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), Sero M (binding), Ashido M (poison), Yaoyorozu L (crafting), Iida L (speed), Koda L/L (voice/sound)

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

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
Remnant - a common name for a lingering piece of reality before the apocalypse
Revenant - another name for an embodied demon, a demon that has returned to life
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 09: Visitant

"Open up your eyes, take a look at me,
Get the picture fixed in your memory~
I'm driven by the rhythm like the beat of a heart
And I won't stop until I start to stand out~
To stand out
~"

Powerful vibrations rocked the entirety of the city, branching out through the residential neighborhoods surrounding the inner districts, the sporadic quakes rumbling the foundations of smaller buildings and shattering windows in rolling waves.

"Some people settle for the typical thing,
Livin' all their lives waitin' in the wings~
It ain't a question of if, just a matter of time
Before I move to the front of the line
~"

Squirrels and rabbits fled to the refuge of their dens, birds taking to the skies with startled cries, deer bolting and disappearing down back alleys and shadowed streets.

"Once you're watching every move that I make
You gotta believe that I got what it takes~
To stand out
-"

Rodi pushed himself up with a light frown, tugging his headphones from his ears to allow them to rest against his shoulders, and as the next wave rocked through the city he beckoned his bonded to the surface.

Pino's strength flooded through his veins as seamlessly as breath, pink feathers sprouting from his arms and shoulders as her wings manifested across his lithe frame. Rodi lifted his arms without hesitation, kicking off on the first downbeat, reaching up briefly to tug his headphones back into place before setting off towards the commotion in the heart of the city. Whatever was happening was big, and he didn't want to miss a moment of it. Nothing this exciting had happened in ages. He wondered who Shigaraki was after this time. The recently ascended chaos had been on a devouring spree for the past several nights.

His eyes widened as he drew closer, his breath catching in his throat as a curious smile turned up the corners of his lips. He hadn't been expecting to see another chaos on the streets, an embodied chaos at that. His wingspan widened, his bright pinions flexing against the smoke-filled skies as he coasted on the gale-stream passing above the towering office buildings. He could feel Pino's excitement as well.

"Let's take a closer look?" Rodi hummed with a smirk, and he tilted his arms to the side, sending his body spiraling down towards the buildings below with a sharp twist. The human circled for several moments before flexing his wings, coming to an abrupt halt beside the cherished pair of demons perched nearby, the two deviants apparently watching the brawl from a safe distance as well.

They glanced towards him briefly before returning their attention to the fight, one of the deviants greeting him calmly, her tail tapping against her outer thigh. "Rodi Sōru. Come to watch the show?"

"Oh, you know it!" Rodi beamed while tugging one of his headphones to the side, laughing good-naturedly and whistling through his teeth as he observed the altercation below. "Who is that? Where did they come from?"

"There were contractors here." The other deviant supplied. "Two boys, around your age."

Rodi's breath hitched in surprise, and he let out a peal of bubbly laughter. "What? No way! Really? Can't believe I missed that!" He hummed thoughtfully, focusing on the embodied chaos once more. "I assume they're still alive somewhere? Given that one is still embodied?"

"They were exploring the bunker." The first deviant replied, gesturing with a pointed claw towards the cluttered streets beyond the fray. Sure enough, the giant pile of wreckage that had once blocked the entrance to the bunker had been meticulously moved aside, revealing the open entrance to the hidden cache below.

"Holy shit, it's open!" Rodi murmured to himself, thinking for only a moment before deciding on what he should do. He waved goodbye to the deviant pair, flashing a bright smile and tilting his arms slightly to further descend. Once he reached the ground he took his time navigating around the demons currently engaged and slipped unseen into the depths of the bunker, the feathers along his arms and shoulders illuminating his path with a vibrant fuchsia glow.

He wasted little time, grabbing several cans of fruit and vegetables and shoving them unceremoniously into his satchel before heading towards the living quarters in search of other supplies. He set about gathering bundles of clothing and blankets, packing them in an oversized duffel bag before heading towards the medical wing. There were several cabinets here and there that had been knocked over from the brawl, but luckily most of the supplies remained undamaged thanks to the locks sealing the cabinet doors securely shut.

"Pino." Rodi whispered under his breath, and her manifestation flickered into reality beside him as he worked on opening the locks, her eyes wide and bright as she watched him curiously. "Can you track their energy signatures? The humans that were here before?"

She blinked owlishly for a moment before letting out a soft trill, twisting this way and that before finding what she was looking for, reaching out her fingertips towards traces of smeared blood beneath one of the overturned cabinets. It looked like someone had gotten hurt, but the obvious lack of a fresh body on the floor meant they'd most certainly survived.

With that in mind, Rodi grabbed what medical supplies he felt were most pertinent before making his way back to the surface. He peeked out of the bunker cautiously, noting that Shigaraki and the embodied demon were going head-to-head in a deathmatch, while Chisaki and Kurogiri fought amongst themselves on an adjacent street nearby, several lesser demons watching them from the growing shadows.

While the threats surrounding him were distracted, he bolted away from the bunker and down the closest alley, kicking off from the ground and taking flight as soon as he could do so safely. Pino shifted their position and flexed her wings, taking control of Rodi's movements and guiding them in the direction of the mountains nearby, Rodi watching curiously as they passed the city limits, several demons glancing up at him as he passed by overhead.

