Hello! Ashley here! The press conference will be next chapter cause I underestimated how long this setup would take. Don't worry, this one is a mighty spicy meatball of the chapter as well though. Aright, I'll see myself out. Enjoy the angst!
Sighing heavily to herself, Amari ascended the steps of the dorms quietly, careful not to wake anyone as it was still early morning.
She did end up passing Deku on the way though, the boy working on his usual weekend training. Luckily he didn't pester her for too long though, obviously seeing the heavy bags around her eyes.
So much had happened in the last twenty four hours and Bakugo was grateful to finally go back to her dorm and distract herself from her own incoming doom and roaming thoughts.
After really thinking about the events from last night, Amari had already tried to contact Dabi multiple times due to his uncharacteristic behavior that he displayed before. He had even saved her life. It was strange to say the least and she really wanted answers.
And then there was that bird..
Hawks was most certainly pissed at her for agreeing to attend the press conferences but she honestly didn't really care how he felt. That man had broken her heart into a thousand tiny pieces after all, still trying to coax her decisions like he always did. That action itself couldn't help but pissed her off even more though.
Although, that was a topic for another day.
Opening the door to her room, Amari began to take off her shoes before taking one step in. Ah, home at last..
Just then, a small rustle of movement was seen on her bed, causing the girl to immediately panic. Who the hell had broken into her room?! Was it Dabi, All of One, a combination of the three?
She wasn't sure but the terror was multiplying by the second, now jumping out of her skin and letting out a shrill scream along with a string of profanities. She couldn't help it, this stranger had completely caught her off guard. "AHHH what the hell, who do you think you are, breaking into my room?! You..!"
Already gripping her shoe in order to throw it at the attacker, she was suddenly paused when the light clicked on next to her, revealing Katsuki staring back at her. "O-Oh, Katsuki, it's you. What the hell, you gave me a heart attack."
The girl began to laugh at her own worry when she quickly noticed that her brother was not doing the same. In fact, he was just staring back at her with a heavy frown, his legs dangling over her bed in silent wait. That was weird. "Uhhh Hey, are you okay? I don't think I've ever seen you this quiet before..."
He only continued to stare though, causing Amari to rub the back of her neck in anxiety, finally hearing his voice for the first time. It was smooth, so chillingly smooth. "Would you like to explain this?"
Twisting her brow in confusion, she then watched as Katsuki pulled something from behind him back in order to show her. Although her confusion turned into pure terror the moment she recognized the objects in his hand. They were her pills, the ones she had hid yesterday.
Katsuki gripped the bottle in his hands, his fingers running along the top as his teeth clicked together, an obvious sign that he was trying to hold it together. "I need you to fucking explain why you still have these damn things…"
It was obvious he was trying to give her the benefit of the doubt, causing Amari's eyes to fall. He was going to misunderstand if she didn't straighten this out. "Why were you in my drawers?"
Yet it seemed like the boy was too unhinged for her to logically answer, his brow turning down. "You told me the wrong drawer for the study guide, so I went looking in the others."
Silently cursing to herself, Amari recalled her conversation after her moment with Todoroki. She was so scatterbrain that the girl didn't even bother to think of that possibility. She told him the wrong drawer so naturally he would start looking in others.
Placing her hands out in defense, she shakily replied. "K-Katsuki, it's not what you think."
Although that seemed to be the snapping point for the brother, the boy's pent up rage and grief overtook him without a second notice as he clutched the bottle. She didn't even know how terrified he was seeing these things again, she didn't understand just how useless it made him feel.
Amari moved to open her mouth again, causing Bakugo to growl before throwing the glass bottle next to her right shoulder, the object shattering to pieces just a couple feet away from her as she jumped. "You got to be fucking kidding me Amari!"
Seething through his teeth, her brother stood from her bed before replying, fast and slightly terrified. "I swear to God, if you're using them again...What ever happened to being stronger then these damn things, whatever happened to not letting that bastard control you, huh?!"
He was taking things way too far, causing Bakugo to snap out of her blurred reality in order to reason with him. "Whoa, hold on. I already said it isn't like that, okay?! Let me explain myself for a minute before you start freaking out, will you?!"
