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I. Crowded
Shigaraki was a creature of habit. He wasn’t particularly proud of it, his master had told him it wasn’t “needed to foster his leadership role”, or something like that. But he is what he is. He liked Kurogiri to cook his food a certain way. He liked his ginger tea brewed the way Kurogiri does it. He played video games with custom controls and keyboard bindings.
He liked to ruin his own sleep schedule and tread around the bar at odd hours, chatting with Kurogiri or, rarely, his master. He liked the quietness of the bar, the low thrum of Kurogiri’s music softly floating through air. He liked Kurogiri’s cooling presence.
So, when the League began to grow, and space in the apartment above the bar was limited, Shigaraki was naturally out of his element.
He should be happy. His group was growing and his master praised him accordingly, but then again…
Inside the apartment above the bar were three rooms: one for Kurogiri, one for him, and one for Magne and Toga. In the back room of the bar, were two rooms converted to bedrooms: one for Twice and Dabi, and the other for Mister Compress and Spinner.
And that didn’t account for the other members of the League. But Shigaraki would disintegrate the whole building if he had to live with a middle schooler and a loudmouth jock. No, living at the bar was reserved to people he can tolerate--
Mister Compress and Magne were the best ones. They knew when to give him space or when to ask if he needed anything from the shops. Mister Compress’s dramatics always made Shigaraki roll his eyes, but even he couldn’t deny the smirk that tugged on his lips. Magne was sweet, encouraging, and wise. Shigaraki can’t remember if he had siblings, but there was a strange sense of sisterly familiarity with her.
Toga, Twice, and Spinner were all okay. Twice was messy, and though Shigaraki wasn’t the neatest person, he was used to dealing with his own mess. Also, Twice was a smoker and Shigaraki had a sensitive nose. At least the blond was always eager to please. He was willing to spend an extra half hour outside so the smell of smoke doesn’t follow him in the bar.
Toga was a high school girl. So that was that. She gushed about blood and crushes and Stain.... But, she was smart, useful, irreplaceable to the League. Even though she was pushy, she pushed him in the right direction.
Spinnr was quietly annoying. He skirted about Shigaraki, not quite brave enough to try and meet his red eyes from behind his hand like all the others had. He was brave enough to blurt out video game references to Shigaraki though. But the major downside to him was he wouldn’t shut up about Stain.
Still, he was better, everyone was better than Dabi.
Dabi was arrogant, aloof, and an absolute asshole. Before anyone else, Dabi’s icy eyes met Shigaraki’s head on.
Dabi came in and out as he pleased. Shigaraki couldn’t tell him anything because the guy always completed his mission. He was quiet, his eyes calculating and leering at him.
Like the polar opposite of Mister and Magne, it seemed like Dabi picked the worst moments to pick at Tomura. Unlike Twice, Dabi reeked of ash. Naturally, it was a side effect of his quirk, but smoking with Twice wasn’t. While Toga pushed Shigaraki to be better, Dabi tugged him back and forth, demanding why. Why Shigaraki wore his hands. Why Shigaraki thought of doing a plan like this and not like that.
But despite his loud mouth, he always followed orders.
Shigaraki wasn’t exactly a people person, but he knew a chip on a shoulder when he saw one. They were alike in that way. They both had something to prove. They both were looking forward to rubbing it in people’s faces when they succeed. They both--
--were in each other's way.
“Well? Aren’t you going to move?” Shigaraki tried to sound confident, but he had to keep his head down because it’s literally the middle of the night and he didn’t have Father on. He just wanted to go to the bathroom but as he walked down the hallway Dabi was walking out of the bathroom. Immediately, they both tried to move away from each other, but ended up stepping in front of each other.
When they tried to move again, they just ended up doing the same thing.
Dabi stood there, a black eyebrow raised as he tried to nonchalantly inspect Shigaraki’s face.
“Well?” The pale haired man hissed out.
“You’re supposed to step to the right. Technically you stepped in my way.”
