Chapter Eleven

Private Parts

Shigaraki hears Niki breathing, but that's less than comforting. Her breath wheezes, weak and clearly painful and it's hurting him too, hurting him that he's not the one suffering.

"Where is she hurt?" Shigaraki paces by the door to his room. He already insisted Kurogiri treat her on his bed, because his mattress is the same squishy, comfortable one he's hand since he was a child and All for One was desperate for him to sleep.

"Tomura, you should go outside," Kurogiri says instead. He has tweezers in his misty hand, and he's extracting fragments of a bullet. The kid's panic is not helping.

"I can't." Shigaraki's voice breaks. He tries to think of the worse case scenario. "Her heart?"

"No."

His eyes narrow. "It's her lung, isn't it?"

"Stop," Kurogiri commands, his voice harsher than he intends.

Shigaraki slumps to the floor, trying not to cry. If she – if she needs a hospital – can he give her up? If the heroes recognize her, she'll be imprisoned, and Niki doesn't deserve that.

On the bed, Niki doesn't even have the energy to hallucinate. She feels chilly, except for the warm blood now trickling onto her chest. And it hurts to breathe, and she can't get enough air. She craves oxygen like Chizome used to crave ice cream.

She wishes she could pass out and forget the image of Black Mist digging into her open, bleeding chest, but Niki is less likely to lose consciousness than she is to lose reality.

It's definitely her lung. If she dies, will Chizome hear that she cared enough to join a villain league for him? Will Shigaraki know compassion again? Will Toga ever date Dabi?

And will she go to hell, for villainy? What is hell, anyways? And what is villainy?

I just wanted to help my brother. Niki swallows. And then to help a sad, fascinating boy.

She can't even hate Yellow. He was just upset and startled. Why don't heroes show kindness towards villains/ Shouldn't heroes care about all people, including villains?

A voice rips into her thoughts.

"Take her to a hospital." Shigaraki avoids Kurogiri's eyes, avoids Niki's most of all. His jaw trembles. "Please."

He quivers before his mentor. All for One would be appalled, but Shigaraki feels this is worthwhile. "Black Mist. Please."

He won't lose another member of his squad. Especially not the girl he just learned to kiss. The girl who doesn't think he's disgusting. The girl who knows his secrets and still cares for him, because she understands him.

Kurogiri's eyes mist over with quiet pride for Shigaraki's growth, yet concern for what All for One would say.

Niki's eyes are wide, horrified. She sees what Shigaraki is doing – doesn't she always – and she can't bear it.

"I actually don't think she'll need a hospital."

"Her lung is punctured," Shigaraki shoots back.

"She can hear you," Niki mumbles. Right now, she doesn't need a reminder that one of her vital organs is deflated. She holds her hand out, and Shigaraki scrambles forward to drop a finger into her palm. She squeezes his finger feebly.

"It's a relatively small hole. I think we should monitor her overnight, and if she's getting better, she will heal on her own. Slowly." Kurogiri prays he is right. Does God hear his prayers? Who knows, but it can't hurt to try.

"Okay," Shigaraki hears himself say, and he hopes Kurogiri isn't lying, because if Niki dies, he's not sure he'll ever forgive him.

"I win." Bakugou pins Deku to the ground. Sure, the damn nerd's learned new moves, but Bakugou is still superior.

Which means he's still without answers.

He's still without a fucking answer, he's still alone in his questions, he's alone with this rage that boils inside and won't fucking cease, and - you know what – what the ever-loving fuck?

"Why? Why did you lose?" He hears his voice break through.

He's too loud; another fight might just get them expelled. But what does he have to lose? He just failed an exam, after all.

Deku gasps, struggling to rise off the asphalt. Bakugou pushes him back down.

He's losing everything. His hero license just this afternoon. Even All Might before that. He's a loser!

Bakugou cries out.

"That's enough." A familiar voice echoes across the parking lot.

Bakugou cringes. Once again, All Might sees him beating on Deku. Once again, he's the villain.

Does All Might see him as a villain, too? The villain who ruined him?

"Why him?" he screams now. He can't hold it back. "Why?!"