He tilted his head slightly, recognizing them vaguely from brief encounters in the city, but soon Pino drew his attention towards a controlled fire on the mountainside, and an encampment that was unquestionably of human origin. He touched down close by, tugging his headphones from his ears once more while shifting the weight of his satchel and the duffel against his shoulder into a more comfortable position, before carefully making his approach.

He could hear crying faintly below the roar of the fire, and as he took a step closer Pino manifested before him and stretched out her wings, shielding Rodi from the demon that suddenly shifted into reality from astral.

He lifted his hands defensively, taking a step back, calling out hurriedly, "Whoa whoa! Is that any way to treat a guest? I've come bearing gifts!"

The demon growled and narrowed his eyes, his tail lashing angrily against the air. Another demon was at his side within moments, taking a step closer to Pino and Rodi, reaching out and gesturing for the first demon to wait.

This one seemed calmer, more amenable to conversation, and Rodi patted Pino's shoulder, nodding and beckoning for her to step aside. The demon watched him with a stoic, unreadable expression, and Rodi felt his voice whisper against the back of his mind.

Why have you come here?

Rodi grinned and patted the duffel at his side, glancing past the demons towards the camp nearby. "I heard from a certain pair that there were two humans at the bunker downtown. When we went searching inside, we found blood. Looked like someone got hurt." He watched the demon for a moment longer before glancing down at the duffel, tugging it to the front and unzipping it, revealing the blankets and clothing he had gathered, and various medical supplies.

We can't trust him. Not while we're in this compromised state.

Don't let him close, he could harm our host.

Make him leave, make him leave now! Before it's too late.

He could hear the other demons nearby speaking amongst themselves through his shared link with Pino, despite being unable to see them. He listened to their whispers, arching his brow slightly, trying to look past the demons towards the fire once again. "Listen, it's alright if you don't trust me or anything, but I came here to help." He focused on the demon before him once more, searching his mismatched eyes. "It's been a long time since I've encountered other humans. I thought it might be cool to spend some time together. I didn't come here with any ulterior motives. Though I'm honestly not sure how I'm supposed to make you believe that."

Todoroki was quiet for a moment longer before glancing back towards Bakugou, then to Uraraka and Toga, before finally focusing on Asui. She stepped closer, walking past Bakugou and pausing at Todoroki's side before continuing forward to make contact with the demon that had suddenly appeared before them.

Pino watched the mid's approach curiously, her feathers fanning out and fluffing around her clavicle and cheeks. She blinked over at Asui curiously, shifting closer to her human's side instinctually, not making any move to reach out to the other demon, simply watching her approach.

Asui watched her in turn, reaching out and offering her hand palm-up, waiting to see if the other demon would reciprocate. As a water demon, Asui possessed an innate ability to sense signatures in aura, and determine unspoken intentions in both demons and humans alike. She could sense the ripples within another's emotions and thoughts, and were she greater or above she would be capable of much more fearsome abilities than that. As she was now, she needed to make physical contact with whomever she was speaking with in order to glean an accurate reading. Only then would she be able to determine if the words they spoke were truth or a lie. The reading could not be forced, it had to be accepted and invited in.

Tell us you aren't here to harm us. Asui said softly, still offering Pino her hand. Prove to me you hold no ulterior motives, and we will welcome you and your contractor into our fold.

Pino frowned a little, glancing up at Rodi and brushing her fingertips along his wrist and forearm, the human letting out a soft chuckle and replying to Asui's voice, "She can't speak as you do. Her voice was taken from her, long before we forged our contract." He hesitated then offered out his own hand instead, reaching for the flickering outline of Asui's partial manifestation cast into reality. "Is it alright if I speak for her instead?"

Asui hesitated before taking Rodi's hand, and her touch was cold and almost slimy, Rodi making a face and shivering lightly but allowing her to grasp him nonetheless.

Say aloud your intentions and desires.

"I want to meet your contractor." Rodi said simply with a cheery smile. "I want us to be friends."

Asui blinked slowly at that, sensing his sincerity through their touch, asking as she looked from Rodi to Pino. She is the only demon you hold under contract?

"That's right!" Rodi replied with an amused chuckle and a wide grin. "Just me and Pino! We're the only ones left!"

Asui turned to look back at Todoroki, then Bakugou, and the greaters both seemed to deflate at that, Bakugou glancing away while Todoroki nodded his consent. Asui lingered at Rodi's fingertips for a moment longer before fading away, and as she did so Rodi drew back his hand and rubbed at his cold fingers absently, trying to rid himself of that strange slimy sensation. It was as if he had been touching a chilled, damp frog.

Uraraka shifted closer to greet Pino, Toga hovering curiously at her side. The girls beckoned Pino along with them as they stepped into camp, drawing closer to the fire, and Rodi followed after his bonded as he felt her tugging him along, his eyes finally resting upon the source of that pitiful crying.

Midoriya flinched away from Todoroki's touch as the dual knelt beside him, calling out to him gently. Izuku. Someone is here. A human, from the city.

"What?" Midoriya mumbled wetly, blinking through his tears and wiping his face as he quickly sat up, his eyes widening as he realized there was a boy approaching from the edge of camp, walking steadily towards the firepit. He could sense there was an unknown demon walking with him, Uraraka and Toga hovering close by her side.