“Well technically you’re supposed to do what I say.” Shigaraki tried to step around him, but just to be petty Dabi stepped in his way again. Instantly, Shigaraki snapped his head up to glare at the black haired man. Knowing he was treading on thin ice, Dabi simply smirked and raised his hands up. A gesture of no harm as he stepped aside to let Tomura by.
“Then next time you want to tango, all you gotta do is ask.”
II. Running away
“You really should work on being less noticeable.” Shigaraki hissed as they ran down the long alley way. The sooner they get to the end of this one, the sooner they can disappear into the maze of buildings and abandoned roads.
“Are we really doing this now?” Dabi grunted. “I’m not the running type, and you want to argue on top of it?”
“Well, smoking cigarettes probably doesn’t help.”
“Aw, are you worried about me?”
“For not being the running type, you sure know how to run your mouth.” Shigaraki huffed out, not the running type either. “Too bad you didn’t run down to the store and get a better disguise.”
“Sorry I don’t have a fucking hand that covers my face. And that I actually leave the bar.” Dabi shot back.
“Well I don’t have my Father and I’m not in the bar right now.” Shigaraki rolled his eyes as the both skidded to the left, ducking between two buildings.
“Of course you’re not. If you were, you would’ve tattled on me to Kurogiri.”
“I don’t tattle.”
“You just can’t resist talking about me.”
“Oh trust me, if we get caught I won’t just be talking about you.” He threatened. “But in order to avoid that future, we really gotta get out of the open and find someplace to hide.” Shigaraki chewed his lip in consideration.
“Do you need a distraction?” Dabi offered, flames flicking up from his palms.
“At the expense of you? No.” Shigaraki frowned. “And we’d just be alerting the heroes to our exact location. They don’t know where we are yet, they’re only following our trail… Here!” Without thinking, Shigaraki wrapped his fingers around Dabi’s wrist, except his pointer finger of course.
“Watch--” Immediately, Dabi tensed at the touch. Distantly, Shigaraki wondered if it was because he touched him, or if Dabi didn’t like being touched in general. Even with other members of the League, he would be distant around them. The only thing Dabi could bear was a playful arm over his shoulder from Twice. Still, Shigaraki wouldn’t blame him, his quirk is fucking decay.
Shigaraki pulled Dabi violently to the side of a building, decaying the door before tumbling in.
“Fuck--” Shigaraki cursed as his shoes hit old crates. On instinct, he brought his hands up to catch his fall, but he still held onto Dabi, pulling the taller male down with him.
Not wanting to step on or fall on top of Shigaraki, Dabi swung over to the side. As it turned out, being considerate was a mistake as Dabi swayed right down the stairs to the basement. Again, on instinct, Shigaraki’s other hand shot out to grab Dabi’s raggedy coat by the shoulder.
For better balance, Dabi grabbed onto Shigaraki’s arm, pulling the pale haired man close so as to not bang his head on the wall.
They didn’t end up falling down the stairs, more like a clumsy waltz downward. A dance of lanky limbs and awkward tugs as they tried to regain their balance while also avoiding touching each other as much as possible.
Their dance ended when the sounds of their discordant footsteps finally landed on the basement floor. Shigaraki let out a shaky sigh in relief, the world had finally stopped spinning and his heart beat wasn’t pounding as loudly in his ears.
“Are you done?” Dabi gruffed out, raising up their still joined hands for emphasis. Immediately, Shigaraki let go as if he was burned.
It felt like he was burned.
“Just-- Shut up.” He rolled his eyes. “I’m going to text Kurogiri our coordinates.” Shigaraki wasn’t nearly as stable as he thought he was, his legs still felt like jelly and when he tried to walk he started to trip over his feet again.
This time, Dabi’s hand shot out and tugged Shigaraki close into his chest.
