"And what the fuck are you doing here?"

Dabi spat the words with such venom that he surprised even himself as he turned his head toward the newcomer. His memory of the events that had taken place at the hospital was a bit fuzzy, and so, he recognized the girl in the doorway as Mirio's friend and little else. Nothing she had previously said jumped out at him for better or worse, nor did he remember her name. All Dabi knew was that he was done being shoved into conversations and situations he didn't feel like experiencing, and he had a sinking feeling that the arrival of the girl signaled yet another one.

"…I came to keep you company," Nejire answered as she closed the door behind herself and approached the hospital bed, her tone calm and unaffected by Dabi's aggression. "I figured you might be lonely with everyone you know discussing things in Mirko's room. Being in a hospital bed sucks."

"How can I be lonely if you people won't fucking go away?" Dabi countered with a roll of his eyes as he turned his head to stare back up at the drop ceiling. "Just let me rot here in peace. I've got nothing to say to you, and I'm not interested in hearing whatever advice you have to give. Everything's fucked, all of you people are idiots, and the only one I can even slightly tolerate anymore is Mirio… barely. You've got no idea who I am, what I'm dealing with, or what's going to happen as a result of everything that went down here, so stay out of it and go back to class, or whatever the hell it is you usually do. Goddamned heroes, sticking their noses in everything…"

Nejire let out a wistful sigh and took a moment to tuck a strand of dangling hair back behind her ear as she sat down in one of the chairs near the bedside. She was quiet for a moment, letting the steady beep of Dabi's heart monitor fill the otherwise uncomfortable silence as she tried to think of what to say.

"…I know… that you don't actually care about the Shie Hassaikai at all," Nejire began, pausing to choose exactly what knowledge to omit from her summary. "And I know that, whatever happened earlier today, you have issues with Endeavor. I've got a grudge against him too, though I don't expect you to understand or take it seriously by comparison. More importantly than all of that, though… I know you're Mirio's friend. That's reason enough for me to care about your situation, offer help in whatever way I can, and get involved in all of this alongside Tamaki. Like it or not, I'm not just going to go away even if I leave you alone right now. We might as well get to know each other at least a little while you'd otherwise be trapped here bored and alone."

"Tamaki," Dabi said thoughtfully as he furrowed his brows. "Riz mentioned him. He's the awkward one that was here earlier, yeah? Fat Gum's protégé. Was that whole encounter those two had in the forest a load of shit, too?"

Nejire shifted uncomfortably, well aware that she was navigating into uncharted waters by answering. All she could do was hope that her instincts guided her in a way that wouldn't do too much damage down the road.

"…we needed some way to convincingly have Tamaki get on the Shie Hassaikai's radar," Nejire explained. "A semi-public split from Fat Gum seemed like the most plausible explanation as to why he would follow Mirio into the Yakuza's fold. Neither of us wants Mirio to do this alone anymore. It's too dangerous, especially now, and he's… Mirio isn't alright, Dabi. Even if it seems like he's keeping his composure… it's all just a front. Despite the fact that Sir Nighteye ruined his hero career, the two of them were still close enough for all of this to leave a lasting wound. Mirio's barely hanging on."

"I'm well aware," Dabi let on. "He's dogshit at hiding his stress level… and at saying 'no', and at leaving people the hell alone, and at keeping his nose out of places it doesn't belong…"

"It's a little endearing, isn't it?" Nejire asked with a smile. "He's definitely the boy scout of our friend circle, and I love him for it. That being said, he needs extra support, especially now. I'm here in this room right now for him as much as I am for you. He's worried about you being alone in here."

"Of course he is," Dabi grumbled as he finally turned his head to look at Nejire again. "I still don't get why he even cares, especially after making such a mess of so many things. I guess I'm suck with you, so… who are you, exactly?"

"Nejire Hado," the girl answered with a smile. "And yes, you absolutely are. You probably know me as Supercoil."

"…right," Dabi acknowledged. "I've heard that name before, yeah. 'The Big Three' and all that. How exactly are you planning to get involved with the Shie Hassaikai? It's gonna look suspicious as all hell if you and Tamaki both just walk up and say you want to join, especially while Mirio's already in deep shit with the big cheese."

"Well… I've actually been thinking about that for a while now," Nejire admitted as she looked away. "And I think you might be able to help me get a foot in the door."

"From a hospital bed? I doubt it, even if I wanted to," Dabi replied. "And I don't want to."

"Hear me out, first- I promise it won't take any effort on your part. I just want to hear about your girlfriend," Nejire insisted. "Can I meet her?"

Dabi narrowed his eyes, not quite following the line of thought.

"…why?"

Nejire hesitated. Not even Mirio and Tamaki were aware of her plan, and she knew they wouldn't approve at all. It would be risky, potentially life-changing, and terrifying… among other things. There in the hospital room alone with Dabi was likely her only opportunity to make the move she had been mulling over for weeks in secret, and no one could stop her.

It was time to take matters into her own hands.

Nejire took a deep breath, cleared her throat, and decided she was done sitting on the sidelines.

