Sleight of Hand, Sleight of Heart

by KojiLee4532

Summary:

“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.

Chapter 1

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.

Chapter 2

Summary:

Dabi was pushing his luck but he earned this place, mouth trailing up along the other man’s neck, towards his ear.
“Don’t go feeling guilty, makes it sound like I’m taking advantage of you-“

“You are.” Keigo huffed, though he relaxed his shoulders. A dynamic where the prey acknowledges it’s been caught is a strange one, but It’s a guilty pleasure for Hawks.

Notes:

Finally time to get smutty.
Seriously though I loved writing this chapter, enjoy!

Dabi awoke suddenly, like being pried from the afterlife by force, though once awake, he relaxed immediately- an actual mattress with sheets and a blanket, luxury at its finest.
He yawned sprawling out, his lanky limbs taking up more than half the bed.
He would never hate waking up so comfortably.

Hawks was curled up like a cat, head on his pillow and wings curled up around him like a cocoon. Hilarious as it may be Dabi found himself wanting to touch.
He reached out with a scarred hand and ran his knuckles along the outer feathers- Keigo shuddered at the softer touch.
Was it disgust that Dabi felt? It sure could match the sinking feeling he got at the sight of Hero so vulnerable.
It could be the high he had come down from, but Dabi would never be used to so many feelings.

“What are you doing?” Hawks murmured his eyes barely open.

Dabis's expression would be nothing less than amusing but being caught like this made him squirm.
“About to slap you awake before you ruffled your feathers all creepy-like.”

“They move if you touch them, asshole.” The blonde muttered before moving to lie on his back.

Now that they were both staring at the ceiling, post-nut clarity kicking in, they looked out of a ridiculous rom-com.

The taller man sat up rather abruptly, wiping at his face before looking down at Hawks, a lopsided grin spread across his face, his favourite part, being compensated.

Hawks’ eyes sharpened, all too bird-like, and just before Dabi spoke he groaned.

“What-?” The dark-haired villain tilted his head, shoulders tense.

“I feel like a dirty old rich man… who’s married.” The blonde covered his face with his forearms and shook his head repeatedly.

“You got it half right, I guess.” Dabi yawned.

“You know the guilt I feel? Like tremendous guilt and shame.” Hawks blabbered on, half serious. His thoughts sort of just escaped him.

“Bringing out the big words, I see.” Dabis's snicker wasn't appreciated.

“Giving you money after this feels wrong-“

Keigos whine of frustration and toss of pillows made Dabi come to an extremely odd conclusion.
Maybe he was just a boy toy in some capacity but Keigo had a weird sense of morality, whether what they were doing was inherently right or wrong, it made Dabis's life a lot easier.

“I really like the money though.” Dabi clicked his teeth, looking out through the burnt ends of his hair.

“You are a jackass,” Keigo mumbled from where he had turned his head to face the wall.

“C’mon pretty bird you like what I do too.”

“How much…?” Keigo muttered, his voice muffled due to the pillow he had sunken into.

“Huh?” Dabi scratched at his head unconsciously.

“I said, how much?” The hero peaked over his feathers.

“Now you’re speaking my language, c’mere.” Dabi leaned over the fire-red wings that separated Keigos body from the room, and let scarred lips brush his shoulder.
“-How’s a hundred-grand?”
Dabis's lips stayed against skin as he spoke.

Keigos breathing came to a sudden halt, his focus on such little contact.
“You want cash or transfer?”
The blonde's voice wavered, comically.

“I’ll take it howevers easiest for you-“ Dabi was pushing his luck but he earned this place, mouth trailing up along the other man’s neck, towards his ear.
“Don’t go feeling guilty, makes it sound like I’m taking advantage of you-“

“You are.” Keigo huffed, though he relaxed his shoulders. A dynamic where the prey acknowledges it’s been caught is a strange one, but It’s a guilty pleasure for Hawks.

“You don’t like my company?” Dabis's arm slid its way around the blonde all too easily.

“-I didn’t say that-“
A hero’s voice cracking under a villain's hand wasn’t anything to raise eyebrows at, but in this context, it’s very noteworthy.

———

“Where the fuck is he?”
Shigaraki screeching past noon was the usual but, with what happened last night no one expected to see him for at least a day or two.

“Who?”
Togas ignorance could have been put on but she didn’t seem in a sarcastic mood, she swirled a lollipop around her mouth while she clacked away at her over-accessorised Nokia.

Twice, seemed lost in his head today, staring at the ceiling from where he lay on the couch, a new tank top replaced his one from yesterday but other than that he seemed spacey.

Mr Compress didn’t seem to be up yet, or maybe he decided to avoid socialising today, either way, it was just the two chaos twins and the bartender.
Kurogiri looked nervous, or maybe neutral. It was hard to tell- glowing eyes and smoke don’t make many facial expressions.

“I am not playing these games anymore, where did he go…”
Tomura was surprisingly full of energy, though it seemed it was being fuelled by rage.

Toga was about to ask ‘Who?’ again lollipop now between her fingers-

“Dabi. Where’s Dabi.” Their boss deadpanned, his voice cracking as he mentioned the culprit's name.

Toga filled her cheeks with air, before looking to Kurogiri, needing assistance.

“Dabi had told us he was approved to go out.” The bartender spoke, to keep his hands busy he grabbed a glass and began shining. A new habit he had started picking up since yesterday morning.

“Like hell he was! Where is he now?”
Tomuras anger simmered below boiling, he couldn’t be mad at anyone here…

Toga gasped, a smile on her face. She knew this one.
“The city!” She chirped.

Shigaraki physically deflated at that.
“Goddammit, I’m going to kill him- use his ashes to fill the holes in the walls, that snarky bastard-“
Tomura knew where he was, he figured Dabi would happily skip into the city after what happened last night, but all night? He should’ve been back last night- or even this morning- it was routine.

Tomuras hands came to claw at his neck, the itch burned well beneath the surface, wildly he scratched at his skin. The irritant wasn’t here, he couldn’t be satisfied until he could scream his frustration at the cause of his itch.

“You could- uh- like call him, last I heard he had a phone.” Toga hummed, her focus merely on the pixelated screen of her own dated phone.

———

With Hawks perched in his lap, his own body lax against the headboard Dabi felt a tremendous comfort. More than anything he was less homesick, he definitely belonged right here.
Keigos kisses were drawn out and lazy- the hero seemed to not prioritise each breath, and Dabi just let it happen- better to not interrupt when the blonde had a mission.
He slid further down, his mouth suctioning to skin and then skin graft repeatedly-

Dabi smiled wilfully, he’d get that blowjob he had asked for but- just what did he do to deserve it—

BzZzZ.

