Archive of Our Own

Thump thump.

Thump thump.

Thump thump.

That was the sound of Eri's heart hammering in her chest. 

The man who had been in charge of watching her—who had bangs covering his eyes and a pretentious smile that sent chills running down her spine—had gone over to other room to talk to another man. Across from her, her room was unlocked and slightly ajar. This was her chance... 

Freedom.

She was tired of the needles and blood and being trapped to a chair. She was tired of the world going hazy and black, only to then wake up, finding herself on an oversized bed, her skin a fresh canvas. The toys never made her feel better—worse, if anything. It were as if the plastic dolls or cuddly bears were a taunting reminder that something as nice as a plaything couldn't give her joy. 

Nothing could. 

If she were to take this opportunity to escape, would he find her? Would he punish her? What about other people? Would he hurt them as a punishment? 

She'd better stay and accept her fate. She must've committed terrible, unspeakable crimes to receive this fate she called hell. This life—if that's would you could even call this—wasn't worth living.

But she didn't want to die. Not again. She wanted to live. She wanted to be free. Was that so awful? Was it so awful that she couldn't seize possibly her only chance at escaping? 

The horned child bit her lip. She couldn't remember a life outside of this one, but she sometimes got flashes of memories, probably from when she was younger. Much, much younger. And although she didn't know what the flashes meant, she associated the feeling that flickered in her chest with... happiness. 

She wanted to feel that again. She wanted to feel that sweet emotion spread across her whole body. And before she even knew it, she had gotten up from her sitting position on the bed, threw the bedroom door completely open, and ran as fast as her little legs would let her. Her bare feet made small thudding sounds as they hit against the smooth tile of the building floor when she made her way to the exit. Her gut clenched with anxiety and her brain screamed at her to stop, but her legs did not obey. They moved and moved, and even when a man shouted for her to "get back here!", her body continued as if it would be the last time it'd be able to. Even when she heard footsteps that were much louder and heavier than her own following behind her, she didn't hesitate. 

And for the first time in her life, she felt a sliver of hope. 

She used both of her small hands to push the exit door open. The blinding sun poured onto her like paint as she got out of the building, still scurrying like the pest that she felt like. 

"Shit! Shit! Shit! She's getting away! Get her, damn it!" One of the men behind her yelled. They sounded further away than she thought. Still, she didn't allow herself to slow down no matter how out of breath she already felt. 

The bright red eyed girl halted for only a heartbeat to whip her head from side to side so that she could scan the area and find a place to run or hide. Her eyes darted to a small, shabby, wooden building down a narrow alley. There, she decided. She ran past the alley and hid behind a wall. 

"She went that way!" The voice of her care keeper informed. The two other men followed him and bolted right past her. 

Eri stood shakily until she could no longer hear heels on concrete. She exhaled and slide down to the floor, using the wall behind her as leverage. Her heart was still racing and her feet throbbed. She must've stepped on a rock or two. 

As much as she wanted to stay behind that corner forever and cry herself a river, she knew that she'd ought to go to the wooden building where she could get help. The men would probably come back running here, desperate to find her. So she grunted quietly as she pulled herself back onto her feet, and approached the building. 

Her nostrils were hit with a wave of something she'd never smelled before. It wasn't pleasant. However, the young female felt content with the calmness and relative emptiness of the place, so she proceeded to walk in. 

A man with a cigarette in his mouth quickly noticed her. He was leaning against a wall with a hand laxly in his pocket.

"Hey, kid," he said hesitantly. He observed her ragged outfit and countless bandages, his eyes squinted behind his glasses. "Where's your parents?"

Eri tensed. She almost ran out of there from instinct immediately, but she forced her feet the plant to the ground. She had to stay in here until she knew that it was completely safe to go back outside. She just didn't know if it were safe in here. With round eyes that exposed her fear, she replied with, "I need help. Please."

The man scratched his head. "Whatcha mean?"

The frightened child gulped and looked around the building nervously before continuing. "There is a bad man chasing me. I don't want to go back! Please!" Her eyes quickly started to water. 

The man kneeled down to get to the girl's level. He raised a brow but remained awfully calm. "Well, how about you tell me your name first?"

"Eri," she answered worriedly. She glanced at the door. 

"I'm Giran, but people call me Broker. Now, just who is this bad man?" The stranger questioned. 

"O-Overhaul," Eri explained as she shifted her weight, "he is dangerous. The other men are looking for me. They work for him." 

Giran went wide eyed. His mouth went agape and the cigarette almost fell out of his mouth. "Overhaul... you know him?"

Eri nodded desperately. He knew Chisaki! Did that mean he'd protect her? 

Suddenly, Giran stood up, making Eri flinch violently and step back. 

"Okay, I'll help you. But first, you gotta help me. Deal?" The adult suggested. He held out a hand.

Eri looked up at him with those big orbs that held too much trauma for such a young child. "Okay," she whispered. She accepted his large hand. The human contact wasn't as terrifying as it usual was. In fact, it was almost comforting. She was still wary, though. She didn't think she'd ever go a day in her life without being so. 

The man lead her out of the building, still holding hands with her, and entered another building with a similar design. A group of people were lounging on the bar stools in front of a table. They all turned to the door once a bell rang as it opened. 

"Heya, look who I found!" Giran smugly cheered as he put a hand on Eri's back and gently pushed her forward. Eri didn't like how that sounded at all. "I think she was held captive or something by Overhaul," he informed. He put his cigarette to his mouth. "She's a little jumpy so don't get all up in her face."

A young looking man with a hand attached to his face, shoulders, and arms eyed her quietly. Eri gasped at the sight of the loose limbs and turned to run, but was held back by Giran.

"No, no! P-please!" Eri screamed as she thrashed against his grip on the collar of her dress. 

"Hold still, kid, we're not gonna do anything. Just need some info, and then you can go," Giran assured, his voice containing a hint of annoyance. Eri ignored him and continued to fight against him feebly. 

"I think that you should let her go," a purple glowing man without a definite shape inputted. 

"Tame her, wouldn't you? We don't have all day," a young man with purple scars grumbled.

"Tame her," rang in Eri's ears. She was going to be restrained again. She was going to be a prisoner again.

"No! No! NO!!" She screamed with power that could break glass. At that moment, her horn began to glow and sputter sparks of orange electricity. A wisp of it went straight for Giran's face.

"AH! Shit!" Giran shouted as he let go of the girl and brought his hands to his eyes. "M-My eyes!"

The men stood up from their seats with their eyes the sizes of saucers.

Eri used the opportunity to leap towards the door, but suddenly a purple vortex appeared in front of her and she ended up jumping into it and popping out right in front of the crusty faced man. She gasped and fell backwards, crawling away from him until she hit a wall. 

"Sir?" The misty yellow eyed questioned as he watched the man Eri had affected reach his hands out to nothing and spit colorful curse words.

"I can't see! That brat did something to me!" Giran yelled. Through the anger, his panic was detectable. "Fix this now!"

"I-I can't! I don't how—I-I don't know what I did!" Eri stammered with a quivering voice. She pressed herself impossibly further into the wall. "P-please! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Don't hurt me! I'm sorry!" She raised her arms over her face for protection, expecting to get beat up. 

"Dabi, get him to a medic," The man with a hand of his face ordered, speaking for the first time in front of Eri. His voice was low and calm. The scarred man groaned. "Kurogiri, go with them. I'll stay with the girl."

"Are you sure?" The man apparently named Kurogiri questioned with concern. "Clearly, she's unstable. You could get hurt-"

"He'll be fine. I'm sure he wouldn't be the boss if he couldn't handle a little girl. Let's just go and get this over with," the black haired one, Dabi, said apathetically.

"Stop complaining and hurry up!" Giran complained. He held onto both men for guidance as they walked out through the door. Eri would've thought about running for the exit if she weren't so terrified of getting hurt—or worse—by the man currently watching her with one unblinking eye.

"Get up," he simply said.

Eri didn't move. 

"I'm not going to hurt you," The man offered. "If I hurt you, I wouldn't be able to get information from you. But if you don't get up, I'll get mad. Then I'll hurt you."

His logic made sense to the little girl, so she slowly got up, her head bowed fearfully. She had tasted freedom for seconds. While it was more than she ever thought she'd get, she was devastated by how quickly it ended. Now here she was, trapped one way or another. Again.