Rodi offered Midoriya a little wave as he stepped closer, sliding the bags off of his shoulder and setting them down beside the fire, digging through them for a moment before drawing out a handful of medical supplies. Pino stayed close to her contractor, but allowed Uraraka and Toga to dote on her as they liked, the girls marveling at her pink feathers and bright blue eyes, the mute demon ruffling her feathers and shying away from their gaze with a happy little smile.

Midoriya watched the other human quietly, glancing down at Amajiki before focusing on Rodi again, calling out to him hesitantly, "You came from the city?"

"Yup! Had to cross the entire valley to see what all the commotion was about!" He glanced over and offered Midoriya a smile, chuckling good-naturedly. "There's quite a fight raging in the inner city! Haven't seen Shigaraki that riled up since he took down Jin and Sako!"

Midoriya didn't fully understand, watching Rodi's movements with uncertainty, shifting away from him slightly as the other boy drew closer, planting himself between the cheerful stranger and Amajiki protectively.

Rodi watched him for a long quiet moment before letting out a soft sigh, setting the medical supplies aside before reaching out his hand, offering it to Midoriya with a friendly smile. "I'm Rodi Sōru. It's nice to meet you."

Midoriya watched him with a little frown, arching his brow a bit. He glanced to the side, instinctively reaching for Bakugou, but he stopped himself, anxiety twisting tightly in his stomach and chest. He closed his eyes, a little shudder passing through him, the hairs along the back of his nape standing on end. Surely if he had drawn so close without causing alarm, his plethora believed this stranger wasn't an imminent threat. He wasn't alone, his demons were by his side. He could trust them. He could trust them.

He reached out for Todoroki, feeling the greater gently take his hand.

It's alright. He came here to try to help.

"You're sure?" Midoriya whispered, and he could feel Todoroki's gentle warmth as he pressed a soft kiss to Midoriya's temple, little purrs vibrating through his chest as he pressed close against Midoriya's side.

He isn't a threat to us. You can let him close to Amajiki. We're right here. We're with you, Izuku. Hawks and Shimura are right here beside us, watching over both of you.

Midoriya closed his eyes, nodding his head, Todoroki's words assuaging his lingering fears. He took a moment to breathe in and out, pushing back his anxiety and uncertainties, returning his eyes to Rodi's and offering his hand as well. "Midoriya Izuku."

Rodi grinned, and it was a genuine, heartfelt smile. "Good to meet you, Midoriya. It's been a long, long time since I've spoken with another human face-to-face. Now then…" He looked past Midoriya to Amajiki, reaching for the medical supplies before him once again. "Mind if I take a look at your friend?"

Midoriya shifted slightly, allowing Rodi to draw closer, and the brunette leaned down to press his cheek to Amajiki's chest, listening to his breathing and heartbeat. He hummed quietly, nodding to himself and drawing back just enough to examine Amajiki's lax features, pausing briefly to grab a small bottle and read the label, uncorking it with a soft squeak before lifting it to Amajiki's nose.

"C'mon, take a nice, deep breath-"

Amajiki inhaled sharply and his face scrunched up immediately, the older boy rolling onto his side and coughing violently, Midoriya gasping and reaching out to him, relief washing over him from head to toe. Rodi grinned and corked the bottle once more, noting the blood that darkened the back of Amajiki's skull and the collar of his jacket, reaching for a packet of gauze and ripping it open, cracking the seal on a bottle of antiseptic before setting to work treating the wound.

"You're okay now. We're okay. Just breathe."

"What happened?" Amajiki asked weakly, blinking slowly and hissing at the sting of antiseptic against the back of his skull, Rodi reaching out and keeping him in place on his side, Midoriya smoothing his fingers over Amajiki's cheeks gently.

"The chaos stirred while we were still in the city." Midoriya shivered and perked his head up, glancing towards the valley far below. "Shinsou is still there, fighting with it…"

"Ah, so he's yours then?" Rodi asked, and his voice caused Amajiki to tense all over, both Midoriya and Rodi urging him to lay still as he tried to roll onto his back to fix Rodi in his sights, the brunette patting his upper arm reassuringly and leaning closer to meet Amajiki's eyes. "Easy does it, try not to move too quickly. You've got a nasty concussion. Best to rest for a while, but try not to sleep. Sleeping's no good with a head injury like this."

Midoriya arched his brow lightly, watching as Rodi lifted the bottle he'd used to awaken Amajiki, offering it to Midoriya with a little smile.

"If he falls asleep again and you can't wake him, use this. Try not to spill it, just let him breathe it in for a moment." He drew back his hand, returning to dabbing at Amajiki's injury, a soft chuckle evident in his tone. "That ammonia's so strong it could practically wake the dead! But it's better served for purposes such as these." He set the bloody gauze aside, reaching for a fresh strip. "You're lucky your chaos cracked into the bunker before you fled from the city. Otherwise, Pino and I might not have been much help at all."

"Pino?" Midoriya asked softly, tilting his head slightly to follow the invisible signature fluttering close to Rodi's side. "Is that her name?"

She's precious! Uraraka whispered against Midoriya's shoulder, her tone bright and cheery. Oh, if only you could see her! She's simply darling!

She's very friendly and sweet, Toga agreed with a little hum, She would make a wonderful addition to our plethora, were she not already bound.

Midoriya paused for a moment, stretching out his hand and waiting to feel Todoroki against his fingertips. The greater laced their fingers gently, and Midoriya asked quietly under his breath, "Can you take me to haven?"

