Chapter Text
🌸
At first, Shigaraki thinks it’s an attack. One moment he is standing with his Omega (on solid concrete), hypnotised by Dabi’s savage, marine blue eyes. The moment he isn’t standing with Dabi. Shigaraki is spinning, swirling, whirling through the air. He is tossed and turned every which way as he is sucked in by some cosmic force, down a portal. Except at this point, he is unaware of the fact that it is a portal he’s falling through like Alice in wonderland. Or so it seems that way. The entire time he can hear Dabi screaming. Shigaraki would be screaming too if he had the space in his head to think about screaming. But he’s too terrified to even do that.
The next second he lands winded on his back on soft ground.
A field of flowers?
It’s definitely not concrete anymore. Before he can catch his breath, or even blink, something heavy lands right on top of him.
Uff! That hurts!
His mouth is suddenly filled with spikey, dry fluff. No wait, that’s hair!
Dabi?
Shigaraki tries to lift his head to check despite the mouth full of spikey hair. Yep, it’s his Touya. A feeling of relief rushes through the Alpha’s body. His mate is with him. They are together. And from the sound Dabi is making, and the colourful language he is spewing, he is perfectly alright. Shigaraki lets his head fall back and the next thought that enters his mind is this:
God, why the fuck is my Omega so fucking heavy?
Oh yeah, wait. He isn’t one person anymore, is he?
My Omega is pregnant.
Technically speaking I have two people on top of me right now.
So, Shigaraki decides to let the pain slide. It’s not Dabi’s fault he is so heavy. Since I played a part in pupping him. He has all these thoughts in the space of a second when he remembers with alarm what happened and tries to shove Dabi off him. Because, why on earth is his Omega still lying on top of him. Surely, they should get up and investigate. Then he realises why Dabi hasn’t moved:
There are two people standing about a couple of metres away from him and Dabi. And although they are dressed slightly different, there’s no mistaking who they are.
One person is a Shigaraki doppelganger, and the other is a Dabi doppelganger. And both of them are staring at him and Dabi with horror as if they are the doppelgangers.
He looks right back at them with equal horror. What the fuck is going on? How come there is another Shigaraki? This must be someone’s quirk. It has to be! Someone must have cast an illusion or something. Maybe by killing the doppelgangers (which are obviously not real) the illusion will lift. With a snarl, guided by a hidden impulse to protect his mate, Shigaraki rolls Dabi off him and leaps to his feet, ready to attack, just as the other Shigaraki snarls as well.
🌸
“Darling,” says Dabi, “can we have pizza and chocolate milkshake for dinner?” He smiles softly at his Alpha. The scent of hay in the summer floats gently around them. It mixes with Shigaraki’s gentle wave of sandalwood. “By the way, did I ever tell you? How incredibly sexy you look in that crimson jacket?” he purrs, blue eyes sparkling like sapphires.
Normally, Shigaraki has a stoic expression on his face. But today the sandalwood Alpha is relaxed. A gentle smile, which is not typical of him, adorns his features. The war is over. The society of heroes has collapsed. The AFO is dead. There is a fragile peace. The heroes have promised to leave the League alone. In return, the League has promised not to cause further chaos. This means that Shigaraki and Dabi can walk around like normal civilians.
But in truth, both sides are grateful that the real perpetrator of the chaos - AFO - is dead. And because it was Shigaraki who defeated him, the whole of Japan is in his debt. So, both sides have agreed to leave each other alone. However, that doesn't stop Shigaraki from flaunting his aura as Prime Alpha to remind the authorities that he is a ticking time bomb. It is a warning that they should not mess with him. But above all, it is a warning to the whole world: DO NOT HARM MY OMEGA. Dabi means the world to him.
As such, on one fine sunny evening, this villainous couple decides to go out for a stroll in the park, surrounded by a field of beautiful purple and blue wildflowers and Mexican feather grass.
