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Chapter Text

Life was a cruel bitch and every time Eijiro thought it was handing him a bone it would inevitably punch him back down and kick him for good measure. He had fought every single day of his life for nearly a decade, he would’ve given up long ago if it were just him out there in the world. But some people still needed him so every day he would get up and his only goal was to make it back to the shitty box they called an apartment before midnight. 

Tonight was not one of those nights. He looked down at the old watch his mother had given him on his thirteenth birthday, it was almost three o’clock in the morning. Eijiro wouldn’t be getting home until five or six if things continued at this rate. 

Come on you stupid son of a bitch, where the hell are ya?

His spine straightened as voices registered in his ears. They weren’t the voices of his targets, but of pro heroes, and one voice in particular made him groan inside. Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight, god what a pretentious name, along with some others he recognized but didn’t care about. Dynamight had been a thorn in his side ever since he’d hit the villain scene. Even when the bastard was still in school he was still trying to capture and detain him. There had been a couple of close calls but Eijiro had still managed to escape the situation. 

Well, there goes tonight’s money.

Eijiro retreated further into the shadows, he needed to leave if he even had so much as a thought of making it home tonight, but the money! If he managed to succeed he was promised enough that would not only cover the rest they needed for rent but also next month’s groceries. If they kept walking they would pass him and they’d be none the wiser and everything would be alright. But life didn’t like to play by Eijiro’s rules and soon enough, Dynamight slowed and stopped about ten feet away from him.

He stopped breathing and covered his mouth for good measure, but Eijiro was a big guy and it was like Dynamight had infrared vision when it came to him because all of a sudden he was lunging at Eijiro’s hiding spot. Eijiro jumped back, his body already hardened, as explosions rang out in the alleyway. Dynamight’s companions, Deku and Shoto, whirled around and soon began attacking as well trusting their partner’s instincts even though they didn’t have a clue what was going on.

Eijiro could probably hold a fair fight against any of them in a 1v1 match but all three of them? Yeah, no shot. He spun on his heel and bolted, having no destination in mind just trying to lose the three in any way he could. Pounding footsteps as well as short burst of explosions were right behind him and Eijiro had just enough time to duck and roll out of the way as Dynamight charged at him. Using his size to his advantage, Eijiro changed directions and pummeled right into Deku and Shoto who didn’t hold a chance at standing their ground. Shoto hit the ground so hard he was instantly knocked unconscious. Deku was at Shoto's side in an instant.

“I’m taking him to the hospital, you go after Blood Riot,” Deku ordered as Dynamight skidded to a stop and ran to chase after Eijiro again.

“Don’t tell me what to do, you shitty ass nerd!” Dynamight shouted back.

Blood Riot. It was the name society had given him once he started appearing more in the news and on social media. Eijiro wasn’t sure who originally came up with the name but if he ever found the guy he’d give him a good kick in the stomach. But it was better to be known under a pseudonym than his given name, it was easier to hide that way. It was easier to lie to his sisters about where he went every night. They were the only reason he was still here, still fighting, because someone needed to take care of them and if life was going to take away his mother and his father then he’d readily accept the role of their provider. 

“Get back here, you fucking asshole!” Dynamight shouted after him. 

Eijiro ran faster, pushing and shoving people and things out of his way indiscriminately. Their grunts of annoyance soon turned to shrieks of panic as they registered who was in their mists. 

Damn it!

The more people who saw him the more witnesses there will be as well as the higher chance of more pro’s coming down to the scene.

Fuck this was supposed to be a simple job, why the hell are they never simple jobs!

He knew why they weren’t simple jobs, because he was picking the “wrong ones” as his contact liked to unhelpfully remind him but he wasn’t about to take the ones that she thought he should take, the ones where the rooms were painted in blood and the cops couldn’t tell which body part belonged to who. That didn’t mean Eijiro hadn’t killed, and wouldn’t do it again in the future but those were hazards of the job never the job itself. 

Eijiro pushed a woman aside and ran down the alley, checking over his shoulder for a second to see if Dynamight was still right behind him. It was in that one second that he’d lost his footing at tripped and Dynamight used that moment of weakness to his advantage. He slammed into Eijiro with so much force he was seeing stars. Dynamight didn’t hesitate to send an explosion directly aimed at his face, Eijiro had hardened his face but he still felt the blast reverberate through his body and the ground. His ears rang and sent his fist flying at Dynamight. It hit him in the stomach and Dynamight doubled over in pain. Eijiro shoved Dynamight off his and turned to run when Dynamight’s fingers wrapped around his ankle and pulled him back to the ground.

“I’m not letting you get away this time,” Dynamight seethed. “It’s time you pay for what you’ve done, you bastard!”

Eijiro sent punches and kicks flying, not caring where they landed, he had to get Dynamiight off of him. Dynamight was struggling to get quirk-canceling handcuffs around him when Eijiro brought his knee up hard. Dynamight gasped in pain and immediately slackened his grip on Eijiro as he writhed in pain. Eijiro kicked him in the stomach for good measure before taking off, throwing anything heavy behind him to slow down any attacker. 

He ran for nearly thirty minutes, not daring to look behind him lest he fall. Eijiro slowed, clutching the stitch in his side, as the row of rundown apartment buildings rose above him. He walked past the first three buildings until he reached his own and climbed up the fire escape to where his hiding place lay on the roof. It wasn’t much, a dilapidated shed with a locked door and a loose wall panel, it made an excellent place to hide his villain attire as well as any other accessories he might need for his work. 

Eijiro changed quickly and stored the costume away for another night. He leaned against the wall and slumped down, crushing his head between his thighs. Eijiro closed his eyes and inhaled shakily, he would give himself two minutes to wallow in self-pity and hatred before making his way back downstairs to his apartment. The cold air tore straight through his threadbare sweatshirt and chilled him to the bone. Winter was going to be brutal this year and Eijiro hoped that the heating would last throughout the entire season. While it was a blessing that his landlord was never around it was difficult to get ahold of him if something broke, and even that wouldn’t guarantee it would get fixed.

His two minutes were up yet Eijiro couldn’t find it in himself to move, he wasn’t comfortable but he simply didn’t have the strength to move. To walk down the three flights of stairs to the eighth floor where Akemi and Hana sat, waiting for him as they always did. Eijiro wished they wouldn’t but he didn’t have it in him to seriously tell them to knock it off, every day could be his last, and even though his sisters didn’t know what he was going out and doing every night even he couldn’t always hide the aftermath of a bad fight or a job gone wrong. Their first aid kit constantly needed replenishment. 

Eijiro straightened and moved the loose wall panel aside and ducked out. He’d crossed the roof and was about to head inside when the hairs on the back of his neck rose. He jumped out of the way at the last second, missing the majority of the blast but his body hadn’t hardened in time and blisters raced up his arms. Eijiro cried out in pain as he collapsed onto the ground, holding his injured arm. He didn’t hold it for long, however, as Dynamight was on top of him and slapping the canceling handcuffs on him.

“God, what a fucking idiot you are, leading me straight to your base. What am I gonna find in their Riot?”

“Nothing,” Eijiro gasped, his eyes pricking with tears from the pain. 

“Likely story. You fucking tell me how many villains you hide out with and maybe I won’t blow your entire goddamn face off!”

“I mean it, man, it’s just an apartment building!”

“What were you going to knock it down? Kill everyone inside? Kidnap someone?”

“No!”

“Then tell me why the fuck you’re here, shithead!”

“I live here, dammit!”

Eijiro cursed at himself for revealing it so easily but his mind was flooded with pain and logic was not at the forefront right now. He let his head drop forward, he didn’t want Dynamight to see him cry.

“You… you live here?”

“What did you think I was stowed away in some goddamn mansion?” Eijiro bit with a humorless laugh. “It has four semi-sealed walls and a roof that’s all we fucking need.”

Dynamight’s grip on Eijiro’s arm tightened and Eijiro cried out in pain. “Who the fuck is we?”

Eijiro didn’t answer him. He wouldn’t implicate Akemi and Hana, they had nothing to do with this and Eijiro would be damned if he got them involved now. Dynamight growled and squeezed Eijiro’s arm again but Eijiro didn’t speak. Dynamight flipped him over so that he was lying on his back and his fingers curled around Eijiro’s throat, cutting off his airway.

“I will give you exactly ONE chance to confess before I crush your goddamn windpipe!”

Eijiro’s eyes bulged at the lack of air and he struggled to buck Dynamight off him but it was pointless. Eijiro was in too much pain and weak from the lack of oxygen. Dynamight’s fingers relaxed around his throat and Eijiro gasped, coughing and sputtering as too much air rushed into his system.

“I’m waiting!”

“My sisters. Please don’t hurt them, they don’t know anything! I’ve never gotten them involved, their only crime is being related to me!”

