Chapter Text
A horrible Friday morning, or night depending on what sort of person you are.
It’s six in the morning… and it’s cold, rain lashed in sheets against the shattered windows of the official League of Villains hideout. It was a hollowed-out basement that crept into the first floor of an ancient apartment building.
To set an even better scene, the reason everyone is awake at six in the morning is because old buildings on the outskirts like this one usually don’t have any heating.
Shigaraki sat at the bar with a PSP in his shaky hands, both pinkies raised- while he played some old pixelated game that he didn’t remember getting himself, he had a black quilt thrown over his shoulders- the most he could find, but surprisingly playing games distracted him from the freezing temperatures. Though he did throw out a curse or two at no one in particular. What sucked, even more, was that the place was damp, so cigarettes, loose tobacco- weed, papers, powder- anything that can absorb moisture, did, there had been many lost rollies to the random puddles of water that appeared out of nowhere.
On a more positive note, Toga was tucked, knees to chest on the couch- carefully painting her nails with numb fingers. Though she did complain about the cold she had also discovered that being preoccupied is the best way to ignore it. She huffed but didn’t whine about it, not much they could do- she was pissed about her clothes not drying though.
Twice was not taking it well, or- maybe he was?
“It’s okay, it can always be colder…I’m gonna die of hypothermia, fuck me.”
The blonde man would tap his foot on the concrete floor rapidly before leaning back onto the couch before sitting up again.
“We could get high. No, bad idea. Wait- no? Great idea- with what money? Fuck. I can’t feel my limbs.”
He would then settle into the torn leather again, looking at Toga briefly.
“Hi, Twice.”
“Your sweet voice warms my veins… shut up it’s too cold.”
The young girl would giggle before raising her hands a spreading her fingers to check out her nails.
“Whatcha think?” She tilted her head towards Twice, and a toothy smile adorned her features.
“Very pretty!” He would grin back, the voice inside aligned with him.
To pan our camera along, Spinner was unconscious. Whether that was due to substances, the early hour or because reptiles tend to do that when it’s cold, it’s not confirmed but he doesn’t seem all that bothered by it just yet, maybe when he wakes up.
Mr compress sat on a chair no one has ever seen before, with a cup of tea. It’s green tea. Though he struggles to drink it with his ski mask on, and because it’s so cold he isn’t too keen on taking it off. He sighs and decides he isn't too bothered about the tea.
“Shouldn’t we be concerning ourselves with something or other?”
The question is asked into blank space and he isn’t really expecting a response, yet-
“If you wanna dance around in that weather be my guest.” Tomuras voice comes dry and deadpan.
“There is absolutely nothing we could be doing?”
“Probably, but not today.” He shuddered, Shigaraki hates the rain and cold almost as much as he hates the sun.
“I see your point.”
Mister hummed before reattaching his mask and leaning into the back of his chair- and tilting his head back slightly to relax.
Now from behind the bar, Kurogiri is shining glasses. Though he is sentient, temperature doesn’t penetrate his void, he is happy enough to occupy himself with small repetitive tasks like shining glasses. He has also poured himself some whiskey, prophecies say it warms the heart and soul, so why not give it a try?
Now, who are we missing from this pathetic Mickey Mouse intro sequence?
“Should we like, check on him or something?”
Himiko mentions as she starts her other hand, the small little brush gliding across her nail so smoothly, numb hands are stable hands.
“Hopefully he’s dead.”
The small victory music is heard from the gaming console that is held by the blue-haired weirdo they call a boss.
“But it’s Dabi …who cares about that asshole?!”
Twice has strong opinions on the burnt man.
Kurogiri inhales deeply and then puts down his glass.
“Mister? Would you?”
The clack of wooden chair legs is hit against the floor-
“I can and I will, though I am not fond of my role here. Why am I the subject?”
Kurogiri would smile if he could but he nodded nonetheless.