The blue haired male observed her before he began interrogating. "What does Overhaul do with you? Why would he keep you captive? And what do you know about him? Tell me everything."

Eri's lips quivered. "He... he hurts me. T-t-takes my... blo-ood." Her eyes flickered to the bandages around her arms. "I know that he-he's a bad man. He wants to hurt o-other people." 

The man's eyes narrowed. "Why would he want your blood?"

Only then did it occur to the young girl that telling this stranger about all of this was a terrible idea. Either Chisaki would find out that she shared his secrets or this man would steal the idea and start doing the same thing to her. Why did she tell him? Stupid, stupid, stupid! 

"I'm waiting," The man pushed. 

He was going to kill her. Whether it be because she refused to tell him or because she did and then he'd need to kill her. 

She was a fool for believing that a stranger would help her. She should have ran to an abandoned building and lived there. She could have eaten food from the garbage. It wouldn't have been pleasant, but at least she would have been free. And alive. But now... now she would die. She'd never feel that emotion that made her heart feel lighter ever again. That emotion that wasn't despair for once more in her life. It'd never happen. Instead, she was going to feel that agonizing blackness consume her again. 

Over...

And...

Over again.

Like always.

It was a never ending torture. It would never end, would it?

The child's back pressed against the wall yet again. "No... no..." she muttered through her increasing pants. She was hyperventilating. 

Should she beg for him to make it quick? To plead that he left her permanently dead in exchange for all the information on Chasaki that he wanted?

She felt like she couldn't breathe. Like she wasn't getting enough air. The room around her was getting darker at the corners and slowly slithered towards her. No, not again! She sank to the floor.

"Hey, stop that," the man said hesitantly. Eri didn't listen. "Hey, hey, calm down, kid. I'm not gonna do anything, alright?"

His words had as much of an affect in her as it would a person wearing ear plugs. He shifted uncomfortably. He'd never dealt with kids before, especially like this. And he knew he wasn't a good person, but... he couldn't just leave the girl like this. He slowly approached her, earning a whimper in response. The villain raised his hands up harmlessly and squatted down. "I'm notgoing to hurt you. I don't care about your blood, okay?"

Tone of his voice and word choice seemed to work. While her breathing was still slightly rapid and shaky, she gradually stopped hyperventilating within a long interval of silence. Tears glistened in the scared, little girl's eyes as she carefully watched his every move. 

"My name is Shigaraki," the man said slowly. "I'm the leader of the League of Villains. We don't like Overhaul; he hurt one of our comrades and killed another. I need information on him so that we can stop him. That's why I asked what you know about him."

Eri stared wide eyed at him. He was trying to trick her? Right? Right? No one had ever spoken to her like this. It was so soft and gentle. It actually seemed like he cared how she felt. He sounded... nice. That intimidating eye wasn't so scary anymore. Everything was supposed to be scary. 

"When you're ready, tell me your name," Shigaraki muttered.

It took a minute or two for Eri to calm her breath. Once she felt that she'd controlled her racing heart, she quietly said, "Eri."

"Okay, Eri," Shigaraki said, trying out her name of his tongue, "I'm going to ask again, but you don't need to panic; I just need to know so that I can stop Overhaul. Why does he want your blood?" 

Eri chewed on her lip. She didn't completely trust this man, but if there was even a small chance that he was being truthful...

"It has a power," she answered. "I don't know what it does, but... but he puts it in tubes. And he does stuff to to it. And-and I think he wants to use it for bad." After noticing Shigaraki waiting for more of an explanation, she timidly added, "that's all I know."

Shigaraki hummed. "I see." As tense as a cat that was ready to jump away, she watched Shigaraki stand back up straightly, his hands in his pocket. "Eri, do you have any idea what your quirk does? Aside from the blood?"

The girl blinked. "No," she responded. She looked towards the ground sadly. "And I can't control it. I only hurt people with it. I-I'm sorry for what I did to that man earlier..."

Shigaraki inspected her with growing interest. "There's been other moments like that one?"

Eri peered at him through her hair that had fallen over half of her face. She gave a guilty nod. "I heard one of the... the men saying that I—" She sniffled "—that I made my father disappear. I don't even remember it..." 

The man's eyes widened. For a moment, it felt like time froze—that he was looking through a mirror. Not only did she resemble him physically—with her light blue, almost a grayish white hair, and light red eyes—but her situation was like his when he was young. He had All for One to guide him. This girl... she had no one. A powerful quirk but no one to show her the way.

"I can help you," he decided. The girl looked at him with her doe-like eyes in confusion. "If you join my cause, I can give you a place to live, food to eat, and protection from Overhaul. However, joining my cause, the League of Villain, means that you're agreeing to work for me. To whatever end. The choice is yours. If you disagree, I'll interrogate you until I have all the information I need. Then I'll throw you out, but not to Overhaul directly. If you agree, I will provide you with everything you need. What do you say?"

Eri's lips parted as she just stared at the man in shock. She could have a home. She could live without fear of Chisaki and his men. She could be... free. "Yes," she breathed, much too quickly. She got up from the hard floor and nodded vigorously as tears prickled at her eyes yet again. "Yes. Yes. I will join you and the league of Villians." 

And there it was. That feeling in her chest. It was glowing faintly at the thought of a new life. She wouldn't mind working with this man. He had showed her a kindness that she'd never experienced before. She didn't care what this League of Villains thing was about; she just wanted to be safe with Shigaraki. 

"Good," he said. "Then lets go somewhere you can wash yourself up and get some clean clothes. Afterwards, when you're settled in, you can tell me everything about Overhaul and yourself."

Eri nodded. She followed him out of the building and into some store. She had never been to a store before. There was a lot she'd never seen before. A lot she didn't know. A lot she needed to learn. But it was okay—she was okay. Because she was with Shigaraki, and he had offered her a home. She could finally be free.

Eri lips twitched upwards for split second to what could have possibly been a smile. 

. 

.

.

__________

Eri hunched over her bed, packing her clothing into a suitcase. 

Tomorrow was the day she moved into a U.A. dorm. It was... terrifying. A member of the League of Villains like herself entering the greatest hero school in Japan as a "transfer student?" It was a bizarre, foreign experience, but it had to be done. A mission was a mission, especially if All for One ordered it. Not that she cared the slightest bit what that monstrous man thought of her. Eri was only doing this for Shigaraki. 

Eri loved Shigaraki, and pretty much owed him for where she was now. Shigaraki, unfortunately, highly looked up to All for One, so Eri couldn't make Shigaraki look bad by refusing to do this mission. 

It was just that... heroes were bad. They hadn't saved Eri when she needed them; they were fake and selfish; they pick and chose whose quirks to like; and above all, they were dangerous. 

Eri had to be careful. She didn't want to get hurt, and of course, she couldn't hurt someone with the curse of a quirk she had that did more bad than good. No one needed to get hurt if she was guarded and focused.

Keep an eye on Midoriya Izuku, suspected successor of All Might.

__________

Before Eri headed to her and Shigaraki's apartment to rest before the big day, Dabi stopped her at the bar hideout when there were only the two of them left.

"Be careful out there, Eri," the scarred man warned as he put his hand in the pocket of his jeans and slouched against the wall. "The heroes are suffocatingly self righteous, and they'll try to convince you that we, the 'bad guys,' deserve prison or worse. They'll say we're maniacs and monsters, and I won't lie, some of us are, but they fail to realize that they are too."

Eri nodded. She's heard this many, many times from various members of the League. "I know, Dabi. Thank you." She appreciated the concern, though, since it was rare for Dabi to show any. She didn't really know much about the man at all, really, because he had only been in the League for a little over a year, but he had helped her get over her fear of using her quirk enough to control it the smallest bit, so that she wasn't completely 'powerless'. (As if she wasn't the best at hand to hand combat out of the whole League.) 

Dabi's quirk was extremely dangerous, and so was Eri's, so they had that in common. Eri had a connection with the villain and trusted his advice for that reason.

"Yeah, 'course you do. You've got Shigaraki reminding you every five seconds," Dabi scoffed, his gaze lazily drifting away from Eri. "I don't know what the heroes did to make the guy a total manchild, but we've all got our own problems. That's why we're all in this Leauge, with the dumbest name they could've come up with by the way."

Then, Dabi's blazing blue eyes snapped back at Eri. "You've heard this and that about the heroes well enough, but I've seen the truth of the hero society firsthand."