Eijiro was full-on sobbing, his body shook with each cry, and his vision was blurred by the tears that couldn’t fall down his face fast enough. He’d fought so hard and for so long and he’d failed. He failed Akemi and Hana, he failed himself, and he failed his mother. How disappointed she’d be in him if she knew the things he’d done. If she were still here would she even still call him her son? Would she even be able to look him in the eye? Hold him as he sobbed and begged for her forgiveness? Eijiro didn’t think she would.

“I’m sorry mama, I’m sorry that I failed! I’m sorry that I failed to protect them!” He sobbed looking at the sky beyond Dynamight, because he couldn’t imagine his mother anywhere else than in heaven, he sobbed for forgiveness in the slight chance that he might be able to join her, for his death was imminent. If Dynamight didn’t kill him on this rooftop, the court system certainly would after he was sent to trial.

“Shut up, ok? Just shut the fuck up!” Dynamight shouted, slapping his hand over Eijiro’s mouth. “What you think a pathetic sob story will make me let you go? I won’t be manipulated by that kind of bullshit!”

Eijiro shook his head vehemently. His sobbing had subsided but he couldn’t stop sniffling. Dynamight removed his hand and crossed his arms, staring down at Eijiro with open hostility it was amazing that he decided to become a pro hero at all, he certainly didn’t have the personality for it.

“It’s not a sob story or manipulation. It’s just the truth. I know I deserve jail time or even death and I’ll take whatever punishment society deems fit for me but please, please , leave Akemi and Hana alone. They’re just kids they haven’t even graduated high school yet!”

A storm of emotions brewed behind Dynamight’s eyes and if Eijiro were in clearer mind he would’ve used the opportunity to run, but where would he run to? He knew where Eijiro lived, he knew where Eijiro’s sisters lived. No, he couldn’t run and put them in danger, he had to stay and fight it like a man.

“Please, Hana and Akemi aren't even eighteen yet. Just give me until then to figure everything out for them so they won’t be separated!”

“Figure what out? You live in a shithole apartment and by the looks of your clothes, barely a dime to your name, what could you possibly do in just a few short months?”

“I don’t know. I’ll figure something out, I always do.”

“Like murdering people, was that your plan?”

“No, and you say it as if I enjoy taking people’s lives.”

“You do,” Dynamight seethed. “I’ve seen the look on your face when we have to watch the security footage of you.”

“You’re wrong, whatever you saw it was not pleasure or joy. I did what I had to do in order to keep my sisters alive.”

“So what then? Are you going to rob a bank? Set fire to a building? You’re not only a criminal but a villain and I’m not just about to let you go so you can go back to wreaking havoc! Who’s to say you won’t just skip town?”

“I don’t have anywhere else to go. Can’t you just install some sort of tracker inside me so you’ll know where I am all the time? And if I had other means I wouldn’t be committing crimes!”

Eijiro sighed, his body deflated underneath Dynamight. He was so tired and a small part of him wished he would just take Eijiro in now. How nice it would be just to have someone else taking care of him, calling the shots, even if they did so begrudgingly.

“Their eighteenth birthday is March 23rd. That’s four months from now, just let me get arrangements for them with the landlord so that they can keep the apartment for another year or so they’re not immediately kicked out onto the street.”

It sounded stupid, hell Eijiro felt stupid for offering it but he had no other choice. This was the best he could do for Akemi and Hana with the limited time and resources available to him. Eijiro’s eyes widened as an idea formed in his mind, it would be a long shot and he was sure Dynamight wouldn’t trust him but he had to try.

“I have information,” Eijiro blurted out. “Information about other villains and crime organizations and locations and a bunch of other shit!”

“How do I know you’re not just gonna lie to me?”

“Fucking hell man, you’re literally going to ship me off to prison and my sisters are going to become destitute, what the fuck would I gain from lying!”

“Let me guess, you want to sell me this so-called information?”

“Yes, it’s the only way I can get money for my sisters without committing a crime, so unless you know of any other option this is all I can offer.”

“Fine, tell me what’s this great information of yours?”

“No, I’m not telling you jackshit until I get cash in my hands.”

Dynamight snarled and pulled out his wallet and a fat stack of bills. He counted a few before tossing them onto Eijiro’s chest.

“There’s five hundred, start fucking talking.”

Eijiro’s mouth didn’t seem to work for the first few moments. Never in his life had he ever had that much cash in one sitting. Eijiro shook his head and looked up at Dynamight and did exactly what he asked of him. 

“There’s a whole underground network of villains, it’s where I get my jobs. There are meeting spots all over the country and they change every few weeks to keep the pros off their trail. The next location for the one in Musutafu is down at the docks. There’s an old warehouse and underneath the warehouse is some kind of storage unit or shelter or I don’t fucking know but that’s where everyone will be.”

Dynamight nodded and pulled out a pad and paper and made Eijiro repeat his story so that he could write it all down as well as any specifics in identifying the warehouse and where the entrance to the underground shelter was. After he was finished he looked over his notes again and sighed, finally climbing off Eijiro and flipping him over to remove his handcuffs. Dynamight gripped Eijiro’s arm and he cried out, the adrenaline making him forget about the burns that spread across his entire forearm. Dynamight removed the cuffs and Eijiro shuffled into a sitting position, quickly stuffing the cash into his back pocket.

“Let me help with that,” Dynamight said, reaching out to Eijiro.

Eijiro scrambled back and held his arm close to his body. “Don’t touch me, you’ve already done enough damage.”

“I’m trying to help you.”

“I don’t want it, I can fix it myself!”

Dynamight scoffed and rolled his eyes. He sat back on his haunches and pressed the heels of his hands to his eye sockets.

“Here’s what’s going to happen. I’m going to let you go, temporarily, you are going to stay in your shithole of an apartment until your sister’s eighteenth birthday. On that day I’m going to collect you and turn you in. Until then you’re going to keep selling me information and get everything figured out for your sisters. You will be tracked and you will be watched. Commit a single crime or try and run away and I will kill you where you stand, does this all make sense?”

Eijiro nodded, dumbfounded, Dynamight nodded once as well and rose. He dug through his utility belt until he pulled out a small ring. He held it up to Eijiro for a better look.

“This is a tracking device that only I have access to. You are to wear it 24/7, it’s waterproof so it should withstand shit like showers and washing dishes. If at any point this goes down, I will inject something directly into your bloodstream.”

Eijiro’s face paled as he held out his hand and Dynamight dropped the ring into his palm. Eijiro tried to stick it on his ring finger but the ring was much too small, the only finger it would fit was his pinky, it was whatever though, Eijiro planned to put it on a chain regardless, the ring didn’t have a chance against his quirk.

“I’m putting a lot on the line here for you, you piece of shit, you better not fuck this up!” Dynamight stepped back and was nearly towards the roof’s edge when he stopped and looked over his shoulder back at Eijiro. “I’ll be back in a week to get more about the villain's underground operations.”

And just like that he was gone. Eijiro watched him go, flying across the city so gracefully and skillfully. Seeds of jealousy rooted in his stomach but he pushed those aside, he couldn’t change the past all he could do was hopefully change the future for Akemi and Hana. 

He trudged down the three flights of stairs and to the other end of the hall where their apartment lay. As he passed by the elevator he patted the frame, the old “BROKEN” sign fluttering at the slight disturbance. Eijiro fished for his keys and found his hands were shaking from both the night's events as well as hunger. It took him a few tries but he finally got the key into the lock and quietly pushed the door inside. Akemi sat on the couch, waiting for him, while Hana slept on the futon that rested near the radiator.

Akemi stood up and hurriedly crossed over to Eijiro, pushing him back outside and shutting the door behind her. Eijiro sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, Akemi was just like mother when she was about to give a lecture and tonight Eijiro didn’t have much patience to listen.

“We were expecting you home hours ago!” She hissed, her voice low so as to not wake anybody up.

“Work kept me late, I’m sorry I didn’t call or text to let you know.”

Eijiro tried to hide his injured arm but Akemi glanced down and gasped. “What happened?”

“Burned myself, move so I can clean and bandage it.”

Akemi didn’t fight him as he pushed past her back inside the apartment. He kicked off his shoes and reached for the first aid but Akemi grabbed it first and guided him to the small table that sat beneath their only window. She snapped the curtains shut and Eijiro smirked, she was always so smart and could pick up on things no one else could she was going to do well in the future. In the future where Eijiro was sent away and was finally out of the way of everyone. 

“You burned yourself?” She asked quietly as she inspected the wound.

“Yeah, careful, it still hurts,” Eijiro hissed, trying to yank his arm back.

“Stop squirming,” Akemi ordered. 