Huh.

BzZZz.

“For fuck sake.”
Ten minutes, he couldn’t have waited ten more minutes. Dabi reached over the bed, his phone buzzing on the nightstand- it clacked against the wooden top.
He flicked open the suspicious- drug dealer-looking phone and snapped.
“What the hell do you wa-“ Dabi paused a second to look at the pro hero below him. The blonde hadn’t stopped, and it didn’t look like he was going to.
Fuck, this is totally a trope of some kind but Dabi can't think…about anything really because; a skilful hand just wrapped itself around his dick and squeezed, so gently.

The voice that came through the line was nothing but noise to him at this moment, he could hang up but he had just answered and been not the nicest with greetings.
Dabi sucked in a breath, this is happening whether he liked it or not.

“Hey…Boss.” He croaked out, more sheepishly than he wanted to.
Keigos hand sped up hearing that, and embarrassingly enough, his hand easily slid up and down at such a debilitating pace.

Tomuras voice cut through awfully like static through the mic.
“You bastard! All night?! All fucking night- did you get treated to breakfast too? Huh? I’m going to fucking kill you-“

Dabi exhaled heavily, how can he be reprimanded and feel guilty in this scenario?
“Uh- well, I did tell ya” the dark-haired villain spoke much more softly than his counterpart did.

Keigos eyes had locked to the blue ones above him- Dabi didn’t like that look, weird bird eyes.
The blonde paused, pupils dilated-
Dabi shook his head-
Keigo tilted his.
Dabi gritted his teeth.
Shigaraki screeched down the phone-

Hawks ducked his head and swallowed. Tip to pubic bone instantly without a trace of struggle. True talent, mastered. Dabi would find the time to be slightly jealous later.

A noise escaped from Dabis chest, he couldn’t have helped that, it was involuntary-

 

“You better be back here within the hour, or I’ll go get you and drag you back here like the diseased stray dog that you are.”
Tomuras voice penetrated the fog that engulfed the villains' mind-
Dabi stuttered-
“Uh-huh, sounds good-“ he murmured, more a harsh breath than words.

On the other end of this phone call, Shigaraki held the phone by its edge… Togas dangling keychains and stickers made Tomura reluctant to hold it properly- this way it’s less likely to be disintegrated.
“Hah?”
Tomuras eyebrows furrowed, what kind of response was that? Barely words at all.
He seethed.
“You’re telling me you want me to go get you?”
The blue-haired man pressed- the cogs in his head began turning.

“Sure- yeah, whatever—hh..” Dabis's voice was hardly heard though you could somehow make out his agreeable statement.

Shigaraki stared into nothing for a moment before his stomach churned… there was a moment of clarity where while his mind came to the knowing conclusion, Tomura fantasized about murdering Dabi, how happy he’d be to watch the patched man lay limp on concrete, his face unrecognisable and body slowly turning to grey particles.
He wanted to throw up.
“Get back here, now.” He managed, deadpanned, his eye twitched unknowingly and he dropped the phone to the floor.

On the other end, the phone went silent. Dabi didn’t notice, not for a moment until he realised he suddenly didn’t have a grating voice scratch at his ear.
Through short breaths, he managed to move his hand.
Seeing that the screen on his flip phone had gone black he tossed it-
“Fuck you, fuckkk- fuck you, asshole- Jesus Christ.” The words that spilled from him were nonsense but Keigo exhaled heavily through his nose, a chuckle.
Dabis hand, now free immediately tangled itself between golden locks.

———

Tomura sat at the bar completely motionless, his hands yearning to grip something and turn the place to dust.

Toga screeched at her phone hitting the floor”
She didn’t hesitate to hop off the barstool to grab it.
“What’d he say? Tomura?” She asked, curious but her eyes scanned her beloved phone for damage.

“I’m going to bury him alive.” Shigaraki snapped his head towards Kurogiri.
“Once he walks through the door, do not let him back out.”

“Yes, but are you okay Shigaraki?” The bartender voices his concern.

“Just fine. Get me a coke.”
He gritted, his eyes told a different story and Kurogiri is not one to argue.

Chapter 3

Summary:

“Then why do you need, him?”

“What?”
Dabi had never felt so lost for words.
“Uh- well, I fuck him.”
Said simply.

Tomura finally lifted his head, he stared almost too intensely.
“That’s it?”
He asked, it was so simple and straightforward.

Dabi wandered along the street-side, it’s almost evening at this point- his hair covered in a hat and his jacket collar flicked upward to hide his face. Musutafu was bustling, it made it easier to blend in but it’s a little more annoying to try and slip by. He usually gets back before morning- before the sun breaks at least, but he was greedy- treated himself to a lay in and now it’s almost sunset and he’s weaving past people on the way to the outskirts.

As he neared closer to his destination a small sense of dread loomed behind him, in reality- what was Shigaraki going to do? Kill him? If that’s all he’d be happy taking it but- it’s more the entrance that made him falter. Walking into an intervention would be a nightmare- it’s not like he’s done anything completely deviant.

The dark-haired villain stood at the doorway into their basement-like base and inhaled.
He needed a cigarette.

Opening the door he had a primal feeling to run and get out of there before consequences followed.

He slipped through the door just like he had slipped out he scanned the room.
It was just Kurogiri.
Okay, that’s not too bad- could be worse.

“Hey, you got a smoke?”
Dabi started, shrugging off his jacket and tossing the cap he wore onto the worn couch that sat in the corner.

“Dabi, Tomura wants to speak with you, you’re quite late.”
Kurogiri spoke ominously.

“What’s with this greeting? Why am I in trouble? What’d he say?”
Dabi raised an eyebrow, knowing damn well exactly what needed to be spoken about.

“I do not know the details, though your late arrival will be one of the things he is annoyed with.” The mist expanded briefly before settling, it’s weird that Kurogiri can’t portray emotion but that slight moment made all the difference, could be a warning or an apology in advance.

“Hah? Last I checked some blue-haired freak doesn’t decide my curfew.” Dabi groaned, this is what he hates about this place- it’s all no rules until Tomura isn’t happy, and then everyone’s walking on eggshells.

Dabi scoffed, storming straight for the same room he was in yesterday, he’s ready for a fight, though he doesn’t know what way this will sway.

The door is swung open- to reveal Shigaraki in the same place he always is, at his pathetic desk with a controller in his hand.

