Dabis dance tomorrow!!

Touya POV:

Never thought the day would come where I'd be waiting around for Roach. But, there's a first time for everything, I guess.

I sighed impatiently, checking the time on my phone again and seeing it was now five over the meeting time we agreed on.

Well this is different, huh? I'm never one to be on time and when I finally am? The asshole doesn't show up. How annoying. Being late and irritating people about it is my thing.

This 'living a better life' shit's annoying...

Pushing myself off the brick walls of Jeweled Bitch's mansion entrance, I half decided I'd had enough of this 'waiting,' debating on whether or not I should ditch Roach and just head inside the mansion to find Violet myself.

But, it's almost as if the fucker read my mind, with his head suddenly popping up on my shoulder like a little mole rat.

"You were about to go in there without me, weren't you?" Akio stated matter of factly, not seeming surprised in the slightest with my impatience.

I smirked smugly at his assumptions, glad to see I still had somewhat of an asshole reputation after all the disgusting camaraderie that's been going around lately.

It's been getting too chummy in here for my liking...

"Guess you're not as dumb as you look."

He hummed in agreement as I elbowed him out of my space. "Yeah, but you are. You won't get more than ten feet past the front door if you just walk through it."

A scoff huffed past my lips at his usual know-it-all crap, crossing my arms as he looked to the mansion front gate with me.

"Last time I checked, I've been to this place more than you. That means I know best." I dismissed, before he waved a piece of paper around in my face.

"Last time I checked, I have an entire map layout of the place that explains where in the mansion Violet would be—so you don't aimlessly prance around in there like a jackass." He gloated in one breath, causing my eyes to go half lidded.

Not wanting to see his shit eating smile, I swiped the paper from his hands without a single glance, muttering my usual annoyances.

"Lead with that next time."

"You didn't give me a chance."

I said nothing as I looked to the little hand drawn map, raising my brows at how precise the details were. It's the second time he's shown me one of these.

Shit, I've been to this ratty place a million times, but never really knew where anything was. I just followed Violet around or snooped my own way through things.

But, this?—shit's labeled and everything...

"Where did you get this?" I mumbled quietly, seeing Akio lean back against the brick wall in my peripheral vision with content.

"You should really appreciate your friend Kurogiri more. He's great for many things."

"Gross, he's not my friend." I muttered distractedly, narrowing my shitty eye-sight to read the writing on the page.

Violet's name is labeled on the third level of the mansion.

"So, she's there?" I pointed, already prepared to walk through the door with such vague information.

Roach rolled his eyes and plucked the map from my fingertips, deciding to explain it to me like I was a fucking half-wit.

"You see how the map's labeled—first floor is all general admission, eating, gardens, parties—second floor is for staff. Third floor is for personal matters only. If the map is correct, Midas and all his close friends live on this floor. With that information alone, it's safe to assume Violet would be on the third floor if she's here." He said before I yanked the map back from his hands.

"I didn't need a whole god damn explanation. The third floor is where she'd be? Then what are we waiting for?"

Becoming irritated, Roach furrowed his brows and pulled the map back, causing me to tighten my grip on it-

Rip.

Both of our eyes widened as the map split down the middle now, with a scrap each fluttering around in our hands.

"Nice going, jackass." I scoffed, tossing my scrap at him.

His teeth grit together as the paper smacked him in the nose, pressing his hands into my chest and shoving me backwards.

"Me? You're the one who ripped it from my hand-"

"Because you were going too slow—first, you make me wait around for you all day like a damn princess in hiding, and now you talk too much-"

"I was five minutes—five minutes late because some of us have to work-"

"Remind me the part where I asked-"

"Enough of this!" He huffed in exasperation, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Look, Dabi, if you let me finish explaining, you'd know you can't just walk through the front door because Midas has bodyguards there. You think he's just gonna let you in?"

My lips curled into a feral smirk now as I reflected on the past few times I've showed up here unannounced, seeing swelters of blue in my vision.

Heh. Since when did I need his permission?

"I'm going in one way or another." I said, attempting to activate my flames on instinct before a little sting pricked my wrist.

My bloodlust faltered as I looked down to my arm in confusion, only now remembering the sight of the single quirk restraining handcuff around it.

The first step to becoming better...is gaining control.

But, I need my flames to fight that fucker. Being better doesn't mean jackshit if I let him take her from me.

Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the little key to my handcuff, attempting to put it in the slot and unlock it.

"No." Roach stopped me, plucking the key from my fingers. "Fighting is not the goal of tonight-"

"It's always my goal. Now give it back-"

The prick simply jumped back three feet and held the key up as if I wasn't an inch taller than him. "Until we know Violet's here and what state of mind she's in, fighting is too dangerous."

I looked at him plainly, slumping my shoulders begrudgingly when the words sunk into my head.

God damn it.

I know he's right. As much as I'd love to rip that jeweled bitch a new one, my goal is finding Violet and bringing her home. If I have to put my murder on hold for that, then so be it.

It's just on hold though. Don't get too excited.

"God, you're no fun." I grumbled in annoyance. "Then gimme a better suggestion before I change my mind."

Akio tossed me back the key to my handcuff before dropping the map scraps and deeming them unsalvageable.

"There's a back entrance to the place that's only reserved for Midas to come and go as he pleases." He recited from memory now, looking up at the mansion with me. "Since no one else is supposed to know about it, he didn't see a reason to put cameras or security there..."

"Good day for him to be stupid." I nodded in silence, slowly putting the key to my handcuff back in my pocket.

So, he found a way around murder and violence. Big whoop. I ain't making no promises...