Shigaraki gazes into the soft, sparkling ocean eyes of his Omega and is about to lean down for a kiss.
Then suddenly they hear a loud scream. It’s coming from the sky. They spin around to look at the commotion. Shigaraki shields his Omega, arms out, eyes alert.
A dark shadow emerges from something that looks kind of like a portal. Whoosh. The dark shadow falls with a heavy thud into the grounds.
“Tch,” grumbles Shigaraki. “Probably an idiot who doesn’t know how to use their quirks. Idiots.”
Dabi, however, giggles. “Darling,” he says, gently teasing. “Admit it! For a second you were worried we were being attacked. My lovely knight.” And he proudly hugs his Alpha from behind.
Shigaraki cannot help it and allows himself a small chuckle. “Well of course. You are my entire world. You can never be too sure about these pesky heroes, even if they now respect me as a Prime Alpha and the King.” He strokes the back of his Omega’s hand and grins.
But the grin quickly fades. When he looks properly at the ground. What he had thought was one person is actually two people. But worse is that these two people look exactly like him and his Omega. He snarls instantly barking his canines. Ready to fight. And it looks like the other Shigaraki is also ready to fight.
🌸
Something is very wrong. Not only are these two dressed differently, but they also smell different. An intense aura of sandalwood drifts over to Shigaraki. He bristles. This one is an Alpha! His red eyes widen in shock. The Alpha is dressed in black apart from his long, dark red jacket. The Dabi next to him wears a black hoodie, black jeans, and black springer boots.
"Who are you?" snarls the sandalwood Alpha, red jacket billowing out, jabbing a finger into his direction, before Shigaraki can react. "What the hell are you doing? Where did you come from?"
Shigaraki’s mouth drops open. Who the hell is he? He could ask the same of this impostor! His lava scent sours. "I do not know what game you’re playing or if this is a test or a trick of AFO’s. But know this, I'm going to kill you!”
The Alpha in the red jacket roars. "I killed AFO! The whole world knows he's dead! I knew it! This is proof! You are strangers in this world. Whoever, or whatever you are, I don’t care but I am going to kill you! There can only be one Shigaraki in this world. One king! And that’s me!”
Suddenly a wall of blue fire appears, a dangerous scorching heatwave creating a barrier between the two Alphas; they leap away from the impulsive burst of fire. Who did that? Shigaraki spins around. That was his Omega, wasn’t it?
For some peculiar reason his Omega appears calm; not as frightened as before. "Tenko, wait," he hisses, placing a hand on his mate’s shoulder, eyes hooded and calculating. "Did you hear him? AFO is dead in this world! He said he killed AFO. We're clearly in another universe or something. I don't know how or why but maybe – maybe we should talk to them? We could try to find some things out things like how to defeat AFO? And how to figure out a way to get back home." Dabi whispers fast, tone urgent as he tightens his grip on Shigaraki’s shoulder.
"How the fuck can you be so sure?”
"I'm not. I don’t trust them but the other guy – the Dabi version of me I mean ... Look at him.”
Shigaraki and Dabi watch the doppelgangers.
The sandalwood Alpha has a fiery gleam in his eyes, suspicious and wary and uneasy. The doppelganger Dabi holds up a hand to the sandalwood Shigaraki." Darling! Tomura! Please stop! Don't fight! I'm tired of fighting and you promised me – you – you said to me that you won't fight anymore unless it's necessary." At once the sandalwood Alpha's disposition alters, he looks guilty, lowering his voice, and gathers the second Dabi in his arms.
It's then that Shigaraki and Dabi finally notice another scent. It's soft, barely detectable but it's there. Fresh hay in the summer drifts over to them from under the heavy fog of sandalwood.
"He's an Omega like me?" whispers Dabi to Shigaraki, eyes widening briefly.
"So it seems. We're all identical. We have the same genders, scars, names, we're even a couple in this world. Maybe we have really landed in another parallel world or domain or something." Shigaraki presses his lips into a tight line. For some reason, the knowledge he isn’t the only Alpha Shigaraki displeases him. “Humpf.”