Eri sharply inhaled and straightened up her posture tensely. This was her first time hearing about this information. "Like... how? If it's okay to ask..."

Dabi's lips stretched into a cold, bitter smirk. "How, huh? Well, I thought it was obvious." He poked the purplish skin around his cheek. "You catch my drift?"

Horror and sympathy struck Eri in the heart. She staggered forward, a hand hovering over her mouth. "Oh, Dabi, I—I didn't know—I'm so sorry—"

"Quit the pity. It disgusts me," Dabi spat, causing Eri to instinctively step back. "And you wanna know something else?"

No. 

"What is it?" Eri whispered anyway as a sense of morbid curiosity took a hold of her. 

"My own family is the reason I support stain," Dabi answered calmly, though spite leaked through his voice. "He knows the truth. The realit—ugh—!"

Eri threw herself at Dabi and wrapped her arms around him in a hug. She couldn't help herself as tears slipped out of her eyes. 

"The hell? Let go of me!" Dabi barked, shoving the horned-girl away from him. As a result, Eri stumbled backwards and fell on her butt, but that didn't stop her from sniffling and rubbing her teary eyes. 

As Dabi patted his clothes, Eri said, "I know we're not that close, but no one deserves to go through that!" 

Dabi rolled his eyes. "Stop crying. I was trying to give you some insight, not to share a sob story, so quit it." 

Eri would have been embarrassed of herself right now for crying on floor if she weren't so heartbroken by Dabi's words. 

"And since when do you hug people? Is that a thing you do now? Personal space, kid."

"S-sorry," Eri said quietly, still wiping tears away. "Toga did it to me this morning when she was wishing me luck on the mission, and I liked it... a lot. It made me happy... So, I thought that if I did it to you, it would make you happy, too..."

Dabi crouched down slowly and, to her surprise, patted Eri's head with his large, rough hand. "So, what? If I pat your head, you'll start patting the heads of everyone you meet?"

Eri's gently pushed his hand away. "No," she grumbled, sort of insulted by being spoken to like an idiot. "I wouldn't pat a stranger. And I've been pat on the head before. Lots of times."

Dabi's mouth twitched to laugh, but, suddenly, it froze and fell again. He stared, scrutinizing her. "You've never been hugged before."

Eri furrowed her brows, not sure whether that was a question or statement and why it was even being discussed. "Well, not until Toga did it to me today. Why does it matter?"

Dabi's expression remained solemn. He shook his head, sighing softly and muttering, "rough world." Then, he stood up and offered Eri a hand. "It doesn't matter. Now get up already. You're almost fifteen years old, not five years old."

Eri hesitantly accepted his hand and was pulled up to her feet. 

"Now get some sleep," Dabi suggested, trying to act as detached and uncaring as usual, but Eri could see through it. 

"And remember, just because a hero is on the top, doesn't make him any better than us, believe me. They could be the lowest of the low deep down inside."

Eri gave him a grim nod. What had previously been a general fear and caution towards heroes had now become a personal grudge. 

__________

Eri's first day had started off fine. She had been startled by the atmosphere of the school—large spaces with many students—and her classmates had bombarded her with curious questions that has her head spinning. Other than that, no heroes (or heroes in training) seemed to eye her with suspicion. Meanwhile, Eri kept her ears and eyes open for Midoriya Izuku. 

It wasn't until her homeroom class teacher, Aizawa, spoke to the class about an assignment that things began to go downhill.

 "You are to reflect on yesterday's disaster at the training course and explain why it went wrong," he instructed. "Then, tell me how you can improve. Half credit is on the presentation and the other half is on how well you do when we re-do that course. This is due tomorrow, so be diligent."

Most of the class groaned simultaneously upon hearing this. 

"This will be another partnered assignment, so listen up to hear you and your partner's name."

From Eri's seat, she could hear a few whispers that consistent of, "I want to get partnered up with Eri!" And "she's cute." Eri hoped no one could see how her cheeks flushed at the audible comments. 

To be honest, these students were acting nothing like she had expected them to act. Perhaps it was mostly the pro heroes that were corrupt, and this school was just built to teach these young students the same morals and ideologies. A shame. After all, they were the same age Eri was. Maybe it wasn't too late to help them?

No. Stay focused on the mission.

"Jirou and Uraraka," Aizawa called out. Two girls smiled at each other in response.

"Kirishima and Midoriya."

Eri's eyes snapped to direction of the class where two boys high-fived. "We'll be a great pair, Kirishima!" The green-haired one exclaimed.

Target identified.

"Todoroki and Eri," Aizawa said next, approaching her aisle.

"Darn it!" Someone shouted. Laughter followed, then a loud hush. 

Eri raised a brow and looked for her partner. The boy next to her, with heterochromatic hair and eyes, raised his hand so she could spot him. 

"Oh," Eri said, trying not stare at the bold scar around the boy's eye. "Nice to meet you."

Todoroki simply responded with, "likewise."

When Aizawa reached them, he said, "Todoroki, I hope you don't mind working with our new student. I thought you'd be a good partner since you won't overwhelm her, unlike most of your class."

"It's no problem at all," Todoroki assured.

"Eri," the teacher, continued, "you won't have any particular part of the assignment to actually complete, but I want you to talk with Todoroki and help him in any way you can."

"Of course, Sensei," Eri said, clasping her hands together. 

With that, Aizawa returned to his desk and said that the class had the rest of class to do whatever they pleased, but if they didn't use the time to work on their assignments, they'd have to work together after school. 

Unfortunately, the class took that as permission to surround Eri and occupy most of her class time. By the time the bell rang, she and Todoroki had hardly gotten any work done. 

"I'm really sorry about that," Eri said as the both of them backed their backpacks. "You must be really annoyed with me."

"I'm not too bothered. We have plenty of time after school to work on the assignment," Todoroki explained. "If anything, you should be the one annoyed. Our classmates are too nosy."

Eri shrugged. She didn't mind too much, only because she was able to learn the names of her classmates and, more importantly, watch Midoriya a couple of time. Just from this period alone, she learned his mannerisms and had an understanding of his personality. 

If All for One's suspicions were correct, then this was one strange kid for All Might to chose as his successor. This boy was small and almost shy-like. Wouldn't All Might want someone big, strong, and confident? Someone who could inflict fear onto all the villains?

"Anyway, when are you available to work on the assignment after school?" Todoroki asked.

"Whenever you are," Eri insisted. "I'm free all day."

"Okay. Then let's meet at the library at six."

"Sounds great," Eri replied with a small smile before they went to their next class. 

Their next class was simply quirk training outside. This wasn't an issue until Eri was asked to show her quirk to the class. She obliged by finding a crushed plant in the grass and retuning it to its previous, healed and healthy state. 

"Oh my," Yaoyorozu spoke up, her eyes glimmering, "your quirk... it's—it's similar to Recovery Girl's!" 

Eri cocked her head to the side in confusion. 

Kaminari shook his head. "No way! It's better!" 

"Your quirk isn't suitable for fighting, rhino-looking-ass," Bakugou added, earning multiple looks of disapproval from his peers. 

Midnight, the pro hero teacher that had been watching over them, quickly ran up to Eri, her shoulders tense. With wonder and surprise evident in her voice, she said, "Eri, I think you're just the person Recovery Girl has been waiting for!"

__________

Eri didn't understand what had occurred to warrant her being sent to the nurse's office, but here she was waiting outside the door, ready to knock...

This has something to do with my quirk.

Of course her stupid quirk had to draw so much unwanted attention. If it was the reason that the mission was jeopardized, then she'd never forgive herself. 

Regardless, Eri knocked on that door. 

"Come in!" An elderly voice welcomingly called out.

Eri turned the door handle and entered the room where she found a small, old lady sitting in front of her computer. 

"Oh, hello! You must be Eri!" The lady greeted, beaming with excitement. "I am very pleased to meet you!"

Eri gave the woman a quick, tight-lipped smile. "You too, ma'am. But um... why am I here...?"

The nurse's enthusiastic expression softened, and gestured to the bed besides her. "Have a seat, please, and I shall explain."

Confused and anxious, Eri complied. She settled onto the bed and fiddled with her fingers as she looked around the room. 

This place seemed fairly safe. So, she wasn't in trouble, right?

"You see, my dear," the woman began, "my name is Recovery Girl as you might know. I am a pro hero, but I spend a lot of my time here at this school, healing the students. However, as you can see, I am growing old, and I will not be here to aid the students forever.