Yet it seemed her brother was too far gone, only snapping back. "What, so you can justify that asshole using you again?! Are you going to tell me the same thing you did at that training camp, cause I don't wanna hear it.."
Grunting in frustration, Amari shook her head. "No, you idiot, that's not it at all…"
Katsuki was quick to reply though, recalling the objects that were shoved in the bottom of her drawer. "If that's not true then why were you trying to hide them, huh?! How much of a goddamn idiot do you think I am.."
He wasn't listening to her, and although that was normal Bakugo Katsuki behavior, a tick of annoyance catching in the back of her throat. "Apparently a big one because you're not listening to a goddamn thing I'm saying! I'm not justifying shit, stop putting words in my mouth!"
Amari knew it was wrong to escalate his anger but the girl couldn't help it. She was very clearly trying to tell him the truth and yet he was too stubborn to even take the time to hear her out. Call that a twin flaw though as she knew she was guilty of the same thing sometimes.
Taking another step forward, Katsuki then reached down before grabbing his sister by the collar lifting her up in order to quell his hate. "Tell me, what did I even fucking do wrong..?"
Amari widening her eyes at that, she heard her brother's voice waver just slightly, showing the true pain behind his words. "Was I really not good enough, so much so that you would really trust that bastard villain over your own damn brother again…?!"
And in that moment, Amari saw the true meaning behind his outburst. He wasn't pissed like she had originally intended. No, he somehow felt like her pills were his fault, because she couldn't rely on him.
It was enough for the anger to completely dissipate from her eyes, sorrow taking its place immediately. "Katsuki, I need you to listen to me for a second, okay? It's not what you think, I didn't hide those pills in order to hurt you.."
Not fully understanding, her brother began to tighten his grip on her shirt, a thousand of unsaid words passing between them. "What the hell are you saying?"
Sighing back heavily, that's when Amari averted her eyes. She couldn't lie anymore, not to those who loved her. Todoroki had taught her that much. "All for One, he's been contacting me the last couple months, sending me things in order to make me go back to him. The pills are just one of his tactics. Yesterday you knocked on my door before I could get rid of them so that's why they were in the drawers.."
Katsuki took in her words one by one before a look of pure devastation crossed his face, now placing his sister back onto her feet without a single thought. "That bastard is still contacting you?"
Nodding at his question, Amari replied plainly. "I've just been ignoring it, but it seems that his threats are only getting worse as time goes on. His last gift was even placed in front of my door yesterday.."
She watched her brother face morph into one of horror, then his hands balled into fists. Just what that bastard succeeded in doing while he wasn't paying attention? He needed to protect her better, he needed to be stronger for her. " And why the hell am I just hearing this now?! If that crusty face bastard is trying to get to you, don't you think I wanna know?!"
Although that's when Amari smiled sadly, for the first time trying to be more open with her own feelings, to honestly portray her thoughts and fears to him.
It felt foreign, and unnatural to say the least. "I just didn't want you to get hurt, that's all. I know you Katsuki, if I told you about this then you would've stopped at nothing to track All for One down, right?"
Bakugo then began to grumble to himself, his eyes twisting into a frown. "Can you blame me? I don't want that asshole anywhere around you again."
Recalling back to her own kidnapping during the sports festival along with Dabi's words, the girl answered back sadly. "And it's the same for me. They know that you're my weakness Katsuki, they know I'd do anything for you. So that's why I have to be careful, to make sure you don't end up hurt. I won't be able to stand it.."
To most people, her words and logic seemed silly but to Bakugo, he knew his sister better than anyone. He knew that she never trusted easily, given the physiological torture from her childhood and that she always felt the need to save everyone and everything she could.
That's just how her brain worked and as much as he disliked it, Bakugo just couldn't be mad that she was trying to open up to him finally.
Katsuki paused then, almost like he was taking in her words before sighing roughly. He hated it, but she was right. "I get it, but that doesn't give you an excuse to do everything yourself, alright?"
Shoving his hands in his pockets, the boy continued. "I know how you are also you damn brat. You always try to carry the whole goddamn world on your shoulders. I hate it, always have..."