The doppelgangers suddenly lower their voices to whispers, that Shigaraki and Dabi can no longer hear what they are discussing. This unsettles Shigaraki. He wants to know what they are saying. He's on the verge of complaining when the sandalwood Alpha unexpectedly looks up and locks gazes with him. He pierces the lava Shigaraki with cold red ruby eyes.
His expression is stern, it clearly says; he doesn't care that they look like him and his Dabi. All he knows is these two look-alikes arrived in his world. And it has upset his sandalwood Omega. And he needs to protect his Omega. Even though his dear kitten has calmed down after a soft Prima Alpha purr, calm enough to rationalise the newcomers are not a threat.
The sandalwood Dabi once again closely observes the two doppelgangers and nods a second time. Yes, he is certain, something tells him that the two are indeed harmless. Kisses his Alpha on the cheek, "calm down, they won't knock you off the throne. I'm fine thanks to you." Smiles reassuringly and pats his Alpha on the chest gently.
“What the fuck are you looking at?” snarls Shigaraki at the sandalwood Alpha, hackles raised, his unease growing from that silent red gaze. Is this how other people feel when he looks at them? Internally Shigraki shudders.
"My Omega believes you're not a threat. I trust my Omega's judgement," rasps the sandalwood Alpha, at last, growling, a hint of a threat imbued in his tone. "As such, I'll not fight you. But I cannot allow either of you to wander around in this world as it will create chaos. As such, we have decided it's best for you both to come with us. Until we can figure out what happened and return you to your world." He heaves heavily as if greatly pained by the task of babysitting a pair of ShigaDabi doppelgangers. "My guess is a quirk accident happened, and you fell through a portal. Perhaps we can figure out how to reopen this portal and can get you home. But until then you will be my guests." The sandalwood Alpha's tone sounds final, his scent becomes dense with displeasure.
The arrangement proposed by the sandalwood Alpha irks Shigaraki just as much. It’s not like he wants to stay with the sandalwood Alpha. Not to mention, what if this Shigaraki Alpha tries to sleep with his pregnant Omega? So, yes, of course, he has problems with the proposal. But before he could so much as open his mouth to protest, his Omega steps forward.
"Alright, we accept your proposal, but under the condition, you will not try to hurt us nor imprison us and in return, we will refrain from fighting." Blue eyes flash, and his scent burns.
"Erm, hang on, hold on a minute, who told you to make decisions like that? Hah?" Shigaraki glowers and quick as a rattlesnake reaches up a hand to twist his Omega's ear harshly. Dabi yelps in pain, his scent souring.
A crystal-like giggle interrupts them. It's the other Dabi. He's hanging off the Alpha double, chortling, a light pink blush tinting the healthy part of his face. “See Tomu? They are like kittens fighting each other. Harmless.” The sandalwood Alpha just grunts.
"Stop embarrassing us like this,” hisses Dabi as he struggles to free himself.
Further irritated, Shigaraki simply twists his pregnant Omega’s burnt ear a little harder. Why doesn’t Dabi understand, he is trying to keep him safe! “Stay still,” he hisses and turns to glare at the sandalwood Alpha. He is fuming that the fucking doppelganger think he can issue out orders like he is in command.
"Here's what going to happen, we will come with you! But on my terms: you will provide us with a private room of our own to stay, no sharing with you or your Omega. You stay away from my Omega. You will not look at my Omega. You will not speak to my Omega. You will not touch my Omega. But first swear it, that you are not Imposters or fakes created from AFO from my world or from enemies from my world? I need you to swear that to me first!" He sneers openly, posturing to show off his personal strength.
The sandalwood Alpha stares grimly at Shigaraki’s sullen expression. “Are you really me from another world? You're hurting that Dabi,” he speaks softly, slight disbelief in his eyes.
Shigaraki stiffen. “What?”
