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Her steps were silent as she made her way through the halls of the abandoned office space; it was full of unused floors and subsequent work areas, desks and other various items left behind in whatever pace the former occupants left. The blonde cared little for the building’s past, as well as its declining state—so long as it offered the League temporary shelter, it would do. Her body had long since gotten used to cramped or uncomfortable sleeping quarters. There was only one thing that Himiko wanted to do this late in the evening, and that was simply rest. She would have to get up early and rouse another villain from his slumber, they had somewhere to go and work to do, after all.
She entered the room that she had claimed as her own several days prior, making a note that none of her things had been touched. Though, what she had left in the room consisted of little more than a bag containing various things, the clasp on its front undisturbed. There was a sleeping bag on the ground as well, but Himiko did not settle within it immediately despite the tired ache in her frame. Instead, she looked to the back of the room, where a large window allowed sight of the outside world. The space itself was too small to be a meeting room, so Himiko had deduced that it must have been the office of someone belonging to whatever company previously owned the building. There was no furniture besides a small, dusty, and uncomfortable love seat that would indicate anything specific, but she hadn’t truly cared either way.
Upon using the building as refuge, Twice had advised her not to take the room for her own, and to stick closer to where he and other members of the League rested; she had not even answered him at that time, instead doing whatever she pleased. “The window is bad, we could be noticed,” the masked villain had said. Himiko had only walked away at his words, wanting to enjoy the scenery she could see in silence. There wasn’t much to look at but more buildings, even when she opened the window’s wide frame. However, when poking her head outside of it, she could see the stars up above. The windowsill itself was sturdy enough for her to sit on, she had noticed that some days prior, and could even be comfortable in the right position.
The cold air hit her cheek immediately, though her neutral expression did not shift at all. She sat upon the windowsill, even daring to dangle one leg on the outside of the building. She did not have to glance down, already aware of being several stories up on this level of the building itself. If I fall, I’ll probably die, she had thought upon the initial discovery. I don’t want to die, so I won’t fall.
Himiko observed the night sky, somewhat disappointed to see mostly clouds above. I wonder if it’s going to rain. She supposed that she wouldn’t mind if it did rain, as it would be soothing to sleep to. She continued to look at the sky and allow her thoughts to wander, only half aware that she was beginning to nod off. She could have slept until the morning like that, hovering between being hidden and seen, between being safe inside or at risk of falling to the ground.
The villain dreamed, the contents of which causing her to wake with a silent start; how long had she been asleep? Before she could fully ascertain the answer, her head turned at the sound of movement, sharply so, as much as the piercing gaze she initially gave towards the opening door. Her hand, which was already settled within her jacket’s pocket, tightened around a hidden knife.
A skinny, mop-headed figure stood there, staring back at her. She could see his eyes, even in the dim light, the red of Shigaraki’s irises having become incredibly familiar. Himiko’s grip upon the knife loosened.
“I believe in you.” The words he said only hours earlier still rang in her mind. No one had ever uttered such words to her, and the feeling they caused in her chest still remained even now as her eyes softened at the sight of him.
“What are you doing?” He asked.
“I was sleeping.”
“In a window? … You’re so weird.”
Himiko did not move from where she sat, not even bothering to bring her dangling leg back into the room yet. Perhaps she did it out of spite, or perhaps not. Whether she knew herself was even debatable. Even so, Shigaraki made no further comment as he closed the door behind him and sat down upon the love seat. He noted that it was uncomfortable, and answered his own question about the sleeping bag on the floor.
For a few moments, neither villain said anything, until Himiko took it upon herself to break the silence.
“Hey.”
“Hm.”
“What will you do if Jin-kun or I dies?”
Shigaraki looked up, and she could see the way his eyes widened at her question. Did he not expect her to think of such things? Or, was he just surprised by her forwardness? No, he shouldn’t have been, especially after their earlier conversation.
It was Himiko’s turn to look surprised now as she watched him smirk.
“You won’t die,” Shigaraki said.
“How do you know?” She brought her leg back into the room. “What if that ugly bastard kills us like Magne-nee?”
Shigaraki did not immediately respond, instead taking a moment before speaking. The name of their fallen comrade hung heavily in the air, the image of her death still at the forefront at the minds of the League members who had witnessed it.
