CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN - SHIFTING TIDES

PART 1

The walk to school that morning was almost surreal for Shigaraki. In fact, it was so mundanely routine that it was practically abnormal. If that made sense. He wasn't sure why he thought that his day-to-day life would be any different now that he was no longer a virgin, but he just expected… something to change. You know, colours would become more vibrant and bright, sound more clear and joyful - rainbows and fucking butterflies. But all that was just bullshit movies tried to delude you with. Everything was just the same as it had been the day before, nothing was different.

He turned his bewildered gaze over to Dabi and the hand holding his own light grip tightened. Instantly, the perpetually warm skin of his boyfriend's palm made Shigaraki feel completely at ease - like the heat was transferring directly from that hand into his body and warming him from the inside out. Even with his new gloves, he could feel Dabi as if there was nothing in between them. He liked that. Especially now that they had "done the deed" he felt like he needed that real connection with Dabi.

"You sure you're okay?" Dabi asked. Little clouds of white smoke puffed out from his lips as he spoke.

"Yeah. Fine." Shigaraki replied but couldn't help the slight wince that twisted his face when he adjusted the bag on his shoulder.

Dabi scoffed and took another long drag on his cigarette before tossing it in a garbage bin they were passing.

So, it was a half lie. And Dabi could obviously see right through him.

On one hand he felt pretty damn amazing, sublime even, but on the other? He definitely didn't expect it to hurt so much afterwards. Shigaraki could still feel the twinge of pain in his ass and the, somewhat pleasurable, ache up his spine that continued to remind him that he'd been well fucked earlier that morning. It hurt with every step he took. He really didn't need that constant reminder; the sex was well and truly ingrained into his brain.

He cleared his throat and tipped his chin down to focus on his footsteps instead of his pained ass and the memory of the incredible sex that made it difficult for him to walk normally.

"Hey." Dabi stopped in place and in turn, anchored Shigaraki from walking any further forward. He tugged his boyfriend closer and then released his hand, so he could slide his arms around Shigaraki's narrow waist instead.

"Dabi…" Shigaraki said in warning, trying to reel away from the very public embrace. Even though they were running late for school, there were still a lot of students milling about outside, waiting until the very last minute to get to class. And who were currently very invested in the boy's intimacy, watching enthusiastically.

"We can go back," Dabi suggested, leaning closer. "I wouldn't mind staying in bed with you all day. You know, so you can recuperate."

"Tch." The corner of Shigaraki's mouth kicked up in amusement. "Yeah, right."

Dabi grinned and closed the gap between them, initiating a kiss. Shigaraki breathed in a sharp breath, shocked by the sudden affections but didn't stop it. Their mouths came together softly, lips pursed, just enough to press, mold and cling, and then slide apart. Dabi's lip twitched with a little smile as Shigaraki unconsciously lifted his arms and wound them around the back of his neck, drawing them into another kiss - onlookers forgotten for the moment.

"So how about it?"

"Mm, no." Shigaraki snorted and then took a step back. "I want to get some food before class starts. I'm starving"

Dabi reluctantly allowed Shigaraki to leave the comfort of his arms but slung his arm over his shoulders instead, tugging him close into his side and steering him towards the main UA building.

"Mm, well you did have a pretty intense workout this morning." Dabi teased.

"Ugh." Shigaraki scrunched his nose and scratched wildy at his neck.

Thankfully the line-up in the cafeteria wasn't very long. They were late for breakfast due to their sluggish morning wake-up and even slower pre-school preparations. Shigaraki got the works, the biggest breakfast he could carry - grilled fish, rice, miso soup, and a side of pickled vegetables. He needed to refuel. Unusually, Dabi seemed to be equally as hungry and copied his loaded tray.

At their usual table, Kai and Kurogiri along with, and lamentably, Takami were all sitting quietly. They had finished with their breakfasts and were busy scrolling their social media and flicking through comic books when Shigaraki and Dabi joined them.

"Hey." Shigaraki greeted the other boys as he sat down in the empty seat beside Kai.

"Yo." Dabi echoed his curt greeting and slid onto the seat opposite him.

"You're late today." Kai said, looking up from his phone and turning his eager gaze over to Shigaraki. He had been in a foul mood after missing the walk to school with his BFF but felt instantly happier now that they were together again.