"I said you’re hurting that Dabi. Whoever he is. I mean, are you both mates? While it's not my business, I can't stand by either and watch that. I have my limits. Especially if he is your mate.”
"Fuck you!” hisses Shigaraki, rattled, a fresh wave of anger overtaking him. Who the fuck is this Alpha, acting like he's abusive? He’d never hurt his Dabi. He loves Dabi. He lets go of his Omega just so he can kill this damned sandalwood Alpha doppelganger, all thoughts of trying to resolve their current predicament vanishing.
Dabi grabs him around the middle and screams. "Tenko! Don't! Please stop!" For the first time since landing in this world, he sounds distressed. The stars of Dabi’s scent dims with restlessness and fear. “Stop, please,” he implores, blue eyes wide and desperate.
Guilt engulfs Shigaraki. "Touya,” he whispers, stricken. "Alright, alright," he concedes, heart rioting. He exhales. Feels the other Alpha watching him grimly. Shigaraki swallows what feels like his pride. He's doing this only for his Omega. That's all.
"Fucking fine," he relents at last with a jerk of his head, body ridged.
"I'll have you know; you cannot behave uncouthly in my house,” warns the sandalwood Alpha, brows knitted. “Yes, my house,” he reiterates, noting the involuntary look of surprise flitting across Shigaraki’s face. "I'm still choosing to trust my Omega's judgement, whoever you both are, that deep down you're harmless. Well, at least I can see that the Omega Dabi, who smells like stars and molten metal is harmless at least. So, from today you will both be staying at my house until we can figure out a way to repose the portal. Follow me.”
He then turns to walk away, with an arm curled around the waist of the Dabi that smells like fresh hay in the summer. His bright red jacket flares out. For a moment Shigaraki stares at the razed ground where his Dabi's fire burnt the grass and flowers. He's torn, a part of him is in half a mind to attack. But all thoughts of retaliation vanishes when he sets eyes on his Omega, Dabi expression still somewhat looks upset from their earlier scuffle. Shigaraki hesitates for a second before reaching for his Omega's hand and grasps it firmly. He waits for Dabi to yank it back with a hiss and to swear and curse. But he doesn't. It dawns on Shigaraki then that his pregnant mates must be just as confused and as scared as he is. Dabi simply wants to solve this problem and go home. He's scared but as unusual resorts to concealing his by being practical.
Shigaraki draws his mate into a soft embrace, kisses the bond mark: this is his apology for twisting Dabi's ear. When the Omega sinks against him, Shigaraki exhales in relief. He knows then the Omega has already forgiven him. Determined yet wary, he follows after the doppelgangers, training his eyes on the figure in red.
🌸
It's only a 15-minute walk and the four arrive at a house that stands on its own on a quiet residential street. The first thing Shigaraki and Dabi see is the beautiful front garden, brimming with flowers. A dazzling brightness.
"It's a four-bedroom property," says the sandalwood Alpha proudly. "I picked this house especially for the location near the woods and parks and the big private garden. You see, my Dabi loves flowers. He's been gardening a lot lately. If you think the front garden is beautiful, wait until you see the back garden. It's like the garden of Eden, paradise."
The Omega next to him giggles. "Shh, darling, you're embarrassing me." He looks shy.
Sandalwood Shigaraki, however, turns and kisses his Omega gently on the lips. Then he kisses the Omega again and again as he unlocks the door, humming and purring. "Because it's true. After the war ended, you transformed our home in a matter of months.”
Dabi stares open-mouthed at the public display of affection between this pair of Shigaraki and Dabi. He has never seen an Alpha, let alone a Shigaraki Alpha, display such deep feelings in public. He cannot imagine his own mate doing such a thing. This world is really strange. At the same time, something inside him pricks with jealousy. Why can't his own Alpha be more romantic like sandalwood Shigaraki?
