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You had your back leaning against the couch, staring at the screen of your phone as you scrolled through social media, perusing and doomscrolling through memes and sending them to Tomura as if he wasn’t seated right next to you. It was a slow early morning and the League were idling around in the common room, each doing their own thing. Sure, things had been great— you finally had money, power, and resources; you lot were living comfortably for the first time after a long time, but there were days where it felt like you had too much time on your hands and this was it.
“I’m bored,” Himiko pouted as she slumped over the table with a sigh, clearly wanting to do something other than laze around all day.
“Me too!” Twice agreed, “No, I’m not!” Quickly contradicting himself after.
Tomura looked up from his game, a hint of warmth in his sharp crimson gaze, “Should I pick up a new manga for you?”
A second later Compress chimed in, “If you’re bored, I heard something interesting I’d like to share.”
You had noticed this long before the League merged with the Meta Liberation Army— hell, you noticed it from the very beginning when the League was first formed, but you found it endearing how the boys would always indulge in Himiko’s ideas and spoil her, treating her like a younger sister, like one of their own. Even Dabi, who claimed to be ‘cold’ and ‘unkind’, would have his moments. You never pointed it out though, afraid it would ruin their adorable dynamic.
This was no different.
Setting your phone aside, a smirk adorned your face, your hollow white eyes turned crescent— you had recalled something from years ago.
“I have an idea,” everyone turned their heads to look at you. Crossing your legs as you tilted your head, locking eyes with Spinner, “How far are you willing to drive?” He contemplated for a moment before shrugging.
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Then, let’s go to the beach. I know a place.”
Himiko immediately perked up.
“Yes! Yes! Can we pleaaaase go?” Now all eyes were on Tomura.
“The beach? Why the hell would we go there? It’s hot and there’s nothing to do there.” Dabi huffed out of annoyance, crossing his arms. He sounded like a child throwing a tantrum but he’d rather die than admit it. “Quit your whining! No one is disagreeing with the idea but you.” Himiko shot back with a grin, calling him out.
Dabi squinted his eyes, “Wanna die?” And all Himiko did was stick her tongue out with a soft ‘bleh!’ sound.
“C’mon it’ll be nice. Think of it as a day trip. Plus, there will be drinks.” Dabi grunted but kept his mouth shut after the word ‘drink’ spilled from your lips.
You attempted to persuade the members, but honestly not much persuasion was needed because everyone was practically waiting for Tomura to agree to it. He was your leader nevertheless and he always had the final say. Still, you turned to him with a gentle look in your eyes— silently pleading, and who was Tomura to ignore the look you gave him?
He’d destroy the whole world in a heartbeat if you told him to right there and then.
Himiko had an anticipated expression on her face as she impatiently waited for a response.
Straightening his slouched back, he glanced at Himiko. “You got swimwear?”
Her face immediately lit up and she prodded towards you. “No! But we can go buy some now!” She tugged on your arm, pulling you off the couch and already making her way towards the front door.
Without having any say in the matter, you accepted your fate and turned your head to give Tomura a look of appreciation before disappearing out of sight.
“Well, Toga’s excited as usual.” Compress stretched as he stood. “Time to get packing.”
“I’ll make sure the truck has enough gas and extra tyres just in case.” Spinner, too, stood up and made his way to the back of the hideout.
“Woo! Beach day!” Twice enthusiastically cheered, “Who cares about the beach!?” He retorted a second later as he followed behind Spinner, leaving Dabi and Tomura.
The room fell silent until Tomura released a sigh.
“…You’re not gonna get ready?”
Dabi scoffed as he tucked his phone away, “There’s nothing for me to bring.” And with that, he rose to his feet and glanced at Tomura.
“For someone who denies it, you sure gave in easily.”
Before Tomura could utter a word, Dabi left him all alone, pondering what the hell he meant by that statement. Wanting to chase him down and probe him, he decided against it as there was a long day ahead of him.
Despite the sound of birds chirping and cicadas singing wafting through the atmosphere, the sound of chatters and chaos pierced through it as Tomura took his seat at the passenger seat while the other cramped in the back on the truck.
“Tch. Move, psycho.” Dabi’s voice was laced with annoyance as he pushed Himiko away from him.
“Hey! Quit pushing!” She fought back.