"Nowadays, kids just want to be heroes in combat, so it's hard to find anyone with a quirk that can heal. Midnight informed me of what she's observed... Could I please see your quirk in action?"

"...Yes," Eri managed to answer while her mind was blaring alarms. She didn't like where this was going one bit.

"Wonderful," the old woman commented. "Follow me."

She lead her further across the office and past several best until they stopped at a bed where an unconscious boy rested. Multiple bandages and casts littered his body. Eri's heart ached with sympathy. 

"He was severely hurt by a classmate during a training exercise gone wrong. It was all an accident, of course, but the damage remains grave. I have been letting him heal for some time on his own without the use of my quirk, because I fear that if I use my quirk, it may kill him."

A breath caught in Eri's throat. "What? What do you mean?"

"Well, healing takes energy, my dear," the nurse responded, her previous joy having disappeared after looking at the state of this student. "And if he uses too much energy at once, it will be fatal."

"That is... very unfortunate," Eri said, rather dejected. This was a sad thing to hear and all, but for a moment, Eri thought that she wasn't the only one whose quirk would go haywire or out of control. No, instead this woman would only kill someone if she made the wrong decision, and that was all. Eri was alone in her experience of killing and hurting people with her quirk, while this nurse healed them.

"Now, could you use your quirk on him?" Recovery Girl requested. 

Eri's blood went cold. "Excuse me?"

"Your quirk is rewind, correct?" The nurse asked. Eri nodded stiffly. "Then, certainly, you can rewind this boy to his healthy state, no?" 

"No!" Eri snapped, nearly shouting, causing Recovey Girl to be taken aback. "What are saying— I'll kill him!" 

"Calm down, Eri—"

"This is a big misunderstanding. I can't heal. I only rewind. And I only to it to plants and animalsbecause at least if I mess up, it won't be as devastating as it would be with a human. I-I—I'm sorry. I just can't."

"Shh, shh," Recovery girl consoled. "I understand. I shouldn't have assumed." After a brief moment of thought, she asked, "have you ever tried healing a person?"

"No. Nor will I ever, ma'am," Eri responded harshly. 

"Is there a particular reason for that?"

Eri didn't answer, because that was her deepest, darkest secret that only Chisaki and Shigaraki knew of.

"Alright," Recovery Girl said in response to the lack of reply. “It was foolish of me to expect a student who is still experimenting, training, and discovering her quirk to do a pro hero's job. Forgive me if I scared you for that. But Eri... the truth is, I think your quirk has amazing potential. If you gave it a chance, I would love for you to become my successor."

Repulsion filled Eri's senses so abruptly that she had to brace a hand onto the wall next to her. Repulsion at the thought of anyone actually wanting her to be a... a hero. Heroes were her enemies. 

Recovery Girl nodded empathetically, thinking that she understood what Eri was thinking. "I know. You probably want to be one of the greatest heroes, and a hero specialized in medics cant get up to the top like the others can... I won't force you, but, please, think about it. Allow me to teach you and help you learn how to use your quirk on humans. This school—no, all of Japan—could use a quirk like yours."

"—could use a quirk like yours."

A memory of Overhaul looming over her flashed in Eri mind. Her fresh, crimson blood traveling through the tubes... The bandages everywhere... the loneliness... Fear—Pain— Darkness—

Eri shook her head wildly, eyes screwed shut, and walked backwards—away from the nurse. 

"Eri?"

"I'll—I'll think about it." As if. "Goodbye."

She speedily left the nurse's office before the old lady could catch up with her and ran to the bathroom where she locked herself in a stall. She slid to the floor across from the toilet as she gasped heavy breaths.

Calm down, calm down, calm down, CALM DOWN. 

Eri's wide, red eyes stared at the ground as her hands trembling. More memories of Overhaul took up her vision as a feeling of helplessness and terror consumed her.

Where was Shigaraki? Kurogiri? Dabi or Toga? Where were they to protect her?!

Then, the sound of footsteps entered the bathroom. Eri slapped her hands over her mouth to conceal the whimper that escaped her lips. 

Black shoes of the henchman appeared in Eri's peripheral as she curled up under the bed on the cold floor. 

"Damn, I know you're in here. Just where? Come on. If you come out, I won't be mad."

Eri stayed as still as stone. Until—

As fast as lightning, the man crouched and snatched a handful of her hair.

"AH! Let—go!" She cried out in pain. "Please!"

"Wait until Overhaul hears about this. You're in deep trouble, girlie."

"Ribbit. Is that you, Eri?" A voice said, bringing the horned-girl back to the present. 

Eri jolted to her feet. "Oh—u-um, hi—uh, Tsuyu?"

"Hi, Eri. Are you ok? I saw you on the floor."

"Oh, no—I... Well, I mean, yes." Don't mess this up, Eri! "I feel a little sick, is all. Must've been my breakfast."

"But weren't you just at the nurse's office?"

Eri internally cursed at her mistake. "I was, but it only started hurting now..."

"Oh, I think I understand. Ribbit. Is it a, y'know, girl thing?"

"Yep!" Eri immediately chirped. "A girl thing."

"I don't have any pads with me right now, but I can go ask one of the girls in our class," Tsuyu insisted. 

"That's alright; I already have one. Thank you, though."

"Okay. If you say so. Would you... like me to stay with you?"

Eri bit her lip. Yes, please... Don't leave me alone.

"I don't want to hold you up from class any longer," She voiced instead, gloomily leaning her shoulder and head against the stall door. 

"I don't really mind, but I'll give you your privacy." And with that, Tsuyu left, leaving Eri alone again. 

Eri let out a deep sigh that left her feeling weak in the bones and stayed there for a while to recompose herself again. 

Tsuyu was nice. Much better than Recovery Girl, who had been far too intrusive. Maybe it was because she was Tsuyu's peer, while she was Recovery Girl's subordinate. 

Or maybe it was just because Recovery Girl was a pro hero who could sense that something was off with Eri.

__________

Eri returned to class and it had gone by like something had even happened. The rest of the school day only made Eri long to go home, and when it had ended, she was glad for it. 

It was ridiculous how awful her first day had been so far. She hoped that after she finished her assignment with Todoroki, she could text Shigaraki or Toga and just go to sleep.

So when it became six o' clock, Eri entered the library, ready to get this over with. Todoroki was already there, waiting at a table with paper and pencils prepared.

"Hi," Eri said as she approached him.

Todoroki looked up at her. "Hi. Ready?"

"Mhm."

"Okay," Todoroki said while Eri took a seat across from him, "honestly, I can do most of this on my own. I'll just tell you what we need to say when we present our work tomorrow."

Eri shifted awkwardly. "Oh, are you sure? Is there no way I can help?" No, she didn't want to be here, but she would feel bad if she didn't assist somehow.

"I'm sure. In yesterday's training course, it went all wrong because some of our classmates were distracted, and others hadn't heard the instructions correctly. We failed to save the civilians because everyone wanted to do their own thing. For example, I had to keep telling Mineta to use his quirk on the rocky terrain, to keep the area safe, but he wanted to be the one to climb up to the civilians. We argued, and it wasted too much time."

"Hm. It sounds like everyone knew what they had to do. It seems more like you guys were bad at working together," Eri theorized. 

A wrinkled formed between Todoroki's brows from thought. "That could true. We didn't communicate very well."

Eri perked up a bit from seeing that she was being helpful. "And to improve next time you do that course, you guys can negotiate something that makes you both happy while it being the most strategic plan with the civilians' safety in mind."

Todoroki took his pencil and scribbled her words down. "I like the way that sounds," he said. "I'll add in the extra details." 

"Great."

"By the way, Eri," Todoroki mentioned, pausing his writing, "are you going to be a permanent member of this class?"

The horned-girl frowned at this question. "Um, well... I would think so. Why do you ask?"

"I was just curious, since it's easy to guess why you were sent to Recovery Girl's office."

Those few words instantly ruined Eri's mood again. "Oh."

"Are you striving to be the number one hero?" Todoroki asked.

Eri shrugged. "Are you?"

Todoroki hesitated before answering. "I am."

"Yeah. I guess I am, too."

Todoroki's neutral expression turned the slightest bit skeptical. "You don't seem certain. Are you considering replacing Recovery Girl?" 

"Of course not," Eri huffed, absentmindedly twirling a piece of her hair. "Why would I accept that?"