In no time, Akemi had cleaned and bandaged Eijiro’s arm. Her movements were sure and steady and Eijiro watched her in awe, she would make an amazing doctor or nurse. Eijiro’s heart clenched, do be a doctor you needed money and they never had money, never enough anyway. The cash in his back pocket seemed to burn him. He needed to come up with a rate for his information, Dynamight said no crimes but maybe extortion could be the exception, it kept him from murdering people at least. 

“I got a new job,” Eijiro blurted out. He cringed, he kept his “professional” life to himself, the less they knew the better. “It’s still nights but hopefully I’ll get more money.”

“What kind of job?”

“Data entry.”

“What kind of data entry job is only doing nights?”

Eijiro shrugged lamely. “I didn’t ask questions, they pay more so I took it.”

Akemi sighed and looked past him toward Hana, she spoke without looking at him.

“Look I can work part-time at any-”

“No,” Eijiro interrupted. “Your job is to stay in school and get good grades and graduate, you and Hana both.”

“But we need the money!”

“Let me worry about that. I have everything taken care of, all I want you to do is focus on your education.”

Eijiro grasped Akemi’s hand and she finally looked at him.

“Please, Kem, you and Hana gotta graduate, it’s what mom would’ve wanted.”

“She would’ve wanted you to graduate as well.”

“I can always go back once you two are taken care of, don’t worry about me.”

“We’re always going to worry, you’re our brother.”

Eijiro wanted to vomit. How much easier everything would be if they didn’t worry. If they didn’t care for him. If he didn’t care for them. Eijiro sucked in a breath and shook his head, clearing away the vile thoughts. 

“Go to sleep, you still have school in the morning.”

Akemi looked at Eijiro as if she still wanted to discuss the issue but he wouldn’t allow it. They had to stay in school, it was their only shot at a better life, it was their only shot to do better than Eijiro ever could, and as long as that happens then Eijiro will have succeeded, no matter the consequences for himself. 

XXX

Eijiro couldn’t remember a time when he had so many free hours to just do nothing. He spent the first week and a half lounging around the apartment, stating that he couldn’t work due to his injury but that he was getting paid regardless. But once the burn cleared he started getting nervous, he was supposed to be gone for the night but Dynamight said not to leave the apartment building, so Eijiro ended up spending a lot of hours on the roof in his little shed. He couldn’t keep up with that act forever, eventually, he needed to leave if not for his cover then for his sanity. He should’ve just said the job was during the day, that way he could sit in the apartment without Akemi and Hana noticing. 

He sat on the roof’s edge, his feet dangling over the side and kicking the brick facade, and waited for Dynamight. Eijiro held a small windup music box, he wound the box over and over again as he mindlessly listened to the short tune it played. Dynamight said that he would be back in a week but didn’t specify a date or time, not that Eijiro had anything else going on but still having some sort of reference would be nice. Eijiro heard Dynamight before he saw him, small pops littered the air, and Dynamight landed on the rooftop behind him.

“Hey,” Eijiro said, not looking behind him.

“Start talking,” Dynamight said in lieu of a greeting.

“About that, is there anywhere more private we can go? Is there anywhere else I can go in general? My sisters think I have an actual job and I don’t want to just hang out here all night, especially in the winter.”

“We’ll go to my place then.”

Eijiro stood suddenly and he stared at Dynamight. Eijiro had never seen him in casual clothing before. It wasn’t much, just a simple jacket over a hoodie, sweatpants, and even though it wasn’t that cold out, hat and gloves. Eijiro shook his head, clearing away thoughts about Dynamight’s wardrobe, he wasn’t actually being serious about this, was he? Eijiro going to a pro-hero’s house ? Alarm bells rang inside his mind and he would’ve stepped away if he weren’t already so close to the roof’s edge, he’d probably survive the fall but that was beside the point. Dynamight rolled his eyes and put his hands on his hips.

“What got something against going to my place?”

“Yeah, man, you’re a fucking pro hero, who’s to say you’re not just gonna ambush me with all your little friends as soon as I walk in the door?”

“One: those idiots aren’t my friends we’re coworkers at best. And two: I gave you my word about giving you time until March and I don’t say shit I don’t mean! Either you can stay here or you come to my place, those are your two options. Make up your mind and let’s go, I’m fucking cold and I don’t work nights.”

Eijiro raised an eyebrow, he’d seen Dynamight plenty of nights. But as he thought about it, he always seemed to come into the fight later and his hair was always a little mussed. Eijiro pursed his lips to keep from smiling and Dynamight snarled at him to keep his mouth shut, a feat Eijiro was never good at.

“Did you work some nights just to see lil ole me? Sounds like I’ve got myself a fan,” Eijiro teased.

“I won’t hesitate to push you off this building.”

“Go ahead, I’d survive, and if by some chance I didn’t you can live with the fact that you killed someone in cold blood. Spoiler alert, it’s not a nice feeling.”

Eijiro brushed past Dynamight and headed towards the fire escape. He shivered but not from the cold. Haruki Sato was his first victim, he wasn’t a pillar of the community or anything. He didn’t have family, and according to most people had done more harm than good but none of that warranted his death and even if it had, it should never have been Eijiro’s decision to make.

Eijiro gripped the rusted handrail and screwed his eyes shut. Sato was dead and six feet under, there was nothing Eijiro could do to change that fact so it was better not to think about it at all. He bounded down the stairs and waited for Dynamight to lead the way. He drew up his hood and put a mask on but anyone who looked at him for more than half a second would still probably be able to recognize him, it was pretty hard to hide when you’re 6’5” and 250 pounds. But that would require people to look at him in the first place and they never did. 

They walked to the end of the block and turned down an alley. Dynamight walked over to a car that was very obviously covered under a sheet. Eijiro rolled his eyes as Dynamight pulled the sheet off of it. 

“What?” Dynamight demanded. 

“What a great disguise for your car.”

“It worked didn’t it?”

“Trust me if people wanted to steal it, it would’ve been gone, sheet or no sheet. If anything you made it more obvious that you were trying to hide something.”

“Yeah I’m sure you know all about hiding,” Dynamight said, rolling his eyes. 

“I was a villain for six years and homeless for nearly two. I know how to hide in plain sight.”

Eijiro didn’t meet Dynamight’s eye as he waited for him to unlock the car. He didn’t need to look at the man to know he was looking at Eijiro with pity, they always looked at him with pity once he shared shit like that. 

“Maybe you can give me some tips then.” Was all Dynamight said before unlocking the car and stepping inside. 

The drive was silent and tense, Eijiro couldn’t relax to save his life. It had been years since he’d been to this part of Musufastu and years’ worth of memories hit him like a truck. Maybe they would pass by his old house. He was sure that he would still recognize it, you don’t forget about that last place where you were truly happy. 

Dynamight turned down some more streets and what was slightly familiar turned completely new. He shouldn’t be surprised that Dynamight lived in a gated community, not only was he a pro hero who had to worry about his safety but he was also incredibly wealthy. Why not use some of that wealth to live in a nice place?

“Don’t cause a damn scene, just keep your head down and keep moving,” Dynamight ordered. 

Eijiro rolled his eyes but didn’t protest. Dynamight quickly got out of the car and sped walked to the building. Eijiro fumbled with his seatbelt before following. He slouched the best that he could but he still towered over Dynamight and they couldn’t have looked more suspicious if they had tried. Dynamight marched them straight towards the elevators and punched the seven button. He pulled out his phone and began scrolling through it mindlessly while Eijiro’s eyes flitted up to the ceiling where he spotted the camera. Eijiro slunk back and pulled his hood further over his face. 

This was a terrible idea. 

There were so many cameras around, cameras that worked. Eijiro’s fingers curled around the music box, wanting to pull it out and start winding it like he always did whenever he needed to calm down. Dynamight led them down the hall and to the left until reaching his door. He pulled out a key fob and pressed it against the door and then placed his thumb over a small pad. The door unlocked and he pushed it open. 

“Don’t touch anything,” He grunted, walking in and flicking on a light. 

Eijiro stood in the doorway as he took it all in. Even though he couldn’t see the entire apartment, he knew it was not only much larger but extremely expensive. Tentatively he stepped inside, keeping his hands deep within his pockets. As Eijiro scanned the place he couldn’t help attaching price tags to every item and adding them all up. He knew Dynamight was wealthy, even before becoming the number two pro hero, but this was a different kind of wealth. This was the kind of wealth only attained after living in it all your life. 

Dynamite led them over to the island and he motioned for Eijiro to sit down. Dynamight walked to the opposite side and took out a pad of paper and his phone. He wrote down a few notes and then turned his phone on to record the conversation, Eijiro’s face paled and he reached over stopping the recording.

“You’re not recording me.”

“The hell I’m not! I don’t want to miss any details.”

