CHAPTER FIVE – FRIENDS AND ENEMIES

The morning was overcast. Dark clouds mottled the sky outside the Alliance dorm, blocking the sun for the most part and making it feel about ten degrees cooler than it actually was. The weather had seemed to take a turn for the worse overnight, and a harsh wind blowing through threatened an early winter. Granted, it was late October, but the change of seasons was approaching much too fast as far as Shigaraki was concerned.

A shiver crawled the length of his spine, gooseflesh breaking out over his skin. For someone like Shigaraki, who had internal climate control problems, this was the worst time of the year - even with a thick sweatshirt layered over his UA School Uniform he was still cold. He was always cold.

Shudder.

Of course, his first day back at school had to be dull and dreary - it was almost as if the universe was telling him that today was not the day. Stay inside. Try again tomorrow, but he had no excuses for skipping school now. Recovery Girl had returned from her short stint out of town and healed his broken rib, and everyone including the faculty were expecting him to be in classes unfortunately.

Another full day of gaming would've been nice though...

"You're not thinking about skipping, are you?"

Shigaraki glanced sideways at his best friend and then drew up the hood of his sweater, pulling it further over his head to protect his face against the wind. Kurogiri was keeping in stride with him, even though Shigaraki was moving at a snail's pace on the sidewalk, procrastinating on the school day ahead.

"Me? Nooo, never." Shigaraki replied, voice laced with sarcasm.

"Right." Kurogiri replied, snickering.

"I'm walking, aren't I?"

"Slowly."

Shigaraki stuffed his hands deep into his pockets and sped up a little to pacify his cynical friend.

They walked in silence for a short distance before Kurogiri spoke again.

"So, I heard Dabi received a pretty lengthy training assignment for failing the partnered exam. It's all after school hours too."

Dabi. That name. It made Shigaraki tense up until he was scowling, his teeth clenching tightly together. He was, of course, still mortified by the events of the past few days, how he had allowed the zombie boy to get so close to him. Over and over, Dabi had slowly broken down the protective walls Shigaraki had spent years building up around him only to tear them down easily with a single touch of his hand.

And now, with something akin to fondness and an equal amount of frustration, Shigaraki couldn't help but recall the abiding affection Dabi had shown him. He was persistent, enduring Shigaraki's lapses in hysteria and patiently guided him to a place of peace; languid kisses and soft touches persuading him to surrender. And he did.

It was sickening. Absolutely disgusting. He was weak. Ugh.

"That idiot deserved it." Shigaraki finally grumbled, scratching at his neck.

"What do you expect to get out of it?"

"I don't know, a small slap on the wrist?" Shigaraki answered, lip twitching, "It wasn't my fault."

Kurogiri shook his head, "I don't think you'll get off that easy. You know, the faculty were pretty pissed off about losing one of those robots. Apparently, they are not cheap."

Shigaraki made a face, "Oh yeah? I suppose I'll just die next time."

Kurogiri snorted a laugh. Shigaraki was being over-dramatic, as was his custom, and even though Kurogiri was used to the theatrics, he still worried about his friend, since Shigaraki neglected to concern himself.

"I'm just telling you what I heard." He added, "I think they are mostly upset that the robot was destroyed just because you and Dabi couldn't play nice."

"So, what's new? We shouldn't have been paired up in the first place. It was a disaster waiting to happen."

Simultaneously, they pushed through the double-doors of the main UA building and turned into the hall. Instantly, Shigaraki paused, his eyes narrowing. Up ahead of them, propped up against the wall just outside classroom 1-A, and seemingly waiting for their arrival, was Dabi.

"Speak of the devil."

Bright blue eyes went straight for Shigaraki, who looked away reflexively, jaw tensing.

Fuck. He was hot. Why did he have to be so hot? It made it extremely difficult for Shigaraki to maintain his apathy when Dabi looked so… good. It was almost as if were doing it on purpose too. Today, despite the cooler temperatures, he wasn't wearing his UA school blazer and he had his shirt sleeves rolled up his scarred forearms. Cool and casual. And grinning impishly at the two boys.

Shigaraki almost whimpered, if it weren't for his brain telling him to get his shit together he just might have. The world was a cruel place.

Kurogiri looked annoyed, obviously suspecting the audience was for Shigaraki. Dabi often liked to cause trouble for his friend, especially at school, and Shigaraki didn't need to deal with any of Dabi's bullshit on his first day back.

"Come on. Just ignore him."

Easier said than done. Shigaraki thought silently, and the two boys continued down the hall.

"Hi," Dabi greeted.