When the top-hatted man opened the door he was met with a disturbing sight, though nothing unbearable- he would have preferred to not be the one to reveal it.
The door was to a bathroom, a communal one where Dabi had disappeared into hours ago.
Now, once the door had been swung open the light could flood in and show our delightful Dabi, who was lying on his back his head tilted to stare up at where Mr Compress now stood.
He wore a tank top that was now not white and more streaked with a rusty colour- which was assumed to be blood from the staples he had ripped out, only to not replace.
His body looked weirdly contorted, it freaked the mister out a little.
“Is he dead?” That dry and unbothered voice came from behind him.
“I don’t know. Are you dead, Dabi?”
The mister cocked his head to look at the younger man.
“I tried to be.” The dark-haired man grinned from his place on the floor.
“Suicide? Really?”
The mister asked, an eyebrow raised under his mask.
“Maybe. It’s a cry for help, give me attention.” Dabi breathed with a small laugh that quickly turned to a cough.
“Are you not cold in here?”
Mr compress expressed some concern as he crouched to Dabis's level and put a gloved hand to his head.
Dabi radiated heat, unbelievable heat.
“I run hot, baby.” He sighed, amused but unbothered. The lanky man then made a move to get up. The mister followed suit.
The multiple clacks that his bones made as he got to his feet would make a regular person nauseous.
The tall man peaked out behind the masked performer and then looked at Mr compress with a pretty odd expression.
“Can I get out? I’m done with my cry for attention I need a drink-“
Dabi would gaze lifelessly beyond Compress.
“Hey Daaabi?”
Togas voice radiated like a chirp-
“Why don’t you get over here and warm us up!”
“Gross.”
A victim of usefulness.
“Light a bonfire!… no you idiot that’s ridiculous.”
Twice parroted from where he sat.
Dabi trudged out of the bathroom and dragged his feet along the crumbling floor.
“I’m not a heater, I’m also not a lighter.”
He would drone, ending up at the bar and leaning forward to peer over the bar- his arm reaching before it was swatted by the odd mist that Kurogiri calls limbs.
“Not after that.” He would state. The foggy man believed in consequences or whatever.
Dabi sniffed before bowing his head onto the bar and tilting it to face his boss, a small glimmer in his eye as he turned his head to look at him.
“Tomura.”
“What.”
Shigaraki had been frantically clacking at his game, a new level. One he hadn’t yet mastered. He scoffed at the deflating audio that declared him the loser. He dropped the PSP on his lap and looked at Dabi, scowling, although no malice behind it.
“Tell him.”
Shigarakis's hand came to itch at his neck, his skin reddening beneath his nails.
“You can’t fight your own battles? You’ve devolved.” The blue-haired leader huffed, a little arrogantly.
“I’m just a lost soul, come on.”
Dabi insisted.
“Tomura, I don’t believe it’s wise to reward behaviour that inflicts—“
Kurogiri started-
“One question.”
Shigaraki pointed at the lankier man accusingly.
“Anything.”
Dabi purred, his grin returning.
“Are you still playing around with Hawks?”
Tomura tilted his head, though it was more to give in to the itch that spread up his jaw.
What a touchy subject, the tension had been high when hawks was around. Easily ignored but Tomura was naturally curious and he enjoyed tormenting Dabi, it made him feel a sense of superiority, even just for a little bit, also the itch that came from the thought of Dabi with such a self-righteous hero made him feel ill.
“I plead the fifth.”
Dabi groaned.
Toga from where she had been sitting shivering had perked at the aforementioned hero.
“Oooh.”
Twice mimicked her intrigue.
“No! You can’t ignore it with an American law, stop keeping secrets.” Shigaraki grimaced with a scoff- antsy.
“I would never be unfaithful to you, Boss.”
Dabi hummed earnestly, Shigaraki wouldn’t believe it but Dabi would follow the man to the ends of the earth if he asked, clicking his teeth and sat up properly but let his shoulders roll forward.
