Deviant

Disclaimer: I do not own My Hero Academia.

Warnings: Violence, Drama, Peril, Death

Pairings: Midoriya x Amajiki, Midoriya x Shinsou, Midoriya x Bakugou, Midoriya x Todoroki, Midoriya x Uraraka

Plot: Life after the apocalypse has drastically changed for those who survived. Contracting with demons is probably one of the least interesting developments in the new world. For Midoriya and Amajiki, it's become a standard way of life, the only existence they've ever known. They must rely on one another to avoid possession, and live whatever semblance of life remains now that the planet has been ripped apart.

Demon Classes:
Lesser - unable to appear in spectral form, only visible/communicative with contracted host
Mid - can appear in spectral form/partial manifestation
Greater - can manifest entirely in the physical realm
Deviant - dangerous to contract with, strong enough to possess host during manifestation
Chaos - can exist independently without contractor, consume weaker demons to sustain themselves and accumulate power

Midoriya: (Original Pact: Bakugou, Uraraka, Todoroki)
Power - Bakugou G/G (power/combustion), Toga M/L (power/darkness)
Fire - Todoroki G
Water - Asui M
Air - Uraraka M/L (air/gravity)
Earth - Kirishima M/G (earth/shield)
Light - Kaminari M (lightning)
Darkness - Shinsou C
Enhancements: Jirou L/L (sight/sound), Hagakure L (stealth)

Amajiki: (Original Pact: Hawks, Fumikage, Nejire/Mirio)
Power - Usagiyama D, Mirio G/G (power/light)
Fire - n/a
Water - Nejire M
Air - Hawks G
Earth - n/a
Light - Shimura D/G (light/gravity)
Darkness - Fumikage M
Enhancements: Aizawa G (sight), Kuroiro G (stealth), Shiozaki M (binding)

Terminology:
Aura - the lifeforce and energy emitted by all living things, quality and quantity vary
Dual - demons capable of offering their contracted host multiple quirks
Shade - L demons who possess and feed solely off of animals
Husk - the remnants of a human host after possession, if not devoured entirely
Deviancy - when G or D demons become powerful enough to possess their host without consent, some demons may have deviant tendencies but decide never to act upon them
Possession - when a demon takes full control of their host without express consent, and may choose to relinquish control, remain in control, or devour their contracted host accordingly
Reality - the realm where humans exist naturally
Astral - the realm where demons exist naturally and draw power from, Astral mirrors Reality
Haven
- a safe shared headspace between demon and host within the astral realm
Cherished - the demonic equivalent of bonded soulmates, when contracting with a human cherished pairs typically bond simultaneously with their chosen host to remain together


Ch 06: Entremets

Over the course of the next two weeks, Midoriya and Amajiki regained their strength. They never strayed far, avoiding the valley and sticking to the higher altitudes of the mountain, their basecamp tucked safely away from the entities that inhabited the city below.

They found a small lake within walking distance of their camp their second day living on the mountain. There was a decent-sized freshwater stream supplying the shaded reservoir before continuing on down the mountainside, leading into the dense tree-line concealing the mouth of the valley from immediate view. There was a larger lake there, Jirou had surmised, though they'd never ventured close enough to see it.

The small lake nearby supplied them well enough with fish and other smaller game without having to explore elsewhere; Midoriya and Amajiki chasing frogs around the shallows while Shinsou teased an angry snapping turtle with a long, rounded stick.

They added turtle soup and frog-legs to their now protein-rich diets, and with proper rest and consistent meals they slowly but surely began to heal from the malnourishment they'd suffered through living on the outskirts of their hometown.

Midoriya and Amajiki had never been to the city nestled in the center of the valley. They'd never been to any city of this size in their entire lives, before the apocalypse they'd never been outside of their hometown.

They were confined to fallout shelters after the bombs dropped, and once they finally emerged from the safe haven of their underground bunkers they discovered a nuclear winter had fallen over the world.

The adults in their lives were exposed to lingering radiation any time they ventured aboveground, and over the next several weeks slowly but surely everyone Midoriya and Amajiki knew became sicker and sicker. Eventually they were left alone; their family, friends, and neighbors never returning from their travels aboveground. Whether they'd become victims of their environment or prey for hungry demons roving the land they could never be sure, one was just as likely as the other.

It was only after they had both been alone for several weeks, confined to separate bunkers, that their first demons had made contact with them and offered subsequent contracts.

Bakugou taught Midoriya how to survive, and Hawks in turn sheltered Amajiki; their demons teaching them, nurturing them, and eventually coaxing them out into what remained of the world.

Amajiki left his bunker first, exploring the abandoned streets of his neighborhood with Hawks at his side, the fallen angel protecting his young host fiercely from any demon who dared to approach with ill intent. Midoriya didn't set foot on the surface for another six months, and when he had first encountered Amajiki on the snow-laden streets Bakugou and Hawks had come to an agreement to have their hosts help one another survive.

Midoriya was almost seven now, and Amajiki had just turned nine. They were young, and had no one else to rely on aside from their demons. There was not another human left alive in the entirety of their hometown.