God, he just oozes annoying.

“You’re mad I left? I left you here all alone, poor Tomura. I told you, enrichment.” Dabi gritted, why was he mad? He didn’t need a reason - he was being restrained.

Shigaraki looked at him with such a stagnant expression.
“Who said I was mad?”

There was a silence that was so thick it could be smog.

“I’m disgusted, you’re repulsive- I hate that you run around like a fucking kid”
Shigaraki spat, his hands twitching in his lap.

“A kid ain’t doing the things I’m doing-“ the dark-haired man leered, his figure a shadow from the brightness of the hallway.

“You answered me, like that- with him.” Tomuras expression was unreadable-

“We’re back to this again.” The eye roll was heard not seen. Dabi's frame deflated in irritancy.
“What do you want? Hah? What’s your ideal scenario? I sit here with you, all fucking day no daylight, I get to jack off in the bathroom if I’m lucky? What do you want from me?”

“He’s a hero.”
Shigaraki seethed.

“I don’t think you really care about that at all“
Dabi challenged, this argument would keep going around in loops forever it would seem.
“You jealous, Boss? You wanna know what I was looking at when I picked up the phone? A hot blonde between my legs abs—“

“SHUT THE FUCK UP—“
Shigaraki yelled, his voice cracking ever so slightly, there was a small sound that left him before he dropped his head to look at his hands.
“Your job is to stay here, stay here and- be second in command. You obviously can’t do that with distractions.”
Tomuras voice was small, so small compared to how he usually sounds.

Dabi stared, stared at his boss with no real idea of how to respond. He’s not good at being serious, this fucking sucked.

“I don’t like being here.”
Dabi settled on, harsh but true.
“Compared to- you know.”

Shigaraki swallowed, he looked like he was going to implode, he glanced upward through his hair and exhaled.
“Why don’t you leave then?”

“Cause, it’s not torture or anything. You get really miserable and that’s shit enough, recently though- it’s like I’m being fucking interrogated every time I breathe- and this whole situation, this following All for one, putting my life on the line for some geezer I don’t know- I just don’t care about it.”
Dabi thought out his words, first time for everything I guess- but seeing Shigaraki so shitty made him sway slightly.

“Just me then?” Shigaraki asked, again out through a veil of blue locks- a shield.

“Huh?”

“You’re here just cause of me, so I’m not miserable?”
He reiterated.

“Uh- yeah, sure.”
He shrugged, though he supposed Shigaraki wasn’t the only reason he was here- surely the only reason he came back every time.

“Then why do you need, him?”

“What?”
Dabi had never felt so lost for words.
“Uh- well, I fuck him.”
Said simply.

Tomura finally lifted his head, he stared almost too intensely.
“That’s it?”
He asked, it was so simple and straightforward.

What had changed? A second ago they were arguing, what’s this?

“He’s got money, drugs- a nice bed”
Dabi spoke, carefully. He had no clue what this was going towards but Jesus, this is worse than if he actually just attacked him.

“I can get money, drugs and a bed, anything else?” Shigarakis's glare was unbearable, almost burning a hole through him, so calculated and precise.

Sure hypothetically he could get all those things, though it wouldn’t be in abundance, and it would cause him to stray from his lifelong mission, Dabi would bet he didn’t want to do that.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about- what are you trying to do?” Dabi leaned more toward being uncertain, what the fuck was going on…
God, he wishes this was just a regular screaming match.

The blue-haired villain stood, his posture still horrendous, Dabi couldn’t understand why his eyes went straight to the floor-

Dabi took a step back, still looming but he wasn’t too sure about this- one touch and he was dust.

Tomura seemed to contemplate for a moment, his movements lanky and uncoordinated but all of a sudden he lunged, like an animal lurching.
Before Dabi could even come up with a thought-
His boss clung to his arms, pinkies raised as he jostled his subordinate forward.
For a brief moment in time, Dabi refused to believe this was happening, though if he gave it some thought he would’ve come to a quick conclusion.
Tomura reached with all his might and landed a firm but chaste kiss to skin graft-covered lips. He pressed into it with his entire weight and held it for maybe a second too long before he retracted himself almost as violently as he had asserted.
For a second Shigaraki looked satisfied before he put as much distance as he could between them, pressing himself against the edge of his desk.

Dabis face lacked blood vessels but if he had enough you could be sure there’d be some flush to his cheeks.
He stuttered slightly before covering his mouth with the back of his hand.
“What the fuck was that…?”

Shigaraki stood shellshocked, his hands coming to grip the sides of his desk, though he pulled away once he felt the edge begin to crackle and become frail- particles of dust fell to his floor.
“Get out.” He said weakly.

“What?”

“Get out!” He grimaced. Embarrassment wasn’t exclusive to do-gooders or hero’s it seemed.

Dabi's surprise turned to amusement, he chuckled lowly from behind his hand.
“Was that your first?” He couldn’t help but smile.

“GET OUT, DABI!”

Notes:

Sorry for the short chapter! I was so excited for the Shigaraki x Dabi stuff I couldn’t help it.
ENJOY!

Chapter 4

Summary:

Now you might look at this pathetic scene and think, a heroin addict flushed pink and absolutely overjoyed at the fact his items were secure- how ridiculous, almost comically idiotic.

Notes:

!This chapter includes heroin use!

Special thanks to Ivan who helped a ton with this one!

Enjoy!

It had been three days since Tomura had kissed him, and genuinely, Dabi couldn’t have been happier to hang around the leagues base, just to watch his boss squirm after realising he was there.

Although the days dragged, and hearing Toga and Twice yelling and running around every morning, he couldn’t complain. The fact he was getting under Shigaraki's skin made him physically shiver with a sick kind of joy.

Tonight was the third night in a row that he had stayed and slept at their hideout and overall it wasn’t too bad, he may have dramatised his dislike for it all.
The damp walls and lethal amounts of black mould were a con for sure but sometimes that scent of decay felt like home.

Though being at the base meant boredom set in extremely quickly, sure he could leave…but that would ruin the psychological warfare that he had started with Shigaraki. It was thrilling really, every time he left his room there would be a staring contest, or a game of hide and seek with the man he called his boss. Though tonight, Dabi was restless.

The villain sat on his mattress, no bed frame or sheets, with a singular pillow.
Would this setup be seen as sad? Sure, Dabi called it minimalistic.
To waste time, and to feel better about his pretty dire situation Dabi turned to his beloved, golden and precious, nothing could compare to her.
With a smile plastered on his face, he reached for his jacket, which had been thrown onto the floor when he entered, rifling through the pockets.