“That’s not answering the question!” Shigaraki hissed, not knowing made him twitch, there was too much about Dabi he didn’t know, and he hated it.
“What do you care?” Dabi muttered, his eyes practically rolling back into his head
“I dunno he's around I guess” He waved a hand around reflectively.
“Traitor.” Tomura scoffed and turned his head. The movement was so stark it knocked his gaming console to the floor with a clack, he didn’t bother acknowledging it. How dare his second-in-command have other relationships apart from him?
The noise that came from Dabi was a strangled groan of irritation, whether it was because he was frustrated with Shigaraki or because the loose staples along his cheek had started stinging would never be known.
“It’s mutually beneficial, It’s not like we aren’t getting something out of it.” He meandered his way around the sentence, his eyes wandering to the ceiling, eye contact would be a death sentence- it’s a blessing Tomura had turned his head.
“So you’re a prostitute.”
Shigaraki merely shot the other man a disgusted glance. The jealousy could almost be tasted from the way he spoke.
“Define prostitute.”
Dabi leaned forward with his hand covering his mouth, giving a vague shrug. Cocky sarcasm was a reflex.
Back in the corner of the room Himiko and Twice sit on the edge of the couch as if a reality TV show was playing out in front of them
“Tomura is real jealous huh?” Toga whispered to the blonde man beside her, who nodded aggressively but stayed quiet.
“Prostitute; a person, in particular a woman, who engages in sexual activity for payment.” Mister Compress tilted his head as though a disappointed father, while he wandered back into the space from the bathroom door.
“Is this really what’s bothering you? Not how we are slowly disintegrating in this place?”
The scolding fell on deaf ears.
Dabi grinned, he was oddly fond of the cameos the Mister voiced.
“Not a woman, not getting paid” The dark-haired man then turned to his boss sharply on the extremely unstable bar stool.
“Checkmate.”
He barked, his smile stretching his skin awkwardly
“Then there are no benefits!” Tomura’s voice came like a growl, though cold and tired the boss didn’t have any bite behind it.
“Coke and liquor are benefits” The lankier man scoffed.
“Then you’re being paid, asshole!”
“Not when I’m sharing with you lot- I am shaken down the second I walk in here.”
Their back and forth had given Kurogiri whiplash, it was a miracle Tomura hadn’t kicked him out.
With the sudden depression that Dabi outwardly presents when he’s here, the barman isn’t sure how to resolve this, he won’t leave- that’s the issue- he’s tied down here, he likes it here, but with such little to do while awaiting AFO’s word they get stuck in a loop.
Dabi burns recruits, Shigaraki tries to kill him- he disappears for weeks to come back with more narcotics than Kurogiri has ever seen before and Tomura belittles him for it— but after all is said and done they seem to not be able to break off completely, Dabi likes to show up with bottles and such but a few times he’s brought games, gloves, socks- soap… regular things. Though Kurogiri isn’t sure he uses them himself he always has enough to go around. He’s an odd young man. With good intentions, at least that’s what Kurogiri wants to believe
The man sighs-
Destined to be in this squabble forever it seems.
“Tomura—“ the void mutters.
“Don’t give him anything-“ Their blue-haired commander hisses.
Dabi seems neutral about the attack but he doesn’t retaliate and just picks at his staples-
“I do not understand how we can’t be teammates when this is how our superiors act.” Atsuhiro breathes a heavy sigh.
Kurogiri looks at the glass of whiskey he had poured, watching the ice swirl in it. He picked it up and sipped.
“I do think that maybe this place and the weather has started getting to us.”
The Mister drops his hands with a feathered sigh.
“This occupation should include paid vacation, I feel like this is more of a school than an organisation.”
“If it was a school, I would push you into a locker-“ Dabi grunts as he removed a particularly stubborn piece of metal lodged in his skin, his skin held taught but he’ll need to stable the grafts back further next time.
“Pardon me for attempting to do my job.”
