Hello! Slightly chonky update for you guys today, hope you enjoy! I know I did haha, Dabi is a lot of fun to write!

Juuust to reiterate, WARNING as the fic progresses, canon details from beyond the 4th season of the anime are going to be appearing. I am reading the manga, I am slowly getting up to date and so new ideas are appearing/theories being confirmed, that kinda thing. They won't be like... I dunno... highlighted or anything, but they will be present. So spoilers potentially. Or, just assume everything is my schtick and you'll be fine. As I also have plenty non-canon developments mixed in there too. Gotta keep you guessing, don't I? Lol, anyway, warning applied.

DABI POV

The hideouts were getting worse. As if Shigaraki aimed for more filth each time, the hell was this creep's problem? I hardly needed luxury, but a lack of rust on every god-damn seat would be great. I slumped against a crumbling wall and watched them bicker. Idiots. We'd been circling the drain for ages, slowly losing money and ground. Didn't they see it? We gotta act. What're they waiting for? Another fuckin' symbol of peace to get into place, establish itself and continue the cycle of Hero bullshit? I gotta act faster than that. I gotta get wheels in motion, get the change started. Get a new world to build from. And that starts with demolishing the number one, and I do that… piece by piece.

Alex. You'd get it eventually. I knew you would. There was still hope. I had faith that it would all fall into place for you at some point, you were too smart for it not to. You'd seen the world. You'd seen the shit and the grime and the hypocrisy. The gutter taught a lot. Don't go forgetting it all. Please.

The Vision asshole hardly gave me much hope though, he relayed her words precisely apparently, and if he did, it wasn't a good sign. Alex talking about my siblings like they could still be saved. As if. Natsuo and Fuyumi had no strength, they didn't stand up to the Tyrant in any way. Not their place, maybe. But there was little point in saving sheep that did nothing but pout and gripe. That's not action. That's whining. And then there was little Shouto. Sure, he had the power, he had the golden gift and all the trauma to go with it. But he was in the Hero shit. Knee-deep if not chin-deep. He would never see reason, he would never know the world's truth like me and Alex.

Nah. There wasn't time to save them all. There was too much to do, and too much to change.

In a way it had turned out pretty poetic. Alex dating Shouto. Once she saw the truth and accepted the real path to the future, it would destroy little Shouto. And that in turn, would destroy Endeavour. Perfect. I just had to wait it out for the time being. It would be worth it, it would.

Spinner humphed. They had started talking about the damn bullets again, about erasing people's quirks permanently and who they should use it on first. We only had a couple to use. I doubt they'd ever get more. No organisation. No drive. Shigaraki was a kid playing the leader, whereas I actually had shit to be getting on with. I had revenge to take. That's my right. After everything, it was what I deserved.

Toga blew a bubble in her gum, quick eyes landing on me and smiling. Dammit. Stay away from me creep, I want you nowhere near me, not after your part in the Yakuza bullshit.

She meandered over. No doubt she'd throw on Alex's image if she could, but thankfully she'd run dry of that blood. At least, that was what she told me when I asked. Could be lying. I should assume she lied.

"Hey Dabi." She wiggled her fingers in a cutesy wave, tilting her head with that 'I am so adorable, right?' look on her face. The look that made me want to burn her from the inside out. She didn't get it either–just a freak looking for chaos, whereas I actually had purpose. "Whatcha doin' over here on your lonesome?"

"Keeping away from filth like you."

She laughed, clapping her hands and tilting her head. One day I'd rip it off and shove it up her ass. Then we'd see how much she laughed.

She licked her teeth. "Thinking about Alex?"

"Might be. What's it to you?" I smirked. "Jealous, freak?"

She scoffed. "As if. Just seems a shame to waste your time thinking about someone so pointless."

I snorted. "Yeah, pointless enough to be the crux of several of Shig's plans, right? Yeah. Totally pointless. Your jealousy is transparent, freak."

She glared. "She's a plaything, Dabi. Y'know he'll kill her as soon as she's not useful or fun to fuck with anymore. Wake up." She rolled her eyes and moved away.

I lunged forward, grabbed her wrist and hauled it up her back. She stopped. She squeaked. Spinner and Twice looked over, but I just winked. They kept an eye but didn't approach. Yeah guys, no need to fuss. Just a friendly chat amongst comrades. Not to mention the fact they wouldn't dare. I could burn them to a crisp in seconds. They knew this. It kept them in check.

I spoke into Toga's ear, temper simmering close to the surface. "Except I don't give much of a fuck about what Shig intends, freak. And beyond that, seems like you should be a little more concerned about your own dealings with Alex."

"Why would I?" She intended another scoff, but I can't say it was all that convincing. She kept wriggling, but I had her in my grip. You're going nowhere little freak. I could roast you right here. But what would be the point? Just another singed piece of trash to step over. And I'm not done using this group yet. Not quite yet.

I hissed. "Because, you were stupid enough to hurt those that she cares about. Not only her precious Daddy, but her boyfriend and her friend as well. One is stupid, two is moronic, three… well, I gotta wonder if this blonde head of yours is fuckin' empty."

Another wriggle.

Another tightening of my grip on her wrist.