Akio sighed tensely, reaching into his pocket and tossing me a little cloth.

A black face mask.

I looked down at it before looking back to him, only now noticing the all black outfit he had on.

"Put the hood of your sweatshirt up and the mask on." He instructed, sliding a mask over his own face. "Don't wanna be recognized in case we're seen."

With a snort, I twirled the mask around my finger like a helicopter, feeling another quirk restraining sting prick my wrist.

"Speak for yourself. I would love for that fucker to recognize me."

"No fighting, remember?"

I let out a low growl for the nagging fly in my ear, scrunching the mask tightly between my fingers.

This guy. Always ruining my fun.

"Whatever. You've only been here once, it's not like he's gonna recognize you." I dismissed, hearing him let out an agitated sigh.

He placed a hand on his hip, looking at me through his sassy, uncovered eyes. "Do you, like, forget what I do for a living?-"

"I try to-" My lips curled with a smirk, sensing I was irritating him.

"In case I blinded you too badly in the past to notice, my face is plastered all over the city—dude, I have my own brand of bandaids, for fuck's sake."

"How about making your own brand of toilet paper next so I can wipe my ass with it?"

"Just put on the mask."

Getting a headache from his nagging, I rolled my eyes and shoved the mask on my face begrudgingly.
"Don't get your panties in a bunch, princess."

This guy's about as stubborn and annoying as I am. That makes for a shitty ass team, if you ask me...

Once the mask was on and I threw my hood up, I looked to the front gate, scoffing at the iron that blocked our way. "Now I dunno how you expect to get through this shit without fire. What, want me to sweet talk my way to the lock so it fucking opens?"

Giving me a deadpan glare, Roach walked over to the gate without a word, looking me straight in the eyes as he easily pushed the thing open.

The loud creak filled the silent air, with convenience once again taking the fight and violence right out of my hands.

Where's the fun in that? What the fuck...

I looked at the opened gate through half lidded eyes, feeling Roach's gloating gaze on me.

"Don't say a god damn word."

***

The night gave us some advantage as Roach and I quickly entered through the front gate unseen, still needing to take the long hike up to the mansion itself.

Jeweled Bitch and his long ass driveways...

"The back door is this way." Akio murmured quietly, waving me on. "Follow me."

Holding my tongue of any further insults, I trailed behind him quickly, looking up at the pretentious, overpriced building.

All the lights in the place are off, except a few on the third floor.

I wonder if Grape is there.

Catching up to Roach, we walked side by side along the perimeter of the bushes, hearing the crunch of leaves under our feet.

A few comfortable moments of peace and quiet passed between us, and I would have been perfectly happy if that continued...

"So..." He broke the silence, causing me to roll my eyes tiredly. "What are you gonna do if you see her here?"

"Tell her to come home." I answered immediately, looking straight ahead with determination.

Akio snorted softly, looking at me as if I was joking. "And you think that's gonna work? From what you implied, you fucked up pretty bad."

My head ached at his unnecessary reminder, not wanting to share more of my vulnerabilities with him.

"I just need her out of this shitty place first. I'll work out all the other details later."

He was quiet at my words, sensing my lack of a plan.

"Sometimes, you don't get a 'later,' Dabi."

As much as I try to hate the guy and take everything he says as void, his words keep hitting the most vulnerable parts of me.

It was easier when Touya was hiding behind the shield of 'Dabi.' Now I'm more exposed and so are my shitty feelings...

Deep down, I know what he's saying. But, hell, I've never been a planner. I never needed to be, cause a situation like this wasn't ever supposed to happen. I ain't good with speeches or cringey love confessions.

I'm just doing what I know...

A few heartbeats of time passed as we walked in silence again, with my thoughts too loud for me to ignore.

"I dunno—what else is there to do?" I asked begrudgingly, trying to downplay my curiosity as best I could.

"Ever thought of apologizing?"

"I tried that."

A soft hum of acknowledgment sounded from his throat, throwing his head back at the sky to look at the stars. "Simply saying 'sorry' doesn't always do the trick—especially when you mess up as badly as you did."

That's the last fucking thing I wanna hear. Having never cared about fucking up before like this, I legitimately don't know what comes next. Saying 'sorry' is basic shit. After that? Who knows.

"Well, what does she wanna hear when shit like this happens...?" I muttered, shoving my hands in my pockets.

My ears were perked for whatever answer he would give, thinking it would the clear way out of the shit show I created.

But, I didn't get that at all...

"It's not about simply saying what she wants to hear, Dabi. It's about finding empathy. Compassion. Humility." He said, looking at me with the next word. "Honesty."

His eyes were on me, but I kept my gaze to the grass ahead, suddenly feeling more mentally exhausted than a few moments ago.

"Being honest is what got me into this shit." I muttered begrudgingly.

"No, no, no." He waved a disciplinary finger. "Lying in the first place is what did that."

A hard twinge poked my heart, unable to stop the sad sigh from rushing past my lips.

Regret. It's an emotion I seem to feel pretty often now, and it always circles back to the same moment.

The moment I chose to 'die.' The moment I chose to become this.

But, then I decided to change. For her. And look where it got me...

"Honesty sure as hell didn't fix it..." I muttered in deflation, feeling another sting of the handcuff on my wrist.

Akio chuckled softly at my clear pouting, giving my shoulder a nudge with his own. "Cause the truth hurts, man. Duh. The same way it takes time to dig yourself deep into a lie, is the same way it can take just as long to pull yourself out of it."

