CHAPTER SIXTY - HERE WE GO AGAIN

Shigaraki had this awful, nagging feeling that Endeavor did not like him very much and that gut feeling carried all the way to the steakhouse where the group was sharing a dinner to celebrate the release of the Hero Feature.

Endeavor had not spoken a single word to Shigaraki nor had he the decency to look at Shigaraki even though they were sitting just a few feet away from each other. Admittedly, that wasn't really so out of the ordinary considering every other time Shigaraki had been in the number two's presence, he had been mostly ignored or disregarded, but Shigaraki's gut told him there was more to it than that.

Following the conclusion of the press conference, Endeavor had spent the first next thirty-minutes griping about the disregard both Dabi and Takami had been shown during the live interview at UA High and how the reporters had supposedly made his son, and his most promising protégé, irrelevant to the eyes of the public - in comparison to Shigaraki, who, up until a week ago, was a nobody.

Of course, that wasn't the case at all.

Both Dabi and Takami had had their fair share of questions to respond to and individually their own time in the spotlight, but as was expected, there was just going to be more excitement surrounding Shigaraki. The press wanted to report on something new and exciting and as much as Endeavor having two of UA High's top graduating heroes at his agency was impressive, a living descendant of Nana Shimura was much bigger and more provocative news. It didn't diminish Dabi or Takami as heroes in any way, it was just… different.

Needless to say, Shigaraki was uncomfortable and was silently contemplating a reasonable excuse to get out of the steakhouse, before he could validate the bad vibes he was feeling, and the dinner took a turn for the worse. Which he almost expected with his present company.

With a faint sigh, he pushed his half-eaten plate of food away from him and glanced inattentively at the faces around the table, not in the mood to attempt any small talk or join any existing conversations. He checked the hour on his phone for the hundredth time, wondering if there was some social protocol on how long he had to stick this out before he could leave without seeming rude or ungrateful for the free food - food that he had barely touched and had no desire to finish.

Someone was paying attention to his silent engagement, however, and deliberately tried to catch his attention. Only one person at the table would bother to make that kind of attempt when it was quite obvious that Shigaraki did not want to chat.

"Got somewhere else to be?" Dabi asked, smiling tightly from the other side of the table.

Shigaraki only spared him a quick glance before returning his attention back to his phone. His boyfriend looked equally as uncomfortable as Shigaraki felt by having his dad and undisclosed boyfriend at the same table again. He was trying to maintain his usual charisma though, cool, and casual, probably for his dad's sake. Shigaraki wasn't sure why he bothered, Endeavor was not paying attention to either of them, he was too busy chatting with All Might and Mr. Aizawa to concern himself with what they were doing.

"No." Shigaraki replied coolly, without looking back up.

"What's so interesting then?" Dabi asked, brows raised as he curiously leaned forward.

"Nothing."

"Nothing?" Dabi replied with a cynical chuckle.

"Probably catching up with all his new followers." Takami piped in, never one to be left out of a conversation. "Right, Tenko? I bet you're getting all kinds of… requests."

Shigaraki lifted his eyes, glaring testily at Takami before locking his phone and tucking it away out of sight. "Sorry, I couldn't quite hear you. Why don't you come over here and say that again."

Takami laughed, his golden gaze sparkling with mischief and amusement. "I'm good here, thanks."

Shigaraki stared at him impassively and Dabi shook his head, sighing wearily at his best-friends derisive sarcasm.

"So, your socials. Must be blowing up." Takami continued to speak, even with Shigaraki staring daringly at him. "I was checking earlier and," He paused and let out a low whistle. "That Shimura blood sure is popular."

"How about you shut up?" Dabi suggested.

"What? I am just trying to make friendly conversation." Takami grinned, all kinds of proud of himself. "Say, Shiggy, are you going to officially change your name?"

"Jesus." Dabi muttered, rubbing his face.

Takami was playing a dangerous game. On the outside, Shigaraki looked very calm and serene, but Dabi knew better. His best friend was one more word away from a broken nose, or worse, a clipped wing. Of course, Shigaraki was smart enough and had the patience to wait until they were not in the presence of two pro-heroes and their teacher to exact his revenge, but he was also not opposed to threats and describing, in great detail, what he would do to Takami if he did not shut his mouth, others present or not.

