Chapter Text
The low hum of the dimly-lit hideout was punctuated by the sound of a fan sputtering weakly overhead. The League of Villains had just wrapped up another operation—this one more successful than most, but still, the tension lingered. They’d stolen a few important files, crippled another hero agency, and caused a commotion, but for some reason, the usual sense of triumph wasn’t hitting as hard today. The group sat scattered around the abandoned warehouse, none of them particularly eager to break the silence.
Tomura was perched at the head of the long, cracked table, fingers tapping absently against the surface. His pale, unkempt hair fell in tangled strands around his face, and his eyes were unfocused, lost in thought.
"Ugh, I’m bored," he muttered, his voice rough with annoyance.
The others exchanged uncertain glances. It was rare for Shigaraki to show signs of anything less than absolute focus on their mission or, more frequently, on the chaos they were creating. But today, even Dabi, whose sharp blue eyes were usually locked on some distant target, was caught off guard.
"Yeah, me too," Dabi said, a rare hint of agreement in his voice. He reclined against the wall, one leg propped up, cigarette dangling from his lips. "I mean, what’s the point of all this if we don’t get to... I dunno, enjoy it once in a while?"
"Enjoy it?" Toga perked up from her spot in the corner, sitting cross-legged on the floor. Her hands were still stained with the remnants of her last "experiment," but her eyes were bright with curiosity. "What do you mean? Like a party? Or do you mean like—" She made a vague gesture with her hands, as if the word 'fun' was a fluid concept she couldn’t quite define.
Shigaraki rubbed the back of his neck, grimacing. "No, not a party. I mean something different. Like... an actual break from this. A change of scenery. Somewhere we can actually relax."
There was a long pause.
"Relax?" Spinner, who had been quietly flicking through a dog-eared comic book, glanced up. His lizard-like features were twisted in confusion. "You know, we don’t do 'relaxing,' right? I mean, I get the idea, but I’m not sure it’s in our nature. Plus, where the hell would we even go for that?"
"Who says it has to be some vacation spot for normal people?" Dabi scoffed, exhaling a plume of smoke. "We’re villains, right? We can pick anywhere—just make sure we stay under the radar."
"Yeah, but that’s the point!" Toga chirped, practically bouncing on the floor. "We want something fun—not just some random place where we could get caught! It has to be... I dunno, different."
Twice, who had been oddly quiet until now, finally spoke up. His voice was shaky as always, but the excitement in his eyes was unmistakable. "Different sounds good... But, uh, how about somewhere... calm? You know, like... a small town? Some place we could hide in plain sight?"
Shigaraki’s eyes flickered toward Twice, and for a brief moment, there was a spark of interest in his expression. He turned his gaze back to the table, tapping his fingers. "A small town, huh? Could be a good idea. Somewhere far away from the usual hero surveillance... Maybe in Europe or something. Somewhere quiet."
"Somewhere where we won’t get interrupted by... you know... people trying to kill us," Spinner added, his voice laced with dry humor.
Toga’s eyes lit up. "Oh! I’ve got it!" She leaned forward, grinning from ear to ear. "Italy! I read about a place there. It’s a tiny town—really quiet, kind of like... a little village. Hardly anyone goes there, especially not heroes. Perfect for... relaxing!"
Dabi snorted, though the idea did intrigue him. "Italy, huh? Not exactly the first place I’d think of for vacation... But I guess it’s not a bad shout."
Twice nodded enthusiastically. "Ooooh, Italy’s got great food too, right? Like, pizza, pasta... all that stuff! I could totally go for some of that right about now. I've never been a big fan of Italian food.”
Shigaraki finally sat up straighter, his interest piqued. "Italy, huh... a small village, far from prying eyes... Maybe you’re onto something, Toga." He glanced over to the others. "Alright, I’m in. But no one gets to ruin this. No chaos. No villainous schemes. No nothing except... taking a break."
Dabi raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "You really think we’re gonna pull that off?"
"Yeah, well, we can try, right?" Shigaraki muttered. "We deserve a little time off. We’ve earned it. Maybe it’ll be... good for us."
"Vacation, vacation, vacation!" Toga sang, clapping her hands together. "This is gonna be so much fun!"
"Alright, alright, but if this turns into some stupid thing—" Spinner began, but stopped himself when he saw the look in Shigaraki’s eyes.
"It won’t," Shigaraki said, voice cold but resolute. "We’ll do this... and we’ll do it right. No problems. Just a simple trip to Italy. We’ll blend in, and for once... just enjoy a little peace."
The others exchanged skeptical glances, but despite the uncertainty, there was a rare excitement in the air. It felt... new, almost absurd. But for a moment, the weight of their usual plans, their missions, and their enemies melted away, replaced by the thought of something simple: a break from it all.
And so, the plan was set.