Atsuhiro murmurs and returns to his seat.
Shigaraki, who is apparently done sulking stands up quilt still hung off his shoulders.
His PSP forgotten on the floor.
“-sick of all of you.” He’d mutter dragging his feet to the room he had appointed his.
The slam of the door wasn’t a new development.
The room was silent for a beat before the small murmurs of everyone moving on started to fill up the room.
Dabi chuckles very slightly before snapping his head almost comically towards Kurogiri- his irritation gone with the blue-haired man who left the room.
“Hey, come on- just a half glass-“
Kurogiri eyed the scarred villain- his cheek oozing with blood and maybe saliva. Disgusting.
“I am to follow all rules set by Tomura.” He landed on.
“I don’t see him.” Dabi pressed.
Was it so wrong to serve a man with woes?
Kurogiri exhaled.
Maybe he’s grown softer over time- he was fond of them. All of them. He did suppose rules made in anger aren’t properly enforced, and maybe having everyone at ease would move the day along faster.
“What would you like, Dabi?”
“And this- this is why you are my favourite.” Dabi grinned widely and peaked his head over the bar to scan the lower shelves. A joyous and childlike expression on his face as he scoured the many options.
“Gimme a glass of whiskey, the bottom shelf stuff-“
Kurogiri rolled his eyes, metaphorically of course- the beams of yellow merely flickered.
“This one?”
The sentient bartender raised a brown bottle.
Dabi nodded, his head still resting on the bar but angled upward to look at Kurogiri with such an amused expression.
Kurogiri removed the cap before looking to their performer, perched in his mystical chair.
“Compress? Would you like something to drink?”
Although the bartenders' facial expressions were not recognisable, Atsuhiro could gather that this was probably an apology on the other two’s behalf. He chuckled.
“I wouldn’t mind a glass, thank you.”
He dipped his head.
Toga had finished painting her nails, boredom had started to kick in- without the arguing the place had become quiet and cold again.
Twice, or well without his mask maybe it’s Jin, had tried to occupy himself with mumbling and tapping his foot. Easily a sound everyone had started to block out after being with him so long.
“Can I get a drink!?” Toga chirped from where she sat waving a hand.
“You are underage Himiko.”
Kurogiri handed each of the men their beverages.
“Right- because we follow the law.” She mumbled-
She glanced to Twice whose expression morphed between horror and uncertainty.
“I will not stop you from breaking laws, I’m simply stating that-“Kurogiris's sentence was imitated.
“-you will not enable the intoxication of a young girl because that is not right” Toga parroted back to him.
“It’s stupid. I can take acid, go on a day long- insane trip, but vodka? No way.- ugh.”
There is a short moment of absolute silence before, after quenching his thirst Dabi decides to take his chances
“Hey, Crazy— you said something about acid?”
Dabi hummed over the lip of the glass, he seemed to only absorb pressing information.
“Don’t even try it- Dabi.” Himiko pouted.
-
The moments that followed, were unreal, to say the least-
Dabi finished his glass, his third glass. Kurogiri is much more lenient once everyone is settled.
The conversation has evolved and it has gone from six to eight am, so it’s supposed that they are officially day drinking.
Dabi is a good person, on some levels- but right now the alcohol isn’t giving him that usual knowing guilt. It’s been two hours Shigaraki is surely calm.
Maybe he won’t turn him to dust if he says sorry, or whatever. Nerves are never really an issue for Dabi, but when things turn into a confrontation he likes to not so sneakily disappear for a couple of days.
Which is why he keeps ‘running into Hawks’- he can’t come back here to Shigaraki when they are arguing so he gets bored. What’s the issue there? Well, disloyalty to the league, Shigaraki and being a villain as a whole but, Dabi reckons he could pull the abused drug addict card and he’d find someone to pity him.
Reluctantly he pushes the stool back and stands up, swaying slightly while he leans on the table for a moment of support.
“You think he’s good?”