Irritated, Shigaraki claps a hand over Dabi's eyes to shield him from this indecent spectacle. "Can you stop snogging in front of my Omega?" he hisses unhappily, feeling threatened by the calm, happy pheromones of the sandalwood Alpha. He has an Omega mate who is three months pregnant, and they are both homeless and on the run. And here's this Shigaraki, obviously wealthy, confident, and free, and with no enemies. He even has his own home, a big house. And he's clearly very dominant.
As if reading his mind, the sandalwood Alpha turns and scowls. “Quiet! I am a Prima Alpha. The Alpha of all Alphas. So, I can do anything I want, damn well whenever I want. And if I want to kiss my Omega, I damn fucking will!”
A fucking Prime Alpha? Shigaraki flinches and his face burns an ugly pink. This is an Alpha who can basically control, even command, other Alphas if he wants to. It makes the jealousy burn hotter.
"You better not be attracted to this Alpha," Shigaraki suddenly spits to his companion, feeling irrationally insecure. "Or I will kill you!"
"I'm not," hisses Dabi. "Are you?"
Shigaraki pretends to retch. "What the hell?" he blusters. "How can you even say that? I'm an Alpha!" He stares at Dabi in shock and embarrassment.
"Well, that hasn't stopped Alphas from fucking each other in the past," Dabi spits annoyed. "For some reason, you seem to be the only one who reacts the most when he says or does something. You cringe or flinch or hiss or snap. You are so determined to show that you hate him. What if you're just pretending to hide the fact that you actually like him?"
The pregnant Omega suddenly finds himself in a headlock. He chuckles because he knows he's successfully teased his Alpha.
🌸
The guest bedroom looks adequate. The windows are large, the floor is clean and the room itself smells neutral. A knock on the door makes Shigaraki and Dabi pause their inspection. Sandalwood Dabi shyly pops his head around the door.
“I brought some clean clothes,” he says brightly, raising an inquisitive brow. “I expect you'll want a shower and something soft and comfortable to wear. So, my Alpha said it’s okay, you can borrow his clothes during your stay here.”
“Clothes that belongs to your Alpha?” splutters Shigaraki.
“Oh, my Alpha’s clothes have been washed freshly beforehand, so if you are worried about my Alpha’s fragrance, don’t be! We already thought about that - Before everyone goes crazy out of instinct.” Sandalwood Dabi smiles good-naturedly. “Not to mention, all of my Alpha’s clothes are very soft and cosy. And if you need any more nesting materials, please let me know. We have plenty of freshly washed blankets and pillows and cushions.”
Immediately Shigaraki growls indignantly. “No. Nope. Just no. We aren't wearing these!”
Dabi sighs wearily. “Yes, we will. We appreciate this,” he says, walking towards sandalwood Dabi. He grimaces apologetically as he accepts clothes. They feel really soft and cosy. “Wow,” he murmurs, visibly impressed. “Your Shigaraki has expensive taste.”
Unsettled, Shigaraki stomps over and grabs the garments. “I said no!”
The pregnant Omega has had enough. With a hiss, he lunges at his Alpha, his eyes flashing with ire, his scent exuding impatience. "What - do you want me to walk around naked? Haaah?"
“No!” An ugly feeling sweeps through the Alpha’s body. His inner alpha wails, disturbed. He doesn’t want anyone staring at his pregnant Omega.
Sandalwood Dabi bursts out laughing. “Shit. You two are hella weird.”
The Alpha spins to face the sandalwood Omega. “Why can’t you give your clothes to my Omega. Why has he got to wear another Alpha’s clothes?”
The sandalwood Omega blushes slightly. “Oh, erm, because erm I am…”
“Hold on a second, cuts in Dabi, eyes sweeping over the second Dabi. His critical silver-turquoise eyes widen as he stares at blushing sandalwood Omega. Then Dabi’s face darkens into a scowl. “Look at him Tenko. We’re not the same size or height. This Dabi is smaller than me. And he’s fucking short. Fuck. Why have I got to be even smaller here?” he whines, sulking. “That’s so unfair.” Shit, at first, he really thought sandalwood Dabi was just deliberate hunching over to make himself appear fragile and cuter when they were in the park.