Todoroki didn't respond for a moment, then Midoriya felt the sensation of fading to the other side, his breath hitching as he was immersed in vibrant color and sound, the world shifting for several suspended moments before settling once again.

Here, the fading sunset was brighter than he'd ever witnessed it before in his entire life. It was beautiful, entrancing. He forgot himself for a moment, simply watching the colors bleeding into one another, wonder and awe filling his exhausted mind with warmth.

"Izuku." Todoroki said gently, and Midoriya turned to look up at him over his shoulder, the dual nodding towards the human sitting beside them, Midoriya looking over and inhaling sharply in surprise.

Rodi and Pino sat side by side, the demon's arms wrapped around her contractor's shoulders leisurely, her pink feathers fluffing around her shoulders as she watched the pair across from her with wide eyes. She blinked at them slowly, returning her attention to Rodi as he continued to work, and Midoriya wasn't quite able to make out where the demon ended and the human began. They were merged, fused together, her pinions blended beautifully with his sunkissed skin, contractor and contracted blurred into one.

"She shares his soul." Todoroki explained gently, smoothing his palm along Midoriya's back. "In their contract, he must have offered up all of himself to her and her alone. It's the closest connection we can share with a human, the closest a contractor and their demon can be to a cherished pair."

"They're soulmates?" Midoriya whispered, and Todoroki hummed an affirmation, offering Midoriya a small smile. "Why...why would someone agree to that? She's...devouring him. Doesn't that hurt? Doesn't that feel..." He shook his head, swallowing thickly, his heart hammering in his chest. It was terrifying, seeing them entwined like that, melding into one. There was another part of him that was curious, captivated even, in awe of the connection that they shared.

A greater part of him however was simply afraid, Midoriya hyper aware of the possession that he'd experienced earlier, when Bakugou had risen to take the helm.

Todoroki sensed Midoriya's anxiety, and he wrapped his arms around his contractor carefully, hugging him lightly against his chest. "You know that I would never allow Katsuki to consume you, don't you Izuku?"

Midoriya tensed slightly at that, his brow arching as he cast his gaze to the side, the human quiet for several long moments before exhaling a shuddering breath, pressing back into Todoroki's arms.

"You...you would stop him, wouldn't you? You wouldn't let him...devour me?"

Todoroki hummed quietly, dipping down to kiss Midoriya's shoulder, squeezing his fingers and murmuring gently against his skin, "I would defend you until it shattered me. I would gouge out his core without a second thought. With that being said…"

He shifted slightly, turning Midoriya to face him fully, cupping his contractor's cheeks and searching his eyes, pinching his brow lightly.

"You were never in any danger when Katsuki possessed you. You need to understand that. Katsuki would never hurt you, Izuku. He's been with you longer than any of us, he has defended you and sheltered you since you were a child. He cares about you so deeply."

Todoroki paused to comb his fingers through Midoriya's hair, careful with his claws as he held Midoriya's eyes.

"He may never truly show it in the way you need to see it to understand, but I need you to hear me when I tell you this." Todoroki leaned a little closer, pressing their foreheads together gently. "He would move heaven and earth to guarantee your safety, and ensure your continued survival. You mean everything to him." He glanced past Midoriya towards Rodi and Pino, adding with a little smile, "He cherishes you, as if you shared the same soul."

Midoriya's breath hitched, and he ducked his head, nodding and hiding his face against Todoroki's shoulder while letting out a choked sob. "I know that. I know he cares about me. I was just...I was so afraid."

"I know you were. I know." Todoroki whispered soothingly, petting along Midoriya's side and pressing his lips to his contractor's neck, breathing him in and exhaling slowly, his expression affectionate and soft.

Rodi was watching their exchange quietly, his grey eyes burning a brilliant neon blue as he shared his bonded's sight without submerging completely in astral. He looked past Todoroki and Midoriya, his gaze lingering on another demon standing nearby, the first demon that had opposed him as he had approached the camp. His face was twisted with emotion, and when he realized he was being watched he bristled and growled low in the back of his throat, turning away from Rodi and lashing his tail against the air irritably, exhaling an indignant huff.

There was another demon standing a short distance from them that drew Rodi's attention, the greater speaking back and forth with several others who appeared to be his cohabitors, Rodi's focus locked on his impressive wings. They were massive on their own, appearing independent of his arms, his remiges a brilliant vermillion against the sunset. Pino was watching him as well, her excitement trilling through Rodi as she observed the fallen angel, and with a soft breath of laughter he called out to the other demon, meeting his eyes with a playful smile.

"Not too often we see another feathered friend." Rodi began, and Hawks lingered where he was for a moment longer before drawing closer, coming to rest at Amajiki's side, reaching out and carding his gloved fingers through his contractor's dark hair gently. Rodi watched him curiously, Pino slipping from his shoulders and taking a step closer to Hawks, the angel watching her with a tired little smile, giving her a once-over before returning his eyes to Rodi again.

"Thank you for your help." He offered, and Rodi grinned and nodded, petting Amajiki's shoulder lightly before leaning closer to examine the wound marring the back of his head. It was hard to see amongst his dark, thick hair, but the bleeding seemed to have slowed for the most part, only the smallest traces of blood evident on the newest patch of gauze.

Hawks watched his movements calmly, his wings shifting slightly as he glanced towards the valley below, letting out a quiet sigh.

"They've been engaged for quite some time now. If this continues, Midoriya's reserves will undoubtedly begin to run dangerously low."