For the next ten years the planet was covered in dense grey clouds and heavy snowfall. Midoriya and Amajiki mostly stayed inside, moving from one bunker to the next, consuming all resources left behind by the adults that had briefly lived there before, until eventually they were forced to move on.

Each bunker supplied around five years of food when split between two people, and there were three bunkers around their hometown. One downtown near the hotel, one in a residential area near the elementary school, and one near the neighborhood where Midoriya and Amajiki grew up.

They spent their time indoors reading books, researching the world they had heard of but never truly seen, their contracts with their respective demons growing over the years as their plethoras steadily increased. Their demons taught them about the outside world as well, the dangers lurking beyond the rural area where they had chosen to dwell.

The climate started to settle and warm around Midoriya's sixteenth birthday, and over the next few years the snow began to melt and the sky began to clear.

It was only after fifteen years of surviving the end of the world, tucked away safely underground from nuclear fallout and the subsequent global winter, that Midoriya and Amajiki were finally able to walk aboveground beneath sunshine again.

The five years that elapsed after that were rougher than the first fifteen combined. As they entered their early twenties Midoriya and Amajiki began to realize the supplies within the bunkers surrounding their hometown were starting to run dangerously low. They began scavenging aboveground instead, though the quickly discovered radiation had contaminated almost everything on the surface of the planet.

The one resource they were able to safely obtain was fresh water. Enough time had passed now that the freshwater streams carried little to no traces of toxins, and so Midoriya and Amajiki moved their basecamp out of the bunkers and to the edges of town; half-way between their dwindling rations within the shelters and the stream supplying fresh water nearby.

They hunted in the wilderness that stretched between their small town and the stream, learning over time how to effectively trap and track the animals that inhabited the surrounding woods, their demons helping them however they could. They weren't able to kill prey for their hosts directly, doing so would risk infecting the meat with traces of demonic energy, which would in turn quickly attract shades. If a human were to eat tainted meat infested with shade, depending on the level of consumption the consequences could be deadly. Even if a host survived the initial poisoning, the lingering effects wouldn't be good for any of them, human and demon alike.

Midoriya and Amajiki learned to hunt for themselves, sharing their kills between them, and with patience and perseverance they both eventually became able to hunt relatively well for themselves. They were a duo, always looking out for one another, always willing and eager to help each other however they possibly could. With help from their books and knowledge from their demons, they learned survivalist tactics and refined their hunting techniques. They learned how to prepare meat and organs, how to craft crude tools and weapons from bone. They became proficient at building fires and shelters, learning how to put together more advanced traps and cooking structures to preserve the meat they procured. It made them closer than they already were, and steadily their friendship blossomed into something more.

Their connection was deeper than just the need for survival and companionship, their unwavering friendship was what truly enabled them to endure all the hardships they went through growing up in the wake of the apocalypse. Alone they were weak, both physically and in mental and emotional soundness. They wouldn't have lasted more than a few years on their own, even with the help of their demons. Together, they were limitless. There were times when things were good, when they felt as if they were living and not just simply surviving, and during those times they both felt unstoppable.

All of that changed when their resources finally ran out.

After twenty years of surviving the apocalypse their rations were completely gone; the surrounding woods were devoid of animals, their town and the three bunkers within were picked clean, and Midoriya and Amajiki were forced to begin to explore the other towns within walking distance on the outskirts of their hometown.

They found the other towns were filled with husks and shades, rarely finding anything worth salvaging no matter how thoroughly they searched the dilapidated ruins before moving on.

If it hadn't been for Shinsou approaching Midoriya and offering a contract, it was likely that in the upcoming weeks they both would have starved.

Now that they were here on the mountainside, Midoriya felt like he could finally breathe. Here, resources were abundant; the air was pure, game was plentiful, and their freshwater supply was crisp and clean. The brilliant sunshine cast upon the mountain warmed their bodies and minds, elevating their spirits with each golden dawn.

The intimacy between Midoriya and Amajiki continued to grow with each passing day, the two companions exploring together, learning their bodies, discovering each other in ways they hadn't realized possible as they entwined in tandem and melded into one.

Midoriya was almost always in control, taking the initiative and coming onto Amajiki whenever the mood struck, his companion more than willing to submit and give himself to Midoriya completely, the younger boy easily bringing them both to the heights of climax.

There were other times however, when Amajiki was the aggressor, Midoriya shyly allowing the older boy to have his way, clinging to him and crying out desperately as he was fucked. Shinsou watched over them closely whenever Amajiki claimed Midoriya, but allowed the humans to do as they liked, drinking in their auras with a satisfied smirk as he licked across his fangs and simply basked beside them.

Midoriya had quickly learned that unless Shinsou allowed it, he wasn't able to cum from penetration, giving or receiving. It had been part of their contract, both the way Shinsou had worded their arrangement and the way Midoriya had agreed, giving the demon full control over his host in that aspect.

You're mine, Izuku. I'm the only one who can gift you pleasure like this.

Midoriya didn't mind really, there was something about the demon being in control of his orgasm that made things all the more intense; he lasted longer during sex, and he typically edged repeatedly until Shinsou finally relented and gave him what he wanted, enhancing the pleasure he experienced far beyond the realm of reality time and time again.