Toga huffed. "Your weird pet is a Hero, she'd never actually have the nerve to–"

"Haven't you been paying attention? Shigaraki has been demented in his attempts to turn Alex, and no doubt for his own stupid reasons, but it works for my plans anyway. She's got that seed of darkness in her. You saw it first hand. She will tear you apart."

"She didn't even tear apart that Overhaul guy and he tortured her for–"

I pulled her wrist higher and her voice cut out with a squeak.

I sent a little heat into her skin. "Put it together, dumbass. That was someone hurting her, but you went and hurt her loved ones. So much worse. Way worse. She'll endure far more against herself, but a hair is plucked from someone she loves' head? Oh wow. You're so fucked." I laughed a little, I couldn't help it.

The footage had been amazing. Floating, eyes ablaze with fury, tiny body thrumming with power and intent. For an instant I thought she'd do it. She'd finally take that beautiful step and free herself. I bet they felt it too, the Heroes. They quaked in their hypocritical boots. But then she stopped. It's fine. I'm not concerned. The path is there. I just need to help her find it, help her use it.

Toga stopped struggling and shrugged. "Whatever, man. I can handle her easily."

"Then you are even more stupid than I thought." I sent her toppling forward as I released her and winked at the ever watchful Twice and Spinner. "Just a friendly chat boys, no need for alarm."

Shigaraki shook his head. "Quit messing around, would you? Our contact should be here soon. I don't need them getting the wrong impression because you can't keep it in your pants."

My grimace nearly made one of my staples come loose. "Like I'd put my dick anywhere near that filth."

"You should be so lucky." She huffed, going to Twice and leaning against him. That broken boy has no idea how much she's playing him, like a damn warped fiddle.

"I'd rather take my chances with–"

"Enough." Shigaraki snarled, waving his hands and scuffing the floor with his red shoes. "Like I said, we have a contact coming and–"

"She's not impressed." A sigh came from the back door and we all turned, a couple in fighting stances, me with a flicker ready in my palm. People didn't arrive unannounced. Heeled steps approached and Shigaraki brushed himself down before approaching the shadowed door. Seemed he knew who it was.

I stopped my flame and leaned against a nearby rusted bed frame. What now?

A woman stepped into the grimy light, and fuck me, that was some sight. Stood at about my height thanks to the heels, snow-white hair fell dead straight to her shoulders, swept out of her dark, almost black eyes. She smirked with bright red lips, and arched one of her perfectly shaped dark brows at the rabble before her. Confidence, purpose, strength; they oozed from her very presence. She stopped and tilted her head, hip cocked, hand perched there with red nails drumming. If it hadn't been for the eerie similarity to her face, I'd be hard pressed not to revisit that image later when alone. But the familiarity is there. But why? And to who? Her heeled shoes were shiny and pointed at the front, perfect for stepping on people. Her pencil skirt hugged her slight but curved hips and the crisp black blouse was sheer against her toned stomach and black bra. No wriggle room. All business. But then came that familiarity again. It was like having deja vu. Why the fuck did I know her face?

Her dark eyes landed on Shigaraki. "You do realise how shitty it was to find this place, and then to get inside? I'm going to have to burn these clothes."

"Apologies. But discretion is–"

"Uhuh, get to the point." She looked at Shigaraki like he was an amusement and nothing more. Something she humoured. It would drive him crazy, no doubt. But the fact he hadn't snapped back or insulted her tended to indicate she was important. Who the fuck was this lady?

"We wondered if we might employ your talents, much like Overhaul was before his… personal problems."

She blinked. "You removed his hands."

"Indeed. So now you have no employer and–"

"Hardly, my talents are wanted all over the world. Do you have any idea?" She laughed and checked her perfect nails. "Businessmen and Tyrants alike, they all have reason to want someone with memory manipulation. Especially when I do it so well." She pursed her lips. "And they pay. You… You, I can only assume, have about as much money, as this place has a cleaning staff."

"Do they offer you revenge, though?"

She lowered her hand and glared–like hearing the safety being taken off a gun. "Careful. That's been promised before and thus far, not delivered. You removed his hands, but once I get hold of Overhaul, he won't even remember how to avoid pissing himself. Do not offer what you cannot deliver, Boy."

A shudder went through Shigaraki. Likely rage, but I can't deny one went through me as well, and it had nothing to do with rage.

I cleared my throat. "Maybe speak plainly, Shig. This lady has clearly got better places to be."

That earned me a smirk. Those lips would look real good elsewhere.

Shigaraki waved a hand. "Silence, Dabi. I'm getting to it. Look, I'm not offering something I cannot deliver. Overhaul failed to give you what you wanted because he wanted to use her long term. I want you to seek that revenge and that'll serve my purpose as well. Beyond that, I offer power, and am happy to give it."

She looked him over, like seeking the right spot to stab.

Shig continued. "You want her destroyed, right? Well, so do I. I just want it done in a certain way, and then you can see her destroy herself. How's that sound?"

Her red lips pursed tighter. "Go on."

Wait, her?

This is about Alex.

Another shudder went through me as I realised why I recognised the lady. Shit. That's why, isn't it? The cheekbones, the shape of the eyes, the dark colour of the eyes and the arch of the brow. Hell, even the way her lips pulled into a smirk. It's Alex. It had to be some kind of relation. So why does she want revenge on Alex? Yet more messed up shit from Shigaraki, though at least he's not hiding it from me I guess...