Then he gave her a knowing look before lowering his voice just slightly. "And I know I'm hotheaded, loud and a pretty shit brother after everything that's happened but I'm not that damn fragile."
Amari's eyes widened as she felt a warm hand to her head, gentle and light. "So if you're going through something then I wanna know about it, alright? I can't promise I won't get mad or pissed about it but I can promise that we will work through it together, you got that?"
His words were so immediately gentle, something that she had only seen from her brother a couple times. In fact, a couple months ago he wouldn't have been caught dead saying these kinds of things. But now, now they fully understood each other as twins should have.
It was overwhelming, finally being able to express her feelings so openly and having them accepted. This was so new and strange, almost like it was too good to be true.
Although that's when the events from last night poured into her mind, the weight of her reality crashing down all around her as her expression dropped
She needed to tell him, she didn't know how he would respond but he needed to know how much she was hurting. "Katsuki, there is something I have to tell you…"
And so she did, she told him about everything that happened last night including All for One, Dabi and Kazumi's untimely death. When she was finished, the air was simply silent, wondering how her brother was going to take it.
He looked to be taking in her words, a blank expression across his face and Amari almost began to regret the decision to tell him. Perhaps he would hate her now, perhaps he would never touch her again.
Although that's when he reached out his arms, wrapping her in his embrace as his gentle words echoed through her ears, the boy's voice breaking on each word as he spoke them. "I'm sorry I wasn't there."
Widening her eyes, his apology wasn't something she would have expected from Katsuki, in fact it was one of the last things she would've guessed would ever come out from his lips, but here it was plain as day.
On Katsuki's side though, the boy was just utterly heartbroken after hearing about the things she was forced to do. Bakugo had always promised to protect her and yet he had instead had only let her life be filled with tragedy and sorrow.
He needed to be better, he needed to make sure things like this wouldn't ever happen again.
Amari then placed her hands on her brother's chest, the warmth calming her immediately and wanting to give him the same. "You're here now."
Although her brother only responded by squeezing her tighter, willing to protect her from anyone or anything in future. "Yeah, you're damn right."
The next day, Amari walked into Endeavor's office only to see the man preoccupied with some paperwork at his desk, far too busy to even notice her presence in the slightest. Being made the number one hero was really taking a toll on him, huh?
It honestly made her slightly guilty, knowing he would have to take even more time away in order to train her. If only that bird had screwed her over, then she could've given him a break. "Things are busy as always I see."
This made him look up, placing his pen down for a moment in order to answer. "There you are Bakugo. I'm just finishing up here."
Although the girl only put her hands up immediately. "Oh no, don't worry about it. Take your time. I know you have a lot on your plate. I'm sorry that you got stuck training me again."
Yet Endeavor only frowned at that, slamming the reports he was working on with the other stacks. "It's what I agreed on in the first place after all. I wouldn't have brought you back if I couldn't handle it. Now be quiet so I can finish."
Although his actions seemed otherwise, the girl noticed the heavy bags under his eyes as he spoke. That's when she noticed a single blue flower on his desk, sticking out from the rest of his plain attire.
Moving up to it, the girl smelled the flower before smirking. "I never thought you were a flower person Endeavor. How cute."
The man couldn't help but groan at that though, answering half heartedly. "Would you stop that, it's not mine. I just haven't had a chance to deliver it yet."
She watched him scribble down another word as Amari's eyes turned in confusion. Who could he possibly be buying flowers for? Did he have some kind of new girlfriend or something?
Although that's when she noticed the tag on the flower pot along with Rei's name printed in the center. Wait, these were for Todoroki's mother? She didn't know he was seeing her now.
Seeing the carefully placed flower, Amari couldn't help but smile, a course of emotions entering her at the same time. He was really trying to patch things up with everyone huh? "These are for Todoroki's mom, right?"
The look on his face was utterly priceless at her words, the man himself turning his face away in slight embarrassment. It was something she hadn't seen from Endeavor before. "Stop sticking your nose in everyone's business, would you?"
So much so that the girl couldn't help but smile even wider. "Aww come on Endeavor. You don't have to be embarrassed. It's just me. I think it's really sweet that you bought her flowers."