When they were alone together, it was even more satisfying. When Amajiki was asleep, Midoriya would often venture into the woods alone with Shinsou, and allow the embodied demon to take him thoroughly apart.

The first time Midoriya had witnessed Shinsou's demonic form in reality he'd been frightened and enthralled, fearful of the demon's elongated claws and his massive difference in size while simultaneously being extremely turned on. Shinsou had reassured him calmly and patiently that Midoriya had experienced him like this several times before; that his saliva and venom would relax his body and lubricate him thoroughly, allowing Shinsou to penetrate him without any pain.

Midoriya had quickly recognized the sensations of reality blending together with haven whenever Shinsou manipulated their positioning, especially when holding his back into a perfect arch. It was the same as those soft, warm feelings he experienced with Amajiki, revealing those sensations to be not a downy bed nor silken sheets but Shinsou's hands and wings. He could feel them surrounding him, manipulating him, enveloping and encompassing him completely. Shinsou had helped Midoriya and Amajiki experience their first time together, and when Shinsou and Midoriya were alone the demon granted him pleasure unlike anything Midoriya had ever known.

His bifurcated tail acted as a prehensile appendage, trapping Midoriya's wrists and binding him into whatever position Shinsou liked. He could easily cause Midoriya to climax just from teasing him with his tail, sometimes sneakily just out of sight of Amajiki, other times in full view of the other human despite Midoriya's whispered protests. Shinsou was both a voyeur and exhibitionist, and he quickly instilled those desires in Midoriya as well. There wasn't a part of the mountainside or forest where Shinsou wouldn't pull Midoriya aside and fuck him senseless at a moment's notice, with or without Amajiki there to join them.

The first time Midoriya allowed Shinsou to claim him fully in reality, he'd experienced multiple rolling orgasms until promptly passing out.

They'd entered the forest together just after sunset, leaving Amajiki to rest beside the fire-pit after sharing a full meal. Shinsou had taken him to a small clearing near the stream, stripping Midoriya down and working him up slowly, the human moaning sweetly and clinging to his horns as the demon lapped at his arousal.

They'd started off with Shinsou in his chrysalis form at first, giving Midoriya time to adjust to the sensation of it, the differences when fucking the demon in reality versus their shared headspace within the astral realm. Everything felt more intense like this, more impactful, dirty and gritty and raw. It was carnal, feral; it ignited a hunger within Midoriya he'd only ever sampled before.

Shinsou had fucked him mercilessly as soon as Midoriya had given his consent, pinning him down and bucking into him over and over while keeping Midoriya's arms bound tightly behind him with the length of his tail. The split tips curled around the human's neck slowly, twining tightly together and jerking Midoriya's head back, effectively cutting off his oxygen while choking him through his orgasm. The human struggled against his binds, gasping as his body convulsed with pleasure, his vision going white just as he passed out. He had returned to consciousness a few moments later, Shinsou kissing over his shoulders and praising him gently. Midoriya had never cum so hard in his life.

After giving Midoriya enough time to warm up, Shinsou had shifted his form, Midoriya watching the transition with wide eyes, his face flushed crimson as he bit his bottom lip and reached out hesitantly to touch.

Shinsou had waited until Midoriya was certain he wanted to continue before pinning him down once more. Things became a little blurry after that.

Midoriya had awoken to the demon locked inside him, his knot stretching him past his limits, overwhelmed tears streaking down his cheeks as he climaxed instantly again.

"That's my darling, that's my sweet pet~" Shinsou had crooned, groaning with satisfaction as he released another wave of cum deep within his contractor, Midoriya's belly grossly distended with the jut of the demon's thick cock. "You taste so good, darling. You feel amazing cumming around me like that." He panted against Midoriya's ear, his breath hot and heavy against the human's sweat-slicked skin. "You're such a good boy for me, aren't you darling? You like being treated roughly like this? Being used and soiled?"

"I-" Midoriya choked, sobbing as he clenched around Shinsou's knot and climaxed again, practically cumming dry. He cried out and writhed against him, trying to catch his breath, his toes curling and flexing as he kicked against the grass beneath them, crying out sharply as he orgasmed once more.

Shinsou shushed him gently, rocking his hips slowly and purring as he licked over Midoriya's chest, lapping in wide, wet stripes over his perked nipples and his racing heart. He watched Midoriya with piercing neon eyes, opening his mouth wide and panting openly while grunting deeply, venom-laden saliva pouring down his chin and splattering across Midoriya's face and neck. Midoriya was doused repeatedly, eventually choking down a mouthful of venom before twisting to the side as much as he could, inhaling sharply and letting out a shuddering moan as his cock started to fill.

"Relax, Izuku." The demon purred, Midoriya coughing roughly as saliva dripped over his nose and mouth, turning his head to the other side to catch his breath again. Shinsou's drool poured over his forehead and freckled cheeks before streaking down his neck and shoulders, covering his skin in a sticky, sweet glaze.

The demon chuckled darkly, leaning closer and lapping directly over his host's exposed throat, feeling the heat twisting in Midoriya's core as his venom took effect, the human clinging to his shoulders and starting to rock against his locked knot desperately.