Rodi hummed absently, settling back a bit and reclining back on his hands, Pino returning to his side and resting against his shoulder quietly. Wherever they touched their bodies blurred and merged together, pink feathers sprouting along Rodi's side and arm, the demon's fingers curling lightly around his wrist, causing Rodi's fingers to grow claws as well. He considered Hawks' concerns, then asked after a moment, "Is your contractor able to share his reserves with Midoriya, given the circumstances?"

Hawks arched his brow a little, then eventually shook his head. "It's doubtful they would be able to engage in the necessary activities required to fuel Shinsou in his current state."

Rodi tilted his head slightly, glancing away from Hawks and focusing on Midoriya and Todoroki again, asking curiously, "Is there anything we can do to help?"

Hawks was quiet for a moment, considering Rodi's offer, then he shifted from Amajiki's side and crossed the short distance between Amajiki and Midoriya, his fingertips brushing against Todoroki's shoulder as he drew the dual's attention and nodded towards Bakugou.

Rodi watched with curiosity, Pino blinking owlishly after the demons as they gathered together to converse, Midoriya standing in the middle of their cluster and listening as they spoke. He wasn't certain what they were planning, but if there was something he and Pino could do to help their newfound friends, he would do his best to assist them. It wouldn't be any fun if they wound up dead so soon after meeting. He wanted to spend at least a little more time with them before they parted ways.

It had been far too long since he'd had anyone around to play with that wasn't after his soul.

Bakugou shifted his weight back and forth uneasily, his tail tapping against his leg irritably as he listened to Hawks' suggestion. "Amajiki isn't in any state to offer a mass feeding, and given our tethers none of us are going to be able to reach the city from this far away."

"Midoriya cannot return to the city alone." Bakugou growled out gruffly, and Hawks nodded his agreement, Todoroki holding Midoriya's hand quietly and glancing aside, running various scenarios over and over in his mind.

"What you're suggesting, it might not work." Todoroki murmured, still considering their options. "They've only just met. There's no way to know if their energies are compatible, or if they will even agree to do this."

Midoriya arched his brow, trying to follow their conversation, glancing back towards Rodi and Pino while asking shakily, "You want me to...to..." He blushed brightly, adrenaline humming in his veins, his pulse quickening at the suggestion of it. "I don't know if I can just...do that with someone else. I don't...I don't know him. I don't trust him yet-"

Bakugou watched Midoriya quietly, his emotions twisting as he fought to remain calm. Midoriya was already upset enough without asking him to do something like this, but the reality of the situation remained. Shinsou had been fighting for the better part of two hours, and all of them could feel Midoriya's strength was beginning to wane. It would only be so much longer before his energy reserves completely ran out.

He hesitated a moment longer before taking a step forward, reaching out for Midoriya, and this time when he took his contractor's hand Midoriya didn't flinch away.

"What about one of us?" Bakugou asked quietly, and Midoriya almost didn't understand what he was asking for a moment, the greater hesitantly meeting his eyes. "What about one of us? Would you feel more comfortable having sex with one of us instead?"

Midoriya turned crimson, his breath stuttering as he tried to force out a response, "I-I...I don't..." He licked his lips, his entire face burning as he glanced to the side, then up at Todoroki, then to Bakugou once again. "I honestly don't know if I can do that…"

Bakugou held his eyes for a long moment, then he looked towards Hawks and murmured quietly, "Give us a moment?"

Hawks dipped his head and backed away, returning to Amajiki's side, Midoriya watching him go for a quiet moment before refocusing on the greater beside him, squeezing Todoroki's hand tightly.

Bakugou smoothed his thumb across Midoriya's knuckles tenderly, then the demon exhaled a heavy sign and knelt before him, ducking his head and striking the most submissive pose Midoriya had ever seen.

"I'm sorry I frightened you." Bakugou murmured, his tail curling tightly around his leg, his shoulders hunching as his talons pressed into the earth. "I'm sorry I manipulated you without your permission. I was only trying to keep you safe. Please forgive me."

Midoriya's chest twisted, his heart fluttering as he reached out and smoothed his fingertips against one of Bakugou's horns, the human gazing down at him with teary eyes, his breath trembling. "I know that, Katsuki. I know you didn't mean to scare me." He blinked back his tears, tilting his face up towards the night sky, the constellations high above twinkling as the last sliver of sunlight faded beyond the horizon. He fought against his insecurities and uncertainties, and then finally he admitted in a rush of breath, "I'm always scared. I'm so scared of dying. I know one day you'll consume me, and it terrifies me every waking moment. I don't want to die."

Todoroki tensed a little, smoothing his hand along Midoriya's side, the dual whispering gently, "You're always scared of us? Even when we're like this?"

"Even now. Even when you treat me gently." Midoriya sniffed, hiccupping on a soft sob. "I'm so scared you'll devour me one day, that I'll lose control and never gain it back." He reached up and crushed his palm against his face, hunching in on himself miserably. "I know I shouldn't feel like that. I know I should trust you all whole-heartedly. You've watched over me for years, I have no reason to believe you'll turn to deviancy and break your contracts with me, but all the same I fear it. I dream about it almost every night."