Yet the man seemed less than pleased at her response. "I don't care what you think, just drop it already. If you can't shut your mouth then I'm going to kick you out."
Amari didn't really take his threat seriously though, now looking towards the large amount of papers on his desk. That would take a couple hours and the hospital's visiting hours were far less than that. He'd never deliver them on time at this rate.
Because of that, Bakugo decided to open her mouth again, pointing to the flowers in question. "If you want, I can deliver them for you. Seems like it's gonna take you some time to finish all that paperwork anyways. That way you don't have to rush."
The words flowed into Endeavor immediately, causing him to put down his pen in order to scold her for speaking out again. Although once he actually heard her words, he couldn't help but stop.
She was expecting him to thank her or be grateful for her help although it seemed like the girl imagined too much, now watching Endeavor sigh roughly. "If it will get you out of my hair, fine. "
Ticking her brow in annoyance, Amari immediately gathered the flowers before frowning. That tsundere asshole, he could at least thank her for doing this for him. "Just for that I'm taking the long way."
She knew what he was doing already though from the small amount of sadness in his eyes. Endeavor obviously was still thinking about last night and how she literally broke down in front of him.
He was probably just trying to offer her a little bit of their usual banter, so that she could somehow feel normal again for a moment. One look of his face could easily tell her that, and somehow she was grateful for it.
Although she couldn't help but smile under her breath at the interaction. Sure his words were rough but she also knew he was grateful as well. That's just how he was. "See ya old man."
Amari then made her way towards the door only for Endeavor to call back roughly. "By the way, what is this I hear about you joining the commission? You better not be falling for that woman's blackmail.."
Yet that's when Bakugo could only smirk, a knowing and cynical look on her face at his words. "Oh Endeavor, it's like you don't know me at all."
Opening the door to Todoroki's mother's room, Amari took in the usual crystal clean format of the room before noticing the woman herself seated in the corner. She looked to be writing some kind of a letter with a small smile gracing her lips. She looked well, and for that Amari was thankful.
She gently closed the object before holding the flowers up in her hands, smiling softly towards the woman as they met eyes. "Delivery!"
Rei seemed to brighten up at that, processing her words before putting her pen down lightly. "Bakugo, what a pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting you."
The softness in her tone caused the girl to take a step forward in question. "Hello Mrs Todoroki, sorry for bursting in on you like this. I just came to deliver these flowers to you."
Although that's when Amari noticed the very same colored flowers sitting on Rei's window sill, slightly wilted and losing their petals. Had Endeavor given flowers like this before? She thought it was the first time..
Rei's eyes followed hers though before voicing her questions. "He's been sending them to me every week, right when the petals start to wilt so I can replace them. You know, these are my favorite flowers."
The smile that ghosted her lips was so sweet that it made Amari's eyes widened. Endeavor was really trying to patch things up, wasn't he? He was even going out of his way to bring flowers to Rei every single week. The dedication was admirable to say the least.
Turning her head, the girl replied. "That's really sweet of him. Actually, when I asked about them he seemed to get all embarrassed. It was really a sight to see."
Rei couldn't help but giggle at that, slight nostalgia in her eyes. "Yes, he used to be like that. In fact, when we were first arranged by our quirks, Enji would always bring me flowers. He used to be so gentle.."
She spoke about him so sweetly, almost like all of the torture and abuse she went through was just a distant vivid dreams. It made Amari want to learn more, although she was afraid to cross a line. "What made him change so much, if you don't mind me asking?"
The woman was silent for a moment, taking in her words before Rei's eyes saddened slightly, replacing the old flowers with the new words. "I suppose he just got lost along the way. I didn't know much about his family but they were very strict. They put a lot of pressure on him to be number one, so much so that it changed him to be like that…"
Trailing off, Rei's expression dropped as Bakugo immediately snapped her back out of it, not wanting to cause a panic attack. "It's okay, you don't have to talk about it. I didn't mean to push you.."
A small silence echoed then before Todoroki's mother closed her eyes, an apologetic look on her face. "I apologize Bakugo. I'm still afraid of him in a way, but I also know how hard he's been trying for his family."