"That's it, darling. Take me in. Take all of me." He let out a deep sigh, this knot twitching as he released another pulsating wave of cum within his contractor. "If you're hungry for a demon's pleasure, I'll gladly bring you more~" He chuckled darkly and licked across his fangs, his eyes gleaming as he crooned soft and low, "This is pleasure only I can bring~"

"Hitoshi!" Midoriya gasped, Shinsou arching his back and lifting him from the ground, the human's head hanging loosely and swaying with each movement as the demon canted his hips forward in rough little bucks. "Hitoshi! Hitoshi I can't-"

"Cum." Shinsou smirked, and the human screamed and climaxed violently, streaking in hot bursts across his stomach and chest.

"Hitoshi!" Midoriya cried weakly, choking on a sob as tears flooded down his flushed cheeks, his body responding despite his protests.

"Cum." Shinsou purred again, the human biting his lip hard enough to bleed as his orgasm thundered through him, his cock twitching weakly as he came almost completely dry.

"Please-" Midoriya sobbed, his whole body quivering, his fingernails biting into Shinsou's shoulder and chest as he clenched rhythmically around his knot. "I can't take any more! I can't-"

"Cum." The demon growled, and Midoriya inhaled a shuddering gasp before his grip went slack and his arms fell, Shinsou chuckling impishly as he watched Midoriya fade back into unconsciousness.

He shifted Midoriya gently, carefully wrapping his wings around his contractor to hold him against his chest, rolling onto his back and letting out a soft huff as he relaxed against the lush grass, his tail tapping against the ground lightly. He was cautious as always while handling Midoriya in this form, cupping the human with his palm while stroking along his small back with his thumbpad gently, a low purr already starting within his broad chest. "Alright now, shh…" He breathed slow and even, his tone sweet and calm. "You're alright now, darling. You've satisfied me beyond my fill. I'm sorry for teasing you so cruelly."

Midoriya didn't respond for several long minutes, and when he finally let out a soft hiccup and whine Shinsou shushed him once more, continuing to pet along his spine with his fingertips, letting Midoriya rest on top of him as his knot gradually began to deflate.

When they came apart, a flood of cum rushed from between Midoriya's thighs, the human groaning and curling his fingers against Shinsou's chest, hiding his face and hiccuping as he cried softly. Shinsou lifted him gently, positioning Midoriya higher against his shoulder and chest, the human hiding his face against the curve of his neck, his whole body shaking.

Shinsou let out a soft sigh, crooning and purring to soothe him, peppering his stomach and chest with soft kisses, murmuring reassurances as the human gradually calmed and tried to even his staggered breaths.

"I'm sorry if that was too much, little one." Shinsou whispered gently, Midoriya sniffing and shaking his head slowly, letting out a trembling sigh.

"No it was...it was good. Really good. I wanted it. It was just…" He curled his fingers against the demon's chest, letting out another trembling sigh. "It was really intense, being controlled like that."

Shinsou hummed softly, nodding his understanding, flexing his wings and rolling onto his side while maneuvering Midoriya to rest against the grass beside him. The human blinked up at him hazily, watching as Shinsou's form contorted and twisted, the demon returning to his original size, his wings receding and his claws returning to more recognizable human hands. Midoriya reached out to him as soon as his form settled, tracing his fingertips over the back of Shinsou's hand curiously, following the swirling lines of shadow etched into his skin, the demon chuckling and offering him his palm while kissing his forehead gently.

"You're certain you're alright?" Shinsou asked, shifting to tug Midoriya close once more, sharing his body heat and carding his fingers through Midoriya's messy curls. The human sighed tiredly and nodded, humming quietly while pressing his face to Shinsou's neck and hiding away once more, squeezing his fingers lightly.

"Yeah, I'm sure." He murmured, relaxing against Shinsou fully, smiling a little when he felt the demon press soft kisses against his temple and crown. "I'm just tired now. You've worn me out. Again."

Shinsou chuckled fondly and shrugged a little, grinning as he apologized cheerily, "What can I say? I'm stuffed to the brim for now. That should give you adequate time to rest. At least until dawn."

"Until dawn?" Midoriya groaned, swatting at Shinsou's chest, the demon chuckling heartily. "That's only a few hours you absolute beast!"

"Alright. Alright. Maybe I'll give you until noon, so you can sleep in." He leaned down and nuzzled Midoriya's cheek, the human humming his approval, tilting up his face slightly to offer Shinsou a kiss.

"That's better." Midoriya sighed, petting the demon's strong jaw while meeting his dark eyes. "Now carry me back to camp before we fall asleep out here. I don't want to worry Tamaki again."

"Yes, master." Shinsou murmured teasingly, kissing Midoriya slowly once again. Midoriya inhaled softly through his nose as he was kissed, rolling onto his back slightly while tugging Shinsou down against him, the demon purring softly in the back of his throat.

Shinsou fucked him once more, their rhythm soft and slow, holding Midoriya's hand as he whispered against his ear, Midoriya gasping and arching against him while calling out his name. He did so not to satiate his hunger, for he was already impossibly stuffed, but to give Midoriya pleasure, for no other reason than because he simply wanted to. They both wanted to.