"Uh, yeah..." Shigaraki mumbled and snapped his disposable wooden chopsticks apart. His traitorous face felt warm, too hot suddenly. He wasn't doing a great job of keeping cool-headed after the night he spent with Dabi. But maybe it only felt that way. Either way, he was compelled to scratch the sudden itch on his neck.

"Mm yeah, I wonder why." Takami interjected from the adjacent side of the table. He planted his elbow on the table top and dropped his cheek in his palm while he grinned, his golden eyes sparkling with impishness.

Dabi gave him one of those looks that clearly read don't say or start any shit and then shovelled some rice into his mouth.

"What?" Takami snivelled, "You know we share a wall, right?"

Shigaraki coughed, choking on his soup just as he was taking a sip, almost spitting it all out over himself. Kai frowned behind his mask, immediately realizing what Takami was implying. Kurogiri frowned, his eyes angry at Takami's lack of humility.

"You're such a pervert, bird brain." Dabi said, impassive, and calmly eating his breakfast.

"I can't help what I hear, Dabs. Those walls are paper thin."

"Better get some headphones then." Dabi joked.

Shigaraki glared at Dabi and then Takami before returning his attention back to his breakfast.

"So, new gloves, huh?" Takami asked, leaning forward. His sharp gaze narrowed at Shigaraki's partially covered hands.

Takami was naturally a very observant person and that came along with a keen wit, so he was quickly adding numbers up in his head, putting two and two together. The corner of his mouth twitched as he sat back in place, folding his arms obnoxiously over his chest.

"You're not supposed to be having sex in the dorms, you know." He explained, matter-of-factly.

"Here we go." Dabi drawled, bored of his friend's attempts at provocation. He was trying to cause trouble.

"What? It's a rule."

"You want to lose a wing?" Shigaraki scowled. "Shut up."

"Rude." Takami sniffled, idly studying his painted nails, "Look, I am just doing my duty as the Student Class President."

"You're just being an asshole." Shigaraki countered.

"That's's a stupid fucking rule. Where are we supposed to do it then? Outside on a bench?" Dabi bantered, despite his boyfriends clearly visible discomposure. "Is that better?"

"Jesus. Dabi!" Shigaraki kicked his boyfriend under the table.

"Ha! I knew it. So, you did have sex!" Takami beamed, proud of his now founded allegation. He had only been speculating based on what he knew and what he had heard, but Dabi had played easily into his trap.

"Congratulations. You're very astute." Dabi rolled his eyes at his best-friend.

"Astute? Surprised you know what that means."

"You're just jealous you're not getting laid." Dabi replied grinning smugly. He then turned his attention back to Shigaraki to console him, "Just ignore him."

Shigaraki grumbled under his breath and quickly stuffed his mouth full of food. He wasn't going to dignify any of that with a response. And luckily, he wouldn't have too. The bell rang loud and shrill, indicating it was time for class, and saving him from further humiliation.

Kai was the first to pack up his things, like he was in a rush to get to class. He left the table without saying a word. Takami snickered knowingly.

"Come on, lovebirds. Time to get to class!" He said in that annoying sing-song voice he had.

"Shut up," Dabi said, elbowing his friend. "We haven't finished eating. We'll be a few minutes late. Cover for us."

"Not a chance, Dabs." Takami grinned and then flounced away after Kai.

"We got you." Kurogiri interjected, before following Takami and Kai down the aisle of tables at a more respectable speed.

PART 2

Kai looked back over his shoulder before exiting the cafeteria, his gaze lingering on Shigaraki. His heart felt like it had dropped into his stomach and was replaced with an intense miserable ball of jealousy.

"Fuck."

He wasn't supposed to feel this way. But he did and there was a spark inside him - this angry, annoyed spark which seemed to wash out all his good and turn his intentions bad. He couldn't even find himself liking or accepting Dabi any longer. He knew it was wrong, but it was almost like another part of him, wild and lawless. He had no control over it.

He narrowed his eyes bitterly, his standard black mask hiding the nasty grimace below, and then he stormed out into the hallway, not waiting for his friends to catch up. He wasn't in the mood to deal with Kurogiri's sympathy or Takami's blatant arrogance. He was even half-tempted to play hooky and get away from it all for just a day but that would mean he was giving up, right? He wasn't ready to surrender, not just yet. He just needed a moment to regroup and think.