It was like a constant generation of hate and she was lucky that Shoto never went down that path.
Yet she was taken out of her thoughts when Rei turned back towards her, a knowing look on her face. "You as well, I know how hard he's trying to for you also.."
Amari began to think about her words after that, seemingly starting to make sense of their situation. If Endeavor's parents were really that strict then that would have instilled those same ideas into him as a boy.
Just then, Amari felt a light hand cup her cheek softly, now meeting the concerned eyes of Todoroki's mother. "Are you alright, dear? You look tired."
Blinking his surprise at the action, Rei then immediately retracted her hand, a look of embarrassment and shame crossing her features at the same time. "I...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. It's just something I used to do for Toya, that's all.."
At Toya's name, Amari brightened up, letting the woman continue softly. "It may be silly but, you remind me of him sometimes…"
Although Bakugo didn't think it was silly at all. If only she knew how similar they were half the time. "I don't think it's silly at all. I mean, that's why Endeavor likes me so much anyways.."
Yet she was surprised when Todoroki's mother frowned back. "I don't think that's completely true Bakugo. I've seen him on TV, how he cares for you, and I think it's more than just a simple resemblance."
Amari had other ideas though, already knowing that the only reason Endeavor liked her was because he didn't have Toya. If his son returned, then he would have no use for her anymore. It would certainly make dying easier though. "Yeah, I don't know about that.."
Then taking the opportunity, Bakugo changed the conversation to something she could possibly use. "Anyways, you used to do that for Toya, how so?"
Rei seemed to notice her desperation to get off the subject though, her hands now touching one of the blue petals. "That poor boy went through so much, he had a lot on him and tried to shoulder it all himself.."
Feeling that familiarly in her words, Amari remained silent as the woman continued with sadness. "So whenever he was upset or angry, I would place my hand on his face and ask if he was alright. I know it wasn't much and it probably didn't help but, that was all I could do…"
Amari then remembered the cool feeling of Rei's hand on her skin, about how it calmed her down almost immediately. Perhaps this is what Toya felt as well, why he was so close to his mother.
In fact, Bakugo herself had never felt a motherly touch like hers before. She loved her own mom sure, but Mitsuki was never one to do anything gently, unless it was out of pity. "I'm sure it did help."
That seemed to bring a smile to her lips, hoping that Amari's words were indeed true. "Well, I'm not sure about that but thank you. Hearing you say that makes me want to believe it's the truth."
Just then Amari's phone buzzed in her back pocket only to receive a text from Endeavor to come back to his agency. He must have finished all that paperwork and had finally made some room for her training.
Placing the phone back, Bakugo then bowed to the woman. "I'm sorry to cut this short but Endeavor wants me back for training. It was nice seeing you Mrs. Todoroki."
Although the woman didn't seem to have any problems with that. "Not all all. As I said before, it was a lovely surprise. If you don't mind, please tell Shoto I said hi as well."
Nodding back, Amari couldn't help but smile at that. "Of course, I'm sure he'd love to hear from you."
This brought a bit of life into Rei's eyes, watching Bakugo leave as she called back lightly. "And Bakugo, continue to take care of them, alright?"
Widening her eyes, Amari took in Rei's words before fully realizing her words. She meant to take care of the rest of her family, to continue to watch over them like she had been doing.
And because of that, Bakugo couldn't help but smile, already knowing that she would do anything for not just Shoto, but the entire Todoroki family as well. "I will."
Sighing to herself, Amari walked back towards the agency silently, staring at her phone as she did so. Still no response from Dabi, but that was to be expected. The man never liked to answer on her terms, did he?
She began to play his words from last night in her head over and over before twisting her brow in confusion. Sure, at first glance he just looked like some sick bastard who took joy in torturing her, but she wasn't sure that's all it was.
In fact, all throughout her fight with Kazumi, Dabi always seemed to have something to say, like he was trying to prove some kind of messed up point to her or something.
And then, when he had the chance to kill her, he stopped it instead. It was strange to say the least, Amari not knowing how to take it. Perhaps he felt bad about his choices, she wasn't completely sure though. Whatever it is, she needed to speak to him again. He wasn't going to scare her away that easily.