And Shigaraki knew he was fucked. Because even though Dabi didn’t lower him into a dip like a cheesy dance show, Shigaraki could still feel the wave of dizziness hit him as he stared wide eyed at Dabi.
“Are you sure you’re done?” Shigaraki couldn’t resist teasing Dabi back.
“Shut up.” The black haired man frowned and pushed Shigaraki away.
“It takes two to tango, asshole.” A smirk crawled on his scarred lips as Dabi groaned in frustration.
III. Not in the literal sense
Shigaraki knew this was coming. Or, he knew something was coming.
He was sure everyone in the league felt it, especially Dabi, though the bastard didn’t like to show it.
It came with the heat, something bubbling between them.
They had been dancing around it for the better part of knowing each other. What started as little teases lingered into unmarked territory for both of them. Proud and confident smirks smeared into softer and tender emotions. Texts no longer only consisted of fragments of mission information, but sentences of playful jokes and pictures.
But they never acknowledged anything between them, at least aloud.
Every once in a while, the bitterness of self awareness made them frown and look away when they started crossing into more… couple-y territory.
Or at least that’s how Shigaraki saw it.
Getting Dabi to talk about or just trying to deduce his emotional state was trying to open up a safe with a crayon.
You can draw on the safe all you want and try out all sorts of combinations, but you’ll never know what’s inside.
Shigaraki sighed as he inspected the almost empty bottle of ginger ale. It felt like nothing of how it was at the bar. In particular, it was ungodly warm. Well, that could be because there was no air conditioning at their current hideout.
And the resident cremation quick user had been acting up again, so the heat in their tiny hideout was even more insufferable.
“Yooo! Dab-man!” Twice cheered as the man finally crawled out of bed, an hour after the sun went down. Shigaraki blinked and tore his gaze from the bottle to the dark haired man. It was a little jarring, seeing him in the flesh after Shigaraki’s morning was spent thinking about him. “Hey! Where ya going?!”
“Recruiting.” Dabi grunted a he barely made acknowledgement towards the three of them as he
“Yeah… right.” Shigaraki crudely muttered under his breath.
It was like Shigaraki’s words held onto Dabi and forced him to stop.
“What does that mean?” He abruptly turned around to face Shigaraki.
“It means you suck at your job.” Toga teased.
“Shuddup. I’m the only one actually going out there. They're all trash anyway, not worth the League’s time.” His eyes flashed over to Shigaraki for confirmation, which Shigaraki avoided.
He was never one to micromanage his comrades, and the League's motto has been to let people do what they want.
But it didn’t sit right with Shigaraki that Dabi’s been out the past couple weeks scorching people to death. Shigaraki didn’t care about the people, but it didn’t take a genius to know Dabi’s own quirk hurts him.
When Shigaraki felt the uncontrollable urge to use his quirk, it was usually when he was mentally and emotionally unstable.
Was Dabi the same?
“What is it, Shigaraki?” Dabi directed his attention solely at him. “Don’t trust me anymore after Kamino?”
“That’s not it.” Shigaraki muttered as he scratched his cheek, the hand of his family members forgotten in the clingy heat.
“Then what is it?!” Dabi finally snapped. Instantly, both Toga and Twice shifted uncomfortably.
“I don’t trust you because of Kamino, I don’t trust you because you’re frying more things than a fast food worker.” His little quip earned a husky chuckle from Dabi.
“So you admit you don’t trust me?”
“Want to earn it back so badly? Tell me what's going on.”
“I’ve been recruiting.”
“You’ve been killing.”
“We’re fucking villains Shigaraki--” Dabi was shouting now.
“You’re drawing unnecessary attention--” Red eyes narrowed dangerously.
“You told me this wasn’t about Kamino--”
“This isn’t!” Shigaraki clenched the bottle, the dust flowing between his finger tips. “We lost Magne, I-- we can’t afford to lose you too.” Distantly he heard Toga gasp at his little slip up.
