๐ค synopsis: the explosive hero-in-training reluctantly endures a surprise birthday party organized by his classmates, but finds genuine joy in the thoughtful gift and quiet moments shared with you.
๐ค trigger warnings: fluff
๐ค pairing: katsuki bakugou x gender neutral! reader (post-relationship)
the hallways of ua were surprisingly quiet as you made your way toward the heights alliance dormitory, clutching a small package wrapped in black paper with tiny orange explosion patterns. your heart hammered in your chest, almost rivaling the explosive quirk of the boy whose birthday it was today.
katsuki bakugou. april 20th.
you'd been planning this for weeksโthe perfect gift, the right moment to give it to him, and most importantly, how to survive the encounter without becoming a victim of his infamous temper. dating bakugou for the past few months had been an adventure, to say the least. beneath that prickly exterior was someone fiercely loyal and determined, someone who pushed you to be better every day.
but that didn't make his birthday any less intimidating.
---
the morning had started with a flood of texts from your classmates, all coordinating for bakugou's "surprise" partyโa surprise he'd undoubtedly see coming from a mile away.
"remember, 5 pm sharp!" mina had texted, followed by a string of explosion emojis. "and don't tell him!"
you'd spent your free period between classes frantically wrapping his gift, your mind replaying memories of how your relationship with the explosive hero-in-training had evolved.
it had begun during joint training sessions three months ago. you'd been paired together for combat practice, and unlike others who hesitated around his fiery temper, you stood your ground.
"you're not going to beat a villain by holding back, so don't hold back with me!" you'd challenged him.
he'd looked shocked for a moment before that trademark smirk spread across his face. "fine by me. don't cry when you lose!"
to everyone's surprise (especially his), you'd managed to hold your own. not winโbakugou was too skilled for thatโbut you'd impressed him. and impressing bakugou katsuki was no small feat.
after training, he'd cornered you in the hallway.
"you. train with me tomorrow," he'd demanded, more than asked.
and so began your regular training sessions, which gradually transformed from strictly professional to something more personal. you noticed how he'd adjust his techniques to help you improve, how his criticism, while blunt, was always constructive. the way his eyes lingered on you when he thought you weren't looking.
your first kiss had been after a particularly grueling session. both of you, sweaty and exhausted, had collapsed against the gym wall. you'd turned to say something, only to find his face inches from yours, those intense crimson eyes studying your face with an unfamiliar softness.
"you're not half bad," he'd mumbled, and then his lips were on yours, rough and demanding yet surprisingly gentle.
since then, your relationship had been as explosive and intense as the boy himselfโfull of heated arguments, passionate make-up sessions, and quiet moments of understanding that no one else got to see.
and now, his birthday was here, and you wanted it to be special.
---
according to kirishima, bakugou hated celebrations focused on him. "too much damn attention," he'd growl. yet you knew he secretly appreciated the acknowledgmentโjust not the fuss.
as you approached his door, voices from inside made you pause.
"deku, get that stupid banner out of my face!"
"but kacchan, it's your special day! everyone pitched in toโ"
"i don't care! i didn't ask for this!"
"come on, man!" kirishima's cheerful voice. "it's just a small party! even all might sent you a card!"
you winced. so much for your plan to have a quiet moment with him. class 1-a had apparently beaten you to the punch with a surprise party. for a moment, you considered turning back, waiting until later when the chaos had died down.
"where's [y/n]?" bakugou's gruff question made you freeze. "if you extras dragged everyone here but didn't tell [y/n], i'm blowing this whole damn dorm up."
your heart fluttered. he was looking for you?
taking a deep breath, you knocked on the door. the room fell silent instantly.
the door flew open to reveal bakugou himself, hair wild as always, crimson eyes narrowing when he saw you. behind him, the entire class froze in various stages of party preparation. midoriya was hanging a crooked "happy birthday" banner, kirishima and sero had armfuls of snacks, and ashido was attempting to set up a small music system. kaminari was in the corner, tangled in what appeared to be extension cords, while todoroki stood awkwardly by the window, holding a small wrapped gift.