Takami, on the other hand, was obtusely boldened by the temporary protection from Endeavor, All Might and Mr. Aizawa, so much so that his arrogance did not allow him to think ahead and to the consequences of his sharp tongue.

"Maybe." Shigaraki said, his intense red gaze fixed disturbingly yet calmly on his classmate. "Though, I wouldn't want to completely destroy your following… any more than I already have anyway."

Takami sneered and shot up to his feet, his chair screeching against the floor with the force of his sudden movement. He slapped the palms of his hands down hard onto the table as he inclined aggressively towards Shigaraki.

"You're a fucking novelty!"

"Takami!" Dabi spat out in warning, grabbing his best friend's arm to get him to sit back down.

Shigaraki snickered, knowing very well that he had struck a very sour chord with Takami. But it was just too much of an easy target to hit. The idiot bird was extremely pretentious about his minor fame on social media and never failed to boast about all his adoring followers. The fact that Shigaraki had exceeded his celebrity in just one short day annoyed and maddened him to no end, especially since Shigaraki did not give a rat's ass about Instagram or Tik Tok or who was following who.

"No one is going to give a shit about you in a week!"

"You want to lose a wing, bird brain? Sit down and shut up!" Dabi tried again.

Thankfully, Takami's abrupt change of poise did not go unnoticed. Mr. Aizawa, who had offhandedly been listening in to their conversation - probably expecting that the three boys would not make it through dinner without a fight - immediately mirrored Dabi's advice and demanded Takami sit down and calm down. Which he did, reluctantly, and not before giving Shigaraki his most belligerent stare.

Shigaraki maintained his composure under the golden bird's glare, which only seemed to make Takami even more irritated.

"Why are you always trying to start a fight with him?" Dabi questioned, trying to quell the prevailing animosity between his best friend and his boyfriend.

"Me? He started it." Takami replied bitterly.

"That's a lie and you know it."

Shigaraki grinned innocently, no trace of agitation on his face as he slowly got up from the table. He was enjoying watching Takami unravel in front of him, usually, the stupid bird's feathers were not so easily ruffled.

"We can finish this later if you want." He offered to his classmate, grinning and tossing his pristine white napkin onto the tabletop.

"Oh, I'm fucking done with you." Takami replied, scornful.

"Too bad." Shigaraki said, pushing his chair back.

"Where are you going?" Dabi promptly asked, his eyes fixed eagerly on Shigaraki as he moved to leave the table.

"The washroom. Is that okay?"

"Yeah. I'll come with you."

Shigaraki wanted to tell Dabi that he would prefer to go alone, so he could have a much-needed moment of solitude after an overwhelming and over-stimulating day, but who was he to tell Dabi he couldn't go to the bathroom? He shrugged his shoulders lightly to convey his indifference and then stepped out from the table. He didn't get too far, however, as it seemed Endeavor was finally ready to acknowledge his presence.

"Shigaraki, just a moment before you go."

"Yes sir?"

"All Might was just telling me that you declined an offer to join his agency."

With an inaudible sigh, Shigaraki backtracked the few steps he had taken and returned to his seat, unprepared and disinterested in having this conversation. The subject of his post UA High life was something that he used to think about quite often and before he found out about his Shimura blood, he would have jumped at the chance to work with All Might, without hesitation. But recently, he had subconsciously put all those thoughts aside so he could focus on the present and all the immediate concerns he was dealing with.

"That's not entirely accurate." Shigaraki amended.

Across the table Takami scoffed in disgust and resentment that Shigaraki had the audacity to reject All Might. All Might! The number one hero. Dabi looked completely astonished, probably wondering why Shigaraki had not opened up about all the things going on in his life including that interesting tidbit of information. The answer, of course, was pretty obvious, though apparently not to Dabi.

"No?" Endeavor questioned; one eyebrow arched in curiosity.

"I didn't decline his offer. Not exactly. I just-"

"You want to see what other options are available to you." Endeavor interjected. "Smart move, that's very mature of you."

Shigaraki made a face and then shook his head. "No, that's not-" Again, he was interrupted, unable to convey his real reasoning. It probably didn't matter anyway, people, Endeavor included, would think what they wanted, regardless of what decision Shigaraki made.

"I was quite transparent with All Might just now regarding your future and my interest in also extending an offer to you, to join my agency."