“I…” Dabi’s eyes were wild, flames flickering back and forth with each thought that passed between them. “I won’t be caught by any scummy heroes. I’ll burn myself alive and keep your secrets, if that’s what you care about.” He added bitterly.
“That’s my point.” Shigaraki sighed in frustration. “I don’t know what the fucks going on with you, but ever since Kamino you’ve been a flaming fucker. I don’t care what you do, and I won’t stop you from whatever it is that you do. But if you want me to give you the okay to cook yourself up like barbeque, then you’ll need a fire extinguisher to cool off ‘cause I’ll never give you that.”
“I don’t need you to give me anything.”
Then why do you constantly ask for my opinions and for permission on your ‘side quests’? Shigaraki wanted to yell back.
“Fuck. Will you shut up and just listen to the fucking Leader for once? What I’m trying to say is that the League is family. It’s us against the world. I don’t care why you’re burning the world, I’m not going to force you to tell me, because god knows you’d rather let Toga drink your blood instead… I just… care about you. Asshole.” Shigaraki admitted quietly, like he was being tortured to say so.
Either Shigaraki was that gone over Dabi, or he really did blush from between purple patches of skin. Before he could get a good solid look, Dabi quickly turned away, walking towards the door. As he reached the knob, he hesitated.
“I… I have no intention of leaving the League... before I finish what I have planned.” He seemed to add the last part half heartedly, like he almost forgot. Dabi didn’t turn around as he spoke, his fingers curling and uncurling as his hand was inches from the knob. “I want you to know that.”
“You’ve told me before.” Shigaraki frowned, somewhat disappointed at the conversation. Dabi has made it clear he’s sticking around for his own agenda, and Shigaraki knows. “And I told you I understand that--”
“You’re the League, idiot.” Dabi groaned as he pulled open the door and practically ran away.
Shigaraki raised a brow in confusion.
“Oh my god…” Twice gasped. “He said you’re the League…. He has no intention of leaving the League…”
“Oh my god.” Toga echoed Twice’s gasp. “He has no intention of leaving Tomu! He wanted him to know that!”
“Why are you guys still here?” Shigaraki covered his reddening face.
IV. Drunk
They’re not drunk. Not even close enough. Shigaraki was sure almost everyone in the League was gone, so no one would catch them in their little lie.
It was easier to pretend they were.
It was easier to lose themselves in the reckless atmosphere of their little party and not worry about tomorrow because they can just like and say they didn’t remember tonight.
Shigaraki hummed in amusement, the buzz of alcohol and revenge thrumming in the corners of his mind. He hung back towards the edge of their little circle, watching Toga amicably retell a story of Magne in honor of her.
Though Shigaraki wasn’t in a mood to party, Toga convinced all of them it was the only way to honor Magne and celebrate their victory over the Shie Hassaikai.
“You seem in a better mood.” Dabi’s voice was low as he slid over beside Shigaraki, resting against the wall by the window.
“Just distracted.” Shigaraki sighed softly as he tapped his finger against the window sill he was sitting on. “It’s hard to celebrate the League’s Victory when the whole League isn’t here…”
“Kurogiri said he was going to be busy. Who knows if he even has cell service?” Dabi shrugged, inching closer.
“He’s never not responded to me within the hour.” Shigaraki frowned.
“I think you need another distraction.” The black haired man offered. For a moment, the words hung in the air between them. Over the sound of the rest of the League chatting merrily, Shigaraki heard his own breath hitch. Slowly, he raised his head to meet Dabi’s gaze. And there it was again, that gaze that Shigaraki didn’t understand.
“What are you offering?” His voice was soft and dry. Wordlessly, Dabi offered a hand. It took a while for Shigaraki to recognize the gesture. As soon as he held out his hand, Dabi turned his gaze away, looking at the rest of the League to make sure no one was looking. It was like he was offering him something secretive, something precious.
“You must have had too much liquid courage.” Shigaraki laughed softly but took Dabi’s hand anyway.