"It's an honor."

"Not for me."

Todoroki blinked at her, but proceeded to write his answers for the assignment. While doing so he said, "I understand."

Eri glanced at him. "Really?" 

"Yes. We all have our own aspirations and reasons. In a way, it's similar to how people assume that because my dad is Endeavor, I want to be the number one hero for the same reasons as him. I don't."

Eri straightened up in an instant and threw the boy an incredulous look. 

Todoroki appeared confused at her reaction.

"You're pro hero Endeavor's son!?" Eri exclaimed. 

A librarian sharply hushed her. 

"This is common knowledge," Todoroki grumbled, probably annoyed at her outburst. "Everyone knows."

Eri rubbed the back of her neck. "Well, I'm new here, so cut me some slack."

One of her classmates was the possible successor of All Might and the other was the son of Endeavor. Could this day get any weirder! Now Eri had even more reasons to be nervous. 

But at the same time, Eri was greatly intrigued. Dabi had said that his own family was the reason he supported stain, so how did Todoroki feel about heroes when his own father was one? He couldn't possibly have bad opinions of them if he was here, wanting to be one himself. 

"So... it must be interesting having a powerful hero as your dad," Eri noted. 

"...That's one way to describe it," the heterochromatic boy answered. "I'm almost done writing, by the way."

"Good to know," Eri said. "Also, you must be pretty popular if your dad is Endeavor."

Todoroki quietly sighed through his nose. "I have my own personality, you know."

Eri waved her hands wildly. "Of course! I know that! Sorry! It's just that I've never met someone who knows a pro hero so personally!"

"SHH!" The librarian hissed at her. 

"Sorry!" Eri whispered sheepishly. 

"You're close to getting kicked out of here," Todoroki warned. "On your first day, too."

"I'll be quiet," Eri stated, folding her hands in her lap.

Todoroki rested his pencil on the table. "Okay, I'm done. You pretty much know what you need to say, right?"

Eri nodded. "Yes. Also, do you know if I'll be participating in the retaking of that training course?"

"Most likely," Todoroki informed. "Aizawa doesn't give any of his students any slack. Speaking of, how do you plan to succeed in this school if your powers mostly consist of healing? That won't help you in a fight."

"My quirk is rewind, not healing," Eri corrected. She was getting annoyed with the terms being used interchangeably. She wished it were that simple. "And I know combat. I'll be fine."

"Combat is typically never enough." 

A taping noise was emitted around the area from Eri anxiously tapping on the table. "Todoroki, I'll figure something out."

"I only brought it up because I don't understand how you got accepted into this class without the use of an offensive quirk," Todoroki replied. 

Eri swallowed thickly. "I got good scores in my old school in America. I guess this school saw potential in me."

Todoroki collected his belongings and stood up. "I don't buy that, but I don't care enough to pester you further. Thanks for helping on the assignment. I'll see you tomorrow." 

He began walking away, and Eri just watched him go, frozen. 

Todoroki had a lot of power from his association to Endeavor. If he spoke of his suspicions to the school, Eri was done for. They would interrogate her—maybe by torture, and then, discard her and throw her in jail along with the League. 

Eri chased after the hero in training.  "Todoroki, wait!" 

She caught him in the halls, heading to his dorm. 

"You're not allowed around the boys' dorms," Todoroki scolded. 

"I don't care," Eri said. Then, lowering her voice, and looking around, she whispered, "I don't know what you think of me, but I entered this class through my hard work. So why do you seem to be trying to accuse me of something?" 

"You tell a lot through your body language," Todoroki said. "And I'm not accusing you of anything. I just think you don't deserve to be in this class, quite frankly."

Eri slouched at that comment from relief, but it probably came off as her feelings being hurt, because Todoroki added, "Eri, I don't harbor any negative feelings towards you. I just think that you'd be better off accepting Recovery Girl's offer. It could be the biggest opportunity of your life." 

Eri shook her head, her gaze falling downwards shamefully. "As I've said already, Todoroki, my quirk isn't a healing quirk. It's rewind, and it's too dangerous to be used on humans."

"Dangerous?" Todoroki questioned. "It seemed perfectly safe when you were using it on the plant. I think you're overthinking it too much. With some training you'll be fine."

"It's not only the literal quirk that's the problem. It's my control over it," Eri explained, her temper and voice rising. "If I loose control, even the slightest bit, when using it, it'll do much worse than just hurt someone. You're lucky that you've never had to think of your quirk as a curse and the reason for your suffering and... and..." Eri faltered when she noticed that Todoroki was staring at her in surprise. 

She ran her hands over her face. "S-sorry! I didn't mean to say all of that." 

How could she reveal all of that! Now Todoroki really had something to use against her!

"You know nothing about me," Todoroki said coldly, his eyes narrowing. His tone was so low that Eri had trouble hearing him. "I know exactly what it feels like to suffer because of your quirk. My quirk is the reason for this damn scar!"

This time it was Todoroki's turn to realize that he had said something too personal. He blinked rapidly and stepped away from Eri. 

But it was too late for him to bail out now, because Eri was devastated at how terribly similar this sounded to Dabi's story. 

"Todoroki... Did... did a hero do this to you?" She asked, her voice cracking. 

Todoroki's eyes bulged. Stiffly, he said, "I'm going to sleep now. Don't tell anyone about my business, and I won't tell anyone about yours," and stormed to his dorm. 

Before he could slam the door, though, Eri stuck her foot between the crack. 

"Leave," Todoroki hissed.

"No!" Eri shouted. "Please, Todoroki! Let me help!"

"I don't need help. At least not anymore."

"But—but—"

Todoroki's hard expression softened. He muttered, "if anything, you're the one who needs help..." 

And, then, to Eri's surprise, he opened the door. "Come in," he said.

"...Really?" Eri looked around nervously. "Aren't girls not allowed in the boys' dorms?"

Todoroki squinted at her. "You're the one who didn't care earlier—"

"You know what? It doesn't matter!" Eri declared before entering the room. She had a few critiques for Todoroki's rather eccentric taste in decor, but that was besides the point. "So... who hurt you, Todoroki?"

Todoroki closed the door. "This isn't about me anymore. This is about you. You said that your quirk is a... curse? And the reason for your suffering. What does that mean?"

Eri bit her lip, where it was already raw from biting it earlier. "Just forget that. Please. I was just angry. I was... I was being dramatic."

"I don't believe you."

"Todoroki!" Eri whined. "The real issue is about you! I know a hero gave you that scar! Are you safe?!"

"Why would you think that a hero did this me?" Todoroki asked as he brought a hand up to his scar.

"Because heroes can be just as bad as villains, if not worse." 

A jolt ran through Todoroki's body. His eyes bore into Eri's, and with knitted brows, he muttered, "you're right."

Goosebumps littered the skin of Eri's arms. 

Todoroki defeatedly sat on his bed. "Some heroes can be villains in their own way. That's the case with my dad."

Slowly, Eri walked up to Todoroki and sat besides him gently.

"I was born to become the number one hero. My mom had an ice quirk and my dad fire. They wanted a child who had both, and I did. My dad would force me to train constantly the moment I got my quirk, and I never could play with my siblings. I was isolated for the majority of my life, and eventually, my father had created such a dysfunctional household that it drove my mother to hate the sight of my left side. So she had a breakdown and poured boiling water over my face."

Eri slapped a hand over her mouth as she let out a gasp. 

"So, no. It wasn't a hero that directly cause my scar. But it was Endeavor who brought my mom to that point. Because of this, I hated my left side, too. I thought: 'if it weren't for Endeavor, this would've never happened,' so I refused to use my fire."

Like me... Eri thought, since she, too, had refused to use her quirk for years until meeting Dabi. 

"I was a cold person back then who mostly wanted to become number one to prove to my dad that I could do it without my fire." Todoroki's eyes gleamed. "But then I met Midoriya."

Midoriya? What did her classmate—or rather, her target—have anything to do with this?

"He reminded me of something I forgot long ago. That my quirk was my power. It sounds like common sense to say out loud now, but it changed my world." 

"Changed... your world?" Eri asked, tears forming in her eyes. 

Todoroki nodded slowly. 

Oh, no. How could Eri continue to spy on Midoriya when he seemed like—like a hero? A real one.

"So, yes. I do understand what it feels like to suffer because of my quirk," Todoroki stated softly, gazing sympathetically at the horned-girl. "But I had good people to help me through it."