Bingo.
A small baggie of tan-coloured powder.

Dabi looked at the small bag with wide childlike eyes. His head then turned…right, time to check who's been in his room.
He lifted the corner of his mattress that revealed a cut out of foam and a metal box underneath.
Now Dabi wasn’t religious, not in the slightest… but a quick prayer was said, just in case anyone had bothered to raid him while he had been MIA.
Pulling the small box into his lap he clicked the latches on either side open.
Inside this box were as follows, two medical-grade needles; still fresh and in their plastic, two stainless steel spoons, and a small bottle of water that was half full.

Now you might look at this pathetic scene and think, a heroin addict flushed pink and absolutely overjoyed at the fact his items were secure- how ridiculous, almost comically idiotic.

You’ll fail to notice that this is the first time Dabi's narrative has been littered with positivity. You’re dared to take this away from him.

Excited as ever, Dabi sat with his back against the wall, legs sprawled outward, though too long for the mattress, so his heels hit the floor.

Preparation came as a ritual.
Skin-grafted hands rifled through the box and produced his equipment.
He took one of the packaged needles, using his teeth to tear the opposite end of the plastic seal. Dabi then flicked off the teal plastic tip that kept the needle-
Then it’s as easy as pushing the barrel into place.
Now, not to be confused with someone who cared for his life, Dabi tapped the tan powder from the bag onto one of the spoons, he held it at eye level and gave an extra shake of the plastic, a reward for how good he’s been.
Once the small mound of powder settled onto the steel, he carefully grabbed the water bottle at his side, flicking off the cap and oh so gently he syringed a couple millilitres of water into the barrel, and dripped water carefully to cover the power- using the needle he then stirred the particles into the water.
He jittered watching it dissolve into a cohesive mixture.
With his other hand, he brought his index finger to the underside of the spoon and lit a small blue flame.
Watching intently as the liquid turned molasses-like and began to bubble, once satisfied he tapped his finger to his mouth, putting out the flame.

With too many tremors he brought the needle to the spoon, and tipped the bevel of the needle into the shiny swirling liquid, he pulled the plunger of the needle backwards and watched as it inhaled every drop.
He tossed the spoon back into the metal box- before tilting the needle upwards watching as a bubble of air flowed upward through the golden liquid. He pressed the plunger of the needle upward, until the barrel was filled with nothing but what he had been salivating for.

Now, the fun part.
Dabi traded the needle to his right hand and stretched his left arm outward, flicking his wrist and twisting his forearm.
Holding his arm downward he flicked the inside of his elbow with the side of his hand, once then twice- seeing his turquoise vein press to the surface.
He grit his teeth, although a grown man with a hundred pierced skin grafts and decorative piercings in general it’s always a little more difficult to jab yourself. No matter how many times he’s done it.
Pressing the needle to his skin, a moment of stillness he inhaled and breached the skin. Once confident he had actually got the vein he pressed the barrel of the needle, all at once and a little too hastily.

For a moment nothing is different, but when pulling out the needle the rush of straight bliss is unreal.
Dabis's smile grew wide and he couldn’t help the small giggle that left him, he lackadaisically checked the needle- a small dash of blood coloured the tip from how carelessly he pulled it out but other than the small dot of blood on the inside of his arm- he’d never felt better. He slid the needle into his box and weakly lowered the metal compartment to the floor-

Dabi sat still for a moment, eyes heavy and body light and airy- feeling the warm gooey rapture spread through him, he let his head hit the pillow.

When all is completely dissolved, she will bring utter pleasure.
Mind full of nothing but blossoms and fresh air, even if every inhale was full of spores and moisture.
Staring at the stained ceiling Dabis reminded of the summer, before his skin was wrapped in burgundy, before his head was rotten with revenge and distaste. Nothing but an old soccer ball brought him such simple happiness.
Laughing he tossed to his side.
White hair and brown eyes, she really was beautiful, he wondered if she still resembled his memories, maybe now she has eye bags and crow's feet. Would she still cradle his head so gently, would she welcome him with open arms- is forgiveness an option? Maybe for her, not for him.
Dabi snickered, his stomach bubbled with nostalgia and he enjoyed how warm the room felt.

Smiling at nothing and laughing to himself is nothing short of deranged but he can see himself from the third person and he likes this version of him.

Nothing could ruin this moment.

A knock at his door only made him feel lighter.

Absolutely nothing.

Another knock and he glances at the painted door.

Nothing.

Tomura waits on the other side and taps his foot. He goes to knock once more before his hand reaches for the knob- he hovers for a second… he ensures he only uses four fingers.

Opening the door the room is freezing, the first floorboard he steps on creaks and stresses and the thick aroma of burning makes him nauseous.

The blue-haired man locks eyes with his counterpart.

Dishevelled and in an amazing mood Dabi grins lopsidedly at his boss from where he lays on his side- face previously pressed into that singular pillow.

Shigaraki staggers. This was not how he wanted to find Dabi, though he didn’t know if this would go down half as well if the other was sober.

“Bad time.” Tomura grunts.

Dabi laughs and reaches a hand out
“Great time—“
He elongates the words.

“You’re not going to take anything seriously.” The blue-haired man mutters.

“I can be so serious, you have no fucking idea” He hums, nodding along to his own words as he brings a knee upward to lie in an almost perfectly relaxed position.

Shigaraki supposes this could be a practice round for this conversation.
“Why are you still here?”

Dabi doesn’t respond for a long moment, he let his head drop back to his pillow, he exhaled deeply and mumbled incoherently.

Shigaraki doesn’t push a response, he stands his arms around himself at the cold. Although in a hoodie he wore shorts- a mistake really because being outside his own bed the freezing temperature almost burned at his lower body.

“I—uh. I thought it’d be funny” Dabis's response came late, but he chuckled to himself. Glad to be having a great time really.

“What?”

“You’re a complete mess. It’s hilarious.” He continued through his laughter.

“I knew this was stupid, goodnight Dabi,” Shigaraki grunted and made his move to leave.

“No— hold on, I’m serious, I thought you’d want me back… I thought- so I stayed” Dabi reached for the other and just barely missed Tomuras hoodie, his smile persisted.

The blue-haired villain paused and glanced over his shoulder.
“You’re following my orders then? You’ll stay?”

“I don’t wanna lie-“ Dabi mumbled through a suppressed giggle.
“For now. I’m here. I’ll stay” he settled. His head feeling too heavy for his body he let it fall yet again.