“Do you even understand how dangerous this is for me? You talked about putting a lot on the line, I’m putting a lot on the line here too!”

Dynamight rolled his eyes in disbelief. Eijiro’s jaw clenched and he shook with rage.

“You get caught, what you lose your hero license? Go to jail? Do you know what happens if I get caught?”

“You-” Dynamight started.

“I die, and that’s if I’m lucky and it’s the police or another hero catches me. But if the underground catches me then they will torture not only me but my sisters. Being seen with you is already a large enough risk, I will not have my voice or my image attached to these meetings.”

Dynamight stared at him, his eyes cast downward, Eijiro followed his gaze and noticed that his entire forearm was hardened. Sharp, jagged lines of Unbreakable crisscrossed up until his elbow and Eijiro sighed, exhausted. He closed his eyes and inhaled slowly, counting to ten and pausing and counting to ten again as he exhaled. He repeated the process a few more times until his arms were normal again. Dynamight stared at him with a scowl, his arms crossed in front of him.

“I’m not trying to be difficult but my family comes first, always,” Eijiro said in a low whisper. 

“Fine, don’t talk too fast then so I can get everything down.”

Eijiro spent the next few hours describing everything he could remember about the underground network’s operations. He only had a limited amount of information, he kept his head down and didn’t ask questions whenever he went in for a new job, but what he did have seemed to be enough for Dynamight. He scribbled down a few final notes and then pulled out his wallet. 

Before opening it Eijiro blurted out: “I want a thousand.”

Dynamight’s head snapped up. “What!”

“A thousand,” Eijiro repeated, hoping his voice sounded more confident than he felt. “This is my only source of income and I need to keep my family afloat I also need money to put away for when I’m gone.”

“This is fucking extortion, do you think I just carry a thousand bucks on me!”

“There’s gotta be an ATM close by, go there.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Then you’ll become the network's next target.”

“Is that a threat?”

“Are you stupid enough to take it?”

They stared at each other, each willing the other to crack, but Eijiro was the Unbreakable villain. He’d trained himself to never crack in situations like these and his resolve didn’t waiver. Dynamight didn’t move, his scowl only deepened as time passed. Finally, Eijiro stood up, he didn’t have time for this, there was a contact point less than five minutes from here and Dynamight would be dead by morning. 

His back was barely turned before he felt Dynamight move behind him. Eijiro whirled around and slammed Dynamight into the floor so hard that the pictures on the wall rattled. Eijiro had one hardened hand around Dynamight’s neck and the other had both of Dynamight’s hands encased. He tried letting off a few explosions but Eijiro could barely even feel them.

“I don’t think you realize who the fuck you’re dealing with. I’ve been going easy on you. On all of you. Either you get me the money or you die. It’s your choice.”

Dynamight struggled but he was no match for Eijiro, who seemed to double him in both size and weight. Eijiro’s fingers squeezed around Dynamight’s neck and his eyes bulged as tears pricked at the corners. Eijiro watched his face grow bluer and bluer until he acquiesced. With what little movement he had left, Dynamight nodded and Eijiro removed the hand wrapped around his neck. Dynamight choked and sputtered as he gasped for air, he was going to have some nasty bruises soon.

“Get…off…me,” Dynamight wrasped, coughing between every word.

“Not until you fully agree.”

“F-fine! Off!”

Eijiro stared at him for another moment before letting him go and standing. Dynamight rolled to his side as he continued gasping for air and choking on it. Eijiro stared down at him unsympathetically. Dynamight played with fire too much, it was finally time for him to get burned. Once his breathing was steady he stood, bracing himself against the island, and looked at Eijiro with the kind of hatred he was used to seeing.

“I thought… you didn’t like… killing people.”

“I don’t. But that doesn’t mean I won’t do it, some hero pedigree isn’t going to save your sorry ass.”

Dynamight took a step forward and swayed slightly. He paused and screwed his eyes shut and Eijiro wanted to reach out and steady him but he didn’t. He needed to make his point clear, he couldn’t afford to look weak. To look vulnerable. Once Dynamight had steadied himself, he straightened and headed for the door.

“There’s an ATM… in the main lobby.”

Eijiro nodded and moved to follow him but Dynamight stuck his hand out and stopped Eijiro.

“No. You’re staying here where… you won’t be seen.”

“But-”

“Do you know how many fucking-” Dynamight coughed. “Heroes there are in this complex, you’re staying here where you won’t be spotted and where I can still keep an eye on you.”

Eijiro raised his eyebrows but he wasn’t all that surprised that Dynamight had cameras inside his apartment. Eijiro took a step back and raised his hands in surrender. He wandered back to the island and sat down, his hands folded on top of the counter. Dynamight scowled at him for a moment before stalking out of the apartment. 

He sat there at the island, hands still resting on the counter, and he looked around more thoroughly. At first glance, there wasn’t much personality. Tasteful furniture but barely used, minimal decorations but the few pieces he had all had some kind of purpose, and then there were the photos. They couldn’t be seen when first entering but they were everywhere and they documented all stages of life. Eijiro stood and walked closer to the pictures. He glanced over the early childhood photos and the ones taken within the last year or two but stopped when he reached the ones at UA.

There weren’t many and Dynamight was barely even in the few that were hanging up, but there was enough for Eijiro to get some sort of idea of it all. His eyes welled with tears as he looked at them all. He was fighting for his mother’s life and struggling to keep his family together all while Dynamight got to go to the school everyone dreams about, the school he used to dream about. His jaw set uncomfortably and he harshly wiped away the unshed tears. Those dreams were dead and buried, no use digging them back up when he still had work to do. 

Eijiro’s phone buzzed in his pocket and he jumped. He pulled it out quickly and flipped it open, answering it before looking at the caller ID. His heart raced as he waited for either Akemi or Hana to start speaking, they never called unless it was an emergency or something important.

“Is everything ok?” He said, gripping the phone tightly.

“Yeah, everything is fine, what time are you gonna be home?” Hana asked.

Eijiro glanced at the door. “I’m not sure why is something wrong?”

“No everything is fine, god you worry too much, some friends invited me over to spend the night so I’m going over there.”

“I’m not sure if that’s a good idea, it’s a school night and I know you have that test coming up and-”

“Please!” Hana begged. “C’mon, they’re all going to be there, and besides… they’re getting pizza and a bunch of snacks, and Kimiko said she’d pay for my movie ticket!”

Eijiro’s stomach twisted. He couldn’t even remember the last time any of them had gone to a movie theatre, and if there was going to be food… Eijiro sighed, slumping against the wall as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Fine, go but please make good choices, be safe, and keep your phone on you at all times.”

“I will,” Hana promised.

“Ok, have fun.”

“Thanks, I will!” She chirped before hanging up.

Eijiro let his arm drop as he stared blankly at the wall in front of him. Exhaustion weighed down upon him and Eijiro was about ready to have it swallow him whole. His lips twisted into an ironic smile, if they didn’t end up killing him he’d live the rest of his life with somebody else taking care of him. How nice that sounded right about now. To not have to worry about a thing, to just let someone else do all the hard work, and just follow what he was told.

Someone cleared their throat and Eijiro jumped, whirling around to see Dynamight standing a few feet away from him. The bruises were already blooming across his neck in an angry red color and Eijiro looked away from him, ashamed.

“Who the fuck were you talking to?” Dynamight demanded.

“Just my sister, she’s going to see a movie with some friends. It’ll be nice for her, she hasn’t been to one in years.”

“Sure it’ll be nice for you too, one less mouth to feed tonight.”

“Y-yeah, I guess.”

“Here.”

Dynamight pulled out the rest of the cash and shoved it into Eijiro’s chest. Eijiro took it and counted it then counted it again to make sure it was correct before pocketing it. He glanced at Dynamight’s neck and cringed, hating that he did that to another person, over something as trivial as money.

“I- I’m sorry about your neck,” Eijiro whispered.

“Whatever, I’ve had worse and it certainly won’t be my last injury.”

“At least you have plenty of healers, you probably even have one on call,” Eijiro tried to joke. Dynamight didn’t look very amused. “Must be nice,” Eijiro said to himself.

“Yeah it is, that’s what happens when you’re on the right side of history.”

Eijiro bit his tongue, he wasn’t going to take the bait.

I was supposed to be on the right side of history.

“Well you got your money, I got my information. I’m gonna drop you off at a station near your place, I’m sure you can manage the walk home.”

Dynamight turned and headed for his keys but Eijiro dragged his feet towards the door. It had begun snowing and it looked like it was only going to get worse. Dynamight turned and raised an eyebrow, Eijiro swallowed and quickly made his way to the door. He’d lived through worse, he’d make it through this. 