“I’m not that short,” protests the Dabi doppelganger. “I’m 174cm,” he declares.
The pregnant Omega stares at the other version of himself unimpressed. Just then a deep chuckle from the doorway interrupts them. It is sandalwood Shigaraki.
“Leave my kitten’s height alone. He’s perfect just the way he is. A perfectly good kissing height and fucking height,” declares the Prime Alpha, proud. Sandalwood Dabi chokes. So does Dabi and Shigaraki.
“Hey, you can’t go around talking like that,” stammers Shigaraki, clapping his hands over Dabi’s ear. “My Omega is here! How dare you,” he spits angrily, shocked beyond words.
To change the subject, Dabi hurriedly thanks the other Omega for the clothes. “These clothes will do nicely,” he says pointedly through gritted teeth. “Thank you.” Then he glares at Shigaraki for his rudeness. If his Alpha didn’t protest so much, then they would have never had this conversation. Damn his Alpha.
“Hey,” says the sandalwood Alpha, speaking to Dabi directly. “Don’t be so harsh on Lava Shigaraki. Your Alpha’s reaction is understandable.”
Despite disapproving of Lava Shigaraki’s current behaviours, he understands his doppelganger’s reaction. He wouldn't want his own Omega wearing anyone else clothes but his. However, desperate times means Lava Shigaraki has no choice, and he privately chuckles at that.
🌸
That night before going to bed, Shigaraki needs to use the toilet. He creeps along the hallway when he chances upon the sandalwood doppelgangers’ bedroom. His breath catches. The two are in bed. Sandalwood Dabi is wearing a plain white baggy oversized t-shirt and black boxers but the Prime Alpha is stark naked. Everything is on show, from his broad strong chest and his bright pink puffed nipples, the toned cleft of his ass and all his famous scars. The sandalwood Omega lies draped across the Prime Alpha’s chest.
But it’s the low vibrating sound that draws Shigaraki forward and makes him peeks in. To his incredible disbelief, he discovers that the sandalwood Alpha is the one responsible for making the deep, soothing purring sounds. His purrs are loud, that the vibrations echo off the walls around the room, yet at the same time, it is as sweet and as gentle as a cat’s purr. It sounds nothing like his own rough Alpha crooning. When Shigaraki purrs, it’s rough and jagged and unrhythmic. It sounds like grating rocks. Surely his doppelganger’s purr should sound the same? Why does sandalwood Alpha purr so - dare he admit it – soothingly. It’s like a hum. A sweet Omega hum almost.
As soon as this thought crosses his mind, Shigaraki immediately flushes a horrible purple and freaks out. “Fuck,” he curses internally. He blames his confused thoughts on the strange events of today and hurries back to the guest room where his pregnant Omega is waiting for him.
There is still the possibility that he is dreaming and wakes up in the nest next to his beloved Dabi made of stars and molten metal. For he refuses to believe he has just found the purring of another Alpha to be gentle and soothing. Impossible. It never happened. It’s a secret he will take to the fucking grave. Fuck the sandalwood Alpha! Yeah, fuck the Prime Alpha. He’s an asshole, decides Shigaraki firmly.
Despite the chaotic event today, seeing the sandalwood couple relaxed and soft affects Shigaraki; subconsciously he finally finds himself relaxing for the first time since arriving in this parallel dimension and as he curls around Dabi and kisses his sleepy Omega softly on the lips, he finds himself thinking, ah damn it, they aren’t that dangerous… probably.
Yeah, it’s been a really long, strange day. Tomorrow when he is refreshed and has a clear mind, he’ll attempt his quest to reopen the portal. But for now, all he wants to do is sleep with his own Dabi pressed safely against his chest. Nothing else but Dabi and their tiny fiery pup matters.