Shigaraki watched Dabis's movements, not sensing any threat he let himself wander back- wander closer.

There was a weak attempt at a grab to his leg and Tomura watched with pity.
He didn’t understand, what should he feel in this scenario. He had been sulking about Dabi being here and yet he had always wanted him to stay right here.

“Keep me company.” Dabi hummed, another attempt at a reach, this time his hand caught the hem of his boss’s hoodie, he held it as tight as he could- but with his limb so feeble he struggled.

Shigaraki stared. He tried to reason, but nothing came to mind.
He crouched to Dabis level, and a skin graft-covered arm grabbed at him once again, his time his collar. His fingers held loosely to the fabric.

A beat. Tomura sighed, a breath he didn’t know he had been holding.

Although so lacklustre, Dabi tugged- and it wouldn’t knock over a child with how soft the movement had been.

Shigaraki fell into it way easier than he should have, once his palms were braced against the mattress he immediately began to push away- walk away now and ignore this, everything.
But Dabi had already moved aside, leaving a space suspiciously small.
His fingers held taught against the fabric.
It would be easy to slip away.

Except with little thought, Tomura moved forward, easily joining the other on the mattress- his legs cramped- his side pressed to the edge, even in this situation, he kept his distance.

Dabis eyes had closed, a pleased expression painted his face and this time he used both arms to reach- to touch and tug. Pulling.

Tomura had never been so uncomfortably pleased.
Dabis's arms wrapped so easily around a smaller body.
“You’re cold.”
A practical observation, though Shigaraki stuttered- the realisation his hands, balled in fists- were against Dabis's chest- the only thing separating skin was the man’s flimsy white tank top he wore.

Hatred was sure a word Tomura liked to think he thought of the man in front of him, though- not right now. He supposed he could be neutral.

Neutral. Sure.

In an act of bravery, Shigaraki's urge to one-up Dabi took him just a tad further.
He harshly moved closer, arms swiftly wrapping themselves around the dark-haired man’s neck, he kept them balled tightly but now he rested on the others shoulder.
He huffed, eyes squeezed shut like he’d done the unthinkable.
Dabi was so warm, in contrast to the cold room.

“You comfortable?”
A murmur was heard above his head.
So fucking nonchalant.
No anger came, Dabi sounded half asleep.

Tomorrow he could be angry.
For now, he’d let it go.

—————————

“Hey? Hey Dabiii? You still in there?”
Himiko tapped at the door.
She furrowed her eyebrows at no one in particular and puffed her cheeks out in frustration.
“C’mon, I know you are!” She grabbed the doorknob and slowly peeked inside.
To her amazement, she noted the blue hair, and stood looking through the crack in the door-
A small gasp left her and she hastily pulled out her phone, sceptically she held the back camera through the door and clicked the middle button. There was a small shutter sound. She quickly pulled it back to her side.

Both Dabi and Tomura looked so soft, like kittens. Arms and legs entangled, each breath in sync.

Himiko thought about how close they looked to characters in one of her romance mangas.
Closing the door so carefully she giggled to herself, looking at the pixilated picture that she had captured.

“How cute!”

Chapter 5

Summary:

“I fucking hate you-“ Shigaraki grimaced through sharp trembling breaths, his cheek pressed firmly into Dabis's shoulder.

“I know, I’m pretty easy to hate.”
Dabi couldn’t help but smile at that.

Notes:

I hope you enjoy!

I do have to say I live for this fucked up kind of relationship.
Poor Tomura :,)

Shigaraki was woken up several hours later to the sound of laughter. He grimaced, his face tensing at the sudden awakening. The blue-haired man kept his eyes closed tight.
He settled again when the room fell quiet, though not for very long.

“Yeah… hey I got shit to do as well, I wasn’t aware I was so important-“Dabis's voice was clear but whispered, his words tainted with faint snickering.

Tomura stayed still, his focus now on the conversation- but for a moment he basked in the comfort- Dabi had sat up at some point, though still leaning into the wall, so he was slouched- his right arm wrapped around his boss’s torso, his fingertips toying with pale blue hair. His left hand held his decrepit phone to his ear while he listened to the static-like voice on the other end.

Shigaraki cursed his hearing, maybe wearing headphones at max volume for days at a time was finally taking a toll on him. His curiosity took the wheel, he shuffled upward- though keeping his breathing even and eyes closed.
If he weren’t so committed to interfering- he would have hopped out of that bed the second he became conscious, and to be deadly honest he’s way too hot— Dabis body heat is lethal.

To deny he enjoyed physical touch wasn’t above him but in his head, Shigaraki could agree it was nice, maybe pleasant- nothing more.

Dabi stilled, eyes wandering over the other, confirming he was still asleep he- continued the conversation.
“Well fuck you too-“ the dark-haired villain chuckled into the phone.

This time Shigaraki could make out the voice on the other line.

“-I’m just surprised, usually you blow it all the same day, then you completely vanished for three days, I was expecting the worst, Dabi”

Tomura recognised that voice, even though it was fuzzy and staticky. He suddenly felt a chilling sensation sneak its way up his spine. He wanted nothing more than to make jewellery out of those tacky red feathers.

“Yeah…? What would you do without me?” Dabis's smile was heard through his words.

“Spent the last two days in clubs, I’m still hungover.” Hawks’s groan was followed by a chuckle.
“So? You gonna pay me a visit, beg me for forgiveness? Cause I’m seriously pissed I didn’t even get a call-“

“Like hell-“Dabis's voice was a harsh whisper but he still laughed aloud.
“I told you, I’m on house arrest—“More laughter was heard from the other line.
“Nah I’m serious- I’m pretty much on lockdown.”

Shigarakis stomach tumbled and churned. He was aware how much Dabi hated it here but to compare it to house arrest made him feel ill.

Hawks’s amused voice came from the other line-
“They got you chained up over there? Now that’s something I’d like to see-“

Dabis's chest vibrated with a repressed laugh.
“You freak—“ he exhaled. “Naw I just gotta stick around, I’ll let you know when I'm out free”

“C’mon Dabi, you sure know how to give a guy blue balls.” The laughter shared between them made shit look appetising.

Tomura had never wanted a feather-lined coat more than he did now.

“That’s all I am to you?” Dabi scoffed dramatically.
“Hey, Keigo, I’ll be back for you yet alright? Don’t get those feathers in a twist.”