As the group bickered over the details—where exactly they’d stay, which airport to fly out of, and who would carry what—the warehouse felt, just for a moment, like something more than a lair of villains. For once, it was a place of possibility.
Versilia.
Maybe it wouldn’t fix everything, but for now, it would have to be enough.
--
The plane ride was uneventful. Well, uneventful for most of them. Dabi was grumbling under his breath about the cramped seats and the airline food, muttering that he’d rather take out a few heroes than sit through the hours of forced civility. Spinner was clutching his seat nervously, eyes darting over every little detail of the aircraft like a lizard in unfamiliar territory. Twice, of course, was in a near-constant state of anxiety, his usual tendency to overthink every situation turned up to eleven in a confined space with nothing to do but stew in his thoughts.
Toga, on the other hand, was practically vibrating with excitement, her eyes gleaming as she pressed her face against the small window. "Look at the clouds! They’re so fluffy! I wanna jump in them! What if we land on one?"
Shigaraki, seated in the row directly in front of her, was doing his best to ignore the chaos around him. He had his arms folded, his face drawn in its usual scowl, but deep down, something about this whole situation felt oddly... calm. For once, there was no immediate goal, no bloodshed to plan, no heroes to evade. Just the promise of a few days of peace. A foreign concept to him, really. But he was willing to entertain it, just this once.
"Shut up, Toga," Dabi snapped from the seat beside him. "We’re not landing on a cloud. You’ll get your stupid vacation in Versilia, and that’s it. No cloud jumping, no weird stunts."
Toga pouted but didn’t argue, content for the moment just to watch the world below.
The moment they stepped off the plane at Pisa International Airport, the warmth of the Mediterranean air hit them. Shigaraki couldn’t help but let out a small exhale of relief. It wasn’t like he had never been outside Japan—he’d traveled plenty for the League’s operations, but this felt... different. No enemies chasing them, no tactical discussions about their next move, no sense of impending violence hanging over them. It was, as promised, just a simple trip to a small town.
Twice was practically bouncing with joy as they moved through the terminal. "I can’t believe we’re here!" he said, his voice wavering in that familiar way it did when he was overly excited or anxious. "This is gross.”
Toga, who was grinning like a maniac, leaned in close to Shigaraki. "We’re in Italy! We’re on vacation! Do you think I could try one of those gelato things? I hear they’re delicious!"
Shigaraki gave her a half-hearted look but didn’t stop her. He was too busy observing the calmness around him, the light chatter of people in a language he didn’t fully understand, the smell of fresh air and olive oil hanging in the breeze. It was peaceful. Too peaceful, in a way. But maybe that was exactly what they needed.
After a short, uneventful ride on a small train, they arrived in Versilia, a charming coastal region in Tuscany known for its quaint villages, beautiful beaches, and undisturbed rural countryside. The train station was small and unassuming, much quieter than the chaotic bustle of the cities they were used to. The air here was different, a soft mix of saltwater and pine trees, the kind of scent that felt like it could wash away the weight of everything they’d done before.
“Look at this place,” Spinner said, peering out the train window with a wary eye. "It’s so... quiet."
"Yeah, don’t get used to it," Dabi warned, though there was a reluctant smirk on his face. "It’s just a small town. We’re here to blend in, not become part of the scenery."
The League of Villains disembarked, dragging their luggage—well, everyone except for Shigaraki, who had insisted on traveling light, and Toga, who was too busy collecting souvenirs at every turn. As they moved away from the station, the quaint town of Camaiore began to unfold around them. Cobblestone streets lined with small cafes and boutiques, ivy-covered buildings with terracotta roofs, and a horizon that stretched endlessly toward the serene Tuscan hills. There was no rush here. No urgency.
It felt like a world away from the hectic, blood-soaked missions they were used to.
The group made their way to the small inn Toga had booked for them, a modest building tucked between a cluster of narrow, sun-dappled streets. The innkeeper, an elderly woman with glasses perched on the edge of her nose, smiled warmly when they entered, none the wiser about the dangerous individuals standing before her. She spoke rapidly in Italian, which none of them understood, but she seemed friendly enough.
"Good morning, your room number is 182!”
“Uh…” Twice began, shifting nervously. “Do you think she means... our room?”
"Yeah, Twice," Dabi drawled. "I’m pretty sure she’s not offering to kill us. Just follow her."
They were led up a spiral staircase, the wooden steps creaking underfoot, to their rooms on the second floor. The rooms were small but comfortable, with wide windows that let in the afternoon sunlight, revealing views of the rolling hills and distant beaches.
Toga was already bouncing on the bed, kicking off her shoes. "This place is perfect! Look at these sheets! So soft! And the view! I’m definitely going to find somebody to make my gelato now!"
Shigaraki stood by the window for a moment, looking out over the sleepy town below. His fingers twitched at his side, almost as if he was expecting something to go wrong, something to shatter this brief moment of calm. But nothing happened. The town was quiet. Peaceful.
