It seemed Himiko continued to come over almost every day. They talked of the old days of the League and how much fun they had. For almost the last week, it felt like old times and Tomura missed it but something was missing. he couldn't explain it and he had no one to talk too. Mei finally started speaking to him how she normally would but in a way... it felt strained.

Mostly like she forced herself to be nice.

He hadn't seen Izuku since the apartment incident. Their work times seemed so close but so far away. It seemed like Izuku was never near him at all. Tomura felt sad. Almost lonely. He wanted to see those bright green eyes again. He didn't even care if he kicked his current boyfriend into a walk and destroyed someone's apartment.

He finished up his eighth assemble for the day when Izuku walked in. Their eyes met. Tomura's heart started pounding, as Izuku walked by him without another word. He started digging through his desk drawer looking for something. He stopped, scratched his head and continued digging. The ex villain stood up.

"You need some help?"

Izuku stopped and looked at him.

"N-no. I'm looking for some plans of mine but I can't find it. Mei might've locked it up. She does do that sometimes."

"Can... can we talk?"

The quirkless man stared at the ex villain.

In Izuku's head, he didn't want to say anything to him at all. He didn't want Tomura asking him anything. He didn't want to hear his problems with Dabi, especially it was love questions. He just hoped it was something else because he wasn't in the mood to cry in front of him. Not today.

"Sure. Is everything ok?"

"Did... did you go out a week or so ago?"

Izuku frowned.

"So what if I did? It's not a crime."

He frowned.

"Do... do you know where... where..."

"Where what?"

"Where Dabi lives?"

Izuku raised his eyebrows.

"You think... I was at Dabi's? Why the hell would I want to be over there?"

"Stupid... I thought I saw you," he muttered.

Izuku wrinkled his nose.

"I'm stupid?"

"No! I just... forget it."

"Trouble in paradise already?" Izuku asked.

"NO!"

A weird expression over came Izuku's face but he didn't say anything.

"Alright, well... talk to you later."

"Wait!"

Izuku stopped by the door.

"Yes?"

"What... what do you do when you feel like things are missing?"

Izuku scratched his head.

"It depends. What are you doing when you feel this way?"

"Hanging with him and Himiko."

Izuku tapped his chin thoughtfully.

"It could be that you miss the people that you always associated with them or you regret giving up someone or something and realized it didn't make you happy after all."

"Like what?"

He shrugged, "I can't answer that for you. You just have to figure it out for yourself."

The ex villain said nothing.

"Well, see you later. Have a great day at work."

And like that, Izuku was gone again.

X

X

Izuku walked into Katsuki's office to see it was a wreck. He looked around the room to see the hero sitting in the corner picking up papers and trying to sort them.

"Uh- what happened?"

"Toga and I got into it. She's pretty stressed out seeing Dabi and Shigaraki. I have a bigger problem now."

Izuku started picking up papers and placing them into piles by the hero.

"What problem is that?"

"You remember Mr. Compress and Spinner?"

"Yea. What about them?"

Katsuki looked down at the ground.

"I wanted this operation to go slow and steady. To make sure everything was done right but apparently some of them are pissed. They escaped prison and are after the one who ruined this whole thing for them. They had planned to kill Endeavor before everything fell apart."

"What? What?"

"You didn't know about that?" Katsuki asked.

"No... no I didn't."

"Well, Himiko thinks Dabi is telling to pull it back together to kill his old man and he apparently can't do it without Shigaraki. Himiko and Dabi have been discussing Endeavor's death at length while keeping Shigaraki out of the plans until he's sure he won't back out."

Izuku plopped down onto the floor.

Somewhere in his head, he forgot that Tomura killed people. Maybe more like he let it go inside his head because the people he had killed before were regular no one- normal people but to take out a hero? Someone like Endeavor... He's powerful... He was right there with All Might... How could Tomura plan on taking someone like Endeavor out?

"How did you find out what Spinner and Mr. Compress's plans?"

"Because they got in contact with Dabi and Dabi discussed it with Himiko. They are willing to put aside their issues and take Endeavor down. I already got with Shouto. He knows who you are and what the plan is. Honestly, this may be mostly a recovery effort for Shigaraki..."

"Had no idea Endeavor had a villain son."

"I didn't either... Until Himiko told me everything. Apparently she wasn't too excited about going against somebody of that caliber in the first place."

"How much longer do I need to wait?"

Katsuki paused before looking his childhood friend in the eyes.

"You sure you want to still do this?"

Izuku stared at him.

"Yes."

"Even in a den of villains who would try to kill you and him?"

"Yea. That's fine with me."

A smile crept across the hero's face.

"You're a dumbass."

"Yea and you would do the same for Ochako."

He smiled and looked away, "Probably... but then again they would all be floating in the air and bruised before I got there."

Izuku laughed.

"I'll keep you updated."

"Want help cleaning?"

"No. I have someone coming in to help me."