All Might gives him those sad eyes, the same sad eyes Ochaco gives him – fuck her. He sighs, and for once an adult tells him what he wants to know. The truth seeps out of him like tears.

"Ever since the sludge villain…despite being powerless, I saw someone acting more a hero than everyone else. I judged it was my job to help him, and not you, who already had a place among heroes."

Bakugou snorts through his own tears. Why do they all think this? "But I'm weak. Because I was weak – you're like this!"

All Might looks shocked. "No – I would have ended like this anyways. It's not your fault, Bakugou."

Bakugou scowls. Don't play soft with me. I can handle the truth.

"You're strong, Bakugou. But I…I let you carry too much on your own. I'm sorry." All Might rests his hands on Bakugou's shoulders, his chin on Bakugou's head. He dares to say the words he's been wanting to say to these two for a long time, the words he wishes Shigaraki Tomura would hear. "The way you chase after victory, Bakugou, and the way you ruin your body, young Midoriya – you can both learn from each other. You're both strong, and strong people learn."

Bakugou hasn't ever had a parent hold him. He shivers slightly, his throat scratchy from crying. And Deku looks on with sympathy that Bakugou doesn't entirely begrudge.

All Might sighs. "We'll have to keep this a secret, but –"

"What's going on here?" Aizawa stomps out, hair in a rather hilarious man-bun, ready to punt these students back into their rooms.

"The truth is I didn't deserve to pass," Todoroki whispers after he's gathered his courage, after what feels like an hour of silence but it probably far less.

"Huh?" Momo blinks. He's shaking against her. "You were just reacting to what Inasa said about your father. If anything, you're the one who's been wronged."

"No, you don't understand." Todoroki grapples for the truth. "Remember Dabi? The unconscious cremation villain."

There's no going back now. He has to tell her.

"Yes." Momo waits, utterly nonplussed. But she trusts Shouto.

"He's my brother. Ryouhei." Todoroki studies the floorboards. The air feels heavy around him.

Momo says nothing. She doesn't even dare to breathe. She doesn't know what to say. That she's sorry? That people are all kinds of mixes of good and bad? What will comfort him?

"I won't tell unless you want me to," she finally hears herself say.

Todoroki clutches her. "You don't hate me? For not telling?"

"No – he's your brother, Shouto. You grew up with Endeavor. I – I pity him, and more so, you." Momo rubs Todoroki's back.

"Thank you, Momo." Todoroki twists around to look into her eyes. "I need – I to save him."

"No," she tells him instantly.

Todoroki opens his mouth, but she cuts him off.

"That's too much to carry alone. I will save him with you."

Todoroki's mouth opens.

"That's an enormous burden to carry alone. I'm honored that you told me." She wipes her eyes. "You've suffered enough with your father."

Todoroki gulps. "You know about that?"

"Shouto, I've studied psychology. You behave…tellingly." Momo meets his eyes with her misty blacks. "It's not your fault, and I believe you."

Todoroki grabs her and presses her to his chest. "I'm so scared, Momo."

"We're gonna be okay. I promise," she says, snuggling closer.

His heart quickens. Momo looks up at him, and he down at her, and their faces inch closer, closer – and their lips meet.

Todoroki feels as though she's melting him as he kisses her deeper and deeper, and sinks onto her floor, and she slides atop him.

He blushes as he feels his pants bulge, and he can tell from Momo's surprise that she can feel it, too. "I'm sorry!"

Momo chuckles. "It's okay, Shouto. Didn't you hear we're having classes with Midnight soon? It's natural."

He laughs, but beads of sweat emerge on his forehead. Momo brushes them away.

"I can make things even," she says slyly.

"Huh?"

Momo turns her red face away as she drags off her turtleneck.

Todoroki's heart hammers so fast he fears he'll pass out. She turns around to face him again, and he's already reaching towards her, stammering. "Is this okay – can I – can I touch?"

Momo nods. She sighs as Todoroki caresses her breasts, mesmerized by her ample curves.

"You're beautiful," he mumbles.

"So are you." Momo kisses him, and he hauls her up to drop her on her bed. Todoroki leaves a trail of kisses down her body. Nerves tingle down his spine.

"Am I doing okay?"

Momo bursts out laughing. "I wouldn't know, Shouto!"