Although she was suddenly silenced when a large hand wrapped around her mouth, immediately pulling the girl against her attackers chest. What the hell, she should've paid more attention, what was going on?!
Struggling against the large presence, Amari tried to use her quirk only for the stranger to beat her to it, already seemingly knowing her power and twisting her hands behind her back and away from him. Shit, his person knew who she was, that couldn't be good.
Just then, her body was rammed face first into the nearest alley wall with max force, the girl gritting her teeth in the process. Whoever they were, they were pissed.
Going to kick their legs Bakugo was stopped when they tightened her arms in even more discomfort, almost daring her to try to make the first move. His height and build had already completely incapacitated her.
And that's when she heard his voice, his very familiar voice. "Remember when I said that someday your pathetic attempts would stop being amusing. Well, it looks like you just ran out of luck sweetheart."
This was obviously supposed to intimate her, but after hearing who was actually holding her, a breath of relief escaped her lips. "What's with the sudden violence Dabi, is that supposed to intimate me?"
She laughed to herself as Dabi slammed her face back into the wall with no mercy, shutting her up right away. "Keep laughing little Bakugo, because this is the last day for you. My enjoyment has officially run out."
Amari didn't fully understand why he was acting this way, mostly because her usual view of Dabi was so chill and uncaring. But this, this was something else entirely. No, he seemed unhinged here, what had gotten into him?
Muttering loudly against the brick, Bakugo called back. "Wow, who spit in your coffee today.? You're acting more edgy teenager then usual Dabi.."
Her breath seemed to catch in her throat though as Amari's body was then seemingly ripped away from the wall before he slammed her body on the ground just as forcibly, knocking all the air out of her lungs in the process.
Gasping out a painful breath, she didn't even have a moment to think before Dabi placed a forceful foot to her chest, now towering above her with absolute intent. "I don't think you understand the position you're in right now sweetheart. You see, this is where you die today.."
Amari fully knew she could've used her quirk on him at any moment, yet she chose to withdraw instead, wanting to know just what was making him act this way. If she fought back then it would lead to nothing. "Really, and why is that?"
She got her response when Dabi pressed his boot even deeper in her chest, causing the air in her lungs to escape. "Because, I refuse to play your game anymore. Your annoying constant goal, it's really pissing me off, you know that? I can't even think anymore without having your irritating voice in my head."
That's when Bakugo paused. Wait, was he getting affected by her words, was it actually working? She wasn't sure but at least he was thinking about them. "Toya.."
Although at his old name, the man seemed to snap, moving his boot up to her face before bringing it down forcefully on her head. If he kept this up, he was going to crush her skull, and Amari knew it.. "Stop it, stop with that goddamn name, would you?! It's nothing, it means nothing to me…"
Pushing further into her skull, Amari gasped in pain before immediately letting her hands glow with gold matter and placing them onto his leg,
This caused his nerves to restart long enough for her to back away a couple feet. Shit, was he really trying to kill her this time?! This wasn't good.
Dabi's shoulders began to slump at her defiance before letting his hands erupt in blue fire, welcoming the challenge. "I should've known this wouldn't be easy. No matter, I don't mind having a little fun before we end things."
Scrambling to her feet, Bakugo prepared her quirk before huffing back. "Come on Dabi, it doesn't have to be like this.. Can't we just talk like normal people?"
Although that was shortly silenced when a wave of scolding blue fire made its way towards her, Amari had to put up a shield in order to block it.
Yet, right when the flame made contact, Bakugo's shield shattered. Crap, his quirk was really strong, and Dabi seemed to know it, only smirking back. "Oh please, you and I both know we're far from normal. Who's fault do you think that is, huh?"
Twisting her brow in confusion, Amari took in his uncharacteristic words before wanting to push further.
She was curious to see what this Dabi would do, considering how he was locked up most of the time in Toya's own mind. "I don't know, you tell me since you think you know so much."
And this caused the man to growl before spitting back. "You know exactly who's fault it is. It doesn't matter how much you try, there will always be more Kazumi's, there will always be more of you and me sweetheart. People like us were only made to be stepped on and used time and time again. That's just how the cycle goes..."