Bakugou had turned his face up, listening to Midoriya's soft sobs, watching him with sadness and regret twisting his features, guilt rising within him unlike anything he'd felt since his death. He pushed himself up onto his feet, taking Midoriya's hand and squeezing tightly, wrapping his arm around his contractor and holding him tightly against his chest. He met eyes with Todoroki, and the other greater looked just as torn, Bakugou clicking his tongue against his teeth and pulling back a bit to tilt Midoriya's face up and search his eyes, gently sweeping his dark curls away from his forehead.

"Do you know what happens when a demon devours a human soul?"

Midoriya blinked slowly, shaking his head, Bakugou exhaling quietly and turning towards Rodi and Pino, gesturing towards them lightly.

"Demons devour their hosts in many different ways. Some ways are painful and torturous, yes, but others are gentle and inviting. Without any pain."

Midoriya sniffed and blinked over at the pair sitting beside Amajiki, his eyes trailing over the feathers consuming half of Rodi's frame.

"They share the same soul. From all appearances, his demon has consumed over half of his lifespan, and their connection is stable and strong." He looked down at Midoriya, continuing gently, "With her by his side, he will live a long, healthy life. She will make sure of it. Once his time comes, she will devour the remaining parts of his soul that belong solely to him as of now, and once she consumes him entirely they will become one."

Midoriya arched his brow, not fully understanding, glancing up and meeting Bakugou's smouldering eyes.

"Rodi will live within her." Bakugou added quietly, tracing his clawtips against Midoriya's fingers lightly. "Given their closeness, it wouldn't be surprising if she intends to call him from the abyss, and he will be reborn as a demon, so they may continue to share eternity together."

Midoriya blinked, shaking his head lightly and reaching up to wipe his cheeks, sniffing as he asked tentatively, "Demons can do that?"

"How did you think demons were created?" Bakugou asked with a soft huff of laughter, and Todoroki chuckled as well, Midoriya pouting lightly while looking between the demons watching over him.

"I don't know! You never really talk about the abyss, or your existence before me." He arched his brow, his mind suddenly filled with questions. "How old are each of you? How did you become demons? Have you contracted with others before?"

"Another time." Todoroki offered gently, his hand trailing up Midoriya's forearm before he turned his attention back towards the city, frowning a little while murmuring under his breath, "Right now we need to focus on helping Shinsou however we can. He's holding his own for now, but as his strength begins to weaken I fear we may risk losing this fight."

"If Shinsou falls, that chaos will come for us." Bakugou agreed with a little nod, returning his attention to Midoriya, reaching up and gently wiping away the tears trailing down his flushed cheeks. He leaned a little closer, pressing his lips to Midoriya's forehead, then his wet cheek, a soft purr beginning in the back of his throat as he pet back and forth across his freckles.

Midoriya let out a shuddering breath, the tension he was holding within him gradually uncurling. He lifted his hands to Bakugou's shoulders, his fingers curling against his pronounced clavicle before drifting down his broad sternum, rubbing back and forth over his drumming heartbeat.

"Izuku." Bakugou murmured gently, and Midoriya glanced up to meet his eyes.

Bakugou's expression was softer than Midoriya had ever seen it, and the fire in his eyes was gone. His eyes were a bright, brilliant red, his blonde hair falling around his forehead and the tips of his ears in golden waves, his horns nowhere in sight.

Midoriya didn't understand what was happening for a moment, then he realized the hands on either side of his waist were devoid of claws, only soft, warm flesh greeting his own. No fangs, no tail, no talons. He was human, devoid of any demonic characteristics. Midoriya had never seen him like this, and his face scrunched up a bit, suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. He knew it was an illusion brought about by haven, but a part of him yearned for it more than anything. It made him miss something he'd never had.

He had always wondered what it might have been like if Bakugou had found him as a child not as a demon, but as a fellow human. He wondered how his life might have been different had they grown up together in some semblance of normalcy, Bakugou living alongside them, sharing their meals, sharing their warmth, falling asleep with them each night and rising beside them each morning. Foraging together, hunting, learning, growing together in the years that passed steadily by.

What had he been like as a child? As a teenager? What sort of life had Bakugou lived before he'd become a demon? Who was it that had killed him? What sort of demon had harvested his soul?

"Izuku." Bakugou whispered again, drawing him back into the moment, and Midoriya sniffed and nodded, giving his permission, tilting his face up and closing his eyes.

"I trust you." Midoriya whispered back, breathing against Bakugou's lips. "I trust you, Katsuki. I trust you."

Bakugou hovered there for a few moments longer, their lips barely touching, before he dipped down and pressed a kiss fully to Midoriya's mouth, the younger boy practically melting into his touch.

It was different than kissing Shinsou, or Amajiki. It was as if Bakugou could sense everything that he was feeling, everything that he had ever wanted, and he gave it to Midoriya unquestioningly, his utmost desire nothing more than to please the boy before him.

He slipped his fingers up Midoriya's back, sliding beneath his shirt and fanning out his fingers, tilting his face just slightly to the side before pressing their lips together again. Midoriya clung to his shoulders, a soft whine caught in the back of his throat, Bakugou smiling and breathing against him gently, tugging him closer to hold him gently around his waist.

He pulled back a moment later, searching Midoriya's eyes and pressing a kiss to his forehead, nuzzling him gently and cradling the back of his head, Midoriya hiding his hot face against Bakugou's neck shyly.

The energy's good. Bakugou felt Todoroki whisper against his ear, and the greater hummed his understanding before returning his attention to the boy in his arms, curling his fingers under Midoriya's chin and tilting his face up, petting his cheek.