Eri let out a sob, and with that, the dam broke. She burst into tears. 

Todoroki tensed. "Eri..."

"I-I'm really happy for you," Eri babbled. Then, on impulse, she distanced the space between her and Todoroki and enveloped him in a tight hug. 

Todoroki was baffled for a moment, but he recovered and awkwardly brought his arms around Eri to return the hug. He didn't push her away when she got his uniform wet with tears. 

"I want to accept my quirk, too," Eri said through more sobs, "but it's terrible. I can't control it because I think about how I've hurt people with it—and even worse things, Todoroki! My quirk—and my very blood—keeps me in constant fear. It makes me feel trapped in my own body! It does no good at all!" 

Todoroki slowly pulled away from the hug and gazed at Eri intensely, both of his hands on her shoulders. "Eri, I really don't know what you're talking about, but one thing that I know for sure is that there is good in you and your quirk. Don't call it a curse."

The girl looked at him in hopeless confusion. 

"Do you know what Midoriya said to me when you left to go to the nurse's office?"

Eri hesitantly shook her head.

Todoroki, then, smiled at her sadly. He was the only classmate Eri had not yet seen smile until now. "He said, 'her quirk is beautiful.' And I agree."

For a moment, Eri only stared at her classmate, his words slowly processing in her mind. But then it sunk in, and Eri's eyes widened, and everything became blurry with her tears and yet she could see a beacon of light radiate from the boy beside her, and—Eri wailed. 

"You—you have to stop this!" She shouted, shoving Todoroki's warm, comforting hands away from her. "You have to stop being nice to me! You're a hero...! Heroes aren't supposed to be nice!"

"Why do you feel this way towards heroes?" Todoroki questioned. "Has a hero hurt you, as well?"

Eri wildly shook her head, because damn it! Here he was again, caring about her. 

"Not directly," she answered a little more calmly, but just as upset. "I met people who helped me, too, Todoroki. But you wouldn't like them. Most people d-don't. They helped me so much. He took me in when I needed him most. Then we grew and became a—a family? They warned me about heroes. But... but maybe they were... wrong. Maybe there are good heroes."

"I'm sorry, but I don't understand," Todoroki said.

"I'm not a good person," Eri croaked, turning her head to avoid looking at him. At this point, her mission had gone up in flames, and she would probably be turned in the heroes after all the things she had said, so what was the point in hiding the facts about herself now? "In fact, I don't deserve your help. I'm s-sorry for deceiving you."

"Eri!" Todoroki scolded suddenly, causing her to flinch. "Don't say such stupid things! Everyone deserves help when they need it. A real hero will help someone in need. They'll work as hard as they can to do so! And I want to be a hero that helps people in need, so that's why I won't stop until I hear an explanation of your situation!" 

Eri was shocked at Todoroki's passionate outburst. "Do you... do you really care that much?"

"Of course."

A whimper escaped the horned-girl's lips. 

No one had shown Eri this much kindness since Shigaraki took Eri in. The whole league was practically her family, and she loved them, but they weren't perfect. There were days they did things she didn't agree with, but at the end of the day, it always worked out because at least it was in defiance of the heroes. But now that Eri could see that not all heroes were bad, her perspective had shifted. 

Eri didn't want to be a outcast anymore. She didn't want to be villain that hid away from the world everyday in fear. If Todoroki could actually help her, things could change...

But even if she confessed, she was still a criminal that had done illegal things as a spy for the League. She didn't want to go to jail, nor did she want to rat out the League. She couldn't watch Toga, who had somehow managed to convince Shigaraki to let her paint his nails pink, suffer because of Eri. Or Kurogiri, who had always settled disputes with composure and professionalism. Or even Twice, who could always lighten up the mood when things got rough. Eri couldn't return the favor Dabi had done for her when he helped her muster up the courage to use her quirk on plants and animals by making him face the heroes that had hurt him.

"Eri, what's holding you back?" Todoroki asked, seeing that she looked conflicted.

Eri gulped. "If I tell you everything you need to know, I'd be putting my family in danger."

The silence between them was loud.

Todoroki curled a finger towards his lips as he wore a thoughtful expression. "Okay, so let's negotiate. If you tell me everything: what happened to you; who your family is; why you're here, I won't tell anyone unless you allow me to."

"I don't know." Eri grimace. "What if you're lying?"

"Look at me, and tell me I'm lying," Todoroki ordered. His face was firm and a storm lied within those heterochromatic eyes that had Eri mesmerized. 

No, he wasn't lying. Eri hadn't really think so from the start. Todoroki was the type of person to talk to you frankly, even if it came off as rude. It was just that...

"I don't want you to hate me," Eri whispered. 

"What?" 

Eri pursed her trembling lips. "You'll hate me after I tell you, because I'm... I'm your enemy."

Todoroki sighed, and reached for Eri's hand. He held it gently, and squeezed. "I won't hate you, Eri. Even though we only met today, you have shown multiple times that you care for people deeply. When you found out about my scar, the first thing you wanted to know was if a hero did it to me and if I was safe. You wanted to help me. Even though you don't like heroes, you acted in the way a hero would. Whatever you tell me... I know it won't make me hate you, because I can't hate a person like you." 

Eri's became breathless after hearing Todoroki's profound words. How was it possible for someone to give such a perfect, impactful response? She gripped the heterochromatic boy's hand. "Okay," she said weakly. "I'll tell you everything."

I trust you, Todoroki.

So she explained the first, worst portion of her life when she was in Overhaul's captivity. She told him about what she did to her father and went over the excruciating process that Overhaul did to get her blood. It all brought back terrible memories, and the only thing keeping her from panicking was the comfort of Todoroki's warm presence.

"It went on like that for years. Like you, I was very isolated, so I had no source of happiness in any shape or form. I had toys, but no one to play them with. I was unbearably miserable and scared of my own shadow. I... I didn't learn how to smile until I finally escaped."

Todoroki's eyes became glossy with forming tears, and Eri didn't want to see him cry, too, so she quickly said, "but that's the worst of my story. It gets better, because when I escaped, I ran into someone. And then that person brought me somewhere, and met someone who was hard on the outside, but actually quite kind on the inside. At least to me. Sort of like you, I guess. But... you probably know who he is..."

"Is this one of the people that you said I wouldn't like?" Todoroki inquired, rubbing his watery eye with his free hand. 

Eri nodded. 

"Them go ahead. Tell me his name. I told you that I wouldn't hate you, remember?"

"Yeah," Eri said. Her gaze fell to the floor as she summoned courage within herself before returning to Todoroki. "Okay. His name is Shigaraki."

Todoroki raised his eyebrows, his breath hitching. 

Before he could say something that would ruin the momentum Eri had, she continued her story. "Shigaraki said that he would protect me and provide everything I needed if I joined the League of Villains. H—"

"That's insane," Todoroki stated. "You were, what? Six years old?"

"I know," Eri said, "but when I got older, Shiggy explained to me that I had reminded him of himself when he was a kid. So that's why he had taken pity on me. And I only actually started working for them when I became thirteen. I...I'm the spy, Todoroki."

Todoroki frowned deeply, but he nodded, to Eri's relief. "That makes sense. You were quiet and small, so they saw potential in that."

"Yes. But, Todoroki, the League might be bad people to you, but to me, they're my family. Now you see why, right?"

"I do," he answered, "but it's not right, Eri. Unlike you, those people chose to be bad guys. I'm not saying that their reasons are invalid, but they still did terrible things. You, on the other hand, grew up in that unhealthy environment and was taught to share their same way of thinking. Specifically, that heroes were bad. It's a miracle that you're so kind and conscientious, with good morals. Maybe because you know what it's like to suffer tremendously..."

Eri pleaded with her eyes. "They're just lost and hurt. Society cast them out like garbage, so they just want what they think is justice. I thought it was justice myself until now! I thought that the heroes left me to die because they weren't there when I needed them." 

"I'm sorry you felt that way," Todoroki said. "Heroes do their best to save everyone, but it's just not possible to always know when someone needs them. Believe me, if they would have known about your situation, they would have rescued you, no matter how dangerous Overhaul was. There's definitely bad heroes, but there's so many more good ones. You just need to ask. It's just like with my dad. A hero could have helped me if I had asked for help, but I didn't want it because I was stubborn and angry."

"I see," Eri mused. "So, now what? What's going to happen to me and the League?"