That's a good point, huh. He seems to be making a lot of those lately. I never get a chance to notice or see this side of him—the side that we're both on.

Even if he never started off hating me, I sure as hell made sure he did as time passed. He gave into his anger just as much as I did, so what's making him suddenly put it aside these last few days?

Once again, the toxic paranoia picked my brain, giving me the usual delusions this fucker was playing the long game...truly out to get back at me somehow.

But, for the first time, rather than think about it silently, I decided to point it out.

"I wanna ask you something." I said calmly, glancing at the bush of purple flowers brushing our sides.

"Go ahead."

"Why the hell are you helping me, huh?" My tone came out low and demanding. "Why are you suddenly being all buddy-buddy and giving me advice?"

The air went silent before he snorted. Even if his mouth was covered, his eyes twinkled with genuine amusement. "That sounded more like an interrogation than a question. Why do you think I'm helping you?"

I didn't realize I actually wanted him to ask me that, until the word vomit came from my mouth without consent.

"Well, I wanna think it's cause you have some ulterior motive I don't know about..."

Even if I meant for my voice to come out intimidating, I couldn't have sounded more unsure and he knew it.

"If you want to think it, then what's stopping you from believing it? You've never been shy to judge me before." He murmured, holding out his finger as a little butterfly fluttered into his path.

Out of instinct, my mouth opened to speak...but no words came out.

Cause honestly...

"I don't know..."

My tone veered off hesitantly, making it sound like I wanted to say more. But, still, nothing came out.

He didn't respond right away, speaking the answer in his own mind, but not opting to say it out loud.

For the first time though, I didn't think his silent thoughts were plotting or manipulative. I think he just didn't know how to say it.

"She loves you." He settled on an answer a few moments later, causing me to scoff at the obvious.

"That never stopped you from keeping me away."

More silence loomed over us as we neared closer to the back door, causing me to become impatient and second guess myself.

"Hell, maybe you do have an ulterior motive after all-"

"Because I know you're trying, Dabi." He finally admitted, looking at me through his mask now.

My brows furrowed at his honesty, unintentionally slowing my steps to a halt as I wasn't expecting it.

He stopped, too, shoving his hands in his pockets and turning towards me.

"You're trying to be better." He repeated with more reassurance. "That's a big deal for you, and I think you have a lot of potential so I wanna see it through. That's all."

I kept my eyes to the ground, and even if it didn't appear so, I listened to each word.

Because it's rare for anyone to acknowledge or admire anything about me. As Dabi, I would have pretended I didn't give a damn about what he said, not even allowing myself to reflect on it.

But, as Touya...

One of the many storms inside myself calmed. My shoulders uncoiled and my chest opened up to release bouts of anxiety I didn't even know I was carrying.

It came from him and I wish it didn't. But, that didn't stop me from feeling it.

I didn't know what to say, so I simply ignored it, trying to mask my vulnerability behind a disinterested hum as I walked forward again.

"You heroes and your damn morals." I muttered, but this time my voice was lighter.

It held more hints of amusement. Less hostility and defense.

I heard his footsteps catch up to mine, his guard also becoming looser. "The hero world is less about morals than you think."

"Believe me, I already knew that." I chuckled under my mask, glancing at him. "It's why I hate fuckers like you."

He laughed with me, looking around the area more observantly as the back door came closer in our vision. "Fair enough. I hate two-faced people, too."

"Then why do you do it?" The question fell from my mouth, holding nothing but sheer curiosity.

Deep down, I've always wanted to know. If not to spite me, if not to flaunt a power trip like the other bootlickers, then why did Akio decide he wanted to become a hero? What made him want to live my dream one day?

His eyes fell to the ground as he thought about the answer, having a clear one in mind but opting to deflect with a single word.

"Because."

"The hell kind of an answer is that?"

"One when the conversation is hitting too close to home." He said a little lower, surprising me with the sudden guard he put up.

That's right. Almost forgot we weren't friends.

Almost.

Another silence consumed us, but this time it was tense, making me wonder why he'd been set off so randomly.

"Whatever." I matched his tone, trying to shake it off as we finally reached the door.

He sighed in relief at my clear intentions to drop the conversation, immediately turning his attention to the mansion.

Carefully and quietly, he tried the door handle, cursing to himself at the inconvenience of it being locked.

"Damn..."

I watched with disinterest as he began looking around the area for a hidden key, holding up my cuffed hand with feral excitement. "Heh. Seems like a good time to bust this fucker down-"

"Found it." He immediately interrupted my bloodlust, pulling a key out of the flower pot next to the door.

My violence dissipated into disappointment as I looked to the key, lowering my itching hand in annoyance.

"Do you have to be so fucking practical all the time?" I mumbled as he pushed me aside to unlock the door. "It's really getting on my nerves."

"Don't worry. If you and Violet make up, you two can make all the horrible decisions you want together." He piped with that usual sarcasm, looking at me snidely before unlocking the door.

Honestly I was happy to hear that familiar attitude of his. Like I keep saying, shit's getting too chummy in here.

"Damn right we will." I mused, following him inside the mansion.

With it being after midnight, the place was dark as hell when Roach and I entered. The back door took us to a random lone hallway I'd never seen before, filled with all of Jeweled Bitch's usual over the top art.

Roach shushed me quietly once we were inside, quietly closing the door behind us.

I walked a few feet forward, turning around in question when I didn't hear another pair of footsteps behind me.

"Heh, don't tell me you're scared of the dark." I said at normal volume, not giving a fuck about being caught or heard.

But, still, I meant my words, confused as hell when Roach remained standing in place looking up at the pitch black spiral staircase in front of us.