The line between contractor and demon was gradually starting to blur. Sometimes Midoriya would reach out to hold Shinsou's hand without thinking of it, or Shinsou would steal a kiss just to savor the human's warmth; not wanting to escalate things beyond that simple touch, opting to merely hold Midoriya instead.

Amajiki noticed it too, the way they were drawn to one another, the way Shinsou teased and played with Midoriya some days, while on others he held him gently, tenderly, not as a contracted demon but as a lover would. He did this most often when Midoriya was asleep, laying beside him to keep him warm, Amajiki watching them both with an indiscernible expression, not sure what to make of the connection growing between them.

The other demons in Midoriya's plethora were fully aware of the change in their dynamics, and both Bakugou and Todoroki confronted Shinsou about it on multiple occasions, needing reassurance from the chaos that he wasn't after a larger part of Midoriya's soul.

"That's not what I want from him," Shinsou had offered gently, glancing between the two greaters and letting out a quiet sigh, "Does showing Midoriya affection truly cause you both such worry? If you were in my position, wouldn't you yearn to show our contractor your own affections too?"

Todoroki had hummed quietly at that, Bakugou growling irritably and taking a step closer to the chaos, fire burning in his eyes. "You have no right to manipulate his feelings like that! What happens when you hurt him? What happens when he realizes this is all just a game?"

Shinsou frowned a little at Bakugou's tone, arching his brow and letting out a soft snort. "What game do you surmise I'm playing? I'm showing him affection because his body craves it, because he needs it." He glanced between Bakugou and Todoroki before casting his eyes across the mountainside, adding gently, "Amajiki gives him intimacy in different ways than I do. We share a connection unlike anything his human companion can experience with him. It is only with me that Midoriya can experience true ecstasy. Of course he would yearn for me, of course he would crave my presence, my touch."

"Human emotions are delicate, fragile things." Todoroki warned, watching Shinsou carefully. "What happens when your entanglement becomes more than that? What happens if Midoriya falls in love with you? How will you deny him then?"

"You know as well as I that demons are incapable of love." Shinsou murmured, letting out a soft sigh. "The most I can offer him is my loyalty and companionship. I am not a remnant, I cannot give Midoriya anything more than what I am." He tapped his clawtips against his chest, exhaling slowly, "Whatever was once human within me is long dead. I can grasp the concept of emotions such as love from what memories remain, but whatever I offer up as such would be merely an imitation. Nothing genuine could come of it."

"I know that." Todoroki said softly, pinching his brow a bit, "Midoriya doesn't. You need to tell him. You need to establish boundaries, where the intimacy between you must end to maintain a healthy, stable relationship as contractor and contracted. If something happens, and Midoriya is inadvertently hurt because of your actions, it will taint the energy between the two of you irreparably. Say something now, before it's too late to recover from."

"What makes you think he could ever fall for me?" Shinsou scoffed, waving his hand dismissively, turning away slightly and frowning as he tried to keep the irritation from his tone. "He barely knows me, we've been contracted for little more than three weeks now."

He looked to Todoroki once more, then to Bakugou standing beside him.

"You two have had a lifetime to garner his affections and trust. If one of you were in my place, I could understand your apprehensions with the possibility of Midoriya falling in love. As things are, you do not have to concern yourselves with such anxieties. I am simply cultivating our meals, while simultaneously meeting the needs of our host."

He frowned a little, glancing aside, his tail lashing the air behind him.

"Whatever affection I show Midoriya is not meant with ulterior motives, it is done to ensure our connection remains pure and strong." He looked to the greaters again, adding with a soft exhale of breath, "If at any point I suspect it is becoming more than that, I will broach the subject personally. Until then, I find it unnecessary to potentially risk upsetting our host by bringing up the possibility of such an unlikely event. I do not wish to dampen the connection I have garnered from Midoriya over these past few weeks. The energy currently cultivated between us is mouthwatering-"

"You're an idiot." Bakugou growled out, clicking his tongue against his fangs angrily while interrupting the chaos. "I watch the way he looks at you, the way he smiles at you and takes your hand, the way he holds your eyes and offers you kisses of his own volition." He snarled and clicked his tongue again, his tail violently lashing the air. "You have no idea the feelings that are going on inside of that precious, sweet boy." His expression, while initially filled with rage, was now lost more than anything, his voice tight and trembling as he spoke. "You're going to ruin this. You'll ruin this for all of us. If you break his heart, he'll never trust you again, and it will taint his relationship with the rest of us. He's never experienced emotional pain. It will rip into him like a dagger. It will tear him apart."

Shinsou watched Bakugou for a long moment, then let out a long, heavy sigh. He didn't want to acknowledge that the greater might be right about Midoriya's changing emotions, the chaos frowning and glancing away slightly, feeling something foreign twisting within his ribcage. What was that feeling? Uncertainty? Guilt? The emotions were nearly human with the way they bit into him so sharply, and Shinsou pushed them town immediately, boxing up the fragment of Midoriya's soul he kept deep inside of him until those sensations faded away into quiet, calm darkness.