Keigo? That’s his name… his given name? Dabi called him his given name.
Suddenly every soft moment from the previous night was nulled, Shigaraki had never been so itchy, his hands twitched from where they were held tightly to his chest.

He didn’t listen to the rest of the conversation and only did he stir when Dabi hung up the phone.
He moved his head to look at his counterpart and despised the pleased look on Dabis's face.

He didn't think Dabi even realised he was awake just yet but without a second thought, or any real sense of reason- Tomura scrambled upward and with unreasonable and unneeded agility and grace- and sat right on Dabis stomach.
His second-in-command grunted miserably.

“Wha-“ Dabi grimaced- “What the fuck?!- Jesus Christ-“ the force of such an attack pressed him into the mattress, and with his limbs still weak from his date with the golden mistress he was not even going to attempt to overpower Tomura.

“Keigo?”

“Huh?”

“Keigo? Keigo what I wonder? Do you use his name so casually all the time, or was this just to rub it in my face?”
Tomuras snarl was deafening and although in outrage Dabi could feel that even though both his boss’s hands were pressing on his chest both pinkie fingers were recoiled— the dark-haired man only felt a drop of relief knowing that his life was most likely a thought somewhere in there.

“Well?” Shigaraki pressed.

“You were listening?”

“What the fuck do you think?”

“Could have been dreaming?” Dabi tried.

“Very vivid fucking dream.” Tomuras eye twitched.

“Okay- alright, whatever yeah? So? Why do you care what I call him?” Dabi tilted his head, a slight smile graced his features. He was sort of glad to be back to arguing, this was almost comforting.

“You said you were done with him.”

“Ah ah ah- I said I’d stay here- and if you were listening you’d also know that I told him that-“
Dabi corrected with a lopsided grin.

“-‘I’ll be back for you yet, alright.’- ring any bells? You’re planning on running off the second you get a chance” Shigarakis scowl was something he’d been face to face with plenty of times but now seeing it this close Dabi would say it’s sort of endearing.

“What are you a warden? Why am I being interrogated? If I decide- of my own free will to wander off then that’s my choice, right?”

“He’s a hero.”

“Oh my fucking god. You don’t care if he’s a hero— if I uh- if I started fucking that drug dealer, glove-wearing freak and went to go visit him every time would you let me?” Dabi was getting seriously tired of this argument.

Shigaraki paused, his expression went neutral as he imagined that scenario… would that change anything?

Conclusion being…
No, absolutely fucking not.

“No.”

“There you have it.” Dabi raised an eyebrow.
“So now can you tell me why have this vendetta against me making friends?”

“You’re not out making friends-“ Tomura seethed.

“What am I doing then?” The amused expression Dabi wore irritated Tomura to no end. It’s like he knew something he didn’t.

This is where pieces start falling into place, cogs start ticking and there is a stick of dynamite with a timer that’s counting down.

“You— you’re-“ Tomura gripped the white tank top that clung to Dabis's skin.
“You’re fucking him.”

“Bingo. Now- why does that piss you off so much?”
Dabis's glee was uncharacteristic.
Was he certain? No. Did he want to be right? Absolutely- and Dabi gets a great deal of joy out of this.

Tomuras complete uncertainty was obvious- the way he swayed slightly and loosened his grip. He now sat atop of Dabi both hands at his side-
This allowed Dabi to at least sit up on his elbows-

“I mean I’ve got a fair idea.” Dabi leaned upward as far as he could.
“Now call me crazy, but when you kissed me— very innocently by the way— I was completely thrown off, here I thought you just wanted a guard dog or somethin’ and then I thought about it and hear me out, do you- Tomura - want to take Hawk’s place? Would you rather I waltz into your room on a lonely night instead?”
The dark-haired villain barked a laugh.
“I’m right aren't I?”

Tomura might as well have been a statue. His expression again was unreadable to Dabi, though he didn’t really care to understand what the other was feeling.

He just wanted to make one thing extremely clear.

“Listen, Boss- I can fuck you the same way I fuck him if it makes you feel better— but to be honest the only thing I’m thinking about is how two might be better than one. No way in hell am I giving up a king-sized bed and two hundred thousand yen a week to comfort your jealous ass.”
Dabi was cold, maybe too cutthroat but hey he needed the benefits of the hero here- and sure Shigaraki swore up and down he could provide said benefits- but look, not that Dabi had no faith or whatever- he was just realistic.

This fucking sucked though- he kinda liked the cuddling- but right now he was pretty sure he was going to get kicked out or murdered.

“Fuck you.”
Shigaraki spat the words so softly it was hard to hear- eyes angle downward and his frame trembled.

Oh fuck no, no way in hell was Dabi prepared for this. He stayed quiet, unsure of how to diffuse this situation.

Tomura swallowed hard, his eyes burned with salty tears. He wanted to kill him, really he did- but would he ever have the balls to?
Probably not.
He brought the sleeve of his hoodie to his face and wiped at wet eyes.
He hadn't moved from where he sat, reluctant to put any space between them.

Dabi wholly never thought he’d be in such a scenario. Was he really that harsh? He didn’t think so-
“Quit cryin’- come here”

Have you ever been the reason someone cries and also the reason they stop? No?
Well, Dabi was about to be.

He grabbed Tomuras arm- and hauled him forward into his arms yet again- though this time it was willingly and not a taunt or test; Dabi held him the same way he had last night- tight and with intent.

“I fucking hate you-“ Shigaraki grimaced through sharp trembling breaths, his cheek pressed firmly into Dabis's shoulder.

“I know, I’m pretty easy to hate.”
Dabi couldn’t help but smile at that.

Chapter 6

Summary:

Twice took a second before raising a hand.
"Is Dabi Romeo or Juliet?" He asked too seriously.

Now all three of them were laughing, except Twice and Dabi, both of them sat stubborn.

Notes:

Apologies for the short dialog heavy chapter, I've been out of the country and am suffering from prolonged jet lag, though I am so happy to be back to these insane mfs.

ENJOY!

The days Dabi had spent with the League not only dragged on but with Shigaraki in a state of turmoil he couldn’t up and leave, he wasn’t big on promises but he felt sort of responsible.
So instead of being like Tomura and sulking, Dabi felt generous and emptied his pockets to the other members.

So now, on a quiet night, Dabi had sat on the extremely worn leather couch they had shoved into the corner of the room, just next to the bar- dead in the middle, Toga to his right and Twice to his left. Now what would Dabi have to offer a group of villains so they could pass the time while their boss worked out his feelings?
Cocaine, that’s what.