Shigaraki bowed his head for a moment. "I want you to erase all recollection of her time with Eraserhead, and her UA friends. Not the training, that could come in handy, but the friendships, the bonding, the oh-so-righteous goodness."

"I see. Leaving her a bitter, empty shell, for you to scoop up and utilise?"

"Precisely. I had heard you were good." He chuckled in that wiry way that made me want to vomit. But I couldn't say it was a bad scheme either. There'd be no reason for Alex to be held back if all that was scrubbed out of her mind. All those distractions, gone. It's perfect. Not to mention all the pain those assholes had caused her. Especially Eraser.

I tilted my head. "How about leaving in their fuck ups though?"

Dark eyes landed on me and fuck I wish I hadn't already imagined her stepping on me and presing a heel into my throat. Not now that I realised she looks like Alex. Fuck that's weird. It's just the blouse making her seem hot. That's it. Yeah. And maybe the heels. Okay the lipstick is pretty stunning as well. Shit stop it.

She gestured to me. "Such as?"

I grinned. "Eraserhead really messed up several times, he drove her back to the streets. Keeping those memories seems like it would be useful."

Not to mention it would likely also leave the moment she leaned on me in the rain, when she clung to me like in the old days. I can't have that scrubbed away. I need every bit I can get. Every moment is gonna be precious when push comes to shove. Forget the distractions, but remember why she needs me. That would be perfect.

"Clever." She smiled, and the likeness was complete. Okay, I officially had to wash my ears out with bleach to try and remove any notion of how good that pointed shoe would feel pressing against my dick. Nope. Alex would likely look like this in a few years, with a bit of polish. That's not okay. Nope. Not going there. Fuck, too weird.

"A decent suggestion." Shigaraki conceded, so graciously. "So Miss…"

"Nish. The name's Nish." She looked at Toga and grimaced. "In future I would prefer to meet alone, Shigaraki. Or at the least, with only the more refined members of your group."

Dammit do not look at me like that.

Shigaraki nodded. "Sure, I don't see why not. So, can I call upon you when we're ready to move?"

"By all means. As long as you give me the opening, I can get it done. Though, that amount of removal will take some time. And… not that it's likely to be a problem for you, but you'd need to strap her down."

My hands clenched.

She winked at me. "It'll sting a bit."

"Why's it that you hate her so much?" The question was out before I could stop it.

"I've got my reasons." She tucked her hair back. "Can we leave it at that?"

"I prefer to know why people are–"

"But it's not your decision." Shigaraki snapped and then stepped closer to Nish, who did her best to not lean away. "I'm glad we could come to an agreement, Miss Nish. Feel free to leave now, I can tell you're uncomfortable."

"As I said, I need to burn these clothes. Contact me when you're in need of my services, but you keep her tied down and covered up." She glared and pointed a red nail. "I mean it. Overhaul failed to do so, and like I said, he has his repayment coming."

"Don't even want to see her, I get it." Shigaraki chuckled. "It will be done. She'll be nothing but a wriggling shape on a table, ready to be dismantled."

"Good." And she strutted away.

Shigaraki sighed as soon as the door closed and a car pulled away–not that any of us heard it pull up in the first place. "Good, another piece is in place for when I need it."

"Could have shared that plan earlier. Not to mention the visitor." I rolled my eyes at him and shook my head. "We also need a watch on that side of the house clearly."

Spinner headed out without a word.

Shigaraki slumped onto a dusty couch. "Yeah, yeah. You know now. But you better not get in the way if it comes to that, Dabi. It'll hurt Alex for a mere moment and then–"

"Yeah, yeah yourself. Big picture. I get it." I walked away before they could start bickering at me all over again.

Entering a smaller room, my mind calmed. It looked like this place might have been a kids bedroom at some point. I kicked over a mouldy teddy bear and frowned. Alex enduring more pain wasn't the plan, but I guess change was painful in itself. I could only avoid it so long for her. And it would only be a little pain before the big payoff. She would finally be free. It would be a good thing.

I just wish it didn't have to be that way.

Looking around the small room, I shook my head. Why did anyone ever consider clowns a good idea for their kids wallpaper? Freaky shit. And the room… it had that weird sweet sickly stench to it, that made me think of sticky hands and confused gazes. Of dragging feet and begging wails.

Forget them. They're not part of your world anymore.

Poor little Shouto. Sorry guys, not my world anymore either. You're on your own. Fight it however you can, but you gotta do it on your own. He drove me to this. He made me into this. I can't do anything else, there's no other choice for me. Because of him.

I kicked open one of the boarded windows and sat on the sill. The Vision freak stood outside as normal, smoking and looking at the sky. He couldn't see shit. It was clouded over tonight and rain's on the horizon. But still he stood, smoked and looked. Freak. But at least he was useful. Most of the time.

"Hey." I called, slowly leaving the sill and wandering over to him.

He attempted to hide his discomfort, but he couldn't help that small shake to his hand. It always gave him away. If I wanted to, I could lean on that nerve point, and make him squeal. But he'd never pushed my hand like that. I think he knew it could happen, so he's smart enough to not make me try. Credit where it was due, I guess.