The lankier man looked up at his bartender and tilted his head childishly.
“I’m sure he has recovered, yes. Don’t provoke him.” Kurogiri says almost like a plea.
Dabi groans briefly before standing- though noticing the boss had left his handheld console he quickly grabbed it from the floor.
“Wish me luck.” He exhaled before strolling off towards the rooms.
Mister was still nursing his glass and tipped his hat in Dabis's direction.
“Do you think this will go well?”
He pondered to the void.
“I hope it does, but I cannot confirm”
Kurogiri mumbled.
“Well, can’t let doubt cloud their stage”
Atsuhiro shrugged.
“Tomura should talk some sense into him-“ Himiko huffed as though her opinion was important, her legs swinging back and forth on the couch, although well into her teens toga still liked eavesdropping like any other kid, so she sat and listened.
“Dabi has been a real bully recently.” She mumbled her cheeks puffed out in a softer anger.
“He’s being a total asshole! Don’t sugarcoat it! - maybe he’s got somethin' going on?”
Jin shook his hand around his face. A small part of the guy liked Dabis company, they had their sweet moments. However, he was being a jerk.
-
Dabi stood in the damp hallway. Was this nervousness? Or just hesitation.
He grumbled, his grip tightening on the game console.
God fucking dammit.
Dabi knocked on the door briefly before creaking open the door.
“Hey—“ The man whispered as he gave the other time to react to his presence. There was silence.
He opened the door further to slip inside.
He then left the door close behind him.
He’d been in here before, but the atmosphere was just dull.
Shigarakis's room consisted of one single bed, who needs sheets? With a desk and chair.
The desk had two monitors that glowed blue, which gave the room a sliver of light.
Tomura sat in his chair, one leg tucked underneath him. His face brightened from the
iridescent screen. His hood was up and his hands on a cracked controller while he stared into the static of what looked like a first-person shooter.
“How you feelin’…princess?”
Dabis' tone faltered at the pet name, could have been the wrong thing to say, but the voices, y’know.
Tomura definitely reined like a princess, it was accurate though Dabis teasing always riled him up.
Shigaraki merely grunted in response, the game taking his attention. He didn’t seem too pissed, hopefully a good sign that he didn’t react to the pet name.
“Don’t be like that, c’mon— talk to me.”
Dabi pressed a little further.
The push and pull that came with talking to Tomura was enough to irritate the most level-headed people.
The blue-haired man huffed, a moment and then exited his game leaving the monitor on its home screen, he left the controller on his desk- a small clack confirmed he was officially involved in this conversation.
“You are a traitor. I don’t associate with hero-fuckers”
“This again?”
Dabis's exhale was reinforced with heat, almost steam.
“Can we ever talk about the good I do here?” Dabi flung the console from his hand onto the bed, to then let himself settle on the edge of it.
“Traitors do no good.” Shigarakis's voice was torn and deadly, he meant it- but he wasn’t taking any action.
A small light lit up in Dabis's empty skull, never did he think about other people's feelings- but now he had a crack of light that shone through the statue that is Tomura Shigaraki.
“You’re spoiled.” He spoke with a small rouse of amusement.
“I cannot believe it. I didn’t want to actually-“
“What the hell are you going on about? If you’re going to spout bullshit- get out”
His leader spat with venom but no malice.
“You want me all to yourself.”
“What- where did you pull- that’s absolutely ridiculous” it’s frantic.
“No, I get it. You don’t care about Hawks, or that he’s a hero- you just want me perched here in your little corner and pander to your whim.” Dabis's hand came to his mouth to hide his chuckle, he let his shoulders go lax.
Tomura sat and stared, red eyes narrowed in an expression Dabi never could figure out.
He scoffed, both feet coming to give a stomp to the floor.
“You swore absolute loyalty. You- you’re a liar. Hawks is a liability, it’s only fucking obvious that I don’t want you to associate with him.”
Dabis's expression lit up, undeniably proud of his solving of the puzzle that is Shigaraki.
