NeonHorizon: A quick "thank you!" to the sweetheart that always leaves reviews! :) Also, I tried to be kind of realistic with this? I couldn't imagine an actual full-on physical fight happening between Compress and Twice, but I think this is okay.
Kaere's face heated to a bright shade of pink as Compress approached. She wanted to lower her head, but Twice was still holding her face. At a loss for words, all she could do was bite her lower lip. She was happy to see him, but at the same time she felt guilty after hearing what he said.
Twice's hold tightened for a second before his arms slid around her. He pulled Kaere against his chest and lowered his head so his chin was on her shoulder. "She was helping me," he muttered, lifting his eyes to Compress.
Her pulse skipped as she felt the warmth radiating off of the blond villain and settled her hands on his shoulders. He was trembling and she could feel the gentle tap of tears hitting the shoulder of her hoodie. "Twice…it's going to be alright."
"I hurt you!"
"Darling, perhaps you could explain the situation? What happened? Surely he didn't harm you. I would hate to have to do something drastic." Compress stood beside them, gazing down at Kaere from over the rim of her glasses and flashing that dazzling smile that made her heart palpitate.
"No! He didn't…actually hurt me. Um. It's…it's complicated." Kaere pushed herself away a little and lifted a cold, trembling hand to Twice's cheek. "Just look at me. I'm…real. I promise. See? Um…w-wait. What can I do to prove-?"
"Kae-chan…" Tears were running down his cheeks and he lowered his head. Twice released her in favor of grabbing his mask and struggling to pull it on. He was shaking more than before; his fingers fumbling to keep a grasp on the black and pale gray fabric as his gritted his teeth.
She gripped the fabric and pulled it down. Just wanting to stop his pain as quickly as possible. He went still for a brief moment before throwing his arms around her again. "B-better?"
He nodded against her shoulder and squeezed her once before he pulled away. "You always know what to do, don't you, Kae-chan? That's why you're the best medic! Nah! You're just great at helping me in particular!"
"Now would you care to explain why I walked in on you holding my beloved?" Compress intervened, slipping his left arm between them before Twice could hug her again.
"I made a double of Kae-chan. Just for cuddles! It was for more than that! I just wanted to see her again! One minute I was cuddling with Kae-chan and the next I was waking up to this gross puddle instead of her! Pretty sure I accidentally killed! I don't even know what happened!" Twice was waving both arms, blurting all of this out as Compress tilted his head.
The other villain sighed and shook his head before offering Kaere his right hand. "Darling, let me help you up. The floor is no place for a lady to sit. Honestly, a true gentleman would never let you sit on something so dusty. You'll ruin your clothes. Allow me." He pulled her up to stand and started to brush the dust off of her clothes. His fingertips lingered a bit longer than needed at certain points and when he saw her cheeks turning pink, a smile settled upon his face.
"I'm sorry that I had to leave so early, my love. I had some errands to run, some planning to do. You understand, don't you?" His gloved hand caressed her cheek, pushing her hair away from her face.
"Y-yeah, I understand." A tingle ran through her as she felt his gloved fingertips tenderly trace along her cheek. Her glasses were a little crooked and she still felt anxious from seeing Twice break down, but his touch was soothing her toward some form of calm much like how her touch could calm Twice.
"What are you talking about? No way! Did you guys get all lovey-dovey last night or something?! Gross! I'm super jealous!" Pushing himself to stand, Twice crossed his arms over his chest and seemed to be pouting behind his mask.
"A magician never reveals his secrets and a gentleman never reveals his lady's secrets. I'm afraid that business is between Kae and myself." Compress looked back to Kaere from speaking to Twice and saw that the girl's face was a bright shade of red. He lowered his hand and slipped his arm around her to press his hand against the small of her back. "My beloved Kae, you really do look radiant today." He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
Butterflies…in my stomach, she thought as she felt a tingly, fluttery sensation. "Compress-san," she whispered.