"It's up to you," Todoroki reminded. "I won't tell anyone if you want, since it seems like the League hasn't hurt you, but I would highly encourage you to contact the pro heroes and tell them about your situation. They wouldn't punish you after everything you've been through. What do you want to do?"

After all this time, Eri and Todoroki were still holding hands. 

"Toga is the only friend I've ever had," Eri said, rather randomly. "I want to become your friend, too."

Todoroki blinked. "Oh... okay. Sure. You can be my friend."

Eri broke out into a grin. "Really!?"

"I don't see why not."

"So, then, can I hug you again?"

Todoroki smiled softly. "Yes."

Eri went straight for it. She really liked hugging Todoroki. He was so warm and cuddly against her goosebump-covered skin. She wondered if Todoroki was warming himself up in purpose for her.

"Has anyone in the League ever hugged you before?" Todoroki asked.

"Mhm. Toga has one time. How about you? Have you ever been hugged?"

"A few times, yes. Mostly by my mom."

"Has Midoriya ever hugged you?"

There was a pause. "No, I don't think so."

Eri chuckled silently. "Yay! I got to hug you before Midoriya did!"

"Midoriya would be very surprised to hear that."

Oh, Midoriya. 

Eri rested her forehead on Todoroki's shoulder, guilt swarming around her chest. "...Remember when I said I was a spy?"

"Yes."

"Well, that's why I'm at this school. All for One ordered me to come here and spy on... on Midoriya."

Eri expected Todoroki to push her away, but instead he tightened his hold on her. 

"All for One is a serious villain," Todoroki said seriously.

"I—yeah. I don't like him. He scares me."

"Why was he after Midoriya?"

"He was suspicious of him. It had something to do with All Might."

"Oh."

There was a brief silence. 

"Todoroki?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you for everything. I haven't felt this comfortable near someone in... maybe ever. I feel really safe here."

Eri felt Todoroki rest his chin on her shoulder. "I feel the same way, Eri. I haven't felt this vulnerable with someone in a long time, but... I mean that in a good way."

The horned-girl smiled contently, her eyes closed. "Can we decide what we'll do about me and the villains tomorrow?"

"Definitely."

The two students stayed in each other's embrace for a long time in peaceful silence. In fact, they stayed that way for so long that they unknowingly fell asleep that way, the both of them in each other's arms as they slept harmoniously in Todoroki's comfortable bed. 

__________

The next day, the two students missed their first period class to discuss what was to be done. In the end, Eri knew what she wanted to do. 

Todoroki walked her to the front office of the school where she confessed that she was a spy for the League of Villains. Eri was brought to the authorities, along with All Might and Aizawa, where she explained everything truthfully—from where it began with Overhaul to the present when she spoke with Todoroki in U.A. The only time she wasn't truthful was when the police asked her where the League's secret hideout was. Eri said that they changed it everyday so that they wouldn't get caught and gave a fake address. In actuality, the bar would always be the League's hideout. 

Eri wanted to clear her name, but she wouldn't force the League to do the same. She hoped that they didn't see her actions as betrayal, but she was sure that they would be shocked. And probably hurt.

I'm sorry Shigaraki, Kurogiri, Toga, Dabi, Twice, Spinner, and the others... I wish I could've given you all a better goodbye, but I don't want to be surrounded by negativity and pain anymore. I want to forge my own path now. 

Eventually the decision was made that Eri was cleared of all charges since she was a minor who was put in a very unique and unfortunate situation. However, she was not to remain in class 1-A, which had already been foreseen. 

"Who would've thought my student was a spy?" Aizawa commented to himself as he walked her to the nurse's office. He was still grappling with the newfound knowledge.

"Well, sensei, you're a good teacher, because if you hadn't partnered me up with Todoroki, who knows what would've happened to all of us?" Eri complimented. 

Aizawa hummed. "Things turned out for the best. And Eri?"

"Yes?"

"Don't feel pressured to say yes to Recovery Girl. This is your life. You can be whoever you want."

Eri smiled brightly at him. Yes, she was free in the fullest sense now. She was no longer a prisoner to fear. Her fear of Overhaul, her quirk, and heroes were not completely gone, but they were eased immensely, because she knew the truth now and she had good people to help her.

Like Todoroki. "Okay, sensei."

Aizawa stayed behind when Eri entered the nurse's office. 

There sat the old lady at her desk. Eri felt like a different person seeing her now. 

"Good morning, Eri. How are you feeling?" Recovery Girl asked. "I know things have been very difficult and life-changing recently."

"Good morning," Eri greeted. "I'm actually doing pretty well."

"Oh, what a relief that is to hear," the woman said. 

Eri twirled a piece of her hair awkwardly as the lady typed a few things in her computer for a moment.

"Now, dear, I know hero work is the last thing you want to think of right now, so I won't take up much of your time," Recovery Girl assured. "I just want you to know that my offer still stands for you to be my successor if you're willing to train and learn to use your quirk, but of course, I don't want to stress—"

"I would love to learn from you, Recovery Girl," Eri said all of a sudden, with a smile of her face.  

The nurse looked at her, surprised. "Oh! W-wonderful! But why the sudden change of heart? Last time, you wanted nothing to do with it."

Eri looked up, thinking of a certain someone. "I was inspired. Besides, you said it yourself that my life has changed drastically recently. It's about time I challenged myself with my quirk."

The truth was, after years of working with the League, Eri had done a lot of bad things, so now she wanted to some good. Eri didn't exactly want to be a typical hero that fought the villains (because she knew that villains were misunderstood and lost, like she once was), but she wanted to help people somehow. This seemed like the best way. 

After fearing all of my life that I would hurt someone, I might actually be able to help someone who is hurt instead. All I needed was help and encouragement.

Maybe my quirk was never a curse, after all.

"I'm proud of you, Eri," Recovery Girl said with a sweet smile, as if reading the girl's mind.

Eri's cheeks flushed. "U-uh, thank you!"

__________

"Todoroki, are you sure?!" Eri exclaimed. 

"Of course I am. I wouldn't have offered if I wasn't," Todoroki said. 

"But—but I don't want to intrude—!"

Todoroki gave Eri a looked that read: really? Just accept my offer. 

Eri rubbed her arm. "I mean... if you're a hundred percent sure..."

"Is that a yes?"

Eri rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly before giving a single, firm nod. "Yes."

"Great. My house is big, so you can choose any of the guest rooms that you want to be yours," Todoroki informed. "And I already talked my dad into it, so don't worry about him. Fuyumi can't wait to meet you."

"I can't wait to move in already!" Eri happily stated. "I'm so lucky! I already have a new home, and it's with my new friend!" 

Todoroki's expression was fond, the way it usually did when Eri was around lately. "Hey, Eri. Our class wants to see you after school today in the cafeteria."

Eri perked up. "Oh, cool. Is there a reason?" 

Todoroki picked his nails. "I'm not sure." 

Liar. 

When school ended, Todoroki lead Eri to the school cafeteria. After she opened the door, confetti fell onto the ground, and the class shouted, "happy birthday!"

Eri looked around the cafeteria in awe at all the decorations. "Wow! This is amazing! Thank you, guys!" But then she raised an eyebrow. "But, um... it's not my birthday. I think..."

The class murmured with each other, and eventually shoved Mina forward as the spokesperson. 

"Haha, well, we heard about how no one actually knows the exact date of your birthday, and they only know an estimate of how old you are, so we decided that we should throw you a birthday party!" Mina explained with a grin. "It totally cheered you up, right?"

The class waited in suspense for her response.

Eri nodded with gleaming eyes. "I love it!" 

The class cheered.

Eri had never gotten a birthday celebration before... These people, her new friends, were truly precious. 

Then, she felt a tap in her shoulder. She turned around and found herself face-to-face with Midoriya Izuku. 

"Hi, Eri!" He said, looking as vibrant as ever.

"Hey, Midoriya," Eri replied nervously. 

"There's no need to feel wary around me," the green-haired boy assured. "That mission stuff is all in the past. We're friends now!" 

"O-oh... Right!" 

"C'mon, now," Midoriya urged, grabbing Eri's hand and leading her towards a table, "let's go cut the cake!"

Eri's mouth watered. "Cake?"

"Yeah, my mom made it! She makes the best sweets. I'm sure you'll love it!"

At that moment, with her friends around her and the sound of laughter in the air, Eri couldn't ask for anything more. 