Bad thing about his quirk is that it gives away his glowing eyes in any light, displaying the clear hesitation that filled them.

He glanced back to me when he sensed me looking, quickly catching up to my pace. "I'm not scared. Just don't want you doing whatever it is you do and getting us caught."

I snorted as he passed me and began climbing the stairs first, still speaking at a normal talking volume just to piss him off.

"So what if we do? Aren't bootlickers like you supposed to stop this guy anyways? You should be thanking me, cause apparently I'm the only one who can do your job around here." I trailed him up the stairs, hearing him shush me violently.

"Will you shut up? Look, whenever that psychotic little voice in your head tells you to do something stupid, just remember why you're here, alright?"

I slumped my shoulders for the countless time at the reminder, sticking my foot out to try and trip him on the stairs.

"Can't use the Violet card forever, asshole."

"Yeah, but I can now and I'll take full advantage of it."

The rest of the way up was silent, giving us a full twenty seconds of peace before we reached the third floor.

Roach stopped at the top of the landing, looking around the pitch black hallway with focus.

"Well?" I finally murmured quietly. "You're the map guy. Which way would she be?"

He did a slow scan of the long hallway, narrowing his eyes as he settled on a direction. "Go right."

I'm tempted to go left just for the hell of it...

But, for once, I pulled my shit together and followed him, keeping my eyes open for any pretentious jeweled bitches lurking in the shadows.

No rooms came into view as we neared the end of the hallway, causing Roach to peer around the corner of the next one before waving me on.

The next turn presented the first door and it was one I recognized well. The door to Jeweled Bitch's office. I've been in there a handful of times with Violet.

The lights were off and the door was closed. Asshole's probably sleeping cause he's all about beauty sleep and shit...

Inching towards the next corner, Akio looked around it before slowly lurking into it.

I followed him, raising my brows in surprise for the accuracy of his stupid map.

He was right. There were rooms here. Three doors, meaning three people must live here. If I had to think of who, my first thought is that Masked Mute. Second thought is the Iron Oaf who tried to kill my fiancée. The third...

"Must be her..." I murmured to myself, looking to the three doors with focus.

The crack at the bottom of the doors showed two rooms had their lights off. One room had their lights on.

Who's room is that...

I walked towards the lit room before my shoulder was grabbed, instantly shrugging Roach off in annoyance.

"What are you doing?" He said quietly, causing me to scoff.

"We didn't come all this way to just stare at the door-"

"Yeah, but as intruders, we can't just knock either-"

"Then what do you suppose we do, genius?" I mocked slightly, starting to get irritated with him all over again.

It seemed the feeling was mutual as he huffed under his mask.

"I say we do something subtle like fuck with the door, hide until she opens it, then—if it's her, show ourselves before she closes it-"

"That will take fucking nine years." I interrupted in exasperation. "Do you know how bad that woman's hearing is?"

"Do you know how dumb it is to just barge into a random room with no idea of-"

"No, but I know how dumb you are-"

"Jesus, shut up-"

"You fucking shut up-"

Our arguing in the hallway instantly stopped as we heard footsteps coming around the next corner, causing Roach and I to look at each other blankly.

"Who the hell is that..." He whispered as if I knew, instantly creeping with me to the corner for a look.

The sight instantly made my blood freeze in fury.

The yellow eyed Iron Oaf grinned to himself as he smoked a cigarette in the hallway, existing much too peacefully for my taste.

Oh, hell no.

Kaito.

Visions of the recent past flashed in my fiery eyes, seeing his homemade spear going through Violet's chest on repeat like strobe lights.

My wrist stung violently as the quirk handcuff restrained my powers, red clouded my thoughts as I instinctively pushed forward, attempting to turn the corner and kill him without hesitation.

"Dabi, no!" Akio hissed, trying to wrestle me back before I elbowed him in the stomach.

"I'm gonna fucking murder him-"

"Think of Violet! This is not the time to fight!-"

"Do you have any idea what he did to Violet?" I spat quietly, burning my eyes into Kaito as he strolled closer to the corner.

All it takes is one shot. But, I won't stop at just one.

"If you want any chance of saving her, you need to forget him right now and hide." Akio rushed as Kaito neared closer. "What's more important to you? Getting revenge? Or saving her?"

The question instantly caused my bloodlust to falter, thinking about everything that brought me to this point.

Kaito stabbed her through the chest and I remember that vividly.

But, more than that...I remember what I thought afterwards. My immediate thoughts after he'd done it weren't about him at all, even if he caused it. They were about how much I wish I could have turned back time and been there to push her out of the way.

To save her. Because saving her was worth more than any type of revenge.

I can't make the same mistake twice.

"Fuck..." I grit through my teeth, having to physically restrain myself from giving into everything my instincts are telling me.

I want to kill him. God, I want to fucking kill him...

But, I forced my feet to move as Akio dragged me backwards the opposite way Kaito was coming, keeping my heated glare on him as he turned the corner at the same moment we cleared it.

My body shook with fury as we ended up back in front of Jeweled Bitch's office, completely out of it and distracted as I tried to control myself.

Roach peered around the corner to keep track of Kaito, cursing to himself in a panic when he didn't go to his room, but instead kept coming right in our direction.

I wasn't of any help as Roach frantically looked around for a hiding place. My wrist stung like crazy, balling my fingers into fists so I wouldn't reach into my pocket and pull out to the key to my cuff.

Zeroing his gaze in on Midas' office door as a last resort, he looked to me.