"Why don't you go downstairs ahead of me? I'd like to have a word with Twice and then we can be off. I have a day planned for us that I'm sure you'll enjoy. I just need a brief moment of his time." Compress stepped back from her, releasing the girl as he smiled down at her.
"A-alright. Um…Twice, are you okay now?" She looked to the masked man with concern and nervously picked at the skin on her left wrist.
He looked down at what she was doing and tilted his head; causing her to quickly stop. Now beaming behind his mask, he nodded and gave her a thumbs up. "I'm gonna be fine now! I know you're okay and that's all I needed! You still owe me a kiss on the cheek for that present!"
"Present?" Compress looked to Kaere curiously.
"Ah. Right. These…sweet and spicy gummies," she replied, holding the bag up. The girl soon tucked them back into her bag and bowed a little. "Thanks again, Twice. Um. I guess I'll…I'll be downstairs, then."
Kaere was reluctant to leave them. She was worried about what was going to be said. She cared deeply for both of them so she had absolutely no desire for either of them to be hurt. Though she was sure that if anyone's feelings were really hurt by what was said, it would be Twice.
As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she moved to get closer to the exit and felt an arm wrap around her midsection. She stumbled as she was dragged into a dark little area next to the stairs and pushed against the wall with someone's hand over her mouth. Her glasses slid further down her nose from the quick movement and Kaere was given a crooked, distorted view of Toga's smiling face.
"Hi, Kae-chan." It was said in a hushed voice as the blonde girl leaned in closer. "Dabi said you'd be here. I was afraid I wasn't gonna get you alone, but this is perfect!" She kept one hand on Kaere's shoulder so she was pinned and released the girl's mouth as she moved her right hand to get something.
"D-Dabi said…? Wait. Um. Why did you want to-?" She tensed as she saw the knife Toga was now holding. What is she going to do?! Is this…is this how I die?
Toga saw the fear in her eyes and pouted. "Why do you look so scared? I'm not gonna stab you, Kae-chan. I want to help you protect yourself!"
"What? But how exactly?" Her eyes darted from the knife to Toga and she flinched when the blonde girl used a finger to push up her glasses for her.
"Your medical kit has all kinds of blades, right?"
Kaere put a hand on her bag out of reflex and nodded. "That's…true."
"So! Let me show you how to use them! You almost got caught by a hero yesterday, right?" The younger girl sounded so excited. Like a child opening a birthday present.
As nervous as she felt, the medic knew it would be in her best interest to accept the help. Just thinking about that winged hero was enough to make her shiver with fear. The imposing red wings, the narrowed golden eyes, and the way he spoke to her like he knew her; like they had some mysterious connection. She had felt so terrified and powerless when he approached her. Powerless to protect herself or Twice.
Swallowing the lump of anxiety in her throat, she nodded. "O-okay, Toga-chan. I want to…I want to learn how to defend myself. But I need to tell Compress-san that I'm going with you. We were supposed to-"
Toga's grin spread and she hugged Kaere. "Don't worry about that! He'll figure it out! This is going to be so much fun! Okay, first things first, you need a really sharp blade. Come on! I know the perfect spot to practice!"
Shift P.O.V
"You know, I almost find it endearing. Your friendship with Kae. The two of you became so close so quickly. But then, you're quick to trust, aren't you?"
Twice felt a shot of guilt hearing those words. Reminded of bringing Overhaul to the group and introducing him, only for him to turn against them within minutes. To make matters worse, Compress pushed up his left sleeve and the light made the metal flint faintly. "I didn't know that was gonna happen! Sheesh! Why are you holding a grudge, huh?! I said I was sorry! Please forgive me!" he exclaimed, clasping his hands in front of him.
"I only brought it up to make a point. You placed so much trust in our darling Kae so quickly. You seem like the kind of man to fall in love easily. But I need to warn you to keep your distance. You see, Kae and I share a bond that no one else in the League shares. Deeper than simple, surface friendship. A bond of blood and flesh. A bonding of hearts."