"So…you guys feeling ready for classes?" Tsuyu asked as Eijiro sat down next to her at the circular table near one of the walls of the cafeteria. "I keep thinking there's something I'm forgetting, or something I should be doing before we start up…"

"Nah, you're probably fine," Amaya reassured as she waved a hand from across the table, a few fries in the other. "You seem like the responsible type that has all of her shit in order. I've still gotta pick up books…"

"Oh, me too!" Eijiro exclaimed with wide eyes. "Good thing you said something. Wanna go together after this before I forget completely?"

"I don't see why not," Amaya agreed. "Anyone else?"

"I got mine this morning, actually," Kyoka said before taking a quick sip of her soda. "They were… a lot more expensive than I expected. I get the feeling that's going to hold true for many things on campus…"

"You've got that right," Amaya replied. "Every university is like that, especially with books. It's a shitload of money for something you'll only use once. If my dad didn't work here and didn't have such a stick up his ass, I'd just pirate digital copies. He'll want to see a physical book, though, or else he'll think I'm slacking off."

"Is he really that strict?" Tsuyu asked, jabbing her fork into a bowl of salad absentmindedly. "I thought Professor Aizawa had the reputation for being stern. Everything I've heard about Professor Kan suggests that he's more laid back and understanding."

"Yeah, maybe to you people," Amaya said with narrowed eyes. "Try being his daughter. I don't recommend it."

"It can't be all bad, can it?" Kyoka asked, looking rather unsettled. "I mean, you've got a lot of insider knowledge about U.A. because of it, and it sounds like you've spent a fair bit of time here and gotten familiar with the campus already…"

"Yeah, fair enough," Amaya admitted with a sigh as she stretched out her wings. "It has its ups and downs."

A sudden, subtle chorus of vibrations from under the table broke the flow of conversation. Eijiro was the first to get to his phone, and the boy's expression quickly shifted to one of disappointment as he checked the group text.

"Aw, man! Honenuki's sitting this one out…"

"Oh…" Tsuyu said with a frown as she looked over to Eijiro. "Did he give a reason?"

"Doesn't say…"

"Does he even need to?" Amaya asked. "Think about it. This is the second time that he's bailed on eating with us as a group since we got to U.A., and he wears a high-tech mask that he refuses to take off. What else needs to be said?"

"I think we all knew on some level that he's a heteromorph," Kyoka pointed out, only for Eijiro to stare at her blankly. "Kirishima, are you serious?"

"I thought… I-I dunno, maybe he has a breathing problem!" the boy said innocently, his cheeks matching the bright red of his hair. "I never really thought about it… I mean, it's obvious now, but…!"

"It's… a little sad," Tsuyu said quietly. "All three of us probably know what it's like to be discriminated against for our traits, but to feel like he can't even show us…"

"Alright, pump the brakes," Amaya cautioned as she set down her food entirely. "First of all- while I appreciate the attempt, I'm not gonna sit here and pretend that having wings got me nearly as much shit as you and Jiro probably got growing up. Occasionally, yeah, there were some jabs, but I broke a few noses and that sorted itself out. Most people find them hot, or at least cool looking. Secondly- both of you are gorgeous, so stop it, and fuck anyone who says otherwise. Finally- Honenuki can do whatever he wants when it comes to showing his face, but we shouldn't assume anything just yet. Let me talk to him about it, and I'll report back, alright? Any objections?"

"Well, I sure as hell don't want to do it," Kyoka admitted. "That's going to be an uncomfortable conversation, to say the least."

"Ditto," Tsuyu agreed. "I feel for him, but… yeah. I don't want to go there. If you really think you're up to it, then just let him know that we won't judge him no matter what's under that mask."

"Yeah!" Eijiro agreed. "I wont, either. I know I've got no room to talk, unless you count my teeth. I personally don't, but…"

Amaya raised a brow, looking rather confused.

"…smile for me?"

Eijiro's furious blush returned as he slowly parted his lips, putting on a self-conscious smile. His teeth were sharp and triangular, more sharklike than humanoid, and perfectly interlocked into a jagged, dangerous-looking strip of white.

"Huh," Amaya considered as she tilted her head. "Now I feel like a dumbass. I never noticed, and not only that, but I'd say that absolutely counts. Welcome to Heteromorph Club, babe. We should get t-shirts."

"Heteromorph Club?" a deep, unfamiliar voice asked from behind Amaya. "May I join?"

The four members of 1-A all turned their attention to the newcomer, who was clad in a long black cloak that obscured his entire body. Though his neck was exposed and seemed entirely human, his head was anything but. Somewhere beneath the jaw, his flesh gave way to a large, smooth, almost triangular head of jet-black leathery material that tapered into several spiked sections where his hair might have been. The stranger's mouth was a bird's break, and his eyes a deep, predatory red that only added to his overall avian vibe.

"By all means," Amaya offered as she stretched out a wing toward the unoccupied seat to her right. "Amaya Kan. 1-A."

"Fumikage Tokoyami," the boy replied as she slipped into the proffered chair. "I believe I am the sole remaining member of Class 1-B that has yet to meet you all…"

Author's Note:

So, I'm a goddamned idiot. This story updated last week, and for some reason I thought this was due an update right now instead of Arboretum and I didn't notice until the chapter was already mostly written. Rather than hold on to this until Monday, I'm posting it now, and it'll be the chapter for the week of 8/31. Happy early update, I guess?

Time to go write Arboretum…

-RD