"Alright." Shinsou finally breathed, deflated yet amenable to Bakugou's concerns. "I'll back off for now." He shrugged a little, adding, "My reserves are completely full. I can use that to my advantage, and distance myself from him slowly so the change in my behavior doesn't ring any alarms." He frowned a little as he paused to think, considering his options. "I will try to redirect his attention towards his human companion. Perhaps then you will not be so concerned?"

"Thank you." Todoroki said softly, a hint of relief in his tone, offering the chaos a small smile.

Bakugou merely growled and snorted irritably before turning to walk away, his manifestation fading from reality back to the astral plane, leaving Todoroki and Shinsou to themselves beneath the stars. The dual took a few steps closer, coming to stand at Shinsou's side, looking out across the mountain towards the city far below and inhaling against the air.

"Do you think they'll make a move soon?" He asked, Shinsou humming and shrugging while shaking his head.

"It's hard to know what they might be thinking. I can tell that all of us collectively are undeniably starting to draw a lot of attention. It's hard to ignore our presence here, now having fed properly for several weeks and nearly at full capacity in our reserves."

He looked to Todoroki, finding the other demon's presence oddly comforting. Of all the demons contracted under Midoriya, Todoroki was the one who spoke with him most often on an equal level. As if they might someday be friends.

"Our plethora," He continued, "As well as Amajiki's, we are all emitting a recognizable energy signature that would attract unwanted attention from almost anything above lesser at this point. I assume the only reason we haven't been approached by a greater or above so far is due to our distance from the inner city." He gestured lightly with the tips of his claws towards the valley, his eyes trained on the city far below. "We are outside of their established territories. Any closer and it's likely we would have already been attacked by now. I know you can feel them. There are several deviants dwelling within the city. It's only a matter of time before one of them makes a move."

Shinsou looked towards the woods nearby, thinking of the passive demons he had encountered within the past few weeks since they had arrived at the mountain.

"I may speak with Sero again about approaching Midoriya with a contract. If we are going to invite others into our fold, we should do so now, before that thing makes a move to strike."

Todoroki hummed his agreement, letting out a slow sigh. They could both sense it, the one deviant within the city that stood out amongst the rest. It felt hungry, and feral. It was almost impossible that they weren't already being observed by it. It was likely the deviant was sizing them up, preparing to launch an attack of opportunity when sensing a weak point, keeping both Midoriya and Amajiki's plethoras on guard. That entity felt closer to chaos than anything else Todoroki had ever encountered in the wilds, apart from Shinsou.

Shinsou hadn't spoken it aloud, but Todoroki could feel his concern for their contractor's safety any time energy from that deviant flared from the valley below. Its signature was an ominous warning, a promise of hardship to come.

Todoroki tilted his face up, closing his eyes and breathing in against the chill of the night air, his breath escaping him in little tufts of warm fog.

It might be time for him to speak with Midoriya about tapping into his other abilities as a dual. Fire wasn't the only quirk Todoroki had to offer.

He stood beside Shinsou quietly for a while, content to simply share the silence between them, before reaching out and touching the chaos' shoulder gently, asking softly, "You may never be able to truly love him, but you care about Midoriya, don't you?"

"Of course." Shinsou murmured, and it was a soft, affectionate sound. "I care about him very much."

Todoroki's expression softened a bit at that, and he squeezed Shinsou's shoulder lightly before drawing away, allowing his manifestation to fade once more to the astral realm. Shinsou stood to himself, his shirt ruffling in the rough mountain gale that swept by, the demon looking up into the clear night sky and tracing patterns between the glistening stars.

Soon, he would have to mention that to Midoriya and Amajiki. Soon their presence here may no longer go undisturbed.

He returned to the woods alone after his conversation with Todoroki, seeking out the mid he knew resided in the area nearby. Sero found him easily, the binding enhancement greeting him in the astral realm, the chaos walking alongside him as they circled around the lake, Shinsou pausing now and then to check the traps Midoriya and Amajiki had left behind.

Sero watched him curiously, asking after a while, If I were to offer a contract to your human, you would expect such things of me? He gestured to one of the traps. Helping him hunt?

Shinsou nodded while crouching down and inspecting a snare, shuffling a few leaves around the trap before continuing along the footpath. "Yes, though your contract should include offering yourself however you are most useful at any given time. There are many ways a binding can be cast, it would be within your best interest to communicate with him clearly and offer suggestions if you see a way to help when he does not."

Sero nodded to himself, gesturing absently as he spoke, And the humans offer what in exchange? They allow themselves to be feasted upon?

Shinsou hummed, "Within reason. There are of course limitations to how much you can draw from your host at any given time. You do not want to be greedy. The other demons under contract will let you know your place." He glanced towards the mid with an impish little smile. "You can leech your fill during mass feedings of course. There is an abundance of energy as of late. My host has a human companion, a contractor as well, that he frequently shares intimacy with. Between the two of them, there is plenty to go around for all of us."

Sero considered quietly, biting at his lip and asking after a long moment, You're certain he would be open to such an arrangement should I approach?

Shinsou grinned, revealing a hint of fangs as he replied, "I am sure if you present yourself while making a mutually beneficial offer he will have no reason to refuse. None of his current plethora have your talents."