"Oh – oh, um, yeah, I didn't –"

"You're such a dweeb," Momo says with a grin. "But I like it."

"Do we need protection?" Todoroki squeaks.

Momo's heart skips. She sits up, pondering. Is she ready? Is this real?

"We don't have to –" Todoroki trembles.

"No, but I want to. As long as you do." Momo reaches for his hand. I didn't invite you for sex, she'd told him an hour ago – famous last words.

He nods. "I do."

"Then we're in luck." Momo squints, and between her breasts emerges a condom.

Todoroki gasps. "Well, that's convenient."

"It's not a hard polymer to construct." She smirks.

"I guess that's a benefit to having a girlfriend with a creation quirk," he quips. "Oh. We are – we are dating, right?"

Momo nods fervently.

They both blush as they pull off each other's pants and caress each other. Momo whimpers as Todoroki's fingers dance between her legs, and soon they're both gasping for breath as all sorts of unfamiliar sensations, and some painful and interrupted starts, ride through their bodies.

Todoroki falls besides Momo, feeling as though his entire body is made of stars. And then he looks down, and he feels as though horror thunders through his soul.

"Uh – uh – Momo – I think it ripped."

"I hear you and Deku had a fight." Ochaco finds Bakugou in the common room. It's long past midnight, and he's still pondering All Might's hug while barely contemplating the suspension Aizawa delivered with stellar exasperation and sass.

Bakugou realizes she doesn't quite have the same sad eyes as All Might after all. Her eyes sparkle, too.

"I won," he says, not because he wants to, but because it feels familiar.

"I wonder if you lost, if you'd still win," Ochaco muses.

"Huh?" Bakugou scrunches up his face.

"Can you teach me? More fighting moves. Deku said you'd be sparring with him, and I want to learn from you, too…" Ochaco's voice trails off.

Bakugou blinks. "Uh – okay."

"But only if you make it really difficult for me. Like you did during the sports festival," Ochaco says, clasping her hands.

"Do I ever make it easy?"

Ochaco's laughter sounds like bells. "No, you never do. Thank you, Kacchan!"

He frowns. Most people don't call him Kacchan anymore except Deku. Well, he supposes it's all right if Ochaco does, too.

"What were you doing, talking to Deku?" he mutters.

"Oh!" Ochaco smirks. "Tsuyu likes talking to him a lot…I sometimes tag along." She nods, as if it doesn't bother her.

It does, but she's more bothered that she's not as bothered as she should be.

Bakugou chokes. "Tsuyu? Here I thought Iida was after Deku."

"Tenya?" Ochaco gasps. "Wait. No, it's not like that."

Bakugou frowns. He pokes her pink cheeks. "Don't treat me like I'm dumb."

"Ah!" Ochaco clamps her hands over her face. '"I'm not. It's not always about you, you know."

Bakugou's used to that phrase. Mom says it all the time. But when Ochaco says it, she's not trying to shut him up. She's trying to mollify him.

Niki stirs, and a violent onslaught of memories return to her. Yellow. Being shot. Sedatives.

But – she can breathe. Not much, but better than before.

Her eyes fly open.

"You're awake." Shigaraki gasps.

"I'm sorry," Niki mumbles, wincing as she tries to sit up.

"Don't be." Shigaraki scratches his neck. He sits on the edge of his bed, afraid to come closer, afraid to leave.

"Don't." She points to his neck, and he obliges. She smiles to show her thanks. "How long?"

"It's been three days. Kurogiri says your breathing is getting stronger. The others will be back soon, too." Shigaraki half-smiles. "We'll be one big, unhappy family again."

"We're happier than you know," Niki whispers.

Shigaraki's face turns solemn. "You didn't … you jumped in my way. No one's done that for me since Sensei."

Niki's eyes soften. "I'm glad you're not wearing your mask."

Shigaraki ignores the warmth her smile ignites in in his stomach. "You could have died."

"I didn't." She smirks.

"So ornery," he teases.

"It runs in the family." Niki settles back against her pillows.

Shigaraki sighs. "I guess it does."

Niki holds out her hand, reaching for him.

Shigaraki smiles tentatively and scoots closer. She folds her fingers between his, holding him without touching a fingertip.