"there you are," bakugou grumbled, something like relief crossing his features before his scowl returned. "these idiots decided to invade my room."
"happy birthday, katsuki," you said softly, holding out the small package. "i was hoping to catch you alone, but..."
his eyes darted to the gift, then back to your face. without warning, he grabbed your wrist and pulled you into the hallway, slamming the door behind him.
"hey!" came the muffled protests from inside.
"kacchan! we spent hours decorating!"
"bakugou, that's rude!" you chided, but couldn't help smiling. this was so like him.
"they can wait," he said, crossing his arms. "i've been dealing with their birthday crap all day. first, round face and deku ambushed me at breakfast with some homemade card that looked like a five-year-old made it. then glasses gave me some lecture about 'the importance of commemorating one's date of birth with proper reflection.' as if i give a crap."
you laughed, imagining iida's serious expression as he delivered what was probably a well-intentioned speech.
"then all might sent me a card with some american superhero on it," bakugou continued, rolling his eyes, though you noticed he didn't sound quite as annoyed about that one. "and now they've taken over my room like it's their right. i haven't had five minutes to myself all day."
"want me to come back later?" you asked, though you were disappointed at the thought.
"no," he said quickly, almost too quickly. his cheeks colored slightly as he realized his eagerness. "i mean, you're already here, so whatever."
"smooth recovery," you teased.
"shut up," he growled, but there was no real heat behind it.
"here," you said again, pushing the package toward him. "it's not much, but i thought you might like it."
he took it with surprisingly gentle hands, turning it over once before carefully tearing the wrapping paper. inside was a custom-made training journal, bound in leather with his hero name embossed on the cover in orange lettering. when he opened it, the first page had a handwritten note from you.
"to become the number one hero, you need to keep track of what works. no one works harder than you, katsuki. happy birthday. - [y/n]"
the rest of the pages were specially formatted for training regimens, with sections for technique improvements, quirk developments, and combat strategies. you'd also included some analysis of his recent fights from the training exercises, with your own observations on what made his moves effective.
in the very back, hidden between the last page and the cover, was a photo you'd secretly taken during one of your training sessions. bakugou was mid-explosion, his face lit by the orange glow of his quirk, a fierce grin of pure joy on his face. it captured everything you loved about himโhis power, his passion, his absolute certainty in his own abilities.
bakugou was silent for so long that you started to worry.
"if you don't like it, i can get somethingโ"
"shut up," he interrupted, but his voice lacked its usual bite. he was still staring at the journal, running his thumb over the embossed letters. his eyes had found the hidden photo, and you saw his expression soften in a way that made your heart race. "this is... good. really good."
coming from bakugou, that was equivalent to anyone else's effusive praise.
"you actually put thought into this," he continued, glancing up at you. "not just some random crap like the extras in there."
"well, i know how serious you are about becoming the best," you replied. "and you deserve tools that match your ambition."
something changed in bakugou's expression thenโa softening around the eyes, a slight upturn at the corner of his mouth. before you could react, he'd stepped forward, one hand coming up to cup the back of your neck.
"you get me," he said quietly, almost wonderingly. "everyone else just sees the explosions."
"i see all of you, katsuki. the good, the bad, and the explosive."
he laughed thenโa rare, genuine sound that made your heart soar. "damn right you do."
his kiss caught you by surprise, fierce and passionate like everything he did, yet with an underlying tenderness that he showed to no one else. you melted into it, wrapping your arms around his neck as he pulled you closer, his free hand sliding to the small of your back.
the door suddenly flew open, and you both sprang apart to find kirishima grinning at you.
"sorry to interrupt, lovebirds, but we've got cake melting in here. very unmanly to waste good food."
bakugou's face flushed redโfrom embarrassment or anger, you couldn't tell. "hair-for-brains! ever heard of privacy?"
kirishima just laughed. "come on, birthday boy. everyone's waiting."
"don't call me that," bakugou growled, but he didn't protest further. instead, he tucked the journal carefully into his pocket and took your hand, his palm warm against yours. "those idiots in there probably got a cake or something. might as well not let it go to waste."
it was as close to "thank you for the party" as bakugou would ever get.