His eyes narrowed behind his mask and he frowned. Crossing his arms, he shook his head. "Listen up! You don't even understand how deep our bond is! It's ocean-deep! Like a big…trench or something deep in the ocean deep!"
"Is that so? You say this so confidently, but have you even considered my words? If you think about it rationally, you do trust people much too easily. Don't you think that you might just be associating her with a feeling of reassurance?" Compress challenged him.
"That's exactly what love is! Okay maybe it's that and wanting to cuddle someone and protect them and hold them while you doze off and eat awesome food together! Hang on a second! What do you think love is then, huh?!" He could feel himself getting more and more worked up. What he wanted right now, more than anything, was to go back to how it was before Compress walked in. He wanted to hold her and feel her cool fingers sliding through his hair as she talked to him.
Compress tipped his hat forward and he took a step back. "I'm afraid I don't have any more time to waste on this. I don't owe you any sort of explanation beyond that my heart belongs to her and her heart belongs to me."
Turning on his heel, he stepped into the hallway. The villain gave Twice a showy bow and adjusted his top hat as he straightened. "My beloved is waiting for me so I must be off. I'd hate to keep her waiting and I have such a grand day planned for us both. Take care."
Part of him wanted to take a swing at Compress, but part of him knew better than to try. It would be so satisfying to punch him just once, but Compress's quirk could stop him too easily and Shigaraki would be mad at him for starting a fight. The inner conflict ceased when he came to what he considered a good compromise.
Twice ran ahead of him and down the stairs. Almost slipping on his way down and having to pause at the bottom to steady himself with a hand on the rail. "Kae-chan! Hang out with me instead! We'll have way more fun! As long as it's cheap!"
His blood ran cold at the sight of the empty first floor hallway. Something felt wrong. The man called her name again as he started to sweat with panic. His mind raced and he thought of all of the possibilities. The bird guy from yesterday! What if he was stalking her?! What if some creep came in and took her and now-? No way! Kae-chan would've screamed! She's too quiet! I never would've heard her!
He tried calling her name again as Compress covered an ear and frowned. The other villain walked along the hallway, peering into the vacant rooms in search of her. Twice rushed ahead to check the ones at the far end of the hall, but they were all empty.
Falling to his knees, he sniffled through his mask and felt panicked tears wetting the fabric. He dragged his mask off to wipe the tears away as Compress approached. "Where'd she go? She was just here…ngh! Damn it! I shouldn't have let her go by herself! Why's this happening again?!"
"This is worrisome, but panicking will do us no good. I have her cellphone number. All we need to do is call her. I'm sure there's a perfectly rational explanation for this disappearing act. Did you come here together or was she escorted by Dabi?" Compress pulled his phone from his pocket and scrolled to her number, glancing down at Twice.
Raking a hand through his messy blond hair, he felt his heart palpitating. Beating so hard and so fast that it felt like it would explode in his chest. "She…came here by herself. When I got here, she was playing a game with Shigaraki. I watched for a while and then…ngh…Shigaraki went somewhere so-"
"So I'm sure that she must have crossed paths with him when she came downstairs and went somewhere with Shigaraki. All will be revealed when she answers my call. Nothing to fear."
Twice twisted his mask in his hands; wringing it with gut-wrenching worry as he waited. Hoping. Holding his breath as he anticipated those words from Compress that would reassure him. Those words that would keep his heart from crumbling apart. Instead, he saw the other villain take his phone away from his ear and frown down at the screen. "Wh-what is it?" he stammered, sweat running down the scar on his forehead.
"How strange. She didn't answer, but it rang through to her voicemail so her phone isn't dead." Compress tried again with similar results. Looking to Twice, his frown deepened. "I suspect that this might be as serious as you believed. This is unlike my darling to just disappear without a word."