Shigaraki couldn't help but laugh in astoundment. Had he heard that right? Endeavor, who seemed so completely apathetic towards him, wanted Shigaraki to join his agency. Unbelievable. It was never going to happen, working alongside Dabi and Takami was a bad idea, for several very valid reasons.

"What?" Takami exclaimed, appalled, before Shigaraki had a chance to respond. "You're joking right? Him?"

Beside Takami Dabi blanched, his face paling. He clearly did not like the proposal his Father was putting on the table either but was wise enough to keep his mouth shut.

"I am being quite serious," Endeavor replied, baffled by Takami's contempt towards his classmate. "I think Shigaraki would be an excellent fit and a valuable asset to the agency. Having a Todoroki and a Shimura operating together is also a huge recipe for success."

Takami sneered. Being left out of Endeavor's high-level affairs definitely stirred him the wrong way. And in a truly Takami fashion, as if a switch had gone off in his head, he smiled eerily. That grin was very telling, he was not going to let this go, not without a fight. And Shigaraki knew something was coming. Takami would never let a chance to cause some mayhem slip by, especially if it benefited him.

"Is there not some kind of rule about interoffice relationships though? Like, you shouldn't work with someone you're fuc-"

"Oh my God!" Dabi shrieked, elbowing his best friend hard in the ribs. "Shut up, bird brain!"

"Ouch!"

Shigaraki sighed, rubbing at the bridge of his nose, and shaking his head slightly.

"Interoffice relationships? What are you talking about, Keigo?" Endeavor questioned, clearly confused, and not really picking up on the hinted relationship between his son and Shigaraki.

"Yeah. You know, between Da-"

"Dad don't listen to him. It's nothing." Dabi said, elbowing his friend again. "He's just being an ass." The last word Dabi said under his breath. "Idiot."

Shigaraki gave Dabi a look, dumbfounded. That was his chance, to come clean to his dad and to make things right by finally acknowledging that he was in a relationship with Shigaraki. It was the right time, the perfect moment. The implication was already laid right out on the table, Dabi just had to say it.

"Tell him." Shigaraki urged, anxious but optimistic.

Dabi stared back at him, alarmed, like a deer caught in headlights, frozen and silent.

Shigaraki frowned. He wasn't sure how he was going to react if Dabi chose to diminish him right in front of his dad again. He waited, almost daring Dabi to demean him, with just a simple look. And for a split second, it did seem like Dabi was gathering up the courage to confess. But then, he blew it. The moment passed quickly and quietly, the genuinity of spontaneousness, for a truthful confession, disappeared, right out the window. And that window slammed shut.

"Tell him what, Shigaraki?" Dabi finally said, his voice cracking as he postured a fake yet completely confident confusion. Like he had no idea what Shigaraki was asking him to do.

Shigaraki reeled back, his breath catching in his throat. "Are you fucking kidding me?"

He knew getting Dabi to admit to being in a relationship with him was a long shot, but outright fucking denial was something he had not expected. That was like a punch to his gut.

Dabi didn't respond, he didn't say anything more, staring sorely and apologetically at Shigaraki and shaking his head. He really wasn't going to do it and worse than that he was willing to let the already little fragment of what remained of their relationship completely collapse because he was afraid of what his dad would think.

"What is going on?" Endeavor asked firmly when an uncomfortable silence settled over the table. Well, everyone except for Takami who was chuckling under his breath, he could not have been more pleased with himself.

"It's nothing." Shigaraki said, repeating Dabi's words and glaring dejectedly at his… well whatever Dabi was to him now. "Nothing at all." He emphasized, hoping the true meaning of those words really hit home for Dabi.

"If there is something I need to kn-"

"No." Shigaraki shook his head and then slowly rose to his feet. "Sorry, if you would excuse me." He quickly added and then immediately removed himself from the table before someone had a chance to stop him.

"Shigaraki, about my off-" Endeavor began, but his words landed on deaf ears.

"Where are you going?" Mr. Aizawa called out worriedly from behind him, gently asking for Shigaraki to return to the table so they could continue and finish their conversation, like adults. "Dabi, sit down. Shigaraki! Come back here. Please."

Like fuck he was going to turn back around. He wanted to get the hell out of the restaurant and as far away from that specific group of people he could. His emotional state was fragile, caught between exhaustion and anger and fucking heartbreak. He didn't know what he was capable of but he was one more word away from losing his sanity.