The amount of utter hurt and pain in his voice didn't go unnoticed to the girl, Amari speaking out in reason. "That's why I'm going to stop it, stop the cycle.."
Yet that only got the villain to chuckle, his voice full of spite as he readied another attack. "This is why you're an idiot. You can't stop it. It's been going on for years. They say that they are so righteous and yet push away the people that don't meet their damn standards. To them, you are either used or thrown away."
Trying to process everything about this moment, it was almost like Dabi didn't have a filter anymore, like he was just bluntly speaking out how hurt he was and Amari didn't know how to take it. This kind of Dabi was new to her. It was rough, childish and foreign, almost like Toya was in her mind.
Although in her desperate need to process his actions, Bakugo didn't have time to react as the man himself raced up to her, his height towering over as he placed a burning hand on her arm, pulling her roughly towards him. "They all should just go away, they all need to disappear. And that's why you're going with them sweetheart. I'll send a message that will clearly turn that godforsaken hero society upside down.."
Struggling against his tight grip, Amari cried out in pain before answering back quickly. "D-Dabi, I understand what you mean but killing isn't the answer. There has to be a better way to go about this.."
This only earned another chuckle from the man though, forcing his grip to become even tighter on the girl, almost as if he was threatening to break a bone. "What are you saying, this is the only way. This is the only way we can change anything! Those heroes, they made us into this, do you not understand?!"
He lowered his voice then, the eyes of a Todoroki boring into her. "Burn it down, I'm going to burn it to the ground so that everyone knows what kind of mistakes they've made. They won't be able to sweep us under the run anymore, I will make them realize that, no matter who I have to cremate to do it.."
Lifting a hand, Dabi placed his blue flames incredibly close to her face, the heat from her skin twitching immediately. It was like he was daring her to say a wrong word now. "S-Stop it, this isn't you, somewhere deep down you know that. You're hurt and it's overtaking you. I would know.."
Although that seemed to be the wrong answer, Bakugo feeling her head getting slammed into the ground once again in a single moment, the man's voice course against her face as he leaned down over her. "See, this is why I hate you."
Amari wasn't finished though, firing back with a groan. "Do you really hate me, or do you hate what I remind you of?"
Dabi's face seemed to drop in surprise then, his cynical expression melting away as she guessed his true intentions. He just wanted to get rid of her because she was attached to Todoroki, because she was making him think about his past. That meant it was working, he was listening to her..
And even though she had figured out the reasons for his sudden change in attitude, it certainly didn't stop his burning fingers from forcefully gripping her face, the sting ever noticeable now.
Lowering his eyes, a lazy smile appeared then. "That's right. I hate everything you represent Bakugo. If I get rid of you, I get rid of everything. Now don't you see why you have to die?"
Yet Amari couldn't help but push further, realizing that whether it was good or bad, Dabi was being affected by her attempts after all. "Oh please, all you're trying to do is run away again Toya.."
And that seemed to be the breaking point for the villains, his scolding hands now gripping her throat with no mercy, the emptiness in his eyes ever telling. "Shut up, I already said not to use that name! That name is dead, that boy is dead…"
Feeling the air leave her lungs agonizingly slow, black spots started to appear in her vision as Bakugo fought consciousness. It couldn't end here, she was finally getting somewhere with him.
Dabi on the other hand felt his strong hands between her throat, along with the slight shake that came with it. Finally, finally he was going to be free, he was finally going to kill that last part of himself. Just a bit more…
Although when he blinked again, he couldn't help but notice his mind shift from Bakugo laying there to his old self, crying out as he desperately tried to end him. No, he couldn't be weak, not this time. That part of him was dead, it had to be dead.
He vaguely heard Amari's voice whisper out to him in desperate plea, although all he could hear was his own voice, the voice of a small red haired child that was clinging onto him. Why did she have to be like him, why did she have to tear him apart in this kind of way?!
It had to end, it needed to end..
Suddenly, his thoughts were silenced immediately as a warm gentle hand reached up and cupped his face, the fingers lovingly placed as he recalled his mother doing the same thing so long ago.
Blinking once, Dabi's eyes then refocused before recognizing Amari's shaking hand reaching out to him, a small smile on her face as she did so.