“He won’t, unless given a reason to. Overhaul wants to steal you both away and use you like he uses his own subordinates. He doesn’t see any of us as more than things to use.” He just wants to use you two and then throw you away like trash.
“You’re sure of that, huh,” she sighed, her words posed as a statement rather than a question. “Okay.”
“Are you trying to tell me you’re backing out now?” He looked up at her, and their eyes met.
“No,” Himiko shook her head. “You said that you believed in me—so, I’ll do it.”
Shigaraki leaned back in his seat, having been hunched forward with his elbows resting on his knees before. His eyes never left Himiko, noting how hers had wandered as they pleased. Even now, with her eyes closed as she slowly moved back into the room and closed the window, his eyes not once left the sight of her form.
“You’re really something,” he finally sighed. “Pointing a blade at me like that in front of everyone—don’t try something like that in front of Overhaul and his men.”
Himiko did not respond, instead removing her uniform’s jacket. She rolled it up neatly, setting it atop her sleeping bag to later use as a make shift pillow. She removed her shoes and left them beside the sleeping bag. With easy, almost reflex-like movements, her fingers untied the buns on each side of her head, letting her hair fall loosely around her shoulders. Shigaraki watched her still. His lips began to part, as if he was going to speak the words that came to his mind at the sight of her, but he instead said nothing.
“I miss Magne-nee.” Himiko said idly.
Shigaraki nodded, a soft noise of agreement escaping him.
“I want to make Overhaul suffer.”
Shigaraki said nothing in response.
Himiko approached the other villain, stopping until she was standing before him. He looked up at her after a moment, their eyes meeting once more. Neither of them spoke right away, instead staring at the other with expressions that did not indicate anything at all. Again, Himiko was the one to break the silence between the two of them.
“If Jin-kun or I died, would you miss us?”
“… Yeah.”
Himiko paused, perhaps startled by his response this time. She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it for a moment.
“… Will you think of us while we’re gone?”
“Mhm,” he nodded again. “I’ll think of you.”
Himiko stared at him, then smiled slightly.
“I’ll think of you, too, then.”
Without warning, Himiko swiveled on her foot and came to sit right next to Shigaraki. A puff of dust escaped from such sudden movement, but Himiko paid it no mind. She came close, first touching Shigaraki’s leg with her own, and moving even further still despite the sound of air being sucked through the other villain’s teeth. Her shoulder touched his arm as she leaned towards him, and she rested her cheek against his shoulder. He could see her expression clearly enough and saw how content she looked as she made herself comfortable.
“What,” he began, “do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m not that tired just yet,” she started. “So, can’t I talk with you for a little while longer?”
Shigaraki let out a hiss of a sigh at her words, the both of them knowing that he would relent to her whim.
“Fine,” he huffed. “Talk, then.”
Himiko hummed, nuzzling her cheek against the fabric of his shirt. She took in the scent of it, of Shigaraki, and continued to smile.
You’re so weird, Shigaraki thought, eyes glaring at the girl cuddled up next to him. I really don’t understand you.
“I was having a dream before you woke me up.”
Shigaraki did not immediately respond, instead waiting for Himiko to elaborate. Whether or not he was the one who had awoken her, he didn’t bother questioning.
“I was dreaming about Magne-nee… I keep thinking about it, about how she died. It happened so quickly…”
Shigaraki remembered, the scene of the villain’s death playing in his mind as Himiko mentioned. One second, Magne was there—then, with something as simple as a touch from that man, half of her was gone.
“Why didn’t you let me stab Overhaul back then?” Himiko looked up at him. He tilted his head towards her, their faces so close now. He knew she wouldn’t take silence for an answer.
“… I didn’t want him to kill you, too.”
“You think I would’ve died?”
“I didn’t want to risk it.”
Himiko was quiet for a moment. She rested her head on his shoulder once more and closed her eyes.
“You didn’t want to risk it, but now you’re sending me and Jin-kun away.” Himiko sighed. “The conversation you had with those yakuza must have really changed your mind.”
Shigaraki grunted. “It’s different now. I know he won’t kill you, or Twice.”
“I believe you—but, why us?”
“Your quirks work well together.”
“I know that,” she huffed. “Is it because Jin-kun feels responsible? He’s still upset, you know…”
“I know,” Shigaraki exhaled sharply. “The two of you are best suited for this, that’s all.”
Silence then fell in between them again. It was Shigaraki’s turn to break it.