Tomura honestly couldn’t be bothered with their shenanigans, and merely huffed in annoyance.
“So noisy.”
Though something in him was burning, as if he felt… excitement? Maybe he was mistaken. He doesn’t feel excitement. Maybe it was all in his head. Mayhem continued to ensue behind him as the rest tried to fit themselves— and soon after, they departed to their destination.
However noisy the backseat was, the only thing he heard was the silence you gave. It felt sombre, unnatural. So much so he glanced through his peripheral vision, peeling his eyes away from this PS Vita, and there you were, seated in between Compress and Himiko, quietly staring out the window absentmindedly.
There was something hidden beneath those hollow whites of yours, one that he wanted to figure out. You were full of emotions, yet an enigma all the same. You were sunshine, but also the stars in his darkened sky; and it always felt like you were still out of reach, as if you were a ticking bomb waiting to combust. He wanted to peel back the layers that you blanketed yourself with, shielding your being from something. He wanted it to be him and no one else, but of course if you were willing to welcome him into the home he calls your heart.
He’d wait no matter how long.
It was as if you felt someone staring, you turned your head and locked eyes with him, offering him a small smile— oh how he adored that smile on you but he’d never admit it. It could’ve been his mind playing tricks on him but he swore he saw something else behind that smile.
Turning his gaze back to the game in hand, his heart thumped in a way that annoyed him but also made him… warm? Not that he’d call himself a romantic though. Far from it.
Still, he wanted to know more about you— more specifically what happened within those years after you escaped the your parents’ hospital. You once mentioned it fleetingly, like how dandelions drift with the wind, then never spoke of it again. He was curious. What did you do throughout the remaining years before he recruited you? How did you survive all these years?
The more he questioned, the further you seemed to be. It was as if you could disappear at any moment. He didn’t dare to think that far.
He simply couldn’t.
———————
The moment Spinner parked the truck at the secluded beach— the sun blaring, Himiko was the first to run out and sink her feet beneath the sultry sand. You watched them as they trudged towards the cream strand, a smile hung over your lips at their elation.
“Ahh! This feels amazing!” She yelped like the child she is. “C’mon guys!” Giggling as she felt the grainy dunes slither between her toes.
Spinner and Twice joined her as they very loudly shouted at each other.
“Let’s race!” Himiko enthusiastically suggested. “Loser has to cook dinner!”
“Alright, I’m in!”
“I’m going to win!” “I will crush you!”
Compress walked to the back of the truck to retrieve several beach flags, seemingly to be just as excited. Sauntering towards the three, he stuck the flags meticulously down into the sand, making a makeshift starting line.
“Beach flags are all ready! Get into position.”
The trio immediately crouched down with wide grins plastered on their faces.
“Okay then. On your marks… go!”
The mutant took off and was in the lead, courtesy of his lizard prowess.
“Woah, his takeoff is super fast!” Himiko tried to catch up.
“Hah! I’m gonna win!” Spinner snickered as he sprinted.
“Not so fast! Taste my Clone attack!”
You, Dabi, and Tomura watched as they raced, an amused expression painted on your faces.
“They seem to be having fun,” Dabi crossed his arms, sounding nonchalant, though he wasn’t fooling anyone, at least not you.
“They’re just enjoying the beach fully,” Tomura replied with slight fondness in his voice. “Why the beach though?” His eyes found yours.
You chuckled, “I figured not many of us experienced the beach. I just wanted to do something nice for everyone.” A smile plastered on your face, but the sadness within couldn’t escape Tomura’s eyes no matter how hard you hide it.
“Well, aren’t you a saint.” Dabi mocked.
Playfully glaring at him, you adjusted your sunglasses. “Don’t act like you weren’t looking forward to this, you grinch.” You teased.
Before he could respond, the sound of Himiko celebrating reverberated through the air, piercing their ears.
“Aha! I won! I won!” She cheered. “It was a piece of cake since you two got in each other’s ways.”
Spinner stuttered, “Hey! You slipped right through while we were arguing!”
“Dammit, that’s our Toga! Brilliant manoeuvring!” The masked man praised the child. “Not fair! That wasn’t fair!”
That was when Himiko’s eyes landed on the trio, her excitement contagious.
“Guys! Let’s build a sandcastle!” She came running towards you three, hooking her hand around yours.