“What?” Dynamight snarled, grabbing Eijiro’s arm and stopping him before he crossed the threshold.

“It’s nothing.”

“I don’t like liars, Riot.”

“It’s snowing outside,” Eijiro said lamely.

“I can see that, what’s your point?”

“My sisters believe that I’m still working nights, I usually don’t ‘come home’ until four or five a.m.”

Eijiro didn’t need to look at the clock to know that four or five a.m. was still hours away. Dynamight looked down at his phone and then glanced back at Eijiro. His grip on him slackened and Eijiro stepped out of it and headed down the hall, drawing up his hood.

“Look man it’s fine, just next time we’ll start a little later, or maybe we can go somewhere a little more public so I can stay for a while or, I don’t know, I’ll just figure it out. It’s not a big deal, it’s just a little snow.”

“Get back here, Shitty Hair, I’m not having you freeze to death outside when you can just stay here for a few extra hours.”

Eijiro tensed and he slowly turned around, he wished he hadn’t. Dynamight was as bright as a tomato and looked as tense as Eijiro. Before he could comment on it, however, Dynamight stalked back inside, leaving his door open. Eijiro tentatively stepped towards it, trying to sense any danger or trap, but he didn’t. He stepped closer and closer to the doorframe but stood just outside it. Dynamight was sitting on the couch and watching TV, trying to appear nonchalant but failing miserably.

“You’re really going to just let me stay for a while?”

“Yeah. To make sure you’re not committing any crimes or anything,” Dynamight spat. “Get inside and close the door, you look suspicious.”

Eijiro stepped inside and closed and locked the door behind him. He stood there, like an idiot, unsure of what to do. He didn’t want to join Dynamight in the living room, that felt too casual, but he couldn’t stand here the entire night either. He headed back to his seat at the island, keeping his hands in plain sight. From his spot, Eijiro can just see the pictures of UA poking out from around the corner.

“What was it like? High scho- UA, I mean?”

There’s a heavy silence and Eijiro thought that Dynamight either didn’t hear him or blatantly ignored him when he spoke. Eijiro jumped at the proximity of the voice, he hadn’t even heard him move too lost within his own world. There’s a mess of emotions behind Dynamight’s eyes as he stares at one of the pictures. He blinks and swallows thickly as he shakes his head.

“Anyone who stayed all three years is stupid and insane, especially after the war.”

“Does that make you stupid and insane?”

“Yeah, pretty sure I made top of the list.”

“Why? Why even go, why stay ? Why did you choose to become a hero?”

“Why did you choose to become a villain?” He asks rhetorically. “Because like you, I wanted to help people.”

“I didn’t choose to be a villain and besides, there are hundreds of professions that are for helping people, why did you choose to become a hero specifically?”

“You’re asking deep questions when you don’t even know my fucking name.”

“Of course I know you’re name, it was right above mine during- I mean–you’re the number two pro hero, everyone knows your name.”

Dynamight looked taken aback but Eijiro wasn’t sure why. He was a celebrity, surely he knew that this wasn’t some big secret. It’s not like he was an underground hero or even a vigilante. Hell, they’d passed by a billboard with his fucking face on it advertising some sort of pop. Of course, people would know something as basic as his name.

“So why become a hero?” Eijiro asked, his voice soft. “Why even after whatever you faced at UA and even a fucking war did you still decide to become a pro hero?”

Dynamight looked away, clearly done with the conversation, and spoke in a rough voice, “I don’t know.”

“You’re lying.” Eijiro stood and scoffed, “Can’t fucking believe pieces of shit like you and so many others are our society’s protectors. Pinnacles of humankind, it makes me fucking sick.”

He marched towards the door and Dynamight tried to grab his arm but Eijiro roughly shoved him back. He stumbled and hit the ground, Eijiro didn’t wait for him before stalking out the door, he’d rather freeze to death in the snow than stay one more second here.

It’s not his fault. It’s not him you’re angry at.

Eijiro shook his head, he didn’t have the energy to deal with those repressed feelings. He drew his hood up and stomped down the hall, ignoring Dynamight’s footsteps pounding after him.

“Slow down, fucker, let me at least give you a ride home.”

“Pass.”

“You’re being immature, get over yourself!”

Eijiro stopped and spun on his heel, Dynamight didn’t stop fast enough and crashed into him. Eijiro’s gaze burned into Dynamight and he’d never seen the man look so small before. He took a step back, his arms slightly raised either to attack or defend himself Eijiro wasn’t sure.

“Get over myself?” Eijiro asked, enunciating each word. “You have all this power to enact change, to do something worthwhile and you sit on your ass and bury your head in the sand. You deserve none of it. You’re just some privileged stuck-up asshole who deserves nothing!  I can’t believe the universe decided to let you be a hero, I can’t believe that the universe decided to give you another shot at living .”

Eijiro expected to be hit, punched, or kicked or anything. But Dynamight just stood there, tears pricking at his eyes as his jaw shook from how hard he was clenching it. Eijiro looked at him, completely numb, he couldn’t do this anymore not tonight.

“I would have given anything to be in your position right now. Me and so many others–others who are swept under the rug despite having the capabilities of doing great things all they needed was a chance that nobody was ever going to give them.”

Eijiro smirked, remembering his one chance. It felt like a lifetime ago since that chance appeared, a lifetime ago when he had to bury that chance at the bottom of a drawer and turn his back on it forever. Eijiro walked down the hall and this time he was not followed.

XXX

With each passing day it felt like the noose wrapped around Eijiro’s neck was growing tighter and tighter. He and Dynamight continued to meet every Thursday night, though they never returned to Dynamight’s apartment and Eijiro was fine never seeing the place again. He did everything that was asked of him, gave away any information he could, and theorized about what he couldn’t. Eijiro had been given more freedom so to speak. He was now allowed to travel to certain spots, such as the convenience store. What a privilege that was, being able to shop for his own food.

Eijiro rooted around his drawer for his nice pair of jeans, they had to be in there but he was having no luck. He pulled the entire drawer out and turned it over, going over each item of clothing individually. Akemi stepped into the apartment and her eyebrows raised as she took in the sight.

“What are you doing?”

“Trying to find my jeans.”

“Which ones?”

“The black ones with no holes in them.”

“I thought you sold those a few months back because you never wore them.”

Eijiro let his head tip back as he cursed. The thirty dollars were nice at the time but now he was kicking himself for getting rid of his one pair of jeans that didn’t have holes in them and weren’t washed within an inch of their life. Akemi moved closer to him and started folding his clothes and placing them back into the drawer before shoving the drawer back into the dresser.

“Why were you looking for those?” Akemi asked.

“I got the day off work,” Eijiro lied.

“Ok…?”

“I’m going to surprise Hana tonight since it’s the last night of her performances.”

Akemi lit up and she began bouncing with excitement. She bounded towards Eijiro and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. Eijiro hugged her back and forced himself not to cry, but couldn’t stop them from falling when Akemi pulled back, her own eyes wet with tears.

“Does she know?”

Eijiro shook his head. “I didn’t get confirmation until a few days ago and I didn’t want to get her hopes up for nothing.”

“I like this new job of yours, though I wish you worked days so that we could see you more.”

Eijiro’s stomach knotted itself and he smiled weakly. “Maybe after a few more months I’ll talk to them and see if they can switch me over.”

Akemi nodded and hugged Eijiro again. She pulled away too quickly for Eijiro’s liking and stood. “We should leave soon, it’s a long walk to the school.”

Eijiro nodded and moved to stand when his phone buzzed. He pulled it out and scowled at the message from Dynamight. It was a Sunday night, what the hell did he want with Eijiro? He shook his head and pocketed his phone, not even bothering to read the message. Akemi looked at him with skepticism.

“What was that all about?”

“Nothing, just someone asking if I could cover for them tonight. He can kiss my ass for all I care, 'cause I have plans.”

Akemi laughed as she rolled her eyes. Eijiro smiled and he followed her out the door, locking it behind them and checking it to make sure it wasn’t budging.

“I don’t know why you always check it, it’s not like we really have anything worth stealing.”

“Habit,” Eijiro muttered. He wasn’t worried about people stealing, his enemies would do a lot worse if given the opportunity.

They walked down to the entrance and Eijiro slowed as they neared the doors. Anxiety flooded his veins, he wasn’t doing anything wrong and it’s not like Dynamight didn’t have his location 24/7, but still. He hadn’t told Dynamight that he was heading somewhere new. He reached for his phone and pulled it out but paused. He wasn’t doing anything wrong and it’s not like he needed permission to go to his own sister’s fucking musical. If Dynamight had a problem with it then he could go fuck himself for all Eijiro cared. He tucked his phone away and jogged to meet up with Akemi.