“I have never been dishonest and I don’t intend to start now- but you can’t keep me on such a short leash. A man needs enrichment.” Dabis's smile was wide, he let his head fall backwards for a moment before he stood up.
“My loyalty can always be bought, Boss, but I really like you, I’d follow you off a cliff if you asked.”
Shigaraki stuttered, his hand reaching to scratch at his irritated skin.
“Don’t fucking leave now-“ the blue-haired man almost screeched, the cry demanding.
Dabi stood to tower over Tomura with a brief laugh.
“I won’t be gone long, just using this newfound freedom to tug at my collar. I’ll be back-“
The taller man patted his boss's head like you would a dog.
Dabi's understanding of Tomura was limited, but now he knew no matter what world the blue-haired freak created he’d be tied down-
This is so much more complicated than it has to be.
One wish is to do what he wants.
Dabi treaded out into the bar a smile plastered on his face.
“Oi Lizard!”
Spinner twitched in his sleep- before a boot knocked into his ribs.
“Fuck- wh- what?”
He grumbled.
“Boss wants to play something with you- get up.”
Dabi tilted his head downward to look at the morphed man.
“Alright- alright. I’m awake.” He muttered, sitting up and wiping at his face.
Dabis's joy was eery but as he headed to the door Kurogiri wiped it from his face.
“Where are you going, Dabi?”
“Out. Boss approved it-“ Dabi muttered dismissively.
“Are you going into the city?!”
Toga chirped, excited.
The dark-haired man decided to leave before she asked to tag along.
——
Up the fire escape of a building across the city, Dabi grunted as he climbed the metal ladder.
This apartment building happened to belong to a certain feathered man.
Dabi was always rather sketchy but walking down the rooftop escape stairs felt wrong, but after so many times he now thinks it’s kinda funny.
At this hour the hallway on the top floor was empty, he stopped at the last door on the right.
A pause and a small smile spread along his scarred face.
The door is flung open so dramatically that the hinges definitely creaked at the stress.
“Get me coke, give me money and I need a blowjob.”
Dabi announces his presence so outwardly and with so much signature cocky swagger that he doesn’t need to go looking for Keigo.
The blonde man peaks around at the door from his kitchen.
“Shouldn’t you pay me for a blowjob?” Hawks raises an eyebrow.
“If I had money I wouldn’t be here.”
Dabi yawns and kicks the door behind him and heads straight for the couch. A piece of furniture that wasn’t worn and uncomfortable, he collapsed into it easily.
Hawks chuckled as he padded to follow Dabi to the couch.
“What do you even spend my money on?”
“Skin grafts and drugs,” Dabi muttered into the pillow.
“Two hundred thousand yen on drugs? What has this economy come to?” Hawks replied deadpan. “Very vague, just drugs? Nothing specific, very unbelievable.” He poked the dark-haired man.
“What can I say, it’s my whole aesthetic.” Dabi looked up at the hero a crooked smile on his face.
“Ah well it’s not just me, I got a pack of leeches that slash my pockets.” Dabi tongued along his cheek.
“About that blowjob?”
“Talk me into it first, Jesus.” Keigo cocked his head to the side amusement clear on his face.
“Why are you here?”
“Marital problems.”
There is this sufficient understanding lingering between them, Keigo puts a hand on his hip- looking at this pathetic, and frankly very attractive man on his couch- he can’t help but tend to the wounded- it’s his hero nature or something. Anything to justify fucking the guy.
“I don’t have coke… I do have tranqs“
Those words destroyed the feeble structure of how he built his hero personality. Hawks never claimed to be a good hero.
Dabi made a sound that was too much like a moan- it made Keigo swallow subconsciously.
The taller man leaned upward from his position on the couch and tugged Hawks by the back of his neck and kissed him like the hero had brought the world to him on a platter.
Tonight wouldn’t be fruitless after all, he’d get that glance at freedom again.