"lead the way, birthday boy," you teased.
he growled at the nickname but didn't let go of your hand as he pushed the door open, facing his classmates with what could almost be described as tolerance. "alright, you extras! let's get this over with!"
---
the party was actually fun, even by bakugou's standards, though he'd never admit it out loud. the cake was spicy chocolateโsomeone had done their researchโand even the gifts showed that his classmates knew him better than he gave them credit for.
kirishima had gotten him a set of premium hand weights. "for when you can't get to the gym, bro!"
todoroki, surprisingly, had gifted him a high-end knife set. "you mentioned wanting to improve your cooking skills," he'd said simply, ignoring bakugou's suspicious glare.
midoriya's giftโa limited edition all might collectible that bakugou had been eyeing for monthsโalmost caused another explosion, but you saw how carefully he set it aside rather than throwing it away.
but as the celebration continued, you noticed how he kept the journal close, occasionally touching his pocket as if to make sure it was still there. and throughout the evening, his eyes would find yours across the room, that rare smile appearing just for you.
at one point, kaminari suggested party games, which led to an intense round of "truth or dare."
when it was bakugou's turn, ashido grinned mischievously. "truth! when did you realize you liked [y/n]?"
the room fell silent, everyone waiting for the inevitable explosion. but bakugou just scoffed, his eyes finding yours.
"when they didn't back down during training," he said bluntly. "most people either fear me or try to 'fix' me. [y/n] just told me to bring it on." he paused, then added with a smirk, "plus, they called deku an annoying fanboy once, and that's when i knew it was meant to be."
"hey!" midoriya protested as everyone else burst into laughter.
you remembered that momentโit had been after midoriya had spent fifteen minutes analyzing bakugou's fighting style in excruciating detail, stars in his eyes the entire time.
"he's brilliant, but doesn't he ever turn it off?" you'd whispered to bakugou, who had looked at you with newfound respect.
the game continued, and by the time it circled back to you, most of the class had either embarrassed themselves or revealed surprising secrets. sero had admitted to using his tape to cheat on a middle school test. todoroki confessed he secretly enjoyed romantic comedies. uraraka had been dared to float iida around the room like a balloon.
"[y/n], truth or dare?" kirishima asked.
"truth," you decided, not trusting the gleam in his eye.
"what's your favorite thing about our explosive friend here?" he gestured to bakugou, who looked like he was considering murder.
you thought for a moment, aware of bakugou's eyes on you. "his determination," you finally said. "when katsuki decides to do something, nothing stops him. it's inspiring." you met his gaze across the circle. "and he pushes me to be better too."
something flashed in those crimson eyesโsurprise, pleasure, and something deeper that made your pulse quicken.
"damn right i do," he said, but his voice was softer than usual.
---
the party started winding down around midnight. aizawa had stopped by brieflyโ"just making sure you're not destroying the building"โand seemed satisfied that the celebration was relatively controlled, at least by class 1-a standards.
as people began to leave, you started helping clean up, gathering paper plates and cups.
"leave it," bakugou said, coming up behind you. "they made the mess, they can clean it."
"that's not very heroic," you teased.
"neither is trashing someone's room for a party they didn't ask for," he retorted, but there was no real anger in his voice. in fact, he seemed almost... content? it was a strange look on bakugou's usually scowling face.
most of the class said their goodbyes, until only kirishima, midoriya, and a few others remained to finish cleaning.
"we'll handle the rest," kirishima said with a knowing grin, nudging midoriya who was obliviously gathering balloons. "you two probably want some time alone."
"mind your own business, shitty hair!" bakugou barked, but he didn't disagree.
taking your hand, he led you out of the dorm and onto the balcony at the end of the hallway. the night was clear, stars visible above the ua campus, a gentle spring breeze carrying the scent of cherry blossoms.
"thanks," he said abruptly, leaning against the railing. "for the journal. it's... exactly what i needed."