“I’m tired. I’ll pass.” Dabi said in almost an instant.
You rolled your eyes, “It’s a shame you lack whimsies. Try having fun for once in your life. It’ll do you good.”
He glared at you, “Keep talking and I’ll drown you in the ocean.”
“I’d like to see you try, fireball.” You challenged, voice laced with confidence and mockery.
“Ignore him, let him brood and watch us. Make him feel left out.” Himiko pouted as she tugged your hand.
Dabi clicked his tongue at her statement, “Do what you want.” He then turned his heels and walked away.
“I…” Before Tomura could say anything, Himiko hooked her hand around his and guided you two towards the others who were already beckoning them to join.
“Let me show you my Minecraft-building skills!” Spinner exclaimed with a toy shovel in his hands, looking quite comedic. So you six started digging and structuring a castle, attempting to make one big enough to fit Himiko within, or so what Twice said.
“Hey Compress, make that side a little wider so it won’t collapse and make sure it’s angled the right way.” Tomura commanded— Compress did exactly that.
“Fine, fine.” He used the toy shovel to smoothen out the sand.
“How did you reserve the beach for us?” Himiko inquisitively inquired while shaping the walls of the fortress.
Winking playfully, “It’s a secret. I have my ways.” You uttered as you slammed the bucket on the sand, creating a truncated cone shape.
“Aww, not even gonna give us a hint?” Himiko attempted again.
“Nope.” You popped the ‘p’ sound at the end.
“As expected from the Paranormal Liberation Front’s second hand in command. We knew we could rely on you!” Twice exclaimed.
You chuckled at that statement, “It was nothing too difficult to handle. I’m actually glad we came here.”
“Is that so?” Tomura questioned, not out of morbid curiosity but because he felt there was something deeper you were hiding, more than what you were letting on.
Humming in response, you locked eyes with him, his chalky hair swaying with the wind. “We needed a change in scenery anyway. The amount of meetings was getting exhausting.” You sighed at the mere thought of the amount of meetings you had to attend when the Paranormal Liberation Front was formed. Not to mention you were recuperating from the injuries inflicted by Re-Destro himself after kidnapping you, and you already had to face him— of course not before giving him a taste of his own medicine.
When Tomura became the commander, you, by default, became his right hand; and the moment that was established, Re-Destro treated you with dignity, as if he didn’t almost kill you in his captivity. That bastard was just lucky he got off the hook.
“Let’s enjoy the day without any worries.” You said, reassuring him.
Tomura’s face was stoic, emotionless— but you knew him like the back of your hand. You could tell he was processing the words you uttered, wanting to say more but decided against it, thinking that it wasn’t the right time.
There were numerous words unspoken between you two. Maybe it was easier that way— not having to succumb to vulnerability; but it wouldn’t be the first time anyway. You shared countless nights under the stars, conversing as if you were the only people in the world as the glimmer of infinite lights above adorned the sky.
Then again, maybe this was different.
———————
The once cerulean sky was now turning into an orange and pink hue, colours spilling over the horizon— akin to one from a Claude Monet painting. The clouds hovered above like cotton candy, the sun gradually setting beneath the sea as the moon peeked from the other side of the world with glee.
Some went to their rooms to relax or game, while few others remained on the beach playing to their hearts’ content. You and Compress sat back as the scenery played out— he had a fatherly look on his face as he watched them.
“Seriously though,” he started. “How did you prepare all this?” His eyes continued to stare ahead.
“I told you I have my ways.” You repeated the same words, tucking stray hairs behind your ear.
“Not even going to entertain your old man?”
It was silent for a while— he didn’t pry nor did you rush. It was a minute before you responded to his question, this time with answers.
“I got help from some of the Paranormal members.” You finally revealed.
“Really abusing your power here, huh?” Compress joked as he finally looked your way.
Rolling your eyes, you pursed your lips at that statement, “I simply told them to scout the area to make sure no one would be here to disrupt the fun. Not my fault they’re afraid of me. I literally mind my business.”
It was true. Never mind your hollow white eyes, your demeanour itself could make a normal member tremble in your wake. Not that you were as nonchalant and cruel as Dabi or as cheery and loud as Himiko— you were independent and headstrong, but that didn’t mean you couldn’t get along with other people.