“You, uh… look nice with your hair down.” His voice was soft, just a whisper.
Himiko looked back up at him and smiled. She made careful note at how his expression shifted under her gaze, taking in the sight and committing it to memory. Before Shigaraki could speak, Himiko did so first.
“Let’s sleep together.”
Shigaraki must have inhaled some specs of dust, as he made a noise akin to a choking animal. When he was able to speak again, he could only repeat himself. Himiko looked up, smirking wide enough so that he could see her teeth.
“I really do mean sleep,” she whispered. “Or, were you thinking of something dirty?”
Shigaraki stood suddenly, letting Himiko fall onto the other side of the loveseat.
“Knock it off,” he huffed.
Shigaraki made another noise as he made his way to the door but hesitated when he heard Himiko call out his name. He did not turn back to her and waited for whatever it was she was going to say.
“I want to see you when I get back.”
“Don’t…” He sighed. “Don’t act as if we’ll never see each other again.”
“I’m not,” Himiko rolled off the love seat, silent steps bringing her close to Shigaraki once more. He didn’t wrench away as she touched him this time, but she noticed the way his body tensed.
She rested her cheek against Shigaraki’s back, her arms lazily wrapped around his torso. “I just… when I get back, let’s celebrate. Not just you and me, but everyone else, too.”
“Celebrate what exactly?”
“Being together.”
Shigaraki said nothing, his fingers twitching at his side. He wondered what a normal person would do in this situation—would they turn around and embrace her? He couldn’t do that, not with the particular set of hands that were attached to his wrists. He stood there, biting down on his bottom lip, and waited. Himiko took several moments before she moved away from Shigaraki, letting her arms fall to her side as she leaned back. He did not turn around, even as she moved away, and reached for the doorknob with three fingers outstretched. He opened it slowly, but paused once more while standing in the door frame.
“I’ll see you when you get back.”
“Goodnight, Tomura-kun.”
He said nothing in response before leaving the room, and Himiko within it.
It was before sunrise when Jin felt someone prod at his side; there was the familiar ache in his skull that helped rouse him, and his hand quickly came to cover as much of his face as possible. Of course, his face was covered by his mask, which he soon felt and realized; he had only moved out of reflex, part of the movements that came with his awakening.
"What-- Dabi, if you're just going to talk about random shit again, I swear--"
"Good morning, Jin-kun."
Rather than the grin of Dabi like he expected to see, Jin blinked at the sight of the smiling Himiko. She was crouched over him, wearing a bright expression with a bag in her free hand, one already preoccupied with touching his shoulder. Jin sputtered at the sight of her, wondering how it was possible for her to look so chipper at such an early hour.
"Oh, Toga-chan, it's just you..."
"Of course it's me, silly." She giggled, leaning back on her heels. Himiko stood, and extended a hand to the other villain. "Are you ready to go? Those yakuza will probably take some long and complicated route after we meet up with them."
Jin nodded, then realized he shouldn't have. "Uh, yeah, gimme' a few minutes."
She nodded and stepped outside of the room's door with her usual, light gait. It only took a few minutes, just as Jin said, before he emerged; he did so with a pose, as if to fire himself up.
"Alright! Let's go meet those yakuza bastards!" He paused, realizing that others were still sleeping, and looked to Himiko. "Uh, after you Toga-chan."
Himiko laughed, taking the lead just as Jin suggested.
The air was still cold as the two villains made their way onto the streets. They both knew where to meet one of Overhaul's subordinates, there was no need to worry about such a thing. Instead, Himiko hummed as she walked, noticing the awkward attempts Jin made at conversation. She didn't care that she interrupted him when she spoke, instead only caring that he heard her.
"When we return to the League, we should have a party."
"A-- huh? A party? What for?"
"To celebrate, duh."
"Celebrate what?"
"Hmmm... a job well done." Himiko flashed Jin a toothy smile. "We'll work hard enough to make Tomura-kun and Magne-nee proud."
Jin flinched at the name of the fallen villain, but did not allow it to stop the stride with which he walked.
"You're right, Toga-chan," his voice started out slow, but soon gained momentum. "We'll show those yakuza what we-- what the League-- is made out of!"
She nodded, looping her arm with Jin's as the two of them walked together. We'll have fun with those yakuza, the two of them decided. We work so well together, after all.