"you're welcome," you replied, standing beside him, your shoulders almost touching. "i'm glad you like it."
"and for not making a big deal about today," he added, turning to face you. "everyone else acts like i should be dancing around because i managed not to die for another year."
you laughed. "that's one way to look at birthdays."
"the only way that makes sense," he insisted. "but... i guess it's not terrible having people acknowledge it. even if they're annoying about it."
coming from bakugou, this was practically a heartfelt speech of gratitude.
"next year," he said in a low voice, moving closer so that his arm pressed against yours, "just you and me. no extras."
your heart skipped. next year. he was already thinking about spending his next birthday with you.
"it's a date," you promised, feeling the warmth of his presence beside you.
he turned to face you then, expression serious. "you know i'm not good at this... feelings crap."
"you don't say," you teased gently.
he glared, but there was no real heat behind it. "i'm trying to say something here."
"sorry," you said, fighting a smile. "go on."
he took a deep breath, as if preparing for battle. "you're important to me. more than... well, more than anyone. and i'm going to be the number one hero someday, which means i need people i can trust at my side. people who push me. people who understand me." his eyes locked with yours. "that's you."
coming from bakugou, this was equivalent to a passionate declaration of love.
"katsuki..." you began, emotion thick in your voice.
"don't get all sappy on me," he warned, but his hand found yours, fingers intertwining. "just... be there. keep training with me. keep challenging me."
"always," you promised. "as long as you do the same for me."
a genuine smile spread across his faceโnot his battle-hungry grin or his triumphant smirk, but something softer and more rare. "deal."
then he was kissing you again, one hand cupping your face, the other at your waist pulling you closer. you wrapped your arms around his neck, feeling the solid warmth of him against you, the subtle scent of nitroglycerin and something uniquely bakugou enveloping you.
when you broke apart, his forehead rested against yours, those crimson eyes unusually gentle.
"best birthday," he admitted grudgingly.
"just wait until next year," you promised with a smile.
he grinned, that familiar confidence lighting his features. "it better be even more explosive."
"with you, katsuki, how could it be anything else?"
as the stars shone overhead and the distant sounds of your classmates echoed from inside, you stood in comfortable silence with the boy who had captured your heart with his explosive determination and hidden tenderness.
loving katsuki bakugou wasn't easyโit was challenging, frustrating, and sometimes downright infuriating. but as he stood beside you, his hand warm in yours, you wouldn't have it any other way. because beneath all the explosions and anger was a heart that beat just for you, and a promise of many more birthdays to come.
taglist: [open] mutuals: @https-bakugo @haikyuubby @va-3 @lotusstarr @tulippanes @n3r0-5352 @gh0st-g1rll
ยฉ property of kenzdolls
Hi I read your relationship petcanons with Dabi (and Shigaraki) and I just want to ask if you could do one for Spinner?
Yea! I definitely will! :3 thx for asking!!
๐ค synopsis: in the dimly lit league of villains' hideout, an unexpected moment of vulnerability unfolds between you and dabi as you both share painful memories of your fathers.
๐ค trigger warnings: dark themes, abuse (implied)
๐ค pairing: touya (dabi) todoroki x villain! gender neutral! reader
the afternoon light filtered weakly through the boards covering the windows of the league of villains' current hideout. dust particles danced in the thin beams of sunlight that managed to break through, giving the otherwise dreary room a strange, almost ethereal quality. the abandoned building had become home for the past three weeksโnot the worst place you'd stayed since joining the league, but certainly not the best either.
you lounged on the worn couch, your legs stretched across dabi's lap as he absently traced the scars on your arm with his fingertips. his touch was feather-light, careful not to press too hard against your skin. despite his rough exterior and the violent nature of his quirk, dabi always touched you with a gentleness that still surprised you sometimes.
the hideout was unusually quiet today. shigaraki had taken toga, twice, and spinner on some reconnaissance mission, while mr. compress and kurogiri were meeting with potential allies across town. it was rare to have the place entirely to yourselves, and the silence felt almost luxurious after days of toga's manic laughter and twice's constant contradictory chatter.