“Maybe this won’t be so bad,” Shigaraki muttered under his breath.
"Well, that’s great to hear," Dabi said from the doorway, leaning against the frame with a cigarette dangling from his lips. "But remember, we’re here to lay low, not start a war."
Shigaraki grinned a little, the corners of his mouth twitching. "I know, I know. But we’re gonna be here for a few months. Might as well enjoy it... while it lasts."
The first evening in Versilia passed in a haze of warmth and calm. They wandered around the cobblestone streets, taking in the sights and smells of the town. Toga, as promised, found herself a gelato stand, eagerly sampling everything in sight. Spinner seemed mesmerized by the ancient-looking buildings and old churches, while Twice made friends with a stray cat who followed him around like a shadow.
Dabi and Shigaraki lingered at the edge of it all, both silently observing, both unsure of what to make of the strange, peaceful lull they had found themselves in.
"Can't believe we're wasting a perfectly good evening here," Dabi muttered, dragging his feet along the cobblestone path. His mismatched eyes scanned the bustling piazza, irritation bubbling beneath his usual indifference.
"Relax, fire boy," Toga said, spinning in place as her blonde pigtails danced around her. "It's fun! Look at all these happy people. It's so... lively."
Shigaraki adjusted the hood of his jacket, his pale red eyes flicking between the vibrant crowds and the moonlit beach beyond. "This place reeks of sand and overpriced gelato."
Twice, however, seemed in his element, his rapid-fire commentary and laughter drawing the occasional glance. Spinner trailed slightly behind the group, soaking in the unfamiliar scenery, though his fingers twitched nervously over the hilt of his sword whenever anyone got too close.
Toga wandered off slightly, her eyes glittering with mischief as she skipped across the square. It was then she bumped into someone—literally. The girl she'd collided with stumbled back, balancing a cone of creamy gelato, which miraculously didn’t spill.
"I am so sorry…" the girl exclaimed, startled, her wide brown eyes meeting Toga's golden ones.
Toga's grin stretched wide as she clasped her hands behind her back. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to bump into you. Wait... you’re so cute!" Her bubbly words tumbled out like a tidal wave.
The girl blinked, clearly taken aback by the sudden attention, realizing obviously that she’s a tourist. "Uhm... thanks? It's okay."
"I'm Toga! What's your name?" she asked, leaning in with a glimmer of curiosity that bordered on unsettling.
"Alessia," the girl replied hesitantly, taking a step back. Her accent curled beautifully around her words.
"Alessiaaaa~" Toga sang, looping an arm around her shoulder with alarming familiarity. "You're adorable. Do you live here? What's your favorite gelato flavor? Mine's blood—haha, just kidding! Or am I?"
Alessia’s face shifted between confusion and polite panic, but she didn't pull away, perhaps sensing Toga's unpredictable energy. Within minutes, Toga had dragged her back toward the rest of the League, proudly presenting her newfound "friend."
"Guys, look! I made a friend!" she exclaimed, beaming as she held onto Alessia like a prized possession.
Shigaraki, slouched against a lamppost, lifted his head, his red eyes briefly locking onto Alessia’s. She fidgeted under his gaze but managed a small, polite smile.
"Why’d you bring her here, Toga?" Spinner asked, his tail flicking nervously.
"Because she’s fun, duh!" Toga replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Isn’t she, Twice?"
Twice alternated between calling Alessia "an angel" and "a liability" at breakneck speed, causing her to chuckle nervously. Dabi sighed loudly, clearly unimpressed with the development.
Shigaraki pushed himself off the lamppost, stepping closer. "Relax, everyone. She’s harmless. Just... keep her out of trouble, Toga."
Alessia glanced nervously between the villains, feeling like she'd stumbled into a surreal dream—or a nightmare. Still, something about Toga's unrelenting enthusiasm, however overwhelming, made her hesitate to pull away.
The night rolled on, with Toga leading Alessia through the chaotic dynamic of her "friends," eagerly pointing out their quirks and personalities. Despite the oddity of it all, Alessia found herself smiling at their strange camaraderie, even catching a quiet, thoughtful glance from Shigaraki once or twice.
As the League eventually retreated to the villa, Toga hugged Alessia tightly. "You’re the best thing about tonight, Alessia! I hope we see each other again~"
Alessia gave a faint laugh, unsure if she hoped for the same. Still, she couldn’t deny the peculiar charm of the strange girl who had crashed into her quiet evening.
“Wait!” Yelled the girl who was running behind the group, panting softly. “Here, my number! Text me - we can meet and.. you can bring your friends with! Come to our bagno and we can have.. fun!”
“..To your bathroom?” Asked Toga, raising an eyebrow.
“It's like some sort of beach club here. Cmon, we need more friends!"