__________

It was a little awkward moving into Todoroki's house at first. Not only because it was a very traditional Japanese house, but also because Endeavor was there. He was a big man with a tough face. Not very welcoming. 

However, Eri instantly felt better when she met Fuyumi, Todoroki's sister. 

"Finally, another girl in the house!" The woman had hollered in joy. She gave Eri a small tour of the place and made her feel at home.

It was definitely strange to see how different Todoroki's relatives were from him. Of course, Eri understood why now, and to be honest, she preferred him just the way he was. 

Later, Eri unpacked her few belonging and set them up in her new room. She was supposed to get a new dorm in U.A. when she began her training with Recovery Girl in two months, so until then, she was staying at Todoroki's house, which would be her permanent home. Both Endeavor and Fuyumi were her guardians now; not Shigaraki or Kurogiri... how odd.

It was better this way. Eri actually felt her age, whatever it may be, and her once heavy heart was as light as a feather.

__________

When it became dark, Eri stood outside in the balcony, gazing at the moon and stars in the sky. The breeze kissed her face and swept her long, flowing hair to the side. After a long day of excitement, it was nice to just take a moment to relax and process everything. 

Eri could still hardly believe where she was at now. It had only been a few days ago that she was working for the League of Villains, and now here she was, living at Endeavor's house, soon to work with Recovery Girl to train her quirk. 

Although Eri was happy, it was a little bittersweet. She knew that her past would still haunt her in cruel reminders like nightmares or flackbacks. It wasn't as easy to forget about as she was trying to make it seem.

But for now, Eri really was content.

"Daydreaming?"

Eri snapped her head to the direction of the voice and jumped, because besides her, on the other end of the balcony, was a familiar black-haired, blue-eyed male. 

"Dabi!?" She whispered incredulously. 

The man smirked. "I didn't scare you, did I?"

Eri looked around the area to make sure no one was around. Empty. She craned her neck towards Dabi and asked, "what are you doing here?" 

Dabi rolled his eyes before glaring at the girl. "Did you forget everything I told you before you left for the mission? I warned you about these heroes, and yet here you are, living in his house. You ditched us so easily."

Eri straightened up and sighed. "Dabi... I'm sorry for leaving you guys like this, but... you were wrong. Not all heroes are bad. I'm fact, a lot of them are amazing."

Dabi scoffed. 

"I'm serious," Eri said. "And I met someone who actually shares your experience with a hero hurting him, but he still wants to be a hero."

"So, what? Now you want to be a hero just because of some boy?"

Eri looked down at the ground below the balcony. "I want to be a someone who can help people, Dabi." She looked back up into Dabi's eyes. "I'm going to practice using rewind. When I master it, I could help fix your scars."

Dabi's shoulders tensed. 

"That's if, you want me to..."

"No," Dabi said, stuffing his hands in his pockets, "I don't. They'll only come back again, because unlike you, my quirk is has no potential for good. It never has. It only causes destruction."

"That's not true!" Eri argued. "You know that that's what I used to think about my quirk. If I could somehow find a way to—"

Dabi put his hand up in a gesture to silence her. Eri faltered. 

"Does this all have something to do with that kid, Todoroki Shouto?" He asked bitterly. 

"Ye—If you're thinking about hurting him..." Eri warned, her eyebrows lowering threateningly. 

The wind blew Dabi's hair onto his face, covering his eyes as he said, "no. Shouto is not the one I hate. But I do envy him for taking everything away from me. He always wins, doesn't he?" 

Eri felt like the villain was speaking in riddles. "Dabi, what are you saying?"

Dabi looked to the side, his hair finally getting out of his eyes. He was looking somewhere far away. "You'll understand, whether it be in a minute or in a few years. I'll make sure of it. 

"Anyway, I don't really agree with your decision to stay with the heroes, but I won't let the League try to take you back. You seem happier... and I know that you'll be the best out of all those damn 'heroes' out there. You were always the best one out of us scum here in the League. Teach those heroes something. And keep an eye on your new pal, Shouto, for me, won't you?"

Without letting Eri say another word, or even giving a formal goodbye, he jumped off the balcony and disappeared in a flash in blue fire.

A minute later, Todoroki approached her. 

"Is everything alright here?" He asked. "I could've sworn that I heard some commotion."

"Um... yeah, everything is fine," Eri said. She smiled at him. 

Everything is just fine...

"Okay, then." Todoroki stood where Dabi had just been and looked out the balcony, leaning his arms on the railing. 

Why did Dabi seem to speak about Todoroki like he knew him? He even used his first name. Eri couldn't imagine them knowing each other out of battle. The only thing they had in common was that they both had fire based quirks. Todoroki wanted to be a hero, while Dabi was a villain. 

"So, how did it go with Fuyumi?" Todoroki asked, turning his head to look at Eri,

Eri gazed at those peculiar, multi-colored eyes. Brown and blue... "It was good. Fuyumi is very sweet."

"Yes. Though she can get a little carried away. She's always wanted a sister, you know."

"...Right," Eri replied, distracted. "Todoroki, how many siblings do you have?"

"Three," Todoroki said, slightly confused by the random question. "There's Fuyumi and Natsou, who you haven't met yet, and Touya, but he disappeared a long time ago. I never really knew him."

Eri bit her tongue to hold back a small gasp. 

Dabi...

"My own family is the reason I support stain."

"They'll say we're maniacs and monsters, and I won't lie, some of us are, but they fail to realize that they are too."

"And remember, just because a hero is on the top, doesn't make him any better than us, believe me. They could be the lowest of the low deep down inside."

Todoroki...

"My dad would force me to train constantly the moment I got my quirk, and I never could play with my siblings."

"My quirk is the reason for this damn scar!"

"It was Endeavor who brought my mom to that point."

No way.

Todoroki stood up stiffly, concerned. "Eri, you're not having flashbacks, are you?"

Eri blinked rapidly. She shook her head to push away her thoughts. "No, no! I'm okay! Sorry, I just zoned out for a second there."

Todoroki relaxed a little bit at that answer.

"How did you know that I get flashbacks?" Eri questioned. She observed how Todoroki's jaw clenched, and realized... "Do you get... flashbacks, too?"

Todoroki hesitantly nodded. "It's not something I've ever told anyone before."

"Then we're on the same boat," Eri admitted. 

Todoroki stepped closer to Eri's side. "Tell me whenever you get flashbacks. I'll always help you out, since I know how it feels like."

"Okay. The same goes for you." That goes without saying.

The heterochromatic male peered over the balcony again. "This place gives me flashbacks sometimes," he revealed. "I used to stand here, watching my sibling play before getting away. Even though I knew my dad would yell at me every time, I still would return, because I wanted to see what it was like to have fun with family."

Eri frowned sadly. It was amazing how she could relate to Todoroki in many ways, even when there childhoods were very different.

"I've never played with anyone before either. How about we do something tomorrow?" Eri suggested. 

Todoroki gave her a curious look. "Like what?"

"Well, I'm not sure," Eri said, awkwardly scratching her cheek. "What do people usually do for... fun?" 

Todoroki tilted his head to the side, thinking. "Hmm. Some people go to parties; other people go to the movies. I like to get soba and pet the stray cats."

Eri's face brightened gleefully. "Oooh! What's soba?"

"Soba is my favorite food," Todoroki said, looking at Eri tenderly. "Would you like to get some with me tomorrow?"

"Yes!" The horned-girl cheered. "And, then, can we pet the cats, Todoroki?"

"Sure," Todoroki responded. "Also, Eri, you can call me Shouto if you want."

Eri arched her eyebrows. "I...I can call you Shouto? Are you sure?"

"Well, you're pretty much a part of my family now, so I don't see why not."

A warm smile spread across Eri's face. "Thank you, Shouto," she said earnestly. 

This time, Todoroki initiated the hug. "Don't thank me, Eri. For the first time in my life, I don't feel like I'm alone in my experiences. I'm glad we met."

Eri dug her face in his shoulder before she got emotional. 

Todoroki was more than a friend. He was the big brother she always needed, and Eri hoped that she was the little sister he always needed in return. 

Together, they could overcome their pasts and work on a better future where no one had to suffer like they did. 

__________

In the distant, Dabi watched the two figures embrace each other on the balcony. 

He clicked his tongue. "Looks like she finally got that hug she wanted. Take care of her, little brother."