"what are you thinking about?" dabi asked, his deep voice breaking through the comfortable silence. his turquoise eyes studied your face with an intensity that used to make you uncomfortable but now felt like home. you shifted slightly, adjusting your position on the couch. "just enjoying the quiet, honestly."
dabi's lips quirked up on one sideโthe closest thing to a genuine smile he ever showed. "never thought i'd miss silence until i joined this circus."
you laughed softly. "remember when toga and twice had that three-hour argument about whether strawberry milk was better than chocolate?" "and then spinner threatened to duct tape their mouths shut?" dabi shook his head, the staples at the corners of his mouth catching the light. "i nearly burned the place down just to escape."
"but you didn't," you said, reaching out to push a strand of his dark hair away from his face. "because underneath all that brooding and those threats, you care about them."
dabi scoffed, though he didn't pull away from your touch. "i don't care about anyone in this league except you."
"mmm, keep telling yourself that," you teased, knowing full well how annoyed he got when you suggested he had a soft spot for the other members.
he rolled his eyes but didn't argue further. his hand continued its gentle exploration of your arm, tracing each scar with a reverence that made your heart ache. some were from your life before the league, others collected during various missions. dabi knew the story behind each oneโjust as you knew the story behind each of his purple scars that mapped out his body like a grotesque puzzle.
"this one," he said, touching a particularly jagged mark that ran from your elbow to your wrist, "still looks painful."
"it's not anymore," you assured him. "just a reminder of why we're here. why we're fighting." dabi nodded, understanding perfectly. every member of the league carried their own woundsโsome visible, others buried deep beneath the surface. it was what united you all, in a way. the scars left by a society that had failed you.
"speaking of reminders," you said, sitting up a little straighter. "i found something yesterday when i was out." you reached into your pocket and pulled out a crumpled newspaper clipping. "thought you might want to see it."
dabi took the paper from your hands, his expression hardening as he unfolded it. it was an article about the number two hero, endeavor, speaking at some charity event about supporting children with difficult-to-control quirks. the irony was sickening.
"bastard," dabi muttered, his fingers tightening around the paper. small wisps of blue flame began to lick at the edges of the clipping. "still pretending to be a fucking saint."
you watched as the paper blackened and curled, turning to ash in dabi's palm. the blue flames danced across his skin but never extended to where his other hand rested on your leg. his control was impeccableโit had to be, after what he'd been through.
"i know you don't like talking about him," you said carefully. "but whenever you see anything related to him, you get this look in your eyesโฆ" dabi's jaw clenched, the staples stretching his scarred skin even tighter. "what look?"
"like you're back there," you said softly. "back in that house with him."
for a long moment, dabi said nothing. the silence stretched between you, thick with unspoken memories and pain. you didn't pushโyou'd learned early in your relationship that pushing dabi only made him retreat further into himself. instead, you waited, giving him the space to decide whether to let you in or change the subject entirely. finally, he brushed the remaining ashes from his palm onto the floor. "what about you?" he asked, deflecting as he often did. "you never talk about your old man either."
you shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant despite the sudden tightness in your chest. "not much to talk about. can't miss what was never there."
dabi's gaze sharpened. "sometimes that leaves its own kind of scar." the observation caught you off guard. it wasn't often that dabi showed this level of perception about emotional mattersโor perhaps he simply chose not to reveal it most of the time.
"i guess it does," you admitted. "but different from yours. my father justโฆ wasn't around. yours was there in all the worst ways possible."
something shifted in dabi's expression then, a crack appearing in his carefully maintained faรงade. his eyes darted to the boarded-up windows, then to the door, as if ensuring you were truly alone before he allowed himself to speak.