"If he catches us before I pick that lock, you can kill him. Keep watch." He whispered, instantly kneeling in front of the door.

Too angry, I said nothing and stared at the hallway corner like a starved animal, selfishly hoping that fucker's face would come into view first.

Like I said, just cause I'm trying to be better doesn't mean that I am.

I heard Akio rattling the door lock as Kaito's footsteps got closer, feeling my heart pounding with that usual bloodlust adrenaline I was so used to...

But, the door opened first, yanked back into the room by my collar before it quickly closed behind me.

Sweat of fury ran down my temples as Akio and I listened to the footsteps approach our previous space, not stopping once as they slowly faded past us into nothing.

Roach let out a soft sigh of relief once we were clearly alone, melting his back against the door.

Rather than leave and go back to the hallway of rooms like I thought we would, I watched as he slowly pushed himself back up to standing a few moments later, walking further into Jeweled Bitch's dark office.

"Oi, if you want to snoop, do it on your own time." I said impatiently, wanting to get back to finding Violet.

But, all he did was ignore my protests and walk over to the desk, illuminating a soft glow from his hands to give some light. "It's not about snooping. If she's here in the first place, that's a problem—and wouldn't it be best to get rid of the root of the problem?"

I crossed my arms and watched him quietly start looking through the papers atop Jeweled Bitch's desk, not wanting to admit he had a point.

Violet's always loved that flamboyant fuck. Her way of judging character is shit. Look at who she fell in love with...

With him still around, it could create problems—and I did say I'd kill him one day.

Giving in to the snoop session, I pushed myself off the wall and walked over, instinctively pressing the tip of my finger to the candle wick before nothing came out.

Roach glanced at me and snorted for my lack of flames, gesturing to my wrist with a reminder.

The shiny cuff around it made me grunt in annoyance as I couldn't use my quirk, cursing impatiently and grabbing one of the matches from the desk instead.

I watched Roach quickly swipe through document after document as I lit the candle, noticing his sense of purpose. "What the hell are we looking for anyways?"

His focus delayed his answer as he tried the drawer of the desk, giving it a firm rattle when it appeared to be locked.

"Anything that could destroy him." He murmured, crouching down before running his fingers along the crevices of the desk for a key.

I scoffed at the obvious, leaving the desk and starting to snoop along other parts of the room.

"A flame to the skull would do that just fine, you know." I countered, lazily flipping through the books at his library.

Been awhile since I opened one of these fuckers.

Finding the key, Akio swiped it from under the desk and opened the drawer, letting his eyes glow brighter as he rummaged through the belongings. "Maybe flames work for stupid villains. People like him aren't ones you take down with power. You take him down by outsmarting him...."

His lips curled with a small smirk as he pulled two pocket notebooks from the bottom of the drawer, holding one up to show me the title.

It was just a single letter...

V.

'V,' huh...

"Violet." Akio finished my thought, starting to flip through the handwritten notebook for any information.

Well, I'll be damned. Guess the fucker was good for something.

"What does it say?" I walked over to him.

"Chemical compounds. Aspects of her quirk. I'll let you know if I find something good..." He murmured before the second notebook in his hand caught my attention.

"What about that one about?"

His response was delayed as he read through Violet's notebook with focus, not even paying the second book a speck of attention. "Don't know. I'll check when I'm done here."

I scoffed in annoyance for his dismissal, holding my hand out impatiently.

"Give me Violet's and you look through the other one." I nagged. "There's no reason for you to have two."

He rolled his eyes with a glare, trying to ignore me as he continued reading through the pages.

"Considering I'm the one who found them, I should absolutely have two-"

"Now you're just being irritating-"

"No, you are-"

"No, you-"

STAB.

The echo of skin being stabbed reverberated loudly throughout the room as Akio and I looked at each other through wide eyes.

Our voices fell silent. The sound mimicking the popping burst of a bag of water and instantly perking the adrenaline in my system.

Wondering if the shock had masked my pain, I slowly looked down at my body to check for the stab wound...

...before realizing it wasn't me who'd been stabbed.

Akio's lips turned white as he looked at me through blank eyes, instantly grimacing in pain when the knife ripped free from his side and sent a pool of blood spurting to the floor.

A single notebook fell from his hands and clattered into the blood as he stumbled forward towards the desk, unable to lose his balance as an arm caught him from behind.

Fuck.

"Shhh..." That familiar voice mocked over Akio's gasping breaths, finally coming out of the shadows to reveal his face.

My heart began to pound in fury as Midas' eyes met mine, looking sicker and more wild than I'd ever seen 'em. Maybe it was the shadows in the room, or the crazed anger that painted his sunken features. But, whatever it was, that irritating fake shit he prances around with was nowhere to be seen now.

Letting out another grunt of pain, Akio tried to walk forward, cringing when Midas' grip around his torso tightened possessively.

"Don't you boys know..." The jeweled man whispered to us tauntingly. "...how rude it is...to go through other people's things?"

Look, from the beginning, I always said I didn't give a damn about being caught by this jeweled bitch. Whatever gives me the chance to kill him makes me happy.

Flashing a wicked glare, I opened my palm, instinctively waiting for the fire to consume my arm.

But, my bloodlust faltered instantly when the familiar sting pricked my wrist, mentally cursing the entire world as I realized I still had the quirk restraining cuff on.

Well, that makes things interesting, doesn't it. Too interesting if you ask me.

Trying to beat him to the punch, I quickly reached into my pocket, pulling out the key and attempting to jam it into the lock at lightning speed.

But, Midas saw, instantly throwing Akio over the desk and sending him crashing into me.