He stepped on his barely begun cigarette. "Whaddya want, Dabi?"

"Not so friendly, huh?" I tilted my head. "Why's that?"

"Hardly glad to see the guy that went and gave the game away to one of my main targets. Y'know Shig has me training to get a better grip on her head, and now she's got one of the loopholes. If Shig finds out I'm–"

"Probably shouldn't speak so fuckin' loudly then." I rolled my eyes and shoved my hands in my pockets. Amateurs. Exhausting. I stood close to him, close enough that he could feel the heat if I wanted him to. "I want another connection. But this time–"

"No fuckin' way." He glared. "I'll go tell Shig right this god-damned second, if I have to."

I raised my brows. "Oh yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Is that right before I reveal that you let your main target find one of your loopholes?"

He blustered. "That was your dumbass fault. I said it was too quiet a scene, I said we had to distort it or panic her or–"

"She's had enough games played in her head." I snarled and he had the sense to stop babbling. "Shig won't give a shit about that, all he'll care about is that you let a loophole be found. That's on you. Not me. Your power, your problem. So, you willin' to risk that fallout? Or do you fancy just doing as told and getting me another connection?"

He rolled his eyes and brought out another cigarette. "She knows it ain't you anyway."

"That's why this time, we're gonna do it different."

The cigarette wobbled between his lips.

I grinned. "Put us both within the same vision."

He blinked stupidly. "I only tried that as a theory, man. No telling that it'll actually work."

"Live a little. Try it. I want to have an actual conversation with her." I glared when his eyes darted to the house. They're all still inside bickering and chatting. I knew it. I'd already checked. We were alone here, and he was just being a damn coward. "This is for the League as well you moron."

"So why not tell Shig–"

"Because he doesn't know her like I do." I stepped closer and he leaned back, cigarette nearly falling from his wobbling lips. "If I can get her on side, if I can make her understand, this will all be so much easier. And then you can stop being his busy-body. And she can stop being his punching-bag."

At first, this guy loved the plan Shigaraki laid out. To shroud Alex in a false truth and keep her contained, essentially, trapping her in a dream. But it took so much more than either of them realised. The reality had to stick, and this guy's range was not up to scratch. It needed time, training, and a fundamental grip on how her head worked. But she's a kid, a kid that's learning and changing everyday. So it was hard to grasp that. Duh. She was fucking smart. I told them as much before, but no, they wouldn't listen, and so the struggle continued. So by now, months later, I know this guy is bored. He doesn't think he can do it anymore. Trap her in a dream? Perhaps even control her? Nah, I dunno that I think he can either. Trapping someone in that deep a vision, for years at a time, was a big ask. And his skill still had a long way to go.

And in all honesty, I hoped it never came to that. She'd wither in a bed somewhere, locked in her own mind, body crumbling around her. Such a waste. So it was that, or scrub her mind clean and start over? Neither was great.

I gotta get my plan into motion before then.

Finally he sighed and took a long draw. "Fine. Fuck it. Sit your bony ass down and I'll give it a go. If we get caught though–"

"I'll do all the talking and keep Shigaraki calm. Don't worry." I sat and closed my eyes. "Now get on with it. She's probably asleep right now, easier target."

"She's never an easy target."

"Do it."

"Fine…"

The darkness behind my eyes became animated, like it had oil spilled through it, swirling all around me. Fucking weird. I held onto my knees and took long breaths. It was nauseating. No wonder it disorientated her each time. I admit there had been a part of me a little disappointed in how easily Alex fell prey to this kinda thing, but now? Nah. No wonder. Sorry, Alex. I was way too harsh.

Fuck!

For a second it felt like I'd fallen a dozen metres, the ground falling away from under my ass, leaving me to plummet for however long. But then it stopped. I took a quick breath and looked around. A small space, like a grey box. Okay, keeping the setting simple made sense, but how is she not going to spot… oh. Clever. He must be stood just outside the box, I could hear steps moving around out there, like he's pacing.

A pressure built in my head and I winced.

Ow, it got worse.

Was it him fucking me over, or him bringing her in?

A voice bubbled up opposite me, as the air warped and glitched, like some weird game that bugged out in the middle of playing. Her eyes appeared, then her lips, both gone in the next second, replaced by a hand that swiped forward as if trying to slap me. She's fighting him, no doubt.

"Fucking asshole!" She growled, disappearing again.

"Fucknugget!" Another swipe.

"Get your slimy quirk outta my brain or I'm gonna twist off your bal–" she fell into place, bracing against the grey floor. She panted. She shuddered. Then finally, she looked up and glared.

I waved. "Hey Gorgeous."

"This didn't work before, when you were actually clever about it." She scoffed. "Why the hell would this wor–"

"You're fuckin' here." I grinned. "We can talk properly this time."

She eyed me.

I lounged back. "I'm serious. It's not him, this time." I shrugged, propping myself up on my hands and smirking. She looked me over, unconvinced. "It's me, Gorgeous. I got the moron to make a connection for us both. You and me in a little vision. Ain't he good?"

She looked around, likely expecting our friend to be in the corner or something. She tilted her head. "So is he outside the shitty box, or something?"