"Um... alright."

Katsuki's face fell in some kind of way that made Izuku think more was going on.

"You can talk about things with me if you want."

"I don't. I'm worried about how this is going to turn out. All Might was a great hero... How could I compare to that? What if I fuck this whole thing up?"

"I'll be there to fuck it up with you."

Katsuki snorted.

"Should've been like that from the beginning though."

Izuku smiled and leaned his head against the wall.

"It would have been fun."

"I know my girl has been after you for hero work. I swear this whole thing wasn't a ploy to help you get in either. It was more to get Dabi for almost killing me. Saving a friend's asshole dad too."

"Sounds like you're happy to be a hero."

Katsuki shoved him over.

"Ass."

X

X

"This is all moving too fast," Mei said laying on Izuku's pull over couch, "You're going to get hurt."

"Wouldn't it be the same if I was a hero anyways?" he asked.

She sighed.

"I've been working on some shoes for Himiko. I even made gloves. It's hard to see them but they work like the shoes you made me."

Mei lit up like a Christmas tree.

"You went through the math?"Mei asked, "That was complicated even for me..."

"I redid it for Himiko to give her an edge. She can only use a quirk once she's taken blood and she said sometimes she can't use it. So she's like me with fighting. I made her some dark red shoes and pink ones... then these."

Izuku held out a small case and opened it for Mei to see.

They were barely visible but with the light shining on them it was easy to tell. They looked plastic wrap gloves. Once she got a closer look she saw the tiny red and blue wires. It was barely noticeable. She looked up at Izuku with amazement.

"I'm impressed!"

"These are made for her only. I used her DNA to create them."

"Oh my god! You need a pay raise."

"I need sleep," he said smiling.

Mei looked at him closely and that was when she saw how tired he truly was.

"You haven't been sleeping much?"

"I've been working on these and my own set."

Izuku sat down.

"I made mine... much more different than hers though."

Sadness filled his eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"This isn't... this isn't a simple operation anymore. I will probably be face to face with Dabi. I... I created mine to pull as much power as possible from my body and it would probably blow out my muscles and break my bones. Same with my new shoes. Even with the braces placed on the suit my Mom made me a long time ago, this... this is it."

Mei took his hand.

"That's dangerous-

"I don't care anymore."

He looked at her.

"I made you a set too... Mostly like Himiko's because I know you would want to go if it came down to it. You... You're my best friend. You believed in me from the start and all I can say is thank you. Thank you for standing by my side even though it caused all these problems for you."

Mei's eyes filled up with tears, "I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love you!"

She threw her arms around his shoulders.

"I love you too."

"Don't worry," she whispered, "We're going to make it out of there no matter what."

"Damn right."

After five minutes, they pulled away from each other.

"Can... can I see mine?"

He grinned, "I know how much you love black."

Her smiled got bigger. He got up and went in his desk to pull out a big shoe box. He handed that too her and grabbed another box from his desk.

"Here you go."

Mei opened the shoe box to see matte black shoes with dark blue shoe laces.

"It's perfect," she whispered.

She pulled the shoes out and tried them on.

"Oh my god... They're flawless."

"Check out the gloves."

Her yellow eyes sparkled.

"Are they black too?"

"Of course."

Mei opened the smaller box to take a look. They looked like they were a second skin. She slipped them on easily.

"I can't believe this... When you asked for a sample of my blood... I figured you were studying bio mechanics with quirks for someone."

"I'm glad you love them. I want to ensure you come out alive and well is anything happens."

"I think this is how women feel when they get a diamond ring..."

Izuku snorted.

"I'm serious."

The two of them laid back on the bed with Mei still wearing her new toys.

"I wonder if I can make an anti-quirk shot using your blood."

Izuku stared at her.

"What?"

"There has to be something in your DNA that could prevent someone from using theirs... I wonder if I could make a couple tranquilizers for your mission. The effect wouldn't be permanent though."

"I don't think that would be a good idea. That could fall into the wrong hands."

She hummed for a second.

"Maybe so."

They laid there in silence for a short while.

"Can I spend the night?" she asked.

"Of course."

"I don't want to be alone tonight. Tenya is out of the country at the moment and with everything going on, I just want to be with you."

"I understand."

Mei slipped off her gloves and her shoes, placing them neatly in their rightful boxes before laying back down.

"Night Izuku."

"Night Mei."

She turned over to face him and took his hand. Their days were numbered and neither one knew if they were going to be alive to be together again.

The life of a hero.

X

X

Knock, knock

"Can you check that?" Dabi asked, heading for the bathroom.

"Yea."

Tomura checked the peep hole to see it was Himiko. She looked more like she was going to a club than hanging out with her friends. He opened the door and she strolled right in. She threw her purse onto the couch and sat down. No matter how many times she came over, the things she said seemed fake or maybe she was faking the happiness.

It puzzled him.

"Hi," Tomura said.