“Seems like I’m not the only one.” Dabi remarked, barely above a whisper as he pulled the pale haired man away from the rest of the League and outside the hideout. The whole time they looked over their shoulders, making sure they wouldn’t be missed.
“What now, genius?” Shigaraki smirked, a challenge.
“Well you’re the boss so you tell me.” Dabi shrugged as he walked around, scooting for anybody that might follow them. But they were alone. The only sound was the distant cheer of the League and the crickets chirping at night.
“Come on, you’re my right hand man, show me what you got.”
Without even thinking, Dabi slowly reached forward, wrapping his fingers around Shigaraki’s palm and pulling him closer. Tentatively, Shigaraki returned the gesture as he let Dabi pull him in close. After a moment of debating, Shigaraki reached up to wrap his free arm around Dabi’s shoulder.
“Good enough distraction?” Dabi smirked as he swayed slightly.
“I don’t know if it’s because I’m drunk, or you’re drunk, but you really aren’t that annoying.” Shigaraki lied as they swung around.
“Funny, I was about to say the same thing.” Dabi hummed. “But your coordination is too good to be drunk. And I’m pretty sure dancing wasn’t in the evil curriculum AFO raised you with, so you’d be stepping on my feet even more.”
“Raising me is a generous way of phrasing it.” Shigaraki frowned. “Kurogiri was… is more of a father figure to me.”
“He’ll come back to you.” There was a pause. “We all would.”
“I’m not so sure about that.”
“I am.” They paused, letting the words sink in before they continued to just sway aimlessly. It wasn’t really dancing, and both of them weren’t drunk enough to admit it aloud. “Most of us have nothing to go back to, anyway.”
“Speaking from experience?” Shigaraki hummed, trying not to sound desperate on prying out any information from Dabi.
“Heh. Not drunk enough for that.”
“Seems like you wanted to say something to that sand hero.” He really tried not to sound so bitter about it.
“You heard?” Dabi stopped. “I thought you would be too busy…”
“Your voice is easy to pick up.” The words were soft, a reluctant admittance. “That hero, Snatch I think, he asked you something, and from the looks of it, it made you uncomfortable.”
“And tell me, oh smart leader, how would you possibly know that?”
“I could feel the heat from your flames all the way where I was.”
“Am I getting that easy to read now?” There was a hint of fear in Dabi’s voice, like he was almost afraid it was the truth. Shigaraki couldn’t blame him. After spending what looked like years on the streets, keeping to yourself and hiding away was the only way for survival.
He remembered, what felt like years ago now, when Dabi was the first person who’s eyes left him unsure and uncomfortable.
Payback is a bitch.
Now, Dabi finally understood why he was so annoying to Shigaraki when they first met.
“Not easy, but easier for me.” Shigaraki decided not to tease. “Will you ever tell me?”
“Not right now… I… I don’t want to spoil this.” Dabi hid his face in the crook of Shigaraki’s neck, his words mumbled into the scarred skin and soothing them like lotion. “Right now, there’s no him or what he did, just you and me.”
“Will that be enough for you?”
“Maybe.”
V. Victory
Shigaraki wiped the blood from under his nose, the smile that cracked his lips growing impossibly wider. He probably looked like hell, but who can blame him when he felt like it.
The feeling of satisfaction and pride warmed him, like flames were being kindled in his chest.
He finally understood Dabi, and the delicious addiction to fire and destruction.
Shigaraki was practically limping out of the crater he created. The dust around him was settling down, precipitating out of the air like ash after a forest fire. Despite the blood loss, he was hot, burning even.
An ugly, but bubbly laugh rose up from Shigaraki’s throat as he approached closer to the crouched man.
Vaguely, he realized Machia and joined them and now watched the destroyed battlefield.
And when ReDestro bowed his head, finally accepting Shigaraki as the newfound king, Shigaraki couldn’t care less. Instead of watching the remains of the Meta Liberation bow before him, his red eyes scanned the horizon for his comrades.