They’d made it about halfway to the school when Eijiro noticed that they were being followed. He didn’t let on that he knew, letting Akemi talk for the both of them as he scanned their surroundings. Their pursuer didn’t make a move to attack, just following from a safe distance, still, it would be risky leading them straight toward Akemi’s and Hana’s school. Whoever was following them had a light tred, Eijiro could barely make out the footsteps, but the slight shift in the air told him all that he needed to know.

His posture relaxed and they continued walking. Once he and Akemi made it inside, Eijiro pulled out his wallet and handed her a few bills. “Go get our tickets, back row, or even the balcony if you can.”

“What? But I like sitting closer!”

“Don’t argue.”

Akemi scoffed and rolled her eyes, handing the money back to Eijiro. “Hana reserved some tickets for us, so no need,” She said, walking off.

Eijiro stared after her as she rounded the corner. Eijiro continued straight, pretending to look for a bathroom, once he deemed they were far enough away he stopped and leaned against the wall. Dynamight was on him in a flash, pining Eijiro to the wall. One arm was braced against his neck while the other held Eijiro’s wrists down.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing here?” Dynamight seethed. “Last I fucking checked, you’re not supposed to go wherever the fuck you want.”

Eijiro tried to push Dynamight off him, but he wasn’t budging. “I have done everything you’ve asked of me, I haven’t given you a single reason to doubt me and you have a fucking tracker on me I don’t need permission to visit my sisters’ school for a night.”

“Why?” He demanded.

Eijiro finally pushed Dynamight off him. “She’s performing in the musical and I’m going to see her. For once I am going to be there because god fucking forbid I want to see her perform with all her friends instead of just herself in our shitty apartment.”

“If you’re really that distrustful of me you’re more than welcome to watch but I’m sure as fuck not gonna pay for your ticket.”

Eijiro brushed past Dynamight who was soon on his heel, Eijiro rolled his eyes not sure why he expected more from the hero. Eijiro followed the sound of voices until he was at what appeared to be the lunchroom for how large the space was. Akemi was standing near the auditorium’s doors and waved him over. Eijiro abandoned Dynamight to the line for people still needing to purchase tickets as he jogged up the short stairs to meet with Akemi.

“Balcony seating, just like you asked,” She grumbled.

“It’ll be nice not to be right on top of everyone.”

“You say that as if the place will be completely packed.”

“Is it not?”

“Not on the last night, no.”

“Well, it’ll still be nice.”

Eijiro showed their tickets to the usher and she handed them some programs and directed them upstairs to their seats. They’d made it halfway through before Dynamight was right behind them again. Eijiro didn’t bother turning around but Akemi glanced over her shoulder and did a double take. She stopped and stared at Dynamight more closely before gasping, pulling at Eijiro’s sleeve.

“Rouie, I think that’s Dynamight,” She whisper-shouted.

Both men tensed. Eijiro had no explanation as to why Dynamight was there and by the looks of it, neither did he, not without admitting to who exactly Eijiro was. Eijiro tried to guide Akemi upstairs but she didn’t budge. She bounded down the few steps until she was right in front of him.

“Are you really Dynamight?”

Dynamight sighed and pulled the mask off. Akemi gasped but slapped a hand over her mouth, knowing how important anonymity was to him as well as following the rules of the auditorium.

“What are you doing here, were you following us?”

“Kemi leave him alone,” Eijiro urged. 

“I saw you two talking, do you guys know each other?”

Eijiro paled and his breathing became erratic, how the hell were they supposed to explain this? Stupid fucking Dynamight for stalking them, for confronting him in a public place? Why the hell couldn’t he have just trusted Eijiro? Then they wouldn’t be in this mess.

“He works for me,” Dynamight said airly.

Eijiro had never wanted to beat a man more in his entire life.

“You work for Dynamight !” Akemi gasped, spinning to face Eijiro.

“N-no, I mean yes, I mean- I work at his agency but at like the bottom tier,” Eijiro stuttered lamely.

Dynamight rolled his eyes and Eijiro would’ve snarled if Akemi wasn’t still looking at him.

“Can you switch him over to the day shift?” Akemi asked suddenly, turning to face Dynamight. “Please, please, please!”

“Don’t,” He scolded his sister. “I’m fine with where I’m at, I don’t need to work days.”

“But you just said-” Akemi started.

“I’ll see what I can do for Rouie over here,” Dynamight said, smirking.

Eijiro was definitely going to beat this man behind the school later.

“Really, thank you, thank you, thank you!” Akemi gushed, wrapping her arms around Dynamight. “Finally something is going right for him!”

Eijiro’s face flushed in embarrassment and he looked down at his shoes, Dynamight was learning too much about him and he needed to put an end to it. Eijiro carefully peeled Akemi off him and guided her to their seats. She rushed towards the first row, straight towards the middle seats, Eijiro sat down next to her and Akemi turned towards the stairs and motioned for Dynamight to sit with them. Dynamight paused for a moment before reluctantly joining them, it’s not like he could sit anywhere else in the balcony they were the only ones up there.

Thankfully the show started so there was no reason to carry on the conversation. The curtains rose and the orchestra began playing and Eijiro couldn’t help himself leaning forward. He wasn’t sure what role Hana was playing, she always liked keeping it a secret for when she performed her one-woman shows for Eijiro. He quickly figures out that they’re watching Cinderella and that Hana was cast as Cinderella herself. Eijiro’s heart swelled with pride, she always had a beautiful princess-like voice. 

Eijiro can’t tear his eyes away from the stage. It was just some high school musical but Eijiro hadn’t seen anything so beautiful in such a long time. The costumes were stunning and the sets fantastical, Eijiro wished that he could jump in and live in a world like that where his biggest problem would be finding the perfect dresses for his sisters so that they could go to the ball.

Eijiro nearly gasps when Hana is revealed in her ballgown, it’s silver and sparkles with every movement. With each turn and spin the dress swished so elegantly. As Hana danced with the kid playing the prince, Eijiro felt his eyes well up with tears. He’d never seen her so happy before, even from all the way in the balcony Eijiro saw the happiness and love in her eyes as she sang and danced. She was born to perform, and Eijiro wished that he could give her the opportunity to fulfill her dreams.

Maybe you can once you’re sent away.

He blinked rapidly and sniffed, looking away for the first time to wipe his eyes. Tonight was not the night to be thinking about the looming future, tonight he was determined to remain in the present. The sound of a clock striking midnight snapped both Eijiro and Hana out of their reverie and Hana started to run away, the magic fading away. She was being chased by the prince and a couple of guards but she managed to slip away, the only thing remaining being her glass shoe. The orchestra played some music and the curtain fell as the lights rose.

“Wait is it over? I thought this story ended with them getting married?” Eijiro asked, peering over to see people getting up from their seats and leaving.

“We’re at intermission, dipshit,” Dynamight muttered under his breath.

Eijiro’s face burned with embarrassment, it’s not his fault he didn’t know, he’d never been to a live performance before. Akemi shot Dynamight a glare as she turned to Eijiro.

“It’s a little break between act one and act two so people can get snacks or go to the bathroom without interrupting people.”

“Right,” Eijiro muttered, slinking down in his seat.

“I’m going to the restroom, I’ll be right back,” Akemi said. She shot Dynamight another glare as she passed him and then disappeared.

Eijiro stared straight forward, his gaze never wavering to the man sitting a few seats away from him. How he wished he had a smartphone to distract himself with right now. Eijiro pulled the program out, he wasn’t sure how long intermission lasted but he could at least pass the time reading. He flipped through the first couple of pages which were filled with ads for local businesses. Then it was the lists of songs and scenes and the performers in each of them. And finally, he reached the pages with all the actors. Eijiro didn’t know what to expect but he didn’t expect short bios next to each kid, he flipped through the pages until he found Hana. There were some symbols next to her name denoting that she was a senior and a member of the theatre department’s executive board and then he read her bio.

Hana is beyond excited to perform in such a beautiful and timeless classic as Cinderella. The show has helped her achieve her princess dreams and she couldn’t think of a better way to end her high school theatre journey. “Cinderella is a woman of strength, compassion, and kindness and I aim to be like her every day.” She wants to give the theatre department, orchestra, parent volunteers, and everyone who played a role in making this show happen a thank you. Hana would also like to give an extra special thank you to her older brother Eijiro. “My entire life he’s been working day and night to make mine and my sister’s dreams a reality and that sacrifice has never gone unnoticed, he really is my hero. If anyone deserves a Prince Topher to come along and sweep them off their feet it’s my brother and I hope he can find his own happily ever after very soon! I love you, Eijiro <3”

Fat tears welled up in his eyes and landed on the shiny paper in consistent drops. He covered his mouth to muffle his sobs as he doubled over in his seat. Years of guilt and shame clawed at him and were so close to pulling him under and drowning him. He’d done so much wrong, committed so many sins he had lost count, and yet Hana still considered him her hero. Thought that he was worthy of love and deserved a happy ending. 