"Umm, hi?" Shigaraki answered, his brows drawn tightly together. Kurogiri made a gagging sound and walked straight past him. They didn't socialize at school, Dabi had his own group of friends and Shigaraki had his - he had no reason to stop for a friendly chat. Neither of them did.

"Ouch," Dabi chuckled, hand pressed against his chest in mock offence. He pushed away from the wall and followed the pair, "Hold up."

Both boys whipped their heads back over their shoulders but didn't stop walking.

"Can I talk to you?"

Kurogiri ficked his gaze from Dabi to Shigaraki and then back again, curious but not stupid. Clearly, he wasn't being asked to join in on the conversation, it was supposed to be between the other two boys and them alone, but regardless, he would stay and back up his best friend unless told otherwise. History would suggest this wouldn't end well so a mediator might be necessary.

"Yeah, I guess." Shigaraki mumbled, looking forward now.

"Can I… ah, talk to you alone?" Dabi requested, hoping Shigaraki's sidekick would get the hint and leave.

"Anything you have to say you can say in front of him." Shigaraki jerked his chin, motioning over to Kurogiri.

Dabi's returning grin was devilish, "You sure about that?"

Heat immediately flooded Shigaraki's cheeks. Dabi had a good point. Pertaining to Shigaraki's and Dabi's not-really-a-relationship, there were many things Kurogiri did not know, and Shigaraki wanted it to stay that way. Even if it meant keeping a secret from his best friend.

"Save me a seat." Shigaraki mumbled, looking over at his friend. Kurogiri nodded, leaving the two of them alone in the hallway.

As soon as Kurogiri disappeared inside the classroom, Dabi took Shigaraki by the wrist, dragging him into the nearest alcove - which was really just an empty entrance to a locked janitors closet. It wasn't a private space in any way, but it did allow a little seclusion from the other students still loitering in the hall. They could talk uninterrupted.

"What are you…" Shigaraki stopped short as long, warm arms wound around him. He stiffened in that embrace, clearly giving off uncomfortable vibes, and he anxiously turned his head from one side to the next. Anyone could catch them together, though Dabi didn't seem the least bit concerned, he was already swooping in and kissing Shigaraki's cheek, stepping closer, nuzzling his jawline.

"I missed you, Mop Head." Dabi whispered, his voice husky and sweet.

"Tch." Shigaraki grumbled. What did Dabi have time to miss? It had only been a few days since they had seen each other last. Actually, no, it was only two. Two days! Good, Lord. "Get off me!" Shigaraki grumbled, shoving at the other boy.

"No." Dabi cocooned Shigaraki more tightly in his arms, "Stop struggling."

"Idiot." Shigaraki snapped, though, unconsciously he was already leaning further into Dabi's body. He was warm, so warm, and Shigaraki wanted to curl up into the heat. Dammit! He smelled good too. His nose bumped Dabi's shoulder as he relaxed some, forehead coming to rest in the crook of the other boy's neck, and he, bitterly, began to forget why he was supposed to be pissy in the first place.

He really was a sucker.

"That wasn't so hard, right?"

"Shut up."

Dabi chuckled softly then lifted his arms. He slid his fingers into Shigaraki's hair, blunt nails teased his scalp before he pushed the hood of Shigaraki's sweatshirt back off his head.

"Run out of time in front of the mirror this morning?" Dabi asked, teasing.

"What?"

"Your hair looks like something died in it."

"Thanks," Shigaraki replied, rolling his eyes. He managed to take a step back, and out of Dabi's hold. "We're going to be late. What did you want to talk to me about?" He huffed and folded his arms defensively over his chest

"Talk?" Dabi let out a short laugh and shook his head. "Are you really that naive?"

"Naive?" Shigaraki's nose wrinkled.

Dabi leaned in and curled his fingers beneath Shigaraki's chin. "I don't want to talk."

Shigaraki knew what was coming next and stood very still. He should have pulled away, he should have turned his head away and said no… Instead, he closed his eyes and let it happen. When Dabi's mouth brushed his he inhaled a sharp breath through his nose, and when Dabi's tongue touched his lower lip, Shigaraki gasped, inadvertently allowing that tongue to pass inside his mouth.

He tasted mint almost immediately - fresh and clean, like Dabi had just brushed his teeth. Nice. Sweet. He shuddered and swallowed reflexively, feeling Dabi's hand navigate to his waist, nimble fingers stroking his side. Encouraged by the other boy's compliance, Dabi tilted his head, changing up the angle and deepening the kiss.