The first one there was Spinner, watching with his jaw dropped and eyes glazed over in reverence and awe.
“Tomura!” Shigaraki turned, his now white hair whipping around him. Dabi was the second one there, followed by a tripping Mister Compress. Shigaraki raised his chin proudly, meeting Dabi’s gaze head on.
Unlike everyone there, Dabi’s blue eyes looked at him, looked at Tomura Shigaraki.
Not some god of destruction, or the leader of a movement
(both of which he was)
but as him.
“Dabi!” Shigaraki greeted back, red and white. He could taste the blood coating his pearly teeth as he still limped forward.
Instantly, Dabi broke through the invisible barrier that separated him from the rest of the crowd. It was the clumsiest Dabi had been, tumbling off the ridge of the crater and kicking up dust behind him. Still, Shigaraki made his way forward, even if the adrenaline was leaving his system and dragging his leg started becoming painful. He may be missing fingers, and have multiple broken bones, but he would be damned if that stopped him from meeting Dabi half way, or at least trying to.
Dabi ran past ReDestro, not caring to glance at the man who still held his head down.
“I saw your flames.” Shigaraki breathed out as Dabi finally reached him. “I think you’ve turned me into an arsonist.” He confessed before he fell forward, exhaustion taking over. Instantly, Dabi opened his arms and wrapped them around Shigaraki, trying to steady him. His dead weight made Dabi stumble and twirl to gain his balance.
“You’re… you did it, Tomura.” Dabi whispered as he held him close, watching the destruction around them from beyond Shigaraki’s shoulder. “You showed those weirdos who’s the boss.”
“I did it for us.” Shigaraki began to wobble, making Dabi move with him.
“I know.” At his words, Shigaraki weakly dug his hands into Dabi’s chest, like he was physically trying to hang onto his consciousness. “I have to admit, this destruction for us… it’s… inspiring.” They weren’t the words Dabi was looking for, but Shigaraki understood him anyway. Unconsciously, they began to sway with each other, relief replacing the adrenaline. After Dabi kissed Shigaraki’s white hair, he motioned for Spinner and Compress to come to them. “How are you holding up?”
“Tired.” He muttered, his eyes sliding closed.
“Come on boss, you gotta hold yourself up for a little while longer. Or… don’t tell me you wanna dance again?” Shigaraki would’ve laughed at Dabi’s words, but the deep rumble of his voice was putting him to sleep.
+ Finally
“God I love you in that suit, but it almost makes me feel underdressed.” Was the first thing Dabi said to Shigaraki when he climbed up the stairs to the rooftop.
“Well, you did invite me right after a meeting.” Shigaraki mused as he pushed his white hair out of his face. “But don’t tease, we both know you wouldn’t’ve bothered with a suit.” Dabi only laughed as he pulled away from the edge of the rooftop, meeting Shigaraki half way.
Dabi’s hand shot out to caress the side of Shigaraki’s face, pushing back his hair to see his face.
“You look good, especially without the bandages and the cast.”
“Feel pretty good, especially after walking up all the stairs.” Shigaraki rolled his eyes and turned his head to kiss the inside of Dabi’s palm, directly where his skin was stabled together.
“Heh, sorry. But this is the only place where no one will see or hear us.” Dabi smirked as he took a step back and held out his hand. “Wanna dance?” The white haired man raised a brow, but didn’t hesitate to accept his offer. It was the first time Shigaraki held Dabi’s hand with confidence. Now that his quirk was under control, he was done being passive.
“What’s the occasion?” Shigaraki hummed.
“Last hurrah, I suppose.”
The smile on Shigaraki’s lips slipped off.
“Stop worrying, let me explain.” Again, they fell into a familiar sway. “Tomorrow you start the first steps of the procedure with that quack Doctor, and it won’t be the same after that.” Shigaraki wasn’t supid enough to disagree with him. The procedure would take a long time, and after he’s done, they’d move on to the final stages of the plan. And after they succeed… the world won’t be the same.