“Well, it’s because you’re Tomura’s most trusted partner, they are wary of you. Not to mention your quirk is just as powerful.” He said as he took a sip of the contents within his cup.
Most trusted partner…
Those words echoed in your mind.
To be fair, you and Tomura go way back to when you were mere babies— you went to the same school, hung out with the same friends; you did everything together.
His mother once jokingly said:
Not even God can separate you two!
Everything changed when you turned five though, your parents locked you up in their laboratory and conducted heinous experiments on you and your quirk— disguising it as “helping” patients within their hospital, especially those with uncontrollable powers. You didn’t have time to say your farewells to Tomura; the last time you saw him was when you had a trivial argument that you now couldn’t recall even if you tried.
Not wanting to remember such memories, you shut your eyes tightly, hoping it would disappear back into the dusty corners of your mind.
The memories. The pain. The fear.
No matter how hard you try to forget it, your quirk and gnarly scar on your neck were reminders of what you went through. How every infliction sent a searing torment into your brain, cursing your body as if you deserved such punishment.
Perhaps you did deserve it.
You murdered your parents and innocent people.
Did you regret it? Probably not. Was there such a thing to regret? You didn’t have any answers for that.
15 years elapsed and Tomura found you again.
It took him one look to instantly recognise you— you who had significantly shorter hair than when you were a kid; you who grew taller and had a complexion of a mature woman; you who hid a hideous scar beneath the cloth that was bound around your neck; you who had lost all colour in your eyes… literally.
He knew.
He always did.
In a sick, twisted way— perhaps it was true that God couldn’t separate you and Tomura. Maybe… just maybe you didn’t have to be torn apart at every waking chance.
The universe was cruel. Immensely cruel.
Realising your unusual silence, Compress settled his glass down. “Kid? You okay?” Before you could respond, the duo who were by the beach came running towards them— hands on their stomachs.
“We’re hungry!” Twice came running with a beach volleyball in his hands, settling it down by the table. “I don’t care, starve!”
You and Compress were quick to change the subject before they could catch on.
“Ah, good timing. I prepared some food for everyone.” You stood up and made your way towards the truck, retrieving a cooler.
When they opened the lid, their eyes widened with surprise.
“You… you prepared all this?!” Compress was stunned. The cooler was packed to the brim with a variety of rations, ranging from beef to seafood, you included everything that you could possibly think of.
Would Skeptic chew your ear off about wasting their money once you get back to the base? Absolutely. Did you care? Absolutely not.
You nodded, lips curved upwards. “Of course this retreat wouldn’t be perfect without a barbecue, no?”
You tried to hide it but there was a surge of pride that coursed in your veins knowing that you brought joy out of people.
Without wasting any more time, Compress set everything up and started cooking the marinated goods on the portable grill you brought. The smell of beef wafted in the air— such aroma made everyone’s stomach growl in unison. Himiko and Twice watched with intensity, waiting impatiently for the food to finish cooking. Invisible drool could be seen dribbling down from their mouths.
As if clockwork, the boys came trudging towards them with anticipation written all over their faces.
“Woah! Hell yes, a barbecue!” Spinner took a seat immediately and started helping Compress cook.
“I planned on relaxing a little longer until I saw you bring out the big guns.” Tomura settled next to you.
Your lips tugged upwards, filling his cup with water. “I guess I finally got you to look up from that game of yours. Was starting to get worried you’ll get sucked in there.” Raising a brow teasingly, nudging his shoulder.
He clicked his tongue in feign annoyance, “Doesn’t sound too bad. I beat Spinner in every round.”
Spinner whipped his head around to look at him. “Don’t get cocky now. I’ll beat you next time!”
Tomura smirked, “You talk big yet get your ass beaten every time.”
Spinner’s eye twitched, “Sh-”
“Stop arguing! Unless you prefer charred meat?” Compress warned, voice laced in a fatherly tone.
The two shut their mouths.
Such kids. You thought.
Dabi joined shortly after disappearing, hands in pockets, and took a seat next to Compress.
“Give me anything other than seafood.” He said simply as he took a swig of water.
“Where have you been?” You inquired as you plated the members’ portions, knowingly leaving out seafood for the scarred man.
“None of your business.”
“Dude, do you do anything besides eat, sleep, and hate?” Himiko squinted her eyes at him with slight chagrin, and you couldn’t help but giggle silently a little.