I laughed. "Got it in one. Look, I just wanna talk, can we do that?"

She sat straighter. "Do you mean talk, or do you mean you wanna preach? Big difference."

"C'mon Gorgeous, I just–"

"Alex." She snapped, teeth bared for a second. "My name is Alex, use it."

I held my hands up. "All right, all right. You're still angry, I get it."

"Angry or not, that's my goddamn name, and you'll respect that you fuckwit." She leaned forward. "You kinda lost friendship privileges when you bloody branded my arm and helped kidnap me. Remember?"

"All for the purpose of–"

"Helping me. Yeah. That line's already stale." She folded her arms and rolled her eyes.

It seemed the whole talking part wasn't going very well. I was barely getting a word out before she was cutting me off. But it was okay. Her anger was what I needed. It would build the bridge back to me, after all. I had made a couple mis-steps recently, but I could make it up. We had to do this together, she was part of the plan. And she was part of my reward, right? After all I suffered at his hands, I get this, I'm owed this kind of ally. This kind of friend who'll always have my back. That's my right.

I sat up. "So, can I talk?"

"Say whatever it is you gotta say." She clicked her tongue.

"You gotta know this, Alex. Everything that I've been doing, has been for us to fix this fucked up world. And you gotta know that whatever happens, I'll be there to help." I leaned forward, her eyes scanning me, like she expected me to pounce.

I'm not Shigaraki, Alex. Damn. Don't look at me like I'm the enemy. I'm your blanket, remember? When the cold got too much. You'd cling so damn tight, I thought I'd be bruised. I'm your blanket and you're my umbrella. Don't forget it.

"But you won't let me help you in return." She said quietly, with that reserved unhappiness in her dark eyes. The same one that made me want to scream. "Dabi if you'll just listen to m–"

"You want me to go back to a world that fucked me over completely. It's done the same to you, but you refuse to see it. You're in denial Alex. I ain't gonna allow it. They'll ruin you, and you're just letting them do it for the sake of a warm bed." I didn't mean to be so blunt, but there it was. The words landed between us, stinking up the small grey box.

She frowned and looked down at her lap. "And you don't see how I might be thinking the same of you? That you're in denial, and that it's for the sake of an excuse to lash out?"

"Not the same."

"No? How?"

"Because I see the truth dammit, and I have no other choice but to fix this. You know why I have to." I stood.

She matched it, jabbing a finger at me. "You were dragged through hell, I get it. But you don't have to be like this. You can rise above it. You can show your shithead of a dad that you're better than–"

"No!"

"Why not?" She yelled, throwing her arms up.

I snarled. "Where the hell is this rising bullshit coming from? It was always just finding a better path before. Why do I gotta suddenly rise to anything?"

My heart raced. I could feel her pull further and further away, not physically but mentally. Come on Alex. Give me something. Give me a reason to hope it doesn't have to come to scrubbing your mind free of them, or trapping you in a damn illusion. I don't wanna let them do that, but if you make me, I'll give into it. I refuse to lose out again.

She glared with those stubborn eyes. "Because if you are Shouto's brother, then he's been through the same. He's come out of it able to stand and fight it. He's–"

"Not the same."

"How?"

"If he can turn away from it, it wasn't as bad."

"What the fuc–"

"This is my path." I bellowed. "My right to burn it all down."

She deflated from her rage. It turned into something far worse. Was it pity? Or simply bored impatience? I couldn't tell.

But I knew I hated it.

She sighed. "Sure thing, Dabi, stick to that narrative as much as you can. But sorry… I just don't see it that way."

"Excuse me?"

"Your actions are yours. My actions are my actions, not gonna try and suggest I have an excuse to lash out at the whole world because a couple people hurt me. Not how it works. But go ahead and fool yourself, go ahead and justify it to yourself however you need to." Her face was cold as she continued to totally miss my point. "The fact that you need to hide behind that is why I think you might have a chance at coming back. Because you're still hiding."

"Don't give me that shit. I–"

"The fact of the matter is, we've all had pain." She snapped, eyes shining. "Arguably, from what I know of you both, Shouto had far worse pain than you did, for far longer. It's all relative of course, but when it comes down to it, he's endured it for years and is still enduring it. And what's he doing? He's working to make the world better. He's using that pain to fuel something more."

"He's not perfect."

"Not saying he is. Nor does he have to be."

I snorted. "Oh yeah, because you'd be all gooey over him if he wasn't."

"I don't care about him because he's perfect, I care about him because he's him, flaws and all you asshat. If I only liked perfect people I'd be pretty fucking lonely."

I ran a hand through my hair. The thread I had intended to follow was all tangled. Dammit. No, this wasn't meant to go this way. I had to think. She had to see it for the truth. Dammit.

She took a long breath that shook a little. "The truth is, Dabi, Shouto is using that pain to drive him to not be like his Father, to be better than him. And you?" She grit her teeth.

"Me what?" I loomed.

She swallowed hard. "You're just becoming Endeavour, the Villain version."

I slapped her.

Part of me didn't expect it to make contact in the vision, but it did. Smack. Once I felt it, the skin on skin strike, I regretted it. But then she looked at me with those big eyes, those confused eyes, and I saw the way in. The break in the armour. It might make her listen. Might make her see what I'm willing to do.