"sometimes i think it would have been better if he hadn't been there at all," dabi said, his voice so low you had to lean in to hear him. "if he'd just fucked off and left us alone instead ofโฆ" he trailed off, his free hand clenching into a fist.
you placed your hand over his, feeling the tension in his fingers. "instead of what, dabi?"
he looked at you then, really looked at you, with a vulnerability that made your breath catch. in that moment, he wasn't dabi the villain, the man who burned heroes without remorseโhe was toya, the broken child beneath all those scars. "instead of training me until i broke," he said finally, the words rushing out like they'd been trapped inside him for too long. "until i literally fucking burned."
you held his gaze, letting him see that you weren't afraid of his truth. "tell me."
and for the first time since you'd known him, dabi began to talk about his fatherโabout endeavor, about enji todoroki. about what it meant to be the firstborn son of a man obsessed with surpassing all might at any cost.
"he married my mother for her quirk," dabi explained, his voice hollow. "it was never about love or family. it was about breeding the perfect weapon. and i was the first attempt."
you listened, your heart breaking as he described the "training" sessions that started when he was just four years old. how endeavor would push him for hours, demanding he produce hotter flames, maintain them longer, control them better. how his tiny body would shake with exhaustion, how his skin would blister and burn from his own quirk.
"my fire was hotโhotter than his. that's what he wanted," dabi said, a bitter smile twisting his scarred lips. "but my body couldn't handle it. not like his. i tried to tell him, but he wouldn't listen. said i was being weak, that i needed to push through it."
"he was wrong," you said firmly, squeezing his hand. "he was wrong about you."
dabi laughed, a harsh sound devoid of humor. "oh, i know that now. but back then? he was my father. my hero." the last word dripped with venom. "i thought if i could just try harder, be stronger, he'd finally be proud of me. that he'd finally love me." you felt a burning behind your eyes but forced back the tears. dabi didn't need your pityโhe needed your understanding.
"what about your mother?" you asked gently. "did she try to stop him?"
a flash of genuine pain crossed dabi's face. "she tried. in her way. but she wasโฆ damaged. the more children she had, the more unstable she became. and he kept pushing her to have more, hoping the 'perfect combination' would eventually emerge." he paused, his gaze distant. "until shoto was born." you'd heard him mention that name beforeโhis youngest brother, the one with both fire and ice. the "masterpiece" that endeavor had been striving for.
"once shoto came along with his perfect half-and-half quirk, i became obsolete," dabi continued. "still had to train, still had to meet his impossible standards, but without even the sliver of attention i'd had before. i was justโฆ a failed experiment."
"so what happened?" you asked, though you had a sickening feeling you already knew the answer. the scars that covered so much of his body told part of the story, but you'd never heard him explain exactly how he'd gotten them.
dabi was quiet for so long you thought he might not answer. when he finally spoke again, his voice was distant, as if he were narrating someone else's tragedy rather than his own.
"i wanted to prove i wasn't a failure. that my fire was specialโbetter than his, better than shoto's." his eyes glazed slightly, lost in the memory. "i pushed myself further than i ever had before. the flames were beautifulโso hot they turned blue. perfect control, just like he always wanted."
he held up his scarred hands, staring at them. "for about thirty seconds. then my skin started to cook." you swallowed hard, imagining a young toya engulfed in his own flames, screaming in agony.
"he watched it happen," dabi said, his voice now eerily calm. "stood there while i burned. i remember looking at him through the flames, waiting for him to save me. he justโฆ looked disappointed. like i'd broken his favorite toy."
"dabi," you whispered, unable to find words adequate for such horror.
"i don't remember much after that," he continued. "i should have died. sometimes i think i did die, and whatever i am now is justโฆ the ghost of toya todoroki walking around in this patchwork body."
you moved then, shifting to kneel in front of him, taking both his hands in yours. "you're not a ghost. you're here. you survived."
"did i?" he looked at you with those piercing turquoise eyes. "toya todoroki died that day. i made sure of it. dabi rose from those ashes."
you reached up to touch his face, your fingers gently tracing the stapled scars. "and dabi is who i fell in love with. but that doesn't mean toya isn't still in there somewhere."
he closed his eyes briefly at your touch, allowing himself a moment of vulnerability before the walls came back up. "toya was weak. he wanted his father's approval, his love. dabi just wants to watch him burn."