“And do you do anything besides being annoying?” He shot back— making it seem like sibling banter despite his irritation.
“Now, now. Let’s enjoy dinner in peace, shall we?” Compress attempted to diffuse the situation.
“Tell that cynic to loosen up a little.”
“How about I burn you to a crisp and feed you to the sharks.”
Then chaos ensued around the table— everyone started yelling at each other. You sighed in resignation but at least you were entertained as you shoved pieces of meat in your mouth.
“They’re lively as ever.” You jested, watching as everything went down before you.
“They’re so annoying… fuck’s sake.” Tomura groaned as he picked up the tongs to cook the meat, subconsciously shoving some chunks onto your plate before his.
“At least they’re getting along, don’chu think?” Smirking a little while biting the tip of your chopsticks.
He raised a brow, “This is what you call ‘getting along’? I think it’s time for you to find real friends.”
It was your turn to knit your brows.
“Now I know you’re not one to talk?”
He chuckled at your words, or more like a gruffly huff, finding humour in your temper— your brows slackened at the sound of the melody, then you rolled your eyes. After a moment, he regained composure and gazed at you, words hung on his tongue.
He hesitated faintly, voice loud enough solely for your ears.
“You’re hiding something from me.”
Ceasing your actions, the tongs lingered above the sizzling meat that crackled below. The sound of chaos was never-ending but it didn’t disrupt the moment you two were in. It was as if you were in a whole different world. Your facial expressions didn’t betray the incessant pounding within your chest, so much so the pulsation reached your eardrums, continuously thumping. You steadily turned your head to meet his sharp crimson eyes, eerily composed and unperturbed.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Was all you said.
You knew Tomura didn’t exactly like you keeping secrets but he never pried. Not even back then. Initially you thought it was due to indifference, but you soon learned it was because he simply waited for you to open up. Still, this particular matter cannot see the light of day. It would ruin everything. It would ruin him.
He simply cannot find out.
Your calmness and scarce words made Tomura squint his eyes even further, doubt and irritation patently evident on his face as he was well aware of your habits, especially when you lie. Tomura had always been perceptive— observing every action, every expression, every emotion, no matter how grand or minute they may be, he knew you better than anyone. Probably more than you knew yourself.
Your eyes may be colourless, but they conveyed messages that not even words could express. He drew a breath in, until-
“Hey lovebirds, stop gawking at each other for once. You’re burning the food.” Dabi slung his hand over his chair, mockery lacing his voice.
You two hadn’t noticed the table calmed down and now were looking at you both. Clearing your throat, you quickly focused at the task at hand.
“Right. My bad.” There was no snarky comment, no bite.
The members looked at each other, unaware of the conversation you and Tomura had and resumed talking as if they hadn’t fought a minute ago— but they weren’t stupid. They were observant people. They didn’t pry.
Not wanting to ruin the moment, you acted like your usual self, ignoring the silence Tomura plagued you with.
Beneath the facade, your chest tightened and your palms became clammy.
Fuck. I need to calm down.
Taking a deep breath, it seemed like your heart couldn’t slow down its rapid pace. But you were good at burying your feelings under a weighted blanket, concealing your secrets away from the public eye; and act as if nothing in the world bothered you.
That was how you were. Unpredictable. Even to those around you.
Trust was hard to come by but it had always been in your nature even if your tried with all your might to convince yourself otherwise. Others mistaken your behaviour with kindness, the same kind heroes bestowed upon strangers on the street. Yet those words boiled your blood more than anything.
You disliked— no, absolutely despised those damn pro-heroes. It was because of them the little girl in you hadn’t gotten her justice; because of them you had to witness the death of your caretaker before your very eyes; because of them the actions of the two people who should’ve been protecting you, should’ve been shielding you from violence, didn’t make a slight dent in the hero society. Nothing changed.
The feeling in your chest wasn’t disappearing and you needed to get out of there. At least for a while.
With a silent sigh, you got up from your seat. “I’m going on a walk.” You simply said with a curt smile, not waiting for a response and left the table.
Unbeknownst to you, Tomura’s watchful eyes followed your silhouette until you disappeared out of sight into the dark night.