"Get yourself together, man." He whispered to himself.

Behind him, some footsteps were fast approaching, at a jogging pace, and then Takami idled up to his side. Kai started walking faster but the bird only matched his pace, easily keeping up with his strides. He spared him a short glance, one that he hoped conveyed his bad mood but he didn't acknowledge him further than that.

"So," Takami started. Kai braced himself to get mad but astonishingly, and unlike before in the cafeteria, his voice did not carry the same superior quality. He wasn't being egotistical or insolent. "How are you feeling, buddy?"

"Fantastic."

"Well, you looked pissed off."

"I always look like this."

"You sure about that?" Takami asked, brows furrowing. "Or could it be that you're just a little bit upset about what you just heard back there?"

"I said i'm fine."

"Okay. Whatever." Takami rolled his eyes. "I guess it's not something you want to talk about anyway." He added with a big emphasis on the word you.

Kai stopped in place and levelled a cautionary gaze at Takami. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, come on, Chisaki." Takami grinned and leaned casually back against the closest wall. "You know exactly what I mean."

"Enlighten me, please."

"Are we going to play this game?"

"I'm not playing anything."

"Oh, you are." Takami pushed away from his brief resting place and took two slow but very brazen steps into Kai's personal bubble, until the toes of their shoes almost touched. "Why don't you reconsider my proposal?"

Kai hesitated to answer. His heart immediately told him to say yes, it was selfishly screaming at him to say yes, but his head told him no. He didn't want to hurt Shigaraki, he wanted him to be happy. Isn't that what you wanted for your friends? And Shigaraki was his best-friend.

"No."

Takami opened his mouth wide with a little surprised gasp. "You hesitated!"

"I did not."

"No? My mistake." He grinned impishly, golden eyes full of mischief. "It might already be too late anyway. You know, now that they've had sex..." Takami continued to prod him, pushing all the right buttons.

"I'm going to class." Kai started walking again, shouldering past Takami and knocking him out of his way. The idiot bird was right, he didn't want to talk about this. And he was slightly concerned that if he stuck around any longer his pseudo-friend might just be able to convince him to betray his best-friend.

"Hear me out." Takami continued, following along insufferably. "I just need you to do a few small things to help with my little… project. Nothing shady."

Kai scoffed.

"Two things actually. And I am going to tell you what they are whether you want to hear it or not and you can decide if you are capable of following through. Hey," Takami grabbed Kai's arm and tugged him sideways into a small alcove just outside their classroom, between two rows of lockers.

Kai stumbled at the sudden change of direction but quickly regained his balance and when he did he shoved Takami firmly backwards, into the lockers. He tugged his mask down to his chin.

"What is your problem? I said no."

"You hesitated."

"N-"

"Cut the act." Takami sighed absurdly, "I get it. You do want to get involved but here's the thing Chisaki, you already are. By listening to me weeks back and now you're already involved, so I could do this without you but i'm throwing you a bone. Take it."

"Just fucking talk."

"Two things," Takami grinned and then jerked his head towards the hallway, making sure it was clear of any students. He lowered his voice, leaning in closer. "When things go down, and they will, just keep Shigaraki away from Dabi. Don't let him see him, don't let him text him. No contact. I don't care how you do that, just make it happen."

Kai arched a brow. "You want me to, like, lock him in a room, tie him up?"

"Heh. If that's your kink."

"You're an idiot."

"Second thing, I am going to start some harmless rumors, you need to back me up on that. I can't look like the bad guy. Shigaraki is smart, he'll catch on. And I need Dabi to look like the bad guy."

"You really are unbelievable."

"Thank you."

Kai observed Takami silently, trying to figure him out. He was a lot more complicated than he realized. On the surface he was this bright sunny bubble, however, deep down, he was dark, a black void who could swallow anyone whole if he wanted too. And unfortunately, both sides of him worked in tandem, aiding the other for his own benefit.

Kai pulled his mask back up in place and then left Takami in the alcove without saying another word, no transactions made or confirmed agreements. He would see how it all played out and would decide when the time came. Until then, as far as he was concerned, he wasn't in.

But he wasn't out either…

Takami, feeling quite pleased with himself, skipped out of the alcove and whistled cheerfully as he entered the classroom. The perfect picture of virtue. If only they knew...