"This is what you want?" Bakugou asked, and Midoriya blushed a shade deeper before nodding lightly, holding his ruby eyes.

"I want to, I just…" He arched his brow, biting his lip, "I don't know if I'll be able to…" His voice trailed off, his breath hitching as he tried again, "Without Shinsou…"

"I'll bring you to ecstasy." Bakugou murmured gently, a smile teasing up his lips, the demon chuckling and leaning closer to kiss Midoriya once again. "If that's what you want, then I will give that to you. Over and over again, as many times as you like."

Midoriya blushed and ducked his head, hiding his hot face, Bakugou chuckling playfully and petting along Midoriya's lower back, his other hand resting against the curve of Midoriya's neck and cheek, teasing along his quickened pulse.

"Katsuki…" Midoriya whispered, arching his brow, glancing around the endless void expanding around them before asking, "Are we really alone like this? I don't want Amajiki or...or Rodi to see..."

"We're alone together like this. No one can experience this moment save for us, and the rest of your plethora." He glanced to the side, considering for a moment before adding, "If the energy we design is in excess, Amajiki's plethora will be able to feed from it as well, but given Shinsou's current circumstance it is unlikely there will be excess to spare."

Midoriya arched his brow with concern, nodding and drawing Bakugou closer again, searching his eyes. Bakugou held him lightly, simply searching his eyes in turn for a few quiet moments before dipping down again, reconnecting their lips. This time, he lifted Midoriya against him, and the human inhaled against his mouth and shifted to wrap his legs around Bakugou's waist, the demon purring and carrying him a short distance before laying him down on something soft. Grass, perhaps? It was hard to tell where the edges of reality and astral blurred in haven.

Midoriya shivered pleasantly, looking up at Bakugou and smoothing his fingertips along the planes of his chest, down his abs and the curve of his navel, following the wisps of blonde hair there as his gaze descended further. Bakugou took his time, not wanting to rush things, allowing the energy to grow and swelter between them, Midoriya's breath hitching as Bakugou parted his thighs gently and slipped between them, his blunt nails dragging along the curve of Midoriya's inner thigh.

"You like seeing me like this?" Bakugou asked teasingly, and it was playful and affectionate, Midoriya's face growing impossibly hot.

"You're different like this." Midoriya murmured, obviously embarrassed to be called out so plainly, and Bakugou chuckled before leaning closer, offering his contractor a soft kiss.

He drew back slowly, and as he did so Midoriya marveled at his appearance, his broad chest covered with soft, opaque fabric that laced loosely in the front, leather straps criss-crossing over his chest and fur bunched at his waist along the rise of a notched belt. There was a dagger at his side, the cold press of the hilt digging into Midoriya's thigh, the talismans and glittering chains around his neck chiming with his movements. Midoriya reached up with wide eyes to tease his fingertips against the piercings adorning Bakugou's ears, in awe of each precious gem and golden hoop, Bakugou turning his face to kiss Midoriya's palm, his red eyes gentle and soft.

"I could have loved you." Bakugou whispered, his lips moving against Midoriya's fingertips. "In another lifetime, in another place. I could have loved you. I could have given you every part of my soul."

"Katsuki." Midoriya whispered brokenly, and Bakugou dipped down and pressed their lips together again. Midoriya immediately began tugging at the clothing covering Bakugou's skin from view while Bakugou kissed him over and over again, his movements growing heated with burgeoning desire.

Once every layer had been stripped away and cast aside, and they were both equally bared to one another, Bakugou slipped between Midoriya's thighs once more and pressed into him, Midoriya crying out desperately for more of his touch.

In the city, Shinsou felt the sudden flood of energy rush through him, the chaos ducking to avoid a blow before surging forward and slamming into the demon opposing him, quickly drawing darkness and shadow into himself before unleashing an attack of his own.

The deviant pair perched atop the tower nearby watched for a moment longer before one perked up her head, her hackles bristling and her eyes narrowing, the second looking up as well.

"It's time we take our leave." The first said, the second humming her agreement and shifting to part her wings, the pair taking to the air and vacating the area without delay, not wishing to involve themselves any further in the upcoming fight.

A pitch black darkness crept along the horizon, steadily drawing closer and closer to the city, drawn by the commotion caused between the fighting chaos, its presence effectively blotting out the stars.

Kurogiri and Chisaki noticed it first, backing away from one another and setting their sights on the darkness creeping overhead, Kurogiri retreating without hesitation while Chisaki lingered in the streets, narrowing his eyes and hissing angrily before deciding to depart as well. The lesser demons that had been observing their altercation were suddenly nowhere to be found, leaving only Shinsou and Shigaraki in the heart of the city, still fighting one another despite the darkness overtaking the sky. The fires that had been dwindling before suddenly roared back to life, the red-orange flames shifting and twisting before fading to neon green and then a vibrant, eerie blue.

Shinsou recoiled away from Shigaraki at the sudden shift of energy in the air, his reserves refueling steadily as he fixated on the newly arrived demon perched on the highest tower overlooking the city. The chaos narrowed his eyes and stared up at the newcomer warily, trying to get a good look at the other demon before ultimately being distracted by Shigaraki once more.

He felt unlike anything Shinsou had encountered before in the wilds. At first he had thought the demon to be a fellow darkness, but something about the shift in the flames made him doubt his original assumptions. Shigaraki didn't seem deterred in the slightest. He continued lunging at Shinsou, clawing through the air and snapping his fangs, growling and snarling as they exchanged blows, and then suddenly the entity above them shifted and dove into the fight.