Even though his hands were around her throat, even though he was about to kill her, why was she smiling so gently? Why wasn't she fighting back, why was she looking through his soul?
He hadn't felt this kind of contact in years, the loving touch of his mother such a far distant memory. Because of that, all of his anger and frustrations seemed to disappear almost immediately, just like when he was a child.
Feeling his fingers loosen around her throat, Amari gasped out a breath before Toya removed them completely, now utterly lost and confused at this sudden wave of emotions. It was just like back in that warehouse.
Bakugo coughed roughly before trying to use her blurred version to see the man, wondering why he let go so suddenly. She had tried the same thing his mother said in a desperate attempt, but maybe it really worked?
Testing her voice, the girl called out quietly. "T-Toya.."
She expected another hit or punch at his name but Amari didn't receive any of those things, the man just staring down at her with an unreadable expression. That girl, why couldn't he get rid of her, why couldn't he ever follow through? It was impossible, he just couldn't do it...
Just then, Amari's phone began to ring in her pocket as Dabi ripped it out of her hands, now noticing the name across the top and glaring. Why out of everyone did it have to be that bastard?
It would've been so easy to have smashed her phone on the floor, to finish her off when no one knew her location. Amari's life was basically in his hands right now considering she couldn't move. He could have ended it right here.
So if that was the case, why did he instead accept the call before speaking to the man he hated more than anyone? "Hey Endeavor, if you're looking for your trainee she's not looking so good. You better get here fast before something unfortunate happens."
Then he hung up the object, already knowing that the man was more than capable of tracking her number. It was only a matter of time till that asshole showed up so he needed leave.
Walking over the Amari, Dabi then placed her phone back in her hand before walking away silently, the girl tried to call back with her raspy voice. "W-Wait, if I change it...if I change the cycle...will you listen to me..?"
This caused the villain to stop, his head looking towards the sky as he sighed roughly. Even still, she was still fighting. It was ridiculous, nothing would change. "Don't waste your breath sweetheart."
And that was the last words between them as Dabi disappeared into the shadow as Bakugo closed her eyes in pain. He really did a number on her, didn't he? The man must've been seriously tormented if he took it out on her like this..
Coughing back, she suddenly felt a hand to her back, lifting her up slowly as Endeavor's voice drowned in her ears, far away and distant. "Bakugo, Hey Bakugo. What the hell happened?! Where's Dabi..?"
Despite her throat being on fire, Amari was able to get out one word, struggling as she did so. It seemed the adrenaline had worn off with her last comment to the villains. "G-Gone."
She felt herself being lifted up, the man muttering something under his breath that sounded like a curse. "I knew I shouldn't have let you out alone. That villain was probably waiting for you.."
Shaking her head Amari rasped back. "I'm okay, r-really.."
Yet Endeavor had other plans, frowning back. "Stop speaking. You might have damaged something. I'm taking you to the hospital, and I better hear no complaints."
This caused Bakugo to shut her mouth, complying with his words as they moved away from the scene quietly. Well, that could've gone better.
Although, what they didn't know was that Dabi couldn't help but watch the interaction with his hands gripping the side of the wall in disbelief at the display of the man he was sworn to hate.
He was just using Bakugo, right? That had to be it, that's all he ever did. The way he held her so gently, the obvious concern.
It was all a trick, wasn't it?
It couldn't be real, he wouldn't believe it.
Ooooh this one was spicy oof. Dabi is really starting to turn, ever so slightly. The reason he acted so crazy in the end is because after the warehouse scene with Kazumi, the man was going in between his carefree Dabi persona and his real self so this whole meltdown was Dabi on the very edge of Toya, seeing his mask cracking ever so slightly. And when Amari put her hand to his face like his mother, Toya came through for a brief moment.
Also I like giving Endeavor the headcanon that his parents were really abusive and pushy and that led to his change in personality. It doesn't justify his actions but seeing Endeavor's parents turn Endeavor and then Endeavor turn Toya, I think the cycle is interesting.
Next Chapter: Now we have the press conference. Had to set things up and foreshadowing first oops. Also we see how Kenji is taking all this.