———————
The sound of the waves crashing brought solace to your soul, calming the loud voices in your head that threatened to spill out. Being back to this very beach triggered fond memories, which made your heart lurch as they were now nothing but distant echoes of what seemed to be the last few moments of the innocence you once had.
You were far from the members’ visions, allowing you to relax your tense shoulders and sit on the sand by the shoreline as you brought your knees to your chest. It wasn’t that you didn’t trust them enough to be yourself around them, but the feeling of having to share such burdens were never the plan in the first place, especially since your time was so limited.
It was silent. Solitude washed over you like cascading rain.
“You can’t sneak up on me. I know you’re there.” You didn’t have to turn your head to know whose hushed footsteps stood behind you.
The person shifted closer. “I don’t know what’s going on with you, but you’re really starting to piss me off.” Words were never Tomura’s strong suit, making his utterance seem poisonous but you knew better. The sense of familiarity wafted in the salty air, but something was different.
The vulnerability. The transparency. Those things appear to be more out of reach as time elapsed and he didn’t know what was going on. Tomura and you were almost always on the same wavelength— but this time, you had realised something.
Tomura hated being in the dark and you hated unveiling darkness.
“I’m just tired.”
“Bullshit.”
“I don’t want to argue.”
“I’m not here to start one.”
“There’s nothing for me to say.”
Arguments were rare, but when they do happen, it would be as intense as two volcanoes erupting at once. He was a violent person and so were you. His words may bite but he would never lay hands on you. The sound of footsteps got closer until your vision of the sea was obscured, forcing you lift your gaze to meet the ones that were shooting daggers.
“Look at me when you talk.”
Tomura wasn’t one to beg. He doesn’t bow down to anyone. He was Shigaraki Tomura, leader of the League of Villains, Grand Commander of the Paranormal Liberation Front— he was the Symbol of Fear for crying out loud.
In spite of that, he was a weak man when it came to you.
“What the hell is your problem.” It was less of a question and more of a command, but his voice carried something no one else could pick up on but you.
You merely stared into his crimson glare for a second before looking away, words lodged in your throat.
His patience was wearing thin and he opened his mouth.
“Remember when I told you about my caretaker?” Your voice barely above a whisper, fading together with the tides that pulled back.
He clamped his mouth shut immediately, silently waiting for you to continue.
“She brought me here all the time,” those hollow whites finding their way into his gaze again. “And the last day we came here was also the day she was murdered by those heroes.” You spat out the last word like it was venom. “That was eight years ago.”
The white noise from the crashing of the waves made time slow down— Tomura didn’t know what to say so he remained still.
“I thought coming here would make me feel closer to her but…” the sentence hung in the air, incomplete and heavy, as you simply nuzzled your nose into your knees, inhaling until your lungs were filled.
“…You miss her.” Tomura’s voice was hoarse. Raspy. Yet there was something gentle within. Not being able to utter a word, you briefly nodded. Without a sound, he settled down beside you, and despite wordlessly watching the languid waves kiss the shore, his very presence meant the whole world to you.
And that was enough.
The atmosphere was tense, stifling— yet both of you sat, shoulder-to-shoulder, in the silence that merged two souls into one. None uttered a word, stillness stretched out for a long period of time, before it was broken by your breathy voice.
“They found our hideout and ambushed us, and back then I still struggled controlling my quirk and could only use it on one person at a time. I was technically dead weight.” Lowering your legs down into cross-legged position, a sigh escaped your lips. “We ran as far as we could. With my quirk and hers, we couldn’t get far.”
Your gaze lingered on the horizon, flickering lights from ships ahead blended in with the stars above. Tomura listened, eyes slightly wide, your figure never left his sight.
“She protected me. Confined me in her barrier, and I couldn’t do anything but watch as heroes kill her right before my very eyes. I watched her lifeless eyes fall. I was there, hidden, when the ‘so-called’ heroes carried her away.” Knuckles turning white, the scene was still as vivid as the day it happened. Releasing the mechanical whip from your pouch, you stared at its never-ending length. “This was the last thing she gave. I don’t know why she did, she could’ve escaped with this but-”
Words caught in your throat. You stored the weapon back into its sheath.
“How did you get away?” Tomura had been silent the entire time, but his curiosity got the best of him.
“I tried to scratch my way out, threw my body to crack it— nothing worked. The barrier didn’t falter until the coast was clear.”