Himiko's yellow eyes flashed dangerously but she grinned.

"Hello."

"I'm surprised you aren't bored from coming over here so much."

"I come over here because I want too. I miss you guys."

Something wasn't right about those words with that look on her face.

"Alright, is everyone ready?" Dabi asked coming back into the living room.

"Where are we going?" Tomura asked looking surprised.

"A place. You driving us Himiko?"

"Sure."

The three of them left and got into her car. He stayed in the back seat while Dabi sat shotgun.

I don't like this. Something is up.

They drove for ten minutes before coming to a bridge. Himiko flashed her headlights exactly four times. Tomura heard a slight rumbling and she started driving again. His heart thumped against his rib cage. Something was screaming at him to jump out of the car but he trusted her. He trusted her not to take him somewhere he shouldn't be.

Himiko parked and looked in the rear view mirror. Her eyes were dark with something else. Even back in the League, she never looked so serious or angry.

What the fuck is going on-

"Let's get out!" Dabi said enthusiastically.

She got out and shut her door. The two men followed suit and she locked her car.

"We have some stuff to take care of," Dabi said looking at Tomura, "Everything will be alright. I love you."

"I love you too."

No he doesn't.

Himiko stared at Tomura for a second longer before she started following Dabi.

Good god- I fucked up so bad. I need... I need to run. I need to get Himiko and run-

"You alright?" Dabi asked taking his gloved hand.

"Huh? What is this place?"

"A hideout, duh," she said.

Dabi knocked on the door six times before it opened. They went inside first then Tomura followed inside.

"So, you brought him anyways?" said an angry voice.

The ex villain froze. He watched as Himiko pulled a sharp knife and held it behind her back. Now he was fucking terrified.

"I told you, things are the way they used to be. We're in this together, right Tomura?" Dabi said.

"In what? What the fuck is going on?" he demanded to know.

"It's been a while, Shigaraki."

Mr. Compress came out of the shadows with Spinner by his side.

FUCK ME

Mr. Compress jumped at Tomura first but Himiko kicked him down into the concrete floor and jumped on top of him, holding the knife to his throat.

"Touch him and you die!" she hissed angrily.

Spinner backed off to the side.

"Calm down Toga," Dabi said, "We're here to finish what we started."

Tomura's eyes widened.

"Um no!" he said backing up.

Himiko stood up. She looked at him with some kind of relief on her face but he didn't notice this.

"I thought this," Tomura said, "Was us getting together. I never agreed to be a fucking villain again! This is insane! I went through hell to be fucking free! I refuse to work for All for One!"

Dabi took his hand, "You'll be working with us. Not him."

The ex villain pulled away.

"I don't want any part of this bullshit!"

"You said you loved me," the ebony haired villain said, "Don't you?"

Tomura stared at him.

"You wanted to rid the world of heroes, right? Why don't finish Endeavor and finish off the rest who face us?"

Himiko grinned evilly, "Come on Shiggy. Don't be like that. You knew what this was. That's why I wanted to be friends with you again."

Anger bubbled up inside of him.

"Fuck this!"

Tomura turned to run but Dabi grabbed his arm.

"If you won't then I have no choice."

Tomura turned to face him. Those blue eyes were dark and angry.

"You don't love after all. You would want to do this."

"Throw his ass in the cell," Himiko said, "He'll change his mind in a few days."

"We have three days to plan this. At least we made one where he doesn't want to help his friends," Spinner sneered.

Tomura's mind flickered over to Mei.

His mind changed to Izuku.

This isn't what I wanted- this isn't how I wanted my life to go! I gave this up-

Dabi dragged him through the dark warehouse. He couldn't make himself decay all of them. He would collapse the building on himself... What could he do-

Even with my life in danger I can't use my quirk... I... I'm powerless.

He didn't love me after all. He wanted to use me again.

Even Himiko- What about Vlad?!

Dabi shoved him into a cell and slammed the door shut. He flipped a switch on the wall facing Tomura's prison cell. The ex villain pulled his gloves off and grabbed the bars but there was no effect. His red eyes showed his panic and Dabi only laughed. Spinner, Mr. Compress and HImiko finally came into the light. They stared him down. He felt so powerless.

"Maybe this will change your mind."

"No!" Tomura yelled, "How could you do this to me!?"

Himiko looked away.

"You have two days," Dabi said, "If you don't agree, they can have you. Toga agreed to it."

Tomura stared at her.

"Why?!"

The three villains left them alone. He felt sick to his stomach.

"Is this pay back for something?!" Tomura screamed.

"I told you to stay away."

His face fell.

"What?"

"I'll check on you tomorrow."

She left him alone and shut the lights off. Tomura backed away from the bars and sat down against the wall. He slammed his head against the concrete block a few times. He was so angry. He was so fucking pissed- How could he have been so stupid?! He slammed his fists against the ground as tears threatened to fill his eyes.

JUST FUCKING KILL ME