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"I'm from Yomiuri TV. Since the beginning of the year, U.A. High School students have had four encounters with villains. This time, there were even students injured. How did you explain to their families, and what specific countermeasures are you taking?"
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"We have been in contact with the families of the affected students, providing them with all necessary support and information. We assure them that we are taking this matter very seriously. As for countermeasures, we are reevaluating and strengthening our security protocols, as well as working closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of our students and staff." The Principal answered.
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Truly, what a load of bullshit.
[M/N] stares at the TV, watching the press conference, and hating himself all the while.
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Doubt is an easy seed to plant, he knows this, and God, it's growing steadily within him.
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"How amusing," Shigaraki laughed.
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[EXTRA EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT]
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"I don't like him." He tells her. It's a conversation they've had many times. "Well, that's too bad." Lori replies, scrubbing her plate with a dishrag. "I happen to think he's quite charming." She chuckles, flicking some water onto [M/N].
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"It's nice to know you think our safety is a joke." He scowls, unamused. Lori rolls her eyes, "Safety." she laughs. "Have you seen him? He's too much of a coward to even hurt a fly."
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[M/N] can't stop himself from slamming his hand onto the table. "Stop acting so blind!" He shouts. "How can you ignore all- all of those red flags?! The obsession, the controlling, the-!"
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"[M/N]!" Lori shouts, and the kitchen becomes dead quiet.
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It's a conversation they've had many times.
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-
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"How do you know you're in love?" He asks her one day. She hums, placing a finger on her lip as she looks up at the clouds, the wind causing her red hair to fly behind her.
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"You'll think they're beautiful." She smiled, poking his heart. "Inside and out. Once you notice that, you won't think that anything else could be called beautiful anymore. It's like... One day you just realize that nothing else matters except them..."
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[M/N] looked up at the clouds, closing his eyes. When he thought of love, he thought of flaming red hair, and beautiful, piercing grey eyes.
Shocking, ain't it?