I slapped again.

And again. Anywhere I could reach, I struck out.

Listen damn it. Listen!

I grabbed her shoulders and shook her. "You gotta wake the fuck up Alex. This isn't a damn game. I hate to do these things, but you're giving me no choice. I had to. I have to wake you up."

She was silent.

Her eyes were glued to the floor, she trembled and her lips pursed in a white line. I swallowed. The rage subsided and the sting of my right hand made me let go and step back. Shit. I hit her. Why the hell did I hit her? And then keep hitting her? To make her see. Yeah. Right? I swallowed again, sand filling my throat. Nah. But that doesn't work. All it does is make you hate them, the one hitting you. I wanted to destroy Him every time he struck me, yelled or cursed. I wanted to melt his insides.

Fuck, what have I done?

"Alex I'm sor–"

"No." She snapped, head coming up, eyes hard like bullets. "You don't get to say that word, not after you just crossed that line."

"I just got so wrapped up in making you see–"

"Fuck you, Dabi."

Words failed me.

She snarled. "I want to help you, I still want to reach you and drag your dumb-ass back to reality, to some kind of redemption. But I can only take so many hints that you're beyond that help. Go ahead and look in the mirror for the one tainted by Endeavour. It's not Natsuo. It's not Fuyumi. Or your mother. And it certainly isn't Shouto. It's the asshole refusing to listen, who's yelling and then hitting me. And then insinuating I made him do it."

"You have to liste–"

"No, you listen. And start by fucking listening to yourself."

"Alex–"

"Shut the fuck up."

I closed my mouth.

She shook her head. "You're just hoping it would make me submit. Hoping I'd go along with your big plans. And in case none of that made it clear…" she half laughed, half sobbed. "It didn't fucking work. Smacking me around isn't going to make me give in, shithead. It only makes me more stubborn."

"I-I know. I didn't mean–"

"I don't know you anymore." She closed her eyes. "Maybe I never did."

The walls of the grey box started to shudder. The steps sped up outside it as the Vision guy darted about like a panicked rabbit.

"Hold her, man!" I yelled, reaching for her again, finding her retreating. "Alex listen, you have to listen. I will get you out that shithole, I will get us back to what we used to have! We can still do this! Blanket and umbrella, remember? Remember?"

She looked to the side. "Release me."

"Don't you dare!" I bellowed. "Alex look at me, look at me."

She stared at her feet. "Now."

And she was gone.

The vision faded and I was left staring ahead of myself at an empty piece of garden, in front of the latest shitty hideout the League had chosen. Gone. And with that kind of ending note. Shit. Shit what do I do? That wasn't part of the plan. I was meant to get her on side, meant to get her into the swing of things without her head having to be dismantled again.

I grit my teeth and kicked a stone against the garden wall. "Fuck!"

"I uh… I guess it didn't go as planned?"

"Unless you're gonna put me back in there with her, not a fuckin' word." I snarled, getting a cigarette out and lighting up, taking three long draws before I even tried to think again.

It was different. I wasn't like him. She had been wrong. I wasn't Endeavour's villain version. He was already a villain. She was wrong. It was possible. It wasn't like she had never been wrong before. Yeah. She was just blinded by the word Villain, putting every action I made under too close a microscope. I didn't mean to hit her. I didn't mean for it to go that far, but she kept pushing, kept refusing to hear me. There was no other choice. I had to. I–

This is for your own good, boy. How else are you going to learn?

My teeth snapped together, and I spat the bit of cigarette I'd torn off. She was wrong. I hadn't become like him. I had done everything to get away from him, and all these 'villainous' actions were because of him. She didn't mean it. She knew me. She had to.

"The hell are you guys doin' out there? You're being suuuper suspicious!" Twice stuck his head out the window, tilting his broken head back and forth.

I shrugged and slumped against the wall. A fresh cigarette balanced against my lips. "Getting some air man, get lost."

"Okay! Fuck you!"

I focused on the burning end of the cigarette, ash falling away with the breeze. Her words rang in my ears.

You kinda lost friendship privileges when you bloody branded my arm and helped kidnap me. Remember?

Yeah I remembered. I remembered holding her, having to threaten her to keep those damn annoying brats at bay. Didn't she get it? I only had to do that in order to get them to do as told. It wasn't my fault they were being difficult. Damn she was stubborn. But clever too. Maybe it had to come from a fellow Hero. Someone she might admire. I flicked my phone on and scrolled. Hawks. He had mentioned asking for her to be on the Work Study things, but she wasn't able to attend. Did that mean a repore? Did that mean she admired him? Maybe. But it was something. Maybe I could get him to make contact, to get her to his agency. It would also be another way to see where that Birdy Fuck's loyalties really lied. Or if not that, to make use of him whilst he was still fucking about. It was a chance. And a chance was enough.

Despite the anger, I can't help but be proud of her.

Even now, the smirk falls into place as I recall us hearing the reports about her press conference. Her parents. She killed them. She took the cards from Shigaraki's hand and forced them onto the table, for all of us. We had known nothing. But after that? He had to tell us everything. There would be no holding it over her now. It was out there.