The air left my lungs when we collided, sending both of us off our feet and in separate directions.

"Fuck!" I yelled angrily as the key flew from my hands, watching it slide underneath the dresser in the corner of the room before I could get the handcuff off.

My back slammed into the heavy standing clock, hearing the wood splinter and explode from the impact.

Damn it. I need that key...

I grunted in annoyance as splintered wood cut up my hands, trying to kick pieces of the broken clock off me so I could move.

But, a blinding pain shot up my leg as I did so, looking down to see a thick piece of wood jabbed right into my thigh.

"Agh. You motherfucker." I seethed out lowly, straining my muscles as I tried to move the heavy clock off me. "When I get outta here, I'm gonna kill you."

Midas smoothed out his suit and calmly walked out from behind his desk, looking at the two idiots he just fucking bodied with content.

"I'll deal with you momentarily, Dabi." He said, pointing to my spot before making a beeline to Akio. "First, I'd like to give a lesson to the one who dared to open my special drawer."

Akio remained sprawled on his stomach, spilling blood and coughing to catch his breath.

He looked back upon hearing footsteps, eyes widening in fear at the man coming towards him.

"Oh....f...fuck..." His throat strained, trying to desperately crawl away.

His sudden change pissed me off, trying to push the clock off at a more aggressive rate.

"What the fuck are you doing?! Don't run. Fight back, you moron!!" I spat at him, feeling warm blood spewing down my leg with every movement.

Isn't that what those shitty heroes are trained to do? Jesus, if there was one thing about this guy in all my years of knowing him, he's never been a fucking coward.

But, all he did was continue crawling away like a desperate, dying animal, allowing Jeweled Bitch to easily catch up to him and slam his foot down on his back.

Akio wheezed as his muscles gave out under the force, clawing his fingers into the floor as Midas kept him stagnant.

He squeezed his glowing eyes shut, starting to hyperventilate but not just from the lack of air.

Keeping a foot on his back, Midas kneeled down, flicking Akio's hood back with a finger. Grabbing his hair by the roots, he roughly wrenched his head off the floor, straining his neck back until he couldn't breathe.

"Look at this one." Midas mused calmly, watching his prey's muscles tremble. "He's shaking, poor thing. If you were so afraid though, you wouldn't have done it, right?"

With a lack of answer, the jeweled bitch slowly peeled the mask off his face with a taunting amount of care, discarding the material as he looked to Akio warmly.

"Ugh, you really do have such a beautiful face...." He purred almost longingly, pulling his head back further before gliding a creepy finger along his skin. "It's such a shame you're forcing me to ruin it."

Midas ran a finger along the tip of his nose, with Akio recoiling once he reached his lips.

Releasing his hair, Roach's face instantly dropped back to the floor with a hard thud. Midas slowly rose to his feet, grabbing Akio by one of his ankles before dragging him face first through the room.

"No, no, no..." The hero rambled, clawing his fingers desperately into the ground for something to grab onto.

Looks like some shit you'd see out of those horror movies.

My leg burned as the wooden stake sunk further into my muscle, groaning in exertion as the clock continued to crush me.

"Will you stop fucking around and do something!? What the hell's wrong with you!?" I yelled at him angrily, finally wiggling my upper half free.

Rather than fight, Roach tried grabbing onto the legs of the desk he was just searching through minutes ago, unable to hold on as Midas' next tug forced his fingers free and continued to drag him.

"While violence is never supposed to be the answer to the most beautiful things in life, I believe everyone is entitled to indulging once in a while—and, my, it's been quite awhile." The jeweled man smirked wickedly, grabbing Akio's leg with both hands before swinging him into the desk like a baseball bat.

Jesus, I've never really seen this prick lift one of his pretty, pretentious fingers before. I hate to say he's stronger than I was excepting—without even using his quirk.

The entire thing went off its hinges from the impact, creating a field of splintered wood and broken chaos that Roach landed in.

With the steeled tip of his dress shoe, Midas kicked him in the face, not feeling satisfied by the tooth that flew from his mouth. Instead he went for his stomach, repeatedly slamming his foot into it like a worthless sack of potatoes.

But, he didn't stop there, instantly yanking Akio up by his hair before slamming his face into the wall again, and again...and again until the white paint stained red. Keeping his face smushed into the broken plaster, Midas roughly wiped it back and forth on the wall, jamming two fingers into the stab wound on his side and twisting.

He yanked Akio's face back from the wall as the hero screamed in pain now, face bloody and disoriented as Midas dragged him backwards.

"Mm. God, I almost forgot how much I love that sound." Midas breathed out, inhaling deeply and letting his eyes roll back in pleasure from the agonizing scream of his prey. "It's been so long since I allowed myself to indulge."

Keeping a hold on Akio, the jeweled bitch ran his free hand along his face, smearing the blood all over it in creepy caresses.

"Gah!! Let go of me!!! You're fucking insane!!!" The hero finally yelled, gritting down on his bloody teeth as he tried jamming his elbow back into the jeweled man's stomach.

It was a shitty hit from the position his body was locked in, allowing the fucker to easily step back and dodge.

"But, I don't wanna let go of you. I don't think I ever do..." Midas murmured too calmly, letting a snide smirk curl on his lips as he continued playing his own, messed up games.

Jesus. I knew he was fucked up, but I never realized just how damn weird he is...

With a grunt of frustration, I writhed my lower half as best I could to get the rest of my body out from under the clock, ignoring the sting in my leg as the wood dug in deeper.

Becoming desperate, Akio bit down on Midas' arm hard, causing the jeweled bitch's face to flash with pain as he instinctively shoved the hero away.