Shigaraki moaned, glad to have the support of the wall behind him. He felt dizzy.

But then the heat of the other boy's mouth was gone, the taste of mint turning cold on his tongue. Shigaraki opened his eyes with difficulty, face very warm now. He put a hand up between their bodies and gave Dabi a gentle push to get him to back up a step.

"We should get to class."

"We've got five minutes. Maybe six."

Shigaraki glanced up at Dabi, his brow drawing tight when he realized that the other boy had taken a step closer again. "So, stay. I'm going."

"Can I sit with you in class?" Dabi gripped Shigaraki's forearm so he wouldn't be able to run away.

"No."

"Lunch then?"

"That's a big no." Shigaraki hissed, "Let go of me."

Behind them in the hallway, a loud set of footsteps skipped past the alcove and then stopped. Shigaraki tensed up again as the footsteps immediately returned, almost if the person was backing up. Which was exactly what was happening! Shigaraki reeled back, slipping away from Dabi when he recognized the flyaway blond hair.

Takami.

"Hey! Get to class you two or I'm going to write you..." The boy started, mimicking one of the staff as a joke before he paused mid sentence. He threw an arm over Dabi's shoulder, glancing over at Shigaraki, and his brows popped up in surprise. The last thing he expected to see was his BFF and rival alone together… and not trying to rip each other throats out.

"Well, well, well. Now this is very interesting." The corner of his mouth kicked up into an amused grin. "Did I just catch you two doing something bad?"

"The opposite." Dabi mumbled, irritated by the interruption.

Shigaraki scowled. The blond boy was easily his least favorite person in, probably, the entire world. He was loud and obnoxious, that bubbly do-gooder type personality that everyone seemed to be attracted too, and he had the stereotypical good looks to match. "The perfect hero". Apparently. He was the kind of guy that always had the right answers and was all "yes ma'am" and "please and thank you" - the students and faculty ate that shit right up.But his smile was acidic. Shigaraki could see right through him. Shifty as fuck.

Shigaraki ignored the new arrival and pushed his way out of the alcove.

"Well, you're a delight as always." He chuckled after the retreating boy.

Without turning back, Shigaraki flipped him off and then quickly disappeared around the corner.

"See you in class!" Takami called out with that honeyed voice of his. The sound made Shigaraki want to turn back and deck the blond in the face, knock him down a peg or two. But he restrained himself. He didn't need to make a scene. And breaking the class presidents nose would only get him in more trouble than he already was.

He drew his hood back up over his head and made a beeline for the classroom all the while chiding himself for letting his guard down so freely. He had to be more careful where Dabi was concerned, that call was too close for comfort.

The bell rang sharply. Besides, Dabi and his feathered friend, Shigaraki was one of the last students to file into the classroom. His back dropped to the floor with a loud thud as he slipped into the empty desk next to Kurogiri. He planted his elbows on the desktop and dropped his chin into his hands.

"So, what happened?" Kurogiri asked, leaning over so only Shigaraki could hear him whisper.

"Nothing."

"Bullshit." Kurogiri scoffed, skeptical. He wanted more details and was about to ask but Mr. Aizawa had arrived for class. Right on time.

"Ahem." Mr. Aizawa cleared his throat to get everyone's attention, "Quiet down and take your seats." He glared at the couple of students still loitering outside the doorway. One of them being Dabi, the other Takami. They both rushed into the classroom, followed by another dark-haired boy wearing a medical face mask... He wasn't in their class...

Dabi fixed his eyes on Shigaraki before taking an empty seat at the front of the room, his blond buddy remained standing at the front.

"Shigaraki Tomura!" Mr. Aizawa dropped a tall stack of loose paper onto his desk causing a chorus of startled gasps to echo around the classroom. "A sweatshirt? Again?"

Someone laughed, Shigaraki sighed. He didn't understand what the big deal was.

"Remove the hood from your head." Mr. Aizawa ordered, glaring at Shigaraki until the boy casually flipped the hood back, revealing his messy mop of bed hair.

"Thank you. And welcome back." His lazy gaze shifted back to the class. "You've probably already noticed, but we have a new student joining us today. He is a transfer from the East and will be finishing his hero schooling here at UA." Mr. Aizawa announced, waving his hand tiredly at the newcomer, "Takami, will you make the introductions."

The classroom was immediately filled with muffled whispers. This was highly unusual. A student transferring in third year? It was unheard of.

"Sure!" The blond answered, way too enthusiastically, and stepped up beside the new guy. "Hero Class 1-A. This is Chisaki Kai."

To Be Continued...