Chapter Text
Part 1: "The Day Heroes and Villains Signed a Peace Treaty... Over an Insect."
---
Kidnapping Katsuki Bakugou had been one of the League of Villains' most carefully planned operations.
They had monitored the training camp.
Waited for the perfect opportunity.
Created diversions.
Fought pro heroes.
Risked capture.
Everything...
To recruit one explosive teenager.
According to Shigaraki, Bakugou was angry.
Violent.
Rebellious.
Perfect villain material.
According to Dabi, he had "potential."
According to Toga, he looked "fun to stab."
According to Spinner...
"...Are we sure kidnapping a sixteen-year-old is our best recruitment strategy?"
No one listened to Spinner.
---
Bakugou sat in the middle of the hideout with his arms tied to a chair.
He looked thoroughly unimpressed.
"Tch."
Shigaraki stepped forward dramatically.
"Bakugou."
No response.
"We understand you."
Bakugou rolled his eyes.
"We know the heroes have never appreciated your strength."
Silence.
"They've always tried to suppress who you are."
Bakugou yawned.
"...You done?"
A vein appeared on Shigaraki's forehead.
Dabi covered his mouth to hide a laugh.
Toga swung her legs happily.
"This is getting awkward."
Ignoring them, Shigaraki continued.
"You don't belong with heroes."
"You belong—"
...
Flap.
Nobody noticed.
"...With us."
Flap... flap...
Bakugou's crimson eyes shifted upward.
"..."
The others continued talking.
"We can offer you freedom."
"..."
"We can offer you power."
"..."
"We can reshape society together."
"..."
A tiny moth lazily floated through the cracked warehouse window.
It wasn't threatening.
It wasn't aggressive.
It wasn't even particularly large.
It simply fluttered around as if it had accidentally entered the wrong building.
Bakugou stared at it.
His face slowly drained of color.
"...No."
Shigaraki frowned.
"...No?"
Bakugou wasn't looking at him anymore.
His eyes remained glued to the tiny flying menace.
"...Don't."
Spinner blinked.
"Who's he talking to?"
The moth made a gentle turn.
Straight toward Bakugou.
"...I said..."
Bakugou gripped the chair.
"...Don't."
The moth ignored him.
It drifted closer.
Closer.
Closer—
"I SAID DON'T!!"
BOOOOOOOOM!!
The explosion obliterated the chair.
Wood exploded across the warehouse.
Smoke filled the room.
Everyone instinctively hit the floor.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Dabi slowly lifted his head.
"...Did..."
"...Did he just blow up the chair?"
Shigaraki coughed through the smoke.
"What happened?!"
Spinner pointed upward.
"...Uh..."
Everyone looked.
The moth.
Still alive.
Still floating.
Completely unbothered.
The warehouse fell into complete silence.
Bakugou slowly took three steps backward.
The moth took one flap forward.
Bakugou took six more steps backward.
The moth lazily followed.
"GET IT AWAY FROM ME!"
...
Everyone stared.
Toga tilted her head.
"...Is..."
"...Is he scared of a moth?"
Bakugou whipped around.
"I'M NOT SCARED!"
He pointed dramatically at the insect.
"IT'S A FLYING DEMON!"
Spinner squinted.
"...That's a moth."
"I KNOW WHAT IT IS!"
"So..."
"SHUT UP!"
The moth changed direction.
Bakugou screamed.
---
Dabi had fought pro heroes.
He had survived Endeavor.
He had burned buildings.
Never...
In his life...
Had he expected to witness Katsuki Bakugou sprint across a warehouse to hide behind him.
Dabi looked over his shoulder.
"...Why are you behind me?"
Bakugou shoved him forward.
"YOU HAVE FIRE!"
"...Yeah?"
"DO YOUR DAMN JOB!"
Dabi blinked.
"...You want me to..."
He looked at the moth.
"...Burn it?"
"YES!"
"...With blue flames."
"YES!"
"...Inside our hideout."
"..."
Bakugou hesitated.
"...Use... less fire?"
For the first time in years...
Dabi laughed.
Out loud.
"You're unbelievable."
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