"Oh, you're fighting back now? How cute." Midas feigned sweetness as he looked to his bloody arm, blocking Roach's next punch towards his face.

Still not using his jewels, he chuckled and toyed with his opponent, blocking his woozy, weak swings before sending his ring studded knuckles straight into his sternum.

Already weak and losing a shit ton of blood, the air left Akio's lungs, allowing Midas to easily flip him around and get him in a headlock.

He suffocated loudly now, finally lifting his palm before turning it towards Midas' face with the intention to blind him.

But, he never got the chance to activate his quirk.

"Goodness. What stubborn spirit you have. Let's put an end to that right now, shall we." Midas chuckled warmly, grabbing Akio's wrist with his free hand before twisting it in two different directions.

The bone crunching snap echoed throughout the room. Akio's face twisted in pain as his wrist hung from his joint at an odd, broken angle.

He attempted to lift his other hand before Midas squeezed around his neck harder, causing lampshade's fingers to claw his arm instead.

With one last push, I finally pulled myself free from the clock, inhaling a much needed breath as I crawled out from the rubble and stumbled to my feet.

I looked to Roach, before turning my attention to the dresser the key slid under, causing Midas to laugh.

"Go on, Dabi. Go grab your precious key." He said calmly, straining his muscles as he strangled Akio to death. "By the time you get back, this one will be dead. Then you and I can have the much awaited fight you've been looking forward to for so long."

My plans froze at his words, suddenly finding a conflict I didn't have before.

The key's on the opposite side of the room. Roach is dying.

Midas hummed in amusement at my hesitation, holding Akio tighter as he began to writhe in suffocating panic.

"What's the matter, Dabi? Don't tell me you've grown a heart now. Come on..." He tempted darkly, resting his chin atop his prey's head comfortably. "I'm giving you exactly what you want—what you've wanted from the day you met me. A chance to fight. A chance to kill me and get whatever revenge lies inside that ugly heart of yours."

The words alone caused my fingers to itch with excitement, feeling my wrist sting from how badly my quirk wished to activate.

Revenge. It's always been the one thing I strived for. And now, this is the first opportunity I have to take it where it benefits me and doesn't hurt Violet. Well, directly, anyways...

Killing this jeweled fucker right here and now would be good for everyone. Everyone except...

Akio's eyes began to fall half-lidded as his consciousness faded, struggling weaker in Midas' hold.

"All you have to do is let him die..." Midas drawled wickedly, stroking the hero's hair with a taunting softness. "That shouldn't be so hard for someone like yourself, right?"

Before today, the answer would have been so easy. Get the key. Kill that fucker—and finally get rid of Roach after years of wishing he'd drop dead. It's everything I could have ever hoped for all in one moment.

I've never been one to have friends, and if I did, it would only be to suit my original goals.

Loyalty. Selflessness. If it ain't about Violet, I don't owe it to anyone else. The only reason I want to change is for her.

And, yet...

Roach's words the last few days echoed into my head as I watched him die, holding onto things my brain can't seem to forget...

'It's about finding empathy. Compassion. Humility.'

'Her fiancé and I never got along. Didn't want him to die though. Actually wanted to be his friend for a while.'

'Water! We need to get you in some water!'

'I think you have a lot of potential so I wanna see it through. That's all.'

'I know you're trying to be better, Dabi.'

God. What the fuck...ugh...

A soft sigh came from my mouth as I felt another weight slowly being lifted off my shoulders. A weight I've held onto for over a decade.

From the moment I met him, I blamed him for everything I became. Hell, I blamed a lot of people, but him more than others—more than most, I should say.

But, the more I look back on it, the more I realize it was really my lack of control that led us here. How one-sided our rivalry was in my head.

Neglect. Jealousy. Embarrassment. Failure. Those emotions overtook me and I took it out on him at every opportunity.

To be honest, I don't know if they'll ever go away. But, hell, I'm getting tired of holding onto them.

Roach—no...

Akio...

You're really not that bad, are you...

"God damn it..." I breathed out in annoyance, giving the key on the other side of the room one last look.

Having a new conscience is really fucking annoying.

Gritting down on my teeth, I pulled the wooden stake free from my thigh, hurling it straight for that flamboyant fucker.

Don't really have good aim. My flames usually take care of that part for me.

But, hell, guess today was my lucky day as the sharp piece of wood plunged into his jeweled bitch's shoulder, causing him to grimace and grunt in pain.

With my leg spewing blood all over the floor, I walked over to him and did what I've wanted to do for fucking ages—sending my fist straight into that perfect nose of his.

The crunch was so satisfying to hear, a big feral grin curled on my face at the blood that poured from his face now, forcing him to release the grip he had on Akio.

Lampshade fell to the floor, hacking and grabbing his throat as he tried to catch some air. With jeweled bitch off guard, I loomed over him with excitement. My bruised knuckles twitched with the craving to hit him again, and I intended to-

"T..The....key..." Akio strained hoarsely, weakly pointing to the dresser in the corner. 

Damn, that's right. Why hit him when I can just burn him to a fucking crisp.

Instantly, I stumbled throughout the room, ignoring the searing pain in my leg as I collapsed at the dresser and stuck my hand under it.

Midas coughed and wiped the continuous stream of blood from his nose, looking from me to Akio with fury.

"I don't enjoy being ganged up on." He spat, before his jewel necklace began to glow. "So how about I just kill you both instead?"

My fingers came around the key, pulling it free from under the dresser. Akio limped himself out of the line of fire, watching me fiddle around with the handcuff lock quickly.