Silence once again ensued between the two souls.
“So, what happened afterwards.” His voice was faint, only for your ears.
“…I just ran away. I was angry and I wanted to destroy everything, but I knew I had to get stronger. So, I roamed the streets, stayed in dilapidated buildings, and trained to control my quirk.” Those hollow whites vaguely gleamed a golden hue, and after a while simmered away.
You turned your head to lock eyes with him.
“I’m gonna kill all heroes on this earth and reclaim everything they took from me.”
If i manage to survive. Those words resounded in your mind. You didn’t dare tell him. Not when both of you had given each other’s hearts to one another.
Tomura stared at you, a glint of… pride. Admiration. Shone in his crimson eyes. He got up to his feet, dusting the sand off his clothes— and with slight hesitation, he extended his right hand out.
“I’ll make sure every single hero pay for their crimes. We will create a future where heroes are nothing but ash and dust. And I need you by my side to make it happen. For the League. For me. For us.”
Those hollow whites widened, shifting from his piercing gaze to his calloused hand. Not because you were scared of him— no, you were never scared of him; but because those words struck you more than it should have. Right this moment, you finally understood that you didn’t have to fight alone. This war. This justice you sought. You weren’t alone from the beginning.
As seconds elapsed, he stood there, waiting for you with conviction. The way the gentle wind combed his hair; the way the moon illuminated his appearance; it seemingly casted a a soft glow and you saw the look he gave you.
Reverence.
After what felt like eternity, you reached out, grasping his hand into yours as he tenderly pulled you to your feet. Although he had gone through his quirk awakening, the reservations he had in resting all five fingers on you remained apparent.
“The last time you were as emotional as this was when we were kids,” his hands never left yours as he tried to lighten up the mood. His thumb subconsciously rubbing your knuckles.
Huffing out a chuckle, you glared at him with a small smile plastered on your face. Under the brilliance of the moon and stars, you’ve never looked more beautiful in his eyes.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m gonna have to remind you, you were the crybaby back then. It was getting out of hand.”
“That’s new. If my memory serves me right, I wonder who cried over a bug landing on her hand?”
You scoffed dramatically, “It was not a bug. It was a cockroach! Thinking about them makes my skin crawl.” You shivered just at the thought of it.
Rolling his eyes, you both sneered.
Then, you just… stared. No words were needed. You two were so incredibly intertwined with one another. It was suffocating at times but that was how you both knew that one couldn’t exist without the other. None dared to speak of the bond between you and Tomura, not even you two.
Maybe it was better left unsaid.
“Let’s go back before those idiots come run-”
“There they are!!” Himiko’s voice pierced through the air and you could only chuckle. Tomura released a heavy sigh and massaged his temples. Himiko came running with Twice in tow, while the others followed suit from behind.
“We were wondering where you went!” She pouted.
The sound of chatter and teasing filled the atmosphere, instantly lifting the spirits of everyone present. You watched as they continued on with their banter, hand-in-hand, as the weight in your heart diminish faintly but not completely.
A sad smile hung on your lips.
The secret untold, remained solely for your burden to shoulder. You didn’t have much life force in you left and for the first time ever, you prayed to any entity in the sky to give you more chances to be with the League, even for just a minute. You didn’t plan to survive the upcoming wars but if sacrificing yourself meant granting liberation they had always dreamt of, then it wouldn’t be vain.
Tomura tugged on your hand with a smile only for your eyes. “C’mon, they don’t want to leave so let’s play more games.” Snapping out of it, you gripped his hand tightly, reciprocating his smile and nodded in response. Your footsteps seemed less heavy compared to when you arrived, and deciding on living in the moment for now felt like the best decision. There was nothing to worry about tonight and everyone was together— what more could you ever ask for?
In your world, altruism was considered a curse for people like you, it could get you killed in the hands of the wrong person, but right now, it acted as fuel to drive your conviction to create a world for them and for those who society rejected for being different, and whom heroes didn’t care to save.
Under all the sins and pain seething through your veins, laughter enveloped you and the League, as if you lot ruled the world. The beach that once haunted your memories now became a place where genuine joy could plague your mind.
With silent determination, you solidified your resolve as your eyes trailed the shadows of the people who you called family.
I’ll protect what’s left of me, until my last breath.