Chapter Text
There is a clear dynamic between Sable Streak and Kabuto.
Sable Streak is the one who comes up with the plans. He can take one look at the situation, easily assessing the problem, and then conjure an elaborate method of subduing the enemy. Kabuto, on the other hand, is more straightforward in his line of attacks, favoring practical and quick tactics as opposed to the long, convoluted ones that Streak likes to deploy.
However, time and time again have proven that Streak's plans work, hence Kabuto often heeding to his partner's ideas and executing them. Likewise, Streak adheres to Kabuto's stances whenever he deems his plans to be...morally questionable.
With Sable Streak as the planner and Kabuto as the bruiser, the two are an excellent crime-fighting duo. Their teamwork is perfect, and their friendship is strong. The only problem...?
"Tikki, spots off." Kabuto's costume disintegrates into light as the Kwami flies away from him, leaving behind Hinata Hajime. He rummages through his desk drawer to pull out a bag of konpeito before handing a piece to Tikki.
As Tikki nibbles on the candy, she floats worriedly next to him. "Are... Are you mad, Hajime?"
Does he look mad? Hajime drags a hand down his face, sighing. "No, I'm not mad."
"But you are upset, aren't you?"
He sighs again. "It's Streak being...you know, himself." He waves a hand as though to emphasize his point. "You heard what he said this time."
"It doesn't seem like he's getting any better reining in the self-deprecation," Tikki notes mildly.
No. If anything, he's gotten worse. When they first met, Streak exhibited a clinical interest in seeing how Hajime performed as the city's beetle hero. Nowadays, after numerous displays of heroism and his Lucky Charm, Streak quickly became his fervent supporter, spewing lines of how his hope will cleave the darkness of despair and how he truly is the personification of righteousness. In tandem to Streak's worship, he puts himself down. All the time.
It doesn't matter that his plans contributed to most of their victories, that he saved countless lives, and that he defeated countless Akumas; Streak always dismisses any commendations for himself and refers himself as Kabuto's mere sidekick. A sidekick! That Hajime finds baffling.
But while Hajime more or less becomes accustomed to Streak's usual self-inflicted denigrating, what the cat hero said earlier truly unnerved him.
"Trash like me isn't worthy of living! I'm an insignificant existence, unlike you, Kabuto, who brings hope to this world. That is why I will lay down my life for you. I will die for your sake."
"It may seem obvious, but does Streak come across as suicidal to you?" Hajime asks.
Tikki ponders for a moment. "I don't think Master Fu would have chosen Streak to be the bearer of the Cat Miraculous if he doesn't think of him as capable," she says slowly. "Although, there had been times when a Guardian would make the mistake of entrusting the wrong people due to a lapse in judgment."
"So you do think that he's suicidal."
Tikki pouts. "If you must have it short and simple, I don't necessarily think that he's suicidal; I think that he's mentally unstable, which causes him to say things that sound suicidal."
"He's definitely not impaired intellectually given how good he is at strategy," Hajime muses, bringing a hand to his chin. He takes a second to reflect on their interactions. "He's more emotionally damaged than anything."
"Which would explain his life philosophy," Tikki adds. "Those who inspire hope are the elites..."
"Whereas everyone else is a stepping stone," he punctuates dryly. Then, in a more serious tone, Hajime says, "Remember how we talked about Streak possibly having a difficult past? Maybe if we confirm it with Plagg - no, better yet, if we can learn anything that we can about Streak, then we can find a way to help him."
Tikki gives him a weary look. "And how will we manage that? It'll be difficult when you and Streak aren't supposed to know each other's identities."
"I'll make do with whatever I can get." Hajime hands Tikki another star candy. "Besides, I don't need to know his civilian persona to lend him a hand."
Tikki remains skeptical, but she at least complies. "Alright, I'll see him tonight, but don't expect anything," she says. "I think Plagg himself has trouble getting close to his user."
Hajime smiles. "Thanks, Tikki."
If Kabuto's words won't reach Streak, then maybe Hajime's words will.
"You need to lay off the fanaticism, kid."
Nagito pauses in his stirring before looking at the Kwami. Plagg lazily bobs in the air, hungrily eyeing the natto that he's preparing for him, but the words ring in contrast to the cat creature's mien.
"Hm? What do you mean?" Nagito inquires.
"What you said to Kabuto? About dying for his sake?" Plagg flies from his right to his left. "It freaked him out. You being you wouldn't have noticed it, so I'm telling you now."
Nagito hums noncommittally to that and returns to stirring. "It's crucial that Kabuto knows the extent of my devotion, Plagg. What if there comes a day when he needs to make a sacrifice? If I can be that sacrifice, then I'll gladly cast my own life away."
"All for the sake of hope. Yeah, yeah, I heard it a million times," Plagg groans. "But have you ever thought that maybe - just maybe - Kabuto will miss you if you did die?"
Humor bubbles within Nagito, and he can't help but release it in a form of wheezes. Miss him? How outrageous! "Why would he miss me?" Nagito laughs. "Kabuto wouldn't miss someone like me!"
Plagg doesn't respond, but Nagito is fine with that. He chuckles as he finishes preparing the natto. When he finished, he sets the carton aside to leave Plagg to it. But before he leaves, he hears the Kwami's quiet words drift to his ears.
"I'd miss you."
Nagito beams over his shoulder. "You shouldn't, though. But if you do, then that's alright! You'll move on and find someone worthier of bearing the Cat Miraculous. In the meantime, you can think of me as a placeholder."
Without waiting for a reply, Nagito strides out of the kitchen to the living room where he dropped his book bag before heading out as Sable Streak. A certain buoyancy keeps his footsteps light despite being out of costume. He feels grateful for Plagg's kind words and fulfilled now that he finally told Kabuto about his feelings.
True, perhaps he overwhelmed the hero - having to listen to a trash's confession will be disgust-inducing no matter the recipient. And, yes, there's a likelihood that Kabuto didn't understand the gravity of Nagito's words, but no matter! Sooner or later, he will - because he's Kabuto! - and he will see fit to use Nagito however he wishes. Whether Nagito will be used as a stepping stone or a body shield or a toy for his own whimsy...
Nagito pauses, allowing a shudder of delight to run through him. The idea that he can be of any use to Kabuto is so arrogant of him to think about! And yet... And yet he can't help but imagine what it must be like for the hero to find favor in scum like him. A grin spreads across his face as he walks to his room, losing himself to a favorite fantasy of his. One day, he hopes to take a finishing blow for Kabuto in their last battle against Monoga; that way, he'll lie dying in Kabuto's arms, knowing that he has done some good in the world by saving the one he loves.