Midas' jewels glowed brighter as he aimed his hand at me now, causing sweat to prick the back of my neck as my adrenaline filled hands rattled with the lock desperately.

He released a purple jewel at the same time my hand came free from the cuff, causing me to fall back on my ass as I sent a large ocean of flames right back at him...

Our attack met in the middle, but never connected as a wall of crystals wedged in between, exploding from the impact it encountered on both sides.

The force echoed loudly in the room, sending anything else that was left standing in the room crashing to the ground.

Silence followed the chaos as the fight had clearly been put to a stop, hearing footsteps quickly rushing inside.

With heavy breaths, Midas looked from me to Akio with dark mischief, purposely collapsing to his knees with theatrics.

He suddenly gripped his bleeding shoulder and hunched over in pain at the same moment Violet ran into the crumbled room.

"What the hell is going on in here!?" She yelled, looking around the space wildly.

Her eyes instantly froze once they found mine, seeming surprised and caught off guard to see me here.

And me? Well, fuck...

It had only been a few days since I'd seen her, but her gaze had a hold on me and I felt weak.

I knew she was here now and that fucking hurt. But, I knew she was safe, and more than anything, I wanted to hold her in my arms and never let her go again.

The anger melted from my face. The storm inside me had been quelled as everything worth living came back to my memory.

She looked tired. Eyes glistening softly as she glanced from my face to the color of my hair, pressing her lips together at the heartbreak I clearly caused her.

Say something, idiot. Come on. You might not get another chance.

'I'm sorry. Come home. I'm trying to change.' Everything I wanted to say ran dry in my mouth, only able to speak through the blink of my eyes.

I wanted to walk towards her, but I couldn't—overcome with the new feeling of emotions that sat on my newly freed heart, loving her so fucking much, I didn't know what the hell to do.

If only she could just see in my heart and understand what I'm feeling is real. It always was.

But, my stupid silence went on for too long, giving Midas the perfect opportunity to groan in fake pain.

With longing and hesitation, she tore her gaze from me and over to him, looking at the three of us to decipher what happened.

Aside from Roach who clearly had it worse, we were all beat up. Anyone could have started it from her perspective.

"They broke into my home and tried to take my things." Midas accused instantly, looking at Violet like an innocent bystander. "I was just defending myself, darling. I'm sorry for it."

Her gaze seemed distant towards him, conflicted as she clearly didn't believe it to be the full story.

At the same time, Akio finally collapsed to the ground and coughed up a heavy amount of blood, gripping his bleeding side woozily.

Only now noticing how hurt he was, Violet ran over to him, eyes widening in concern as his head lulled back.

"Oh my god..." She breathed in panic, gently laying him on the floor and activating her healing crystals. "What did you do to him!?"

Midas' sob story faltered slightly at her accusing tone, losing the show of his innocence as he watched her choose someone else over him.

I took advantage of his silence, trying to move my mouth as best I could...even if it wasn't about the things I wanted to say.

"Your 'friend' over here beat the shit outta him, stabbed him, and tried to kill him." I said, limping over to her and Akio now.

She lifted his shirt and continued healing his side, instantly looking towards my limp and watching the pool of blood pour from my leg.

"I was only defending myself, Violet." Midas said more impatiently this time. "They attacked me first and broke into our home. Doesn't that upset you?"

Sensing he was getting angry, she looked away from my leg with hesitation, turning her attention to Midas.

"I understand you're upset. I'm just going to heal them, and then they can be on their way-"

"Not him." Midas seethed lowly now, losing a handle on his artificial sweetness as he glared at me.

Violet's face was blank and unreadable, purposely keeping her gaze away from me as jeweled bitch grew more upset.

In silence, she looked around the destroyed room, seeing who had the advantage in the situation.

"Okay. I won't heal him." She agreed neutrally, quickly sealing the rest of Akio's side.

He was still fucked up. But, his injuries weren't as life threatening anymore.

Keeping her eyes to the floor, she came closer to my spot with Akio in her arms, causing me to kneel on the ground next to her.

"Violet..." I tried again, feeling my heart pounding with nerves at all the things I wanted to say.

But, she shushed me quietly, giving Midas' watching eyes a side glance before handing Akio's weak body off to me.

"Go to a doctor for your leg. It looks bad." She whispered curtly, ensuring Akio was securely in my arms. "And take him to one as well."

I watched blankly as she quickly stood up, not sparing me another glance as she made her way over to Midas.

His anger seemed to calm down once she was at his side, using her assistance to pretend he needed help standing up.

I looked to her eyes longingly, seeing her nodding me towards the door quickly.

I'm never one to pull out of a fight when I don't have to. But, it's pretty obvious I'm outnumbered.

Sighing in frustration, I scrunched my nose for having to carry Roach's unconscious body, manhandling him into a bridal style roughly before standing up.

Don't even imagine what it looks like. Fucking embarrassing...

I began the trek to the door without a word, feeling pools of blood spill from my leg with every step...

"The next time you come to this house, Dabi..." Midas started lowly.

I simply stopped walking, glaring at the floor and not bothering to turn around as he continued.

"Violet will kill you. I'll make sure of it."

In silence, I waited to see what she'd say, but not a word came from her mouth, causing me to grit down on my teeth in pain and continue my walk out the door.

Regardless of the loss today, this changes nothing.

Because I've found a new goal—rather, a dream I finally have the courage to cherish.

Me and you, Grape. I haven't given up on wanting to live our ordinary life together, and I never will.

Even if you do kill me one day.