“I have to. It’s the only chance we have the world we deserve.”
“I just don’t trust them. The doctor doesn’t care about you, he only cares about All For One’s legacy.”
“The new world will be our legacy.”
“I know. The one you worked hard on achieving.” Dabi smiled as he pulled Shigaraki in closer. “When I first joined the League, I never thought you would achieve this--”
“We.” Shigaraki corrected, ever the fair leader. “Everyone who was ever part of the League, everyone we lost, we all pushed each other to become what we are today, to get what we have.” Even though he didn’t mention anything, the loss of Kurogiri still left a stinging feeling in his eyes. “Why are you talking about the past? Getting sentimental on me, old man?”
“Just trying to ease myself into talking about this.” Dabi sighed, stopping his movements as he glanced at the city lights. Sensing his hesitation, Shigaraki shifted his stance and took the lead from Dabi, guiding him back into a gentle sway. “Since I first joined the League, none of you pushed for my past. Well, except the occasional prod, but it wasn’t serious. Hell, even when we started fucking you didn’t want to know my real name--”
Shigaraki faltered at his words, the heat from his cheeks making him stumble slightly. Still, they continued on.
“Before everything changes, I just wanted one last night for us.”
“One last dance.”
“Yeah, but preferably not around each other this time.”
“We did waste a lot of time in the beginning.” Shigaraki hummed, a tinge of regret in his voice. “But in my defense, you were annoying as hell.”
“Thanks.” Dabi rolled his eyes. “You making fun of me is making this easier, actually.” There was a moment of silence before Dabi started again. “Endeavor’s my father.” Shigaraki stopped. It was only at that moment that the fact that they were dancing without music became deafening. It took a while for Shigaraki to process that information, his red eyes sweeping about Dabi’s face. As soon as he could, he began to lead the taller male again, his motions clumsy and desperate at first.
“My name was Touya Todorki, and Endeavor did this to me.”
“How.” Shigaraki tried not to clench his hands or grit his teeth.
“Oh you know how fathers are. Only care about you when they think they can live vicariously through you, and then throw you away like trash when they realize they can’t.”
“How much did it hurt?”
“Like hell.” Dabi muttered as he rested his chin on Shigaraki’s shoulder.
“Then we know where Endeavor will spend his retirement.”
“You know you really have a way with words.” The black haired man laughed softly, warm breath tickling Shigaraki’s neck. “After you're done with your operation, when you finally bring hero society to its knees, I’ll put the last nail in the coffin. I’m going to go public with everything Endeavor did. I’m going to ruin his career so badly that no one will ever want to be a hero.”
“That will be something.” Shigaraki smirked at the future. “Will you be okay, though? You spent so many years trying to distance yourself from him… After this, people won’t see you as anything but Endeavor’s son.”
“That’s the plan. Everytime they look at my fucked up scars they’ll know it was Endeavor who did it.”
“I don’t want you to be defined by your shitty father.” Shigaraki admitted. “It’s bad enough they see me as All For One Number 2…”
“As long as we know, what does it matter what other people think?”
“I suppose.” Shigaraki mulled it over. After a moment of silence, a sinking feeling made its home in Shigaraki’s stomach. “Everything is going to change.” And we only have so little time before then.
“Not us.” Not this
“Keep yourself out of trouble when I’m gone, asshole.”
“Well, I wouldn’t want to disappoint you when I’m not there for your welcome back party.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
“You better dream of it, boss.” Finally their dance came to an end. They both stood there in front of each other. Shigaraki wanted to remember this sight for his operation. He wanted to think of Dabi staring at him like he’ll deliver the world to him on a silver platter. Sensing the mood, Dabi grabbed Shigaraki’s hand, bringing it up to his face to kiss the back of his hand.
“You’ll make him pay.” Shigaraki grinned, confidence dripping off of him.
“No, we will.” Dabi promised.