Although they weren’t the only ones getting high that night, it’s just that everyone had a different forte.
Though Toga and Twice were happy to bump pristine milled powder, Spinner had lit a joint not too long ago and he had decided to lay across the floor- exhaling intricate little smoke circles into the air.
Mr Compress sat across from them on an ancient armchair that was falling apart at the seams- he had popped several pills this evening and to note, opioids make him extremely lackadaisical. Atsuhiro sat in just his button-down and slacks, no usual mask or hat and only one of his gloves remained- he looked as though he could melt into the very piece of furniture he was sitting on.

What a delightful night this had turned out to be.

Dabi scrunched his nose and let himself relax for once.

“Hey, Dabi?” Toga's wide-eyed expression and tilt of her head was nothing short of creepy but Dabi had no reason to be irritated right now.
“You and Tomura were pretty close the other night— but now! You guys are totally fighting again. What’d you do?”
Himiko nudged the taller man’s shoulder with her hand, over and over while she spoke at a pace that was similar to a hummingbird.

The palpitations of his heart increased as he tried to form a cohesive thought—
“You think it was me? Uh- who did something?”

“We know it was you!…. It could have been Shigaraki too though.”
Twice jittered beside him, both his legs tapping at different speeds while he loosely chopped another line with what looked like a library card. Always a well-read man.

“It’s always you.” Toga shook her head as if that was a world-known fact and huffed.
“C’mon, what happened! I gotta know- I've been totally lacking in gossip, everyone around here is super dull." She bounced where she sat.

Dabi dragged a hand down his face, his nose burned, abuse of his nasal cavity was finally starting to have an effect. The tall man sniffed hard-
"He uh- I actually don't fucking know."
What a liar.

"Supposedly." Mr Compressed murmured to the ceiling.

"Huh? He told you something?" Dabi snapped his head to the older man who seemed on a different length wave to the rest of them.

"Woah, oh-em-gee- Dabi you liar!" Himiko squealed, clapping her hands together.

Twice dipped his head and inhaled through a thin white line before springing up, ears basically twitching with curiosity.

"He didn't tell me himself. I happened to have connections." Atsuhiro droned, the words dripped out of him so slowly it was hard to follow.

Spinner who had been deep in thought suddenly opened his eyes, now he was also interested.

"Who?"
The three almost shouted from the couch in unison.

Compressed exhaled, each breath that left him seemed thirty seconds long.
"Kurogiri informed me that you, Dabi- had upset our dear leader. A reason of loyalty it seems, you interrupted his long-lived performance"

Dabis eyes narrowed, that misty bastard.
"Uhuh, and you'll believe that? Over me? Who's sitting out here with you lot."

Atsuhiro shrugged lazily and closed his eyes yet again.

Toga seemed overjoyed with such information, she grabbed hold of Dabis bicep and shook him back and forth so violently he knocked into Twice who sat at his other side.
"C'mon, c'mon, c'mon! Tell me! What did you doooo?!"

Dabi shook her off his arm, as you would with a pest.
He decided what's the worst that could happen here, though he was talking before he realised and his chest hurt though he wasn't sure if it was the cocaine or his many feelings on this situation.
"He's mad about Hawks, no- he wants to be Hawks- he's pissed that I know his name! He's pissed I called him, he's got me tied down here, I gotta stay right here and lick his damn shoe-"
Dabi sighed, leftover air left his lungs and he leaned forward and pressed his palms into his eyes-
"None of you have a collar." He notes.

Atsuhiro raises his head to look at Dabi briefly before his head became too heavy.
"Do you want the truth? At twenty-four I sure didn't want to hear it but I won't underestimate you."

Toga closes her mouth, as she was about to yap their ear off with how this matches the manga she's read-

"The hell is that supposed to mean?" Dabi snapped, irritated, this night was slowly losing its merit.

Compressed chuckled, all too relaxed.
"I think you've bitten off more than you can chew."

Dabi blinked, and for a second the heartbeat in his ears fell silent.
"Hah?"
He looked upward.

"You've picked two opposites, complete black and white, if it were me I'd be running." He smiled at the water-damaged ceiling.
"I am known for running but that's just my opinion, you've got one too many main actors, the script usually calls for two, and even in the cases where there are more not everyone is happy to share the spotlight, you must drop the play or pick your co-star... pretty simple, though you can't choose can you?"
Atsuhiro is known for out-there metaphors but this takes the cake, Dabi is so lost but some part of him understands, to a small degree.

Spinner, from the floor, chuckles.
"Totally, like in Romeo and Juliet man- there was that other chick- he shoulda just picked her but he didn't and then they both fucking died" The lizard-like man spoke through hazy laughter.

"Spinner has pieced it together." Compress nods approvingly.

Dabi is too high to try and comprehend.
He scrunches his face.
"I should fuck them both and then kill myself so I don't have to deal with the tantrums afterwards."
Dabi clicked his teeth, yeah nothing went in there.

Mr compress and Spinner seemed to both understand too well and they started laughing hysterically.

Toga looked at Dabi with big eyes.
"You're having sex with Tomura?" She raised an eyebrow disapprovingly.

"Not yet." He coughed, wiping his nose.

Twice took a second before raising a hand.
"Is Dabi Romeo or Juliet?" He asked too seriously.

Now all three of them were laughing, except Twice and Dabi, both of them sat stubborn.

How the fuck was he supposed to drop the play now, he joined the drama club for fun- not to learn lines and figure out pacing.

Chapter 7

Summary:

"Keigo..." she sighed, her hands moving along his arms.
"Please, for fuck sake think."
She shook him.
"He's killed heroes before."

Notes:

HAWKS POV!!
I've wanted to do Keigos pov for a while but trying to make THE hawks unsure and pathetic was hard.
Mirko is also in this chapter! My favourite girly.
Let me know if yall like the Hawks pov because I want to showcase his side in all of this!

"So pretty boy, how are you holding up?"

Mirko says it so casually, a bottomless glass of red wine swirling in her hand, she looks happy, maybe a little too happy. She does enjoy poking fun, though once she finishes that glass, the rabbit hero will be a lot more empathetic.

Keigo exhales deeply.
"Holding up." He nods.
Oh how he hated the lies he was upkeeping, he would just adore to be able to confide in someone.
He swallowed his glass of champagne in one gulp.

Every hero in the country was celebrating, but in his jurisdiction, the heroes of Musutafu were gathered in a huge four-story club, the recent hero rankings had just been awarded and Hawks wanted nothing more than to drink until his liver failed.
This will be his fourth night in a row out, using his new number-two rank as an excuse.