Sero nodded, offering Shinsou a small smile and tilting his head slightly while looking the chaos up and down, asking curiously, Is it common for contracted demons to negotiate on their human's behalf?

"Ah, well…" He paused at a break between the evergreens, looking up into the dark night sky. "That I can assume varies depending on the nature of the relationship between demon and contractor." He flicked his tail against the air, watching the treetops sway against the winds sweeping down from the mountains. "Not all humans who seek out demons for their quirks are gentle and considerate like mine. Some humans are worse than any of us."

He looked towards Sero, holding his eyes.

"If you decide not to offer my host your talents, be wary of those who might force you to obey." Sero tilted his head slightly, watching Shinsou curiously, the chaos humming thoughtfully before offering a more thorough explanation. "Witches will bind you to a contract without offering up anything in exchange for claiming your quirks, whereas priests will attempt to entrap you eternally or exorcise you completely, condemning you back to the abyss."

He shrugged and quirked a brow, offering Sero a teasing smile.

"Would you rather offer yourself freely? Or alternatively stay in the wilds, and risk becoming a slave to a witch, a periapt to a priest, or perhaps-" He chuckled darkly, flashing his fangs again, "-simply eaten by a higher demon far hungrier than myself?"

Sero snorted a little at Shinsou's teasing tone, weaving in and out of the astral realm, his voice a little distorted as he drifted on the edges of reality. You're a bit scary, you know that? But I understand you only speak the truth. He paused briefly before adding, I will wait until your host has awoken before making my approach. With any luck, we'll speak again soon.

"Alright then." Shinsou replied, listening as Sero's soft chuckles faded into silence, leaving the chaos alone in both astral and reality.

Shinsou thought about returning to camp, but a restlessness grabbed hold of him and refused to let go. Instead of returning to the northern slope of the mountainside, he changed directions and began meandering downhill.

He wandered along the stream, steadily making his way down the tiered incline of the mountain. He was cautious as he approached, skirting the edges of the city to explore around the large oval lake where the stream transitioned into a small cascading waterfall. There were a few houses there surrounding the lake, and a fishing dock that stretched along the far side of the still water. Shinsou started towards it slowly, keeping his senses on high alert for anything lurking within the inky depths.

It seemed he was alone, for now. He walked along the worn wood softly, his bare feet against the dock barely making any sound.

It was strange here, so unlike the smaller lake closer to their camp. Here, there were no signs of wildlife whatsoever. Traces of demonic energy lingered everywhere, from shades and lessers to mids and greaters. The deviants seemed to be condensed closer to the center of the city, not venturing to the rural outskirts where the lake rested quietly by itself, undisturbed.

There weren't any husks around either, which led Shinsou to believe this area had been abandoned long ago, perhaps during the winter that had spanned across the globe. While he didn't sense anything necessarily amiss, the lack of activity in the area was strangely haunting all on its own.

He settled down at the end of the closest pier jutting into deeper waters away from the shore, crossing his legs under himself while trailing his tail over the edges of the dock to tap along the surface of the water. He stayed there for hours, watching the constellations reflected off of the dark mirror stretching out before him, until the reflections along the surface changed to something brighter as dawn began to break against the horizon. The jet-black waters faded to a lighter navy, then a brighter, softer shade; a blue backdrop speckled with wisps of pinks and oranges as the sun began to rise.

It was only when golden light stretched across the surface of the water that Shinsou sighed to himself and decided to return to the mountain, pushing himself up and stretching his arms high above his head while yawning sleepily. He sighed quietly to himself, turning to start walking back along the length of the dock to reach the shore, taking only one step forward before stopping in his tracks, chills tingling up his spine.

The girl that stood before him was small, smaller than he had expected given the sudden wave of energy that flooded from her, smacking into Shinsou hard enough to take his breath away. She didn't speak, merely blinking up at him slowly as her eyes dilated into slits, the fluffy, downy wings hovering over her shoulders a brilliant pure white.

"Go back." She stated, and Shinsou felt coils tighten around his throat. "Go back." She repeated, and the chaos flared his energy defensively against hers. The dark swirls etched into his skin activated immediately, emitting neon violet light and cutting through the binds that threatened to choke, the demon narrowing his eyes and flashing his fangs, letting out a hint of a growl.

"I apologize. I wasn't aware this area was occupied." He lifted his hands, flexing his fingertips against the air and trying to avoid stepping closer to her as he took a precautionary step across the pier. She watched him quietly, blinking slowly and turning to follow his movements, her wings fluttering in the warm breeze that swept by them, her face twisting into something akin to demonic as she unhinged her jaw and hissed.

"Go. Back." She growled, her wings spanning against the sky, golden sunlight highlighting each feather, her voice rising in anger as she repeated the same over and over. "Go back. Go back. Go BACK!"

"I'm going! I'm gone!" Shinsou replied quickly, jogging the length of the pier and quickly starting uphill, trying not to turn his back on the fallen angel but scampering away from her steadily nonetheless.