A hand brushed his arm and Eijiro jumped, his vision so blurry that it took him a moment to even make out who was next to him. Dynamight stared at him as if he’d grown a second head. His gaze flickered to the floor and he picked up the program that Eijiro must’ve dropped. He scanned the page, his face showing zero emotion, after he was done reading he set the program back on the floor and ushered Eijiro near the stairs.

“Come on, you need to wash your face, or else people will ask questions.”

Eijiro’s muddled brain didn’t fully comprehend what Dynamight was trying to do but he stumbled towards the stairs and made his way to the first floor. Dynamight grabbed his arm and pulled him away from the chattering crowds and down darkened hallways until he found a bathroom that was not only secluded but unlocked. He stepped in and checked all the stalls and then pulled Eijiro in after him. He tried to contain his tears but the more he fought them the harder they fell. His legs grew weak and Eijiro slid to the ground, pulling his knees up to his chest and burying his face between them. He could feel Dynamight hover awkwardly above him.

“She called me her hero,” Eijiro wailed. “She thinks I’m worthy enough to be called her hero!”

Eijiro began gasping, there wasn’t enough oxygen and his breathing became shallower the more he tried to gulp air down. Dynamight crouched in front of him and forced his head up. He stared at him intensely making sure Eijiro was truly seeing him.

“Match my breathing,” He ordered, taking in slow exaggerated breaths.

Eijiro tried to copy him but he could only shake his head and manage a few painful gasps.

“Come on, you fucker, match my breathing!”

It took him a few minutes but eventually, his breathing evened out and his sobs turned into pathetic sniffles. Dynamight stood and tore a paper towel from the dispenser before wetting it, he handed it to Eijiro. He took it and wiped at his face, though evidence of his crying was likely to remain for the rest of the night. Once he was done with it Eijiro handed it back to Dynamight who threw it away and sat across from Eijiro, staring at him as if he were some elaborate puzzle.

“Your sister said ‘My entire life he’s been working day and night to make mine and my sister’s dreams a reality.’”

Eijiro nodded weakly, not looking at Dynamight. “My mama got sick when Hana and Akemi were only six. She died a little after they turned eight. Ever since then, I’ve been taking care of them.”

“What about your dad, grandparents, other relatives, the foster care system?”

“Dad left, grandparents dead, didn’t have other relatives, and I was emancipated so I was allowed to take care of my sisters.”

“But you were only a kid.”

“And? I had to keep my family together or else I was never going to see them again. I wasn’t going to let anyone take them away from me.”

“Was that really what was best for them?”

“Don’t act superior,” Eijiro hissed. “I am so sick of you constantly looking down on me, I get it, to you I’m nothing but scum who deserves to be removed from society and maybe even the world, but I did what I had to do to keep my family together and I will not have you shaming me for that.”

Eijiro stood and looked down at the hero. 

“We all have someone we’d be willing to give up everything for, just be lucky you never actually had to give up everything for them.”

He stalked out of the bathroom and back towards the auditorium and took his seat. Akemi raised an eyebrow at his state but Eijiro only handed her the program and pointed towards Hana’s bio. Akemi scanned it quickly and looked up, tears misting her own eyes. She pulled him into a quick side hug.

“It’s true, what she said. We know you gave up so much for us and you really are a hero to both of us.”

Eijiro swallowed thickly, he didn’t want to cry again. “Thank you,” He whispered shakily.

The lights dimmed and the orchestra began playing when Dynamight finally slid into his seat. Eijiro watched act two with the same revire he did as act one and as soon as the show was over and the cast began their bows, he was standing and applauding them all. Akemi was right beside him and even cheered when Hana took her final bow. Dynamight glanced at them and clapped but didn’t stand with them. As soon as the house lights came up, Akemi grabbed Eijiro’s hand hand pulling him to the main level.

“She’s gonna be so excited!” Akemi squealed.

Eijiro and Akemi bounded down the stairs and they scanned the crowd. It was packed but Hana was dressed in her silver ballgown and her exuberance was radiating off her in waves as she talked to a gaggle of small children in front of her. She must’ve felt eyes on her cause she looked up and then did a double-take. She straightened up so quickly that Eijiro was surprised she didn’t fall over. She screamed in excitement and began pushing the crowd out of her way to get to them. Eijiro opened his arms and Hana lept into them. Eijiro crushed her into a tight hug and she began crying.

“Holy shit, you’re fucking here! You’re really fucking here!” She cried.

“I am, I am. You did so well, Hana!” Eijiro said as he spun her around once before putting her down and letting go.

“You ass, why didn’t you tell me?” Hana demanded as she turned on Akemi and swatted her arm. “I totally messed up in scene three in act two!”

“I wanted it to be a surprise,” Eijiro said, placating her. “It’s not Akemi’s fault.”

“And besides you never would have believed me if I did tell you he was coming,” Akemi teased. “You probably would’ve fallen off the stage if you knew.”

“No, I wouldn’t have!” Hana shot back.

“Stop, both of you, we’re not fighting over this,” Eijiro laughed, pulling his sisters into a hug.

“I have my camera in my bag downstairs, let me go grab it so we can take a picture!”

Hana hiked her dress up to her knees and rushed off, ignoring everyone who wanted to talk to her. Eijiro smiled after her. A slight cough made him look over his shoulder to find Dynamight standing a few feet away, nearly crushing a small bouquet in his hand. Eijiro raised an eyebrow as he thrust the bouquet into Eijiro’s chest.

“For your sister, didn’t want you wasting your money on this so I got them.”

“Uh… ok,” Eijiro stuttered, taking the bouquet.

“Found it!” Hana said suddenly causing everyone to jump, how she could sneak up on them in such a huge dress was a mystery. “Sir do you think you could- OH MY GOD ARE YOU DYNAMIGHT!”

Dynamight tensed and immediately slouched as a few people looked their way. People must not have believed Hana or were too wrapped up in their own conversations as no one gave them a second glance. Dynamight slumped with relief and Hana awkwardly scratched the back of her neck.

“Just Bakugo is fine when I’m not on the clock,” Dynamight said, shooting Hana a look.

“Right… sorry about that. Anyway, can you take our picture?”

Dynamight nodded as Hana gave him the camera, explaining how to wind it up and use it. Eijiro handed her the flowers and Hana gasped as she clutched them close to her chest before crushing them between her and Eijiro as he hugged him again. Eijiro laughed and hugged her back before pulling away and wrapping an arm around her shoulder, Akemi did the same on Hana’s other side and they all smiled as Dynamight snapped a couple of pictures.

He handed the camera back to Hana but her attention was already focused on Eijiro. “Can we please go out and celebrate tonight, it doesn’t have to be anything big!”

“Don’t you and your friends usually do something?” Eijiro asked, surely whatever they had planned was more fun than Eijiro could offer.

“Yeah the cast goes out for dinner but I’d rather celebrate with you and Kemi, please Rouie!” 

Hana gave Eijiro the largest puppy dog eyes she could muster and Akemi joined in a moment later. Eijiro feigned resistance before nodding his head with a laugh. They squealed and Hana rushed back downstairs, calling over her shoulder that she was going to change. She pulled Akemi with her and Eijiro heard her whisper: “You better tell me everything about why Dynamight is here!” 

Eijiro laughed to himself and rolled his eyes as he watched the pair disappear downstairs. Dynamight stepped next to him and Eijiro stiffened.

“What are you planning on joining us as well?” He spat.

“Where are you guys going?”

“Just to the Konbini store, is that ok with you?”

“You’re celebrating by going to a convenience store?” Dynamight said incredulously.

“Yeah, we are. Not only because it’s all we can really afford but because they love it and that’s what matters most to me.”

“I- I don’t think it would be appropriate.”

Eijiro barked out a harsh laugh. “And stalking us to my sister’s high school musical was?”

“I didn’t know where you were going!”

“Ok? And what made you stay?”

Dynamight had no answer for that and Eijiro rolled his eyes in disgust. “I have given you zero reasons not to trust me ever since our deal. I have jumped through every hoop, answered every call, given everything! I don’t know what else you can possibly expect from me.”

Dynamight opened his mouth to answer but Hana and Akemi walked up to them. Hana held out her bag to Eijiro and he happily took it. Hana shyly asked for an autograph and Dynamight’s lips curved into a tight smile as he nodded and pulled out a small pad of paper and a pen. As he signed the paper, Eijiro noticed Akemi looking between himself and Dynamight, her eyebrows creased slightly.

“Konbini time?” Hana asked, after pocketing the autograph.