"Come on, Hawks- you're number two. Where’s that model smile?"
Rumi finished her glass, she glanced around with only her ears and found the clattering of a beverage tray. She whistled, a little rudely and ushered the poor waiter over.
"Let's do, two long islands-" she holds the waiter by the bicep and gives him a toothy smile. The man nods nervously before turning on his heel.

Hawks sagged back into the booth, the one Mirko had chosen- just by the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, intentionally close to the dance floor.
"The commission-" Hawks started with a cough.

Mirkos ears perked towards him, she leaned forward with such interest, her head resting on her palm as she scooched closer.
"Oh? The commission?"

"Yeah, uh- fuck. I uh- I was given a mission, infiltrate the league"
Hawks tapped at the table with his fingers
"You'll think I'm an idiot. I am an idiot. I'm going to lose my license and be locked up" The words sputtered out of him, he shouldn't be saying this, so publicly- all his higher-ups scattered around. He sighed, looking to his friend as he wiped at his face.

Rumi looked as calm as ever, though her eyebrow quirked unusually.
"Let's go for a smoke, outside. Cmon." She said suddenly, getting to her feet- she pulled the hem of her fitted black dress down as she stood.

It was almost like a walk of shame, Hawks stood and followed behind her as she confidently walked between people.
Hawks staggered awkwardly, greeting the few he knew, avoiding any longer of a conversation. This wasn't like him, he's a fucking extrovert- he should be jumping to converse...but it sort of feels like they are the enemy.

Once outside Keigo shivered at the cold sharp air his red feathers puffed up to shield him from the breeze.
Mirko produced a pack of Marlboros from her bra, she always complained about having no pockets but she routinely refused to wear any outfits that had them.
"You got a light?"
She asked, pulling two cigarettes from the cardboard box.

Hawks patted his pockets, rummaging until he found one.
Mirko brought the smoke to her lips and leaned forward, and downward- six-inch heels and her taller stature made Hawks look a lot shorter than he was- it was comical. He cupped a hand around the cigarette and lit it for her.
She handed him the other- wordlessly, he lit it, taking a long drag.

"Alright talk to me." She spoke with the cigarette between her lips.

Hawks rubbed at his eyes.

"I knew something went down, ever since you got that job you've been- sort of..." she paused looking for the word.

"Pathetic?"

"Uhuh." She nodded, tapping out the ashes into a pot at the door of the smoking area.

Hawks shifted uncomfortably.

"I fucked him." His words were lost to an exhale of smoke.

"Excuse me." Rumis ears perked so violently that her golden hoop earrings clacked.
She heard him. Of course she did, those ears weren't just for show.

"I had sex with him. I've been having sex with him, I'll probably continue having sex with him."

Her mouth hung open, her cigarette burning away.
"One of the league?! Seriously, Keigo?" She reiterated with anger.

"I know. It's- I don't know what to do. I was told to get close to him."
Keigos voice cracked.

"How long?- you started with the commission and Endevour---"

"Eight months."
The blonde mumbled as he took another drag.

"Oh my god, you moron, you fucking idiot-"
Rumi gritted.
"What the hell are you telling the commission?"

"That they've been passive the last six weeks. He- he told me to stop going to their hide out-"

Mirkos's expression was far from subtle, she blinked rapidly.
"Which one of them?" She started before- a thought crossed her mind.
"Where've you been meeting?"

"My downtown apartment, the penthouse." He whispered he wanted to feel guilty- but he can't help but want.

Mirko didn't say anything, she dropped her cigarette, putting it out with the heel of her shoe.
She paced briefly. A small circle in front of him.
"Your fucking apartment?" She exhaled, her tone now more condescending.

Hawks finished his smoke and tossed it, stressfully he ran a hand through his hair.
"I've given him over nine hundred thousand yen. Probably more-"
The blonde admitted and then flinched, expecting a right hook.

Rumi looked almost disappointed.
"I get it, I get you had a shit childhood, you lack education and you've got this complex where you think no one can ever hurt you- but Keigo, what the actual fuck were you thinking?"

"I don't know." He heaved. "I don't know what to do."

"Cut contact, kill them, leave the country...hell kill yourself at this point." She stood, hands on her hips.

"I like him."
He couldn't meet her eyes, he had never felt so foolish, more than ever he wanted some comfort- she was right, this was more than idiotic.

"Like him? Oh well then, by all means-" she cocked her head.
"Which one? Who?- not the crusty leader, not what you typically go for, could be the lizard, you'd get along with that off-brand Spiderman-" she thought aloud, her eyebrows furrowed.
"It's the skin graft freak."

"Dabi."

"The one who attacked you and Endeavour? You're sick in the head."
Mirko chewed on her nails, they were painted.
"You've given him over a million yen, surely used for an attack- or nomu-"

"It's for skin grafts." Keigo reasoned- though not entirely the truth.

"Maybe if he wasn't a criminal, he could get some medical care- get a discount hm?" She scoffed, outraged wasn't the word.
"You know, if anyone hears this- you're done. You'll have a hit out on you., Endeavour himself will burn you to a crisp, is it really worth all that?"

"I told you, I like him-" Hawks tugged at the cuffs of his shirt. Did he really?

"You're laying your life down for him, I doubt- I fucking doubt he'd do any such thing for you Keigo." She grabbed onto the hero's shoulders.
"Snap out of it, your life isn't worth a dick."

"He's not malicious, he's not even cooperating with the league right now, they've got him held up he's not in this for a bigger cause-" Hawks defended him like he was being paid for it, did he really believe any of this? His eyes were itchy, he closed them.
"He's not a bad guy, he isn't- I know a through and through villain when I see one- he isn't like that- he's an asshole but he's just a fucking loner who needed an out."

"Keigo..." she sighed, her hands moving along his arms.
"Please, for fuck sake think."
She shook him.
"He's killed heroes before."

Hawks covered his face with his forearm.
"I know. I can't- I can't just leave him"

-------------

On the outskirts of the city, in that damp renovated basement.

Dabi sniffed, before sneezing- his body jerking forward.
"...fuck-"
He grunted wiping at his nose.

"Gross." Toga leaned away from him on her position on the couch.

"You sick Dabi?!-" Twice leaned in and now it was Dabis turn to lean away. "Probably the coke huh? Pretty gritty." The man shook his head and sat back into his side of the couch.

Notes:

Hey everyone!
I hope you enjoyed.

I live for this weird triangle and the dramatics of it all.