He heard her voice echoing repetitively after him long after he'd disappeared out of sight, the demon exhaling anxiously and shivering while weaving through the trees, extremely aware that his altercation at the lake had drawn the attention of several onlookers.

As soon as he reached a clearing he turned around to face them, calling out towards the shadowed boughs entangled with untamed undergrowth across from him, "Alright, what do you want?" He didn't readily receive an answer, and he growled deeply while narrowing his eyes into slits, his tail flicking against the tall grass irritably. "Answer before I lose my patience. I'm not in the mood to be stalked."

You talk to him.

No, you talk to him! This was your idea!

I suggest neither of you talk to him, you're going to mess this up-

Shut up! He's listening to us!

Well it's not my fault you're loud enough to get the rest of us all killed-

Shinsou sighed heavily and lashed his tail against the air while taking a step closer to the lesser demons whispering together hurriedly. He frowned a bit at their lack of coordination, shifting into the astral realm and taking another step closer while calling out to them, "Alright, enough. I'm not going to eat you. Just tell me what you want."

One of the girls peeked up at him through the branches of the closest pine, offering an apologetic smile while laughing nervously. She was crouched with a group of other demons, lesser and mid from what Shinsou could detect. She pushed herself up slightly, glancing towards her companions then asking hesitantly, "You were...at the lake before, when the sun came?"

"Yes." Shinsou replied, watching her with only a hint of irritation before his expression smoothed, the chaos exhaling softly through his nose and gesturing lightly as he spoke. "I'm sorry for disturbing you all. It wasn't my intention to upset that angel. I didn't even know she was there."

"She's always there, at dawn. Her family died there."

"That's right, her family died there, when they bombed the world."

"Lots of people died, not just her family."

"No, but she came back for them. She came back and they weren't there. Everyone was gone."

"They've been gone for a long time."

"A long time, yes. No humans left. Just husks and shades."

"And the others."

"The others, yes. The angry ones."

The first lesser that had spoken hummed softly, glancing away from her friends and meeting eyes with Shinsou again. "That's right. That angel from before, she's always there when the sun rises. At night, she wanders the city. She's the only one who can, with the others that occupy the streets."

"None of us can get close." One of the mids replied, nodding and slowly approaching as well. The cluster wasn't hiding as much now that it seemed as if Shinsou would speak with them candidly and tolerate their presence, the mid peeking up at Shinsou through the needles with an impish little smile. "But you can. You can get close, right? You could walk right in there. You might actually be able to run them off."

Shinsou snorted softly at that, glancing between the mids and lessers who were watching him, the chaos propping a hand on his hip and shifting his weight lightly, his tail tapping against his leg absently as he spoke. "And what makes you think I would want to do anything like that? How many deviants even are there in the inner city? I've counted three at least, if not more."

"There's five, including Eri." Another lesser replied, the boy approaching and standing beside the mid's shoulder that had spoken before, the girls looking up at him as he continued, "Many of us have been devoured or destroyed, but they don't come anywhere close to Eri when she's here, so we take up occupancy near the lake. Regardless of how violent or chaotic those deviants are, they never go out of their way to incite conflict with Eri."

"They know better."

"He's right, they know better by now."

The lesser who had spoken originally nodded, crossing her arms over her chest, her tail brushing against the pine needles surrounding her before reaching out and entwining with the tail of the mid demon at her side. "You could protect us, couldn't you? You could make sure that we don't get eaten by those things in the city?"

"We wouldn't have to hide anymore." The mid added with a little nod, tightening her hold on her companion's tail, the demons exchanging a small smile while the lesser let out a little laugh, nodding and humming her excitement.

"Would you be willing to do that?"

"Would you help us?"

"Please, revenant?"

"Please?"

"It would mean a great deal to us."

"We would be in your debt."

Shinsou sighed, reaching up and carding his fingers through his hair, rubbing at the base of one of his horns for a moment before letting his hand fall away. "Listen, I don't have any need of subordinates, but depending on your talents I may be able to offer you safety housed within the hosts dwelling on the mountain." He nodded over his shoulder in the general direction of basecamp, "You've sensed us before, right? You know there are humans living here now?"

The cluster of lesser demons exchanged a glance, then the lesser who had spoken before nodded, offering Shinsou a curious little smile. "They would be willing to contract with us?"

Shinsou shrugged, taking a step backwards before turning and continuing in the direction he had been heading before. "I don't know. It depends on what talents you can provide them." He glanced back at the cluster briefly, gesturing for them to follow before continuing on his way. "It won't hurt anything to at least speak with them, and see what they both have to say about the prospect. Come with me. I'll introduce you."

The lesser and mid followed along behind Shinsou, their tails still entwined, the boy beside them hesitating for only a moment before following along. The other lesser demons trailed behind them at a distance, discussing the possibility of contracting with humans in hushed tones, keeping a wary eye on Shinsou.

The chaos wasn't certain exactly what they were talking about, but he sensed nothing aggressive in their signatures, and so he ignored their nervous chatter for the most part. As he approached camp he reached out to the other demons resting nearby, calling out to them through their shared connection with their host, greeting them as he shifted into the astral plane.

"Morning everyone! It looks like we've got some company for breakfast!"


Thanks for reading! More to come!