“You know it!” Eijiro said, forcing his voice to sound extra enthusiastic. “Though we’re not doing an impromptu photoshoot again, that was a disaster.”

“Oh come on it was hilarious!” Hana giggled.

“You weren’t the one getting yelled at by the manager!”

“We did tell you to run,” Akemi snickered.

“I wasn’t just going to run without cleaning everything up,” Eijiro sighed, rolling his eyes humorously. 

“So chivalrous,” Hana fake swooned. “C’mon let’s go.”

She pulled Eijiro and Akemi along. Eijiro glanced over his shoulder but Dynamight was gone. He sighed with relief and let himself be pulled out of the high school and down the street into whatever trouble his sisters were inevitably going to pull him into.

XXX

“How is it that any time we go out, it always ends with me carrying the both of y’all?”

Eijiro took another step forward but wobbled as Hana threw her head back and laughed. He righted himself before continuing to walk. Hana clung to his back and Akemi clung to his front. The girls were a tangle of limbs and there was no way it was comfortable for either of them but they seemed to be enjoying themselves to Eijiro let it slide.

He trudged up the stairs, nearly falling over with each step due to Hana throwing off his balance, and made it to their apartment. Hana and Akemi jumped off and unlocked the door, chattering about some high school drama as they grabbed some clothes and headed into the bathroom to change. Eijiro followed them inside and was halfway to the couch when his phone buzzed. He pulled it out and found a message from Dynamight.

“I’m heading up to the roof for some fresh air, I’ll be down before y’all fall asleep.”

Without waiting for either of them to respond, Eijiro headed back out into the hallway and up onto the roof. He glanced over his shoulder and pushed the door open, shivering as the chilly air tore through him. Dynamight sat at the roof’s edge and Eijiro took a moment to stare, Eijiro wasn’t blind and he knew an attractive man when he saw one. Maybe in another lifetime or in a universe, Dynamight was his Prince Topher, ready to sweep Eijiro off his feet and carry him to his happily ever after.

Dynamight turned and Eijiro blushed as he was caught staring. Dynamight rolled his eyes and faced forward again. Eijiro walked over to him but didn’t sit down next to the hero. 

“So… are you Dynamight right now or are you Bakugo?” Eijiro asked.

The question seemed to throw Dynamight off as he didn’t have an answer right away. Eijiro crossed his arms as he waited, he didn’t want to talk business not tonight. Not on a night when he felt like a normal big brother and enjoyed himself like a normal human being, the weight of the world and its problems could all wait a few more hours. Eijiro turned to go back inside when he heard a faint answer.

“Bakugo.”

Eijiro looked over his shoulder, Bakugo wasn’t facing him but he was sure he’d heard it all the same. Sighing, Eijiro moved back toward Bakugo and reluctantly sat down.

“Then I guess I’m Kirishima, not… not Blood Riot.”

Eijiro shuddered and Bakugo stared at him, confused. 

“Didn’t you pick that name?”

“No, I didn’t pick my name or my look or anything. The network thought that I needed to look more intimidating so they did what they saw fit and I don’t know who started Blood Riot but I hate them for it.”

Eijiro fiddled with his hair, his roots were growing out but he didn’t mind. It felt like a return to form, it’s who he was supposed to be not what the world forced him into. With his black hair, he looked like Akemi and Hana, he looked like his mother.

“You never had a choice in anything, did you?” Bakugo asked quietly.

“Took you this long to realize that?”

“No, I’ve always known, but it’s taken me this long to finally admit it. To finally admit that if you had a choice, any choice, you never would’ve become Blood Riot.”

Eijiro smiled sadly as he nodded. “It feels nice to be Eijiro Kirishima around someone who isn’t my sister,” Eijiro admitted quietly. “Reminds me that I’m still a person.”

“I get that.”

Eijiro looked at Bakugo out of the corner of his eye. “You do?”

Bakugo nodded. “Being a pro hero is isolating. Nobody understands what I went through, not even other heroes really. To die and then come back and have to continue fighting like it didn’t matter? It’s not something I can explain. But besides even that my pool of friends is pretty fucking limited. Everyone knows who I am and they always want something from me: money, fame, some even notoriety, just something.”

“Was that exactly a secret before going into UA?”

“Course it fucking wasn’t but I was fourteen I didn’t really grasp the ramifications of it all.”

Bakugo fell back, letting the rocks dig into his skin as he stared up at the smog-filled sky Eijiro laid back too and looked up, wishing that the moon were out, or the stars, he just wanted to see something beautiful before it was all taken away from him forever.

“It’s not fair that I’m over here, number two hero, who seemingly has it all when I’ve done nothing to deserve it. I’m hostile and blunt and have been mistaken for a villain more times than I can count. And then there are people like you, practically sunshine incarnate, who get nothing because life keeps beating the shit out of you time and time again. I just don’t get it!”

Bakguo was standing now, pacing back and forth, Eijiro watched him with mild interest. He had nothing to say for this was a revelation he’d faced years ago and had seemingly come to terms with. He focused his energy back on the sky, searching for a single star. If he could find just one star-

“Why am I the only one angry about this? Doesn’t this infuriate you!”

“Of course it does, but what can I do?” Eijiro propped himself onto his elbows. “I’m going to prison in less than a month, and I yeah I was angry. I was so angry for so long but my anger didn’t put food on the table or pay my bills so I had to bite my tongue and ignore it or use it to my advantage which only hurt more people which only angered me more because I don’t like hurting people!”

Eijiro screwed his eyes shut and fell back against the rocks, not even wincing at the pain as he’d hardened his entire back to brace the fall. He looked up and was finally able to see a few stars. There were three that were close together, one large one and two smaller ones right underneath it, and off to the left was a singular start. Eijiro looked at that single star, wishing he could push it closer to the others but that was impossible. The stars were telling him what he already knew, he’d been stripped of his innocence and was destined to be alone and if he were lucky forgotten.

He stuck his hands into his pockets to keep them warm and his fingers brushed against the music box, he’d forgotten he’s put in there. He pulled it out and began playing it. Bakugo watched him wind the box over and over again. Eijiro smiled as he hummed along, closing his eyes and remembering a time when his mother would sing him this song before falling asleep.

“Edelweiss,” Eijiro said, still winding the box. “It was my mother’s favorite song.”

“It’s pretty.”

“Yeah.” Eijiro closed his eyes as he continued to wind the box. “My mama was pretty, and nice, and the best person if anyone deserves to still be here it’s her. She would’ve taken great care of Akemi and Hana, she would’ve done it right.”

“I’m sure you’re doing your best.”

“My best was never good enough. Once I’m gone they’ll finally have a shot at a real life.”

Eijiro’s eyes opened and he looked at Bakugo, who looked back at him with such strong pity that it nearly made Eijiro sick. He stopped winding the box and put it back into his pocket for safekeeping, he wanted Hana to have it once he was gone.

“At least that’s what I keep telling myself, but who knows maybe everyone will just think that they helped me in some way once it’s revealed I’m Blood Riot. I’ll have ruined their lives before it could ever even start.”

“I won’t let that happen,” Bakugo said. He swallowed, refusing to meet Eijiro’s eye. “I won’t let that happen,” He repeated.

“Why? What do you get out of it?”

“Nothing,” Bakugo said with a shrug, sitting down next to Eijiro. “But they don’t deserve the fallout that’s going to come once you’re arrested. I don’t know how much I’ll be able to do but I’ll do whatever I can.”

“I don’t understand,” Eijiro admitted. 

Why now? Why were they getting this help now and not ten years ago when their mother died, or when they lost their first home nine years ago, or when they were homeless seven years ago, or when Eijiro had crawled to the underground network begging for help and they, in turn, debuted him at Blood Riot? Where was all the help then? Eijiro was eternally grateful that someone was promising to look over his sisters but he couldn’t help the jealousy planting deep inside him, why was he never worth looking after? Why was it already decided that Eijiro was too far gone to be helped? Why was everyone ok with just watching him drown?

“Your family deserves more than it has. You once told me that I have the power and the capability to change things, and I’m going to do just that.”

Bakugo stood and held out his hand, Eijiro looked at it for a moment before taking it and letting Bakugo pull him up. Eijiro brushed himself off and stared at Bakugo warily.

“Where did this sudden change of heart come from?”

“I’m not sure really, but for the first time I really let myself see the man and not the villain.”

Bakugo took a step toward the fire exit and then stopped, turning to face Eijiro again.

“From now on, I’m Bakugo, not Dynamight, but only if you promise to keep being Kirishima.”

Kirishima nodded once, still slightly dazed.

“Right, until next time then. Good night Kirishima.”

Bakugo stomped down the fire escape and Eijiro stared blankly after him.

“Good night Bakugo,” He whispered with only the wind to hear his words.