A damn good move.

A damn typical Alex move.

It had become the main recurring failure of Shigaraki, and the other guy with the fucked up face. They kept underestimating her. Fools.

I stubbed my cigarette out and started to text Hawks. With all that in mind, it would be foolish of me to give up on her now. No, I wouldn't assume that's the end of things between me and her, she's too good for that. Too clever. She'll figure out I'm right, that I only do these things to help her. I don't exactly do the 'feelings' thing anymore, hadn't in years. There's no space for it amongst the hate. But with her it's different, it's always been different with her. Yeah. She'll get it.

She had to.

I will do it Alex. I will fucking save you.

…

Whether you like it or not.

ALEX POV

"Son of a fucking bitch!" I sat bolt upright in bed, launched myself onto my feet and paced.

I couldn't believe it. Not only had Dabi asked for that Vision guy to fuck with my brain again, interrupted a damn good dream, and preached at me yet again, but now this? I can't believe it. Where the hell did it even come from? He hit me. He hit me. What the hell? Sure it was a vision and maybe he didn't think it would hit but– no! What was I doing?! Justification or not, he HIT me. And it was different from the burn. Somehow. More… More fucked up. I don't know.

I stopped and threw my hands up in the air. "No! Hang on! Fuckin' scrap that, not a son of a bitch, son of a bastard. His mother is lovely and he's got no fucking right to suggest otherwise. And who's he to say anything about his siblings with that kinda behaviour? What the fuck? How dare he! What the hell! Piece of shit arsin–"

My bedroom door slammed open.

I jolted and froze.

A very perplexed and dishevelled looking Dad had tumbled into my room, duvet only having just fallen off.

He blinked and looked around my dark room. "Alex? You okay? What–"

"God dammit, and now I woke you up." I growled and paced some more, raking my nails over my stubbled scalp. "That's something else I gotta make him pay for. What the fuck. Such a bill. Ooh you betcha he's gonna pay back in full. The sneaky little fuckwit of a donkey's ars–"

"Alex!"

I stopped and looked at Dad, panting. He stared at me, wide-eyed and confused.

I closed my mouth.

He stepped towards me. "What happened?"

"Uh…"

"I heard yelling and… well then you're rambling and… what the fuck happened, kid?"

"Dabi."

"Dabi?" Dad rubbed his eyes and looked around, as if expecting the quilt-stapled wankturd to be stood brooding in the corner. Imagine if he had been. I'd have shown him what the inside of his own colon looked like.

I tapped my temple. "The little shit got his vision pal to pay another visit, only this time it was really Dabi there at the same time. New tricks from the vision shittery express! What fun! And then, then do you know what happens? I get preached at. Preached. And then! Woo!" I clapped my hands together. "Then the cocky crap-pot had the audacity to fucking hit me. He hit me. Can you imagine? The audacity!"

Dad sat on my bed and ran his hands through his hair. "Wait… the… what? One thing at a time. A vision? You had another vision?"

"Yup." I popped my lips on the 'p', hugged myself and rocked back on my heels.

"And you got out of it again on your own?"

"Too bloody right I did, showed that little vision tit who was boss."

"And in the vision… Dabi was actually there? Like a shared vision thing?"

I shrugged. "I have no idea how it worked. Bloody annoying."

"And he hit you?" Dad looked me over as if expecting a bruise.

I placed a hand to my cheek, the vague memory of the stinging in the back of my mind. "Right in the face. Piece of trash. But ugh! One, he hit me. Two, he preached at me. Three, kept saying that dumbass fucking nickname. And four! Four!"

"Four, what?"

"I was having an amazing dream when he dragged me away from it, like bloody hell that was a great dream! I barely sleep as it is, and I finally get a good sleep, and a great dream and he does that! Bastard!" I kicked my bin and growled again, my mind barely clinging to the last shreds of that amazing dream.

Me and Sho in my room. We stumbled inside, barely able to contain ourselves. Sho pressed me against the door, kissed me, bit my neck and pulled my hair. His hands were all over me. He kept panting my name. He held so fucking tight and yet still not tight enough. Then. Oh my. Then he hiked one of legs onto his hip, fuck it was good. It felt so real. My skirt rode up, and his hand, that deftly fingered wonder, it grazed along my thigh, slipped to the inside and stroked along the lace of my knickers before–

"Alex?" Dad waved a hand in front of my face. "What was the dream about?"

I went bright pink. "Nothing!"

"So what was so good about it?"

"Not the point!"

Me and Dad are close, but there's no way I'm discussing my lady boners with him. Nope. Not happening. There is only so much therapy in the world. For either of us. And there's also no way I can ever let Bakugo know that his phrase caught on. Lady boner. Classy Alex. Real classy.

Dad yawned and pinched the bridge of his nose. "So… overall, you're pissed off but… okay?"

"Yeah." I deflated and ended up giggling, the sudden release of the rant and then the recollection of the dream, and now the quiet between me and Dad. What a ride. It can't have been more than two minutes.

He came over to me. "You're such a little weirdo."

I put my head against his chest and giggled. "I'm sorry I woke you."

"It's fine, kid. I'm just glad you're ranting rather than crying or screaming." He chuckled and kissed my head. "You gonna be able to get back to sleep?"