Shinsou bound to the side, throwing himself backwards out of the way, and the demon pinned Shigaraki in an instant, letting out a terrifying cry between a screech and a roar as he clamped down on the smaller demon's neck. The newly ascended chaos screamed as he was pinned and torn into, Shinsou holding his position at a safe distance away and watching as the older, larger chaos effectively ripped him apart. Shigaraki screamed in agony with each bite, until his vocalizations stuttered and faded into choked gurgles, the chaos above him continuing to eat him alive until he reached Shigaraki's core.

The older chaos shifted slightly backwards as the core was revealed, the shining black orb glistening with blood and remnants of tissue, still pulsing with energy. Shinsou eyed the orb for a moment before returning his eyes to the other chaos, shivering as he realized the entity had fixed Shinsou within his sights.

He took a step back, ducking his head slightly, a clear sign that he wasn't interested in partaking in the other's meal. The older demon watched him for a long moment before drawing back and unhinging his jaw, his fangs elongating as he bit into Shigaraki's core and effectively shattered it, crunching loudly as he ate and absorbed the lesser chaos' strength. Shinsou listened silently, backing away another step, latent energy tingling in his veins. He didn't want to linger here any longer, now that it was safe for him to go. He needed to get away from this chaos as quickly as possible and return to his contractor, without drawing any attention to himself.

The chaos, it seemed, had no such intentions of letting him go.

"Kamiji." It called, and a greater descended from the height of the tower, green flames flickering along her forearms and shoulders as she came to stand at the chaos' side. "Introduce yourself."

She flickered across the street to Shinsou's side, clasping her hands behind her back and leaning closer into his space, the embodied demon looking down at her in surprise as she piped up cheerily, "Sorry to steal your dinner! I'll help you hunt down a greater if you'd like?" She turned and sniffed the air, her spiked tail swaying casually behind her. "Smells like there's a few hiding nearby, shouldn't be too hard for us to scare them out!"

Shinsou arched his brow a little, exhaling a soft chuckle while replying, "I appreciate the offer, but that's not necessary." He glanced between the greater and chaos before taking a step back, giving them both a little nod. "If that's everything, I'll be on my way-"

The chaos was beside him before he realized he had moved, blue flames flickering in his turquoise irises as he fixed Shinsou in his sights. He leaned a little closer, sniffing at his neck and shoulder, humming curiously. "Your scent is...interesting."

Kamiji sniffed the air as well, frowning a little while asking, "What is it? What do you smell?"

The chaos eyed one another silently, an impish smile pulling back the older demon's lips, revealing rows upon rows of sharpened fangs.

"It seems as if your contractor is currently feeding you, and from quite a distance."

His eyes flickered towards the mountainside, as if he could see the trail of energy connecting Midoriya to Shinsou.

"It's rather crude, isn't it? To play such games with your food?"

"Call me old-fashioned." Shinsou replied with a little smile, and the older demon laughed and drew back a bit, taking a few steps around Shinsou in a small circle, as a bird of prey might circle a rotting corpse.

"My my, it's been some time since I've felt another chaos that rivaled us so closely in raw power." He tilted his head slightly to the side, then glanced back over his shoulder towards the fragmented pieces of demonic core littering the empty street. "I'm surprised you had such a time handling that one. Why didn't you finish him the moment he rose against you? Is it some sort of game?"

"No games, only precaution." Shinsou replied smoothly, trying not to let the other chaos unnerve him. He knew well that the older demons who dwelt within the abyss liked to play mind-games. It kept his answers as short and simplistic as possible, hoping the other might lose interest. The alternative was more dangerous than Shinsou could begin to comprehend.

The chaos circled for a while longer before leaning closer again, pausing at Shinsou's other shoulder, licking across his fangs absently while musing aloud, "The human you've contracted with, it's been quite some time since I've tasted anything nearly as sweet."

Shinsou kept his expressions neutral, trying not to show the barest hint of a reaction. If he acted defensive, or upset in any way, the chaos might take that as a sign of a challenge, or develop an interest in Shinsou even further. He had to keep this chaos away from Midoriya, he couldn't let him anywhere near his contractor.

"Why don't we have a taste for ourselves, hmm Kamiji? It's been a while since we've devoured human flesh."

Shinsou met eyes with the chaos evenly, offering him a slight smile. "I doubt he would have much of a taste to your refined palate. I am not the only contract he holds."

The chaos clicked his tongue against his teeth, letting out a quiet sigh. "I suppose we'll have a bite and determine that for ourselves, won't we?"

Shinsou warped from the heart of the city back to Midoriya's side in a fraction of a moment, surrounding the entirety of the camp in a giant black dome and scooping it from the earth effortlessly. In the blink of an eye they had vanished completely, leaving no trace of their existence save for a crater in the mountainside.

Dabi chuckled to himself softly, flexing his claws and fanning out his wings, his tails coiling in the air behind him.

"It seems we have another game to play." The chaos rumbled, and Kamiji grinned and pressed closer to his side, the greater looking up at her mentor affectionately.

"Shall we hunt them?" She asked, and Dabi hummed and nodded his consent.

"Let's see how far they can run before we find them. I've always enjoyed a good game of hide and seek."


Lyrics: Stand Out by Tevin Campbell

Thanks for reading! More to come!