He hasn't had anyone hold his hand like this. Shigaraki smiles hopefully at her, and she squeezes his hand tighter.

"Don't leave me," he begs, caving to his feelings. For once he feels unashamed.

"How about neither of us leave each other?" Niki tugs him closer. He bends over her, staring down into her eyes. She can feel his breath on her lips. "You'll have to get used to All Might and Endeavor, though."

Shigaraki snorts. "I already am, Niki."

They giggle at each other. Shigaraki summons his courage and bends down to brush his cracked lips against her bruised forehead.

"Don't stop there," Niki requests, forcing the words out.

Shigaraki's heart thuds as he lies down besides her. His lips nip and tug on her own. He opens his mouth, and she slides her tongue in, exploring every inch of his mouth.

Shigaraki can't believe she loves him. That she would die for him. That this crazy girl, sister to Stain, wretched killer of her family, loves Shigaraki Tomura.

She's amazing.

Niki pulls the hands she still clutches down onto her bandaged breast. Shigaraki's breath catches. "I could hurt you."

"I trust you," Niki replies wryly. "Besides, worse than a bullet?"

He chuckles, and gently, with two fingers, begins to stroke her. Her breast is soft like velvet. He removes his mouth from hers to kiss her wound.

"Have you ever…done anything like this before?" Shigaraki manages, his face red as his eyes.

She shakes her head. "But I … I want to … with you."

Shigaraki recalls the package Kurogiri gave him. "You're sure? You're really not scared?"

"Not of your quirk. I'm scared of losing you, of ever falling out of love with you, of doing it, even…but not your quirk." Niki watches him seriously.

"I'm not scared of the friends in your head either." He runs two fingers across her chest. He can feel his manhood tightening. Damn this girl, in the very best way. "Aren't you too weak?"

"Won't know until we try." She shrugs and cringes at a sharp blast of pain.

"I can – try," Shigaraki hears himself say, and he's terrified, just fucking terrified, but barging ahead because he wants her to be happy. She woke up from nearly dying, and she immediately wants him, and he feels like he should honor that. "Uh – I don't know how to say this – can I undress you?"

"Won't be too hard," she quips, nodding.

He slides off her pants with his shaking hands. Panic hits him. There's her underwear. He's never seen a girl's underwear before. He touches her like she's holy.

"You can remove those, too, if you want." Niki runs her fingers down his chest. "Go ahead. I trust you."

Shigaraki's cheeks are consumed by fire the moment he sees her completely nude beneath him.

Niki reaches for his sweatshirt and he bends over so she can pull it over his head. Her fingers grapple for the zipper to his pants. Shigaraki blushes more when she feels what's underneath.

Her face is flushed, too. "I think you're beautiful, Tomura."

"Me? You are." He slides off the bed. "Kurogiri, uh…he gave me some things…I told him to fuck himself at the time."

Niki laughs again as he pulls out a bag of condoms. "Here, let me help you."

Shigaraki shrinks back as she touches him there. He feels like melting. "You're sure?"

"Mmm-hmm."

"I've never done this, either," Shigaraki confesses. He hesitates.

"You mean you didn't have time between building a villain organization?" Niki teases.

She teases him. She loves him like he's unbreakable. Shigaraki hesitates no longer.

Shigaraki lies atop her, caressing and kissing her for a while before they try anything. He's careful to avoid her wound, careful not to disturb her too much. He balls his fingers into fists before they begin, just in case.

Niki had expected pain, but she doesn't feel any, not even when her legs wrap around his bony hips and they writhe – slowly, carefully – in unison. She just feels happy, and worthwhile, and honored to be with Shigaraki.

Kurogiri gasps to himself. Shigaraki is moaning from his room – what has gone awry now? Is she worsening? Is it time for him to warp her into a hospital and mend Shigaraki's broken heart?

He drifts towards the door, but fortunately for him, before he opens it, he hears a distinctly female gasp from inside.

"S-shiga," he hears Niki whisper.

Kurogiri backs away as quickly as he can, but not before a smile overtakes the mist on his face.

Sure, she's recovering from being shot and the authorities are hot on their trails and they're in desperate need of members. But.

These two kids deserve a moment's respite.