"Probably not. Too wired. But I am going to make a plan."

"Oh boy. Fair enough, I'll join you."

"Dad you gotta get some–"

"I am the original night-owl, kid. I'm fine." Dad leaned back and tapped my chin so I'd look at him. "I'll go put the coffee on, you throw on a jumper or something, you look cold."

Jumper on, slippers attached, I met him at the small island in his kitchen area. I would be moving back into my own room soon, but I was hardly in a rush. Being close to Dad was nice, especially as we healed from the latest 'whoops' between us–he didn't mean to hide the truth about my parents from me, but these things still took time to recover from.

"So." Dad set the fresh cups down and sat, bringing out a notebook and clicking his pen. Business mode. "What's this plan you're wanting to make?"

"I wanna build a mental defence."

He raised his brows and scribbled.

I kept going. "I want some way to avoid the visions, not just break out of them. I know we talked about this before, but I really wanna work on it. And I think the best way to do that, is to ask Shinso."

Dad's hand wavered over the notepad, exactly how I knew it would. We had trained with Shinso since the 'incident' happened–though that feels like a lifetime ago now. We had come so far from then, lessons learned on both sides. But still. He wavered. I put my hand on his arm and smiled. He nodded and noted it down.

He cleared his throat. "I'm sure he wouldn't mind, he's asked after you whenever I've had time to train with him recently."

"He's going to be the best training partner for this I think, he has a pretty good grasp on how hard to push me or not." I pulled my jumper close, sipped my coffee and wondered if I was imagining the continued throb in my cheek. As if I had really been slapped. I traced along the skin there.

Dad took my hand. "I'm kind of assuming Dabi has never hit you before?"

"No. N-Not like that."

"Bit different to the burn, huh?"

"Yeah. This was different. He hasn't…" Having had time to cool off after my shock of the dream, my throat thickened. I swallowed, but it remained. I held Dad's hand tightly. "I guess I should have seen it coming."

"You kept hoping for the best for him, that's not something to scold yourself for. You had hope. Or… Does that still apply?" His voice was quiet, gentle, letting me speak freely. Shit. We really had come a long way.

I put my head against the counter-top. "Yeah… Maybe… I don't know. I always had that 'maybe' in my head for Dabi, but this… this felt different. Like I've missed the chance. He was more… More manic." I sat up and bit my lip. "Like those little threads he had been holding onto… they're broken."

"This isn't on you." Dad got up and pulled me into a hug, holding my head to his chest. "Please don't think you've failed, because he's strayed. Please."

I smiled against his pajama top. "Heh… You got it one, old man."

"Figured as much. But you fought so hard, Alex. If he can't see that, or can't bring himself to follow… That's his choice. As valid as yours, even if misguided." He kissed the top of my head. "I am sorry though. The way you spoke about him as a kid, kinda made him seem important."

I sniffed and nuzzled. "Yeah. He was. Is. Shit… I don't know."

"You don't need to know, kid. You really don't." Dad sighed and leaned back to bring my face up, running his fingers under my watering eyes. So silly. Tears helped nothing. Yet there they are. Then again, maybe it's a good thing they're there. That they still could be.

I blinked the tears away and smiled up at him. His eyes were bloodshot like usual, though his beard was a little longer than normal. Maybe on purpose. Maybe he hadn't had time. He suited it, regardless, though his hair was definitely longer too.

"You're starting to look homeless, old man." I chuckled, ruffling his hair. And then I paused. My power stopped moving his hair and I peered.

No blurred patches.

Nothing. It was crystal clear. I blinked again and looked around the room, moving slowly, peering at the calendar and small print on some post on the sideboard. All of it. I could see all of it. No blurred bits at all. None!

"Alex?"

"I can see."

"What?"

I laughed. "Holy fuckballs I can see everything."

"Shit, really?" He came over and cupped my cheeks, looking into my eyes and grinning. "Shall I make an appointment with the old lady just to make sure?"

"Yeah. Go ahead. Would be nice to have her find nothing wrong for once!" I grinned and he laughed. I threw my arms around his neck and he lifted me into the hug. could see again. Finally. Whatever quirk it had been had long term effects, but at least it was over. More progress.

And now? Now I can see. So now… Now I can talk to Sho.

I didn't want to say anything whilst my sight was still impaired. But now? Now it wasn't. So now…

Now I could tell Sho that I love him.

Dun dun duuuun! Hope you enjoyed reading ^-^ thanks to everyone following, faving and of course reviewing. Love hearing from you guys! Shoutouts below! See you in two weeks! 12th of March!

SHOUTOUTS:

Zikishigaku: I really enjoyed writing the press conference, and I wanted to show a little more progress for Alex as well ^-^ I really liked her schooling the reporter as well haha, so I'm super pleased you liked it! I adore writing Bakugo tbh, with all his flaws and nuances, its great to sink my teeth into, especially against characters like Alex and Sho. I really hoped you liked Dabi's POV, it went on a lot longer than I intended buuuut i was having far too much fun. So there we are... lol! Thanks once again for chiming in, I'm amazed you're still hooked after all this time, and soo thankful you take the time to pop in and say hi. It's truly awesome of you!