"and you will," you assured him. "when the time is right. the league will help you expose him for what he really is."
dabi nodded, some of the tension leaving his body as he focused back on the present, on the mission ahead. on the revenge he'd built his new life around.
"what about you?" he asked after a moment, clearly wanting to shift the focus away from himself. "you said your father was absent. what's that story?" you settled back beside him on the couch, respecting his need to change the subject while recognizing his genuine interest in your past. it was only fairโhe'd shared his darkest memories with you.
"not nearly as dramatic as yours," you said with a small shrug. "he justโฆ left when i was three. don't really remember him much at all."
"he ever try to contact you?โ you shook your head. "birthday card once a year until i was ten. then nothing. my mother said he had 'commitments elsewhere,' whatever that meant."
"what was your mother like?" dabi asked, his hand finding yours again.
"tired," you answered honestly. "always working two or three jobs to keep a roof over our heads. she did her best, i think, but she wasn't reallyโฆ present, even when she was physically there." dabi nodded, understanding.
"emotional absence can fuck you up just as much as physical absence."
"yeah," you agreed, surprised by his insight. "she never hurt me, never yelled or anything like that. but she also never really saw me, you know? it was like i was just another responsibility, another burden she had to carry."
"what about when your quirk manifested?" dabi asked. it was a natural questionโfor most children, the emergence of their quirk was a pivotal moment, one where parental guidance was crucial.
you laughed bitterly. "she was terrified. my quirk isn't exactlyโฆ family-friendly." your quirkโthe ability to absorb and manipulate the negative emotions of others, turning them into a physical forceโhad first manifested during a particularly bad day at school when you were six. a bully who'd been tormenting you suddenly collapsed, screaming about the darkness crushing him. no one had understood what happened, but your mother had taken one look at your glowing eyes and known.
"she tried to help me suppress it," you continued. "said it was dangerous, that people wouldn't understand. that they'd think i was villain material." "self-fulfilling prophecy," dabi noted with a smirk.
"i guess so," you agreed. "by the time i was a teenager, i'd learned to control it well enough to use it selectively. started smallโmaking bullies feel their own cruelty, making abusive teachers face their own insecurities." "vigilante justice," dabi said, a note of approval in his voice.
"it felt good," you admitted. "to finally use what everyone told me was a villain's quirk to help people who were suffering. but society doesn't see it that way, does it? using an 'evil' quirk makes you evil, no matter your intentions."
"this fucked-up hero society only sees in black and white," dabi agreed. "no room for the gray areas where most of us actually live."
you nodded, thinking about the path that had eventually led you to the league. "after my mother died, there was nothing holding me back anymore. no one to disappoint, no one to pretend for. i started using my quirk more openly, targeting people who abused their powerโcorrupt officials, violent criminals the heroes couldn't be bothered with, businessmen exploiting their workers."
"and that's when you caught shigaraki's attention," dabi concluded, having heard this part of your story before.
"yeah. found myself cornered by some pro heroes who didn't appreciate my particular brand of justice. thought i was done for until a warp gate opened up right in front of me." you smiled at the memory, despite the fear you'd felt at the time. "never thought i'd be grateful to see a bunch of notorious villains, but that day i was."
dabi's arm slid around your shoulders, pulling you closer to his side. "lucky for me they recruited you." his voice was gruff, but the sentiment behind it was genuine.
you leaned into him, resting your head against his shoulder. "do you ever wonder what would have happened if our fathers had been different? if your dad hadn't been an abusive monster, if mine had actually stuck around?"
"we wouldn't be here," dabi said simply. "you might've been a licensed hero, using your quirk to help people through the proper channels." "and you?"
dabi was quiet for a moment, considering. "i don't know. maybe the same. or maybe i'd have followed in the old man's footsteps anyway, become the next endeavor." he shuddered slightly at the thought. "sometimes i wonder if that flame is in my blood regardless of what he did to me."
"it's not," you said firmly. "you're nothing like him, dabi. your anger, your fireโit comes from a place of justice, not ego. you want to burn away the corruption, not become the number one hero."
he looked at you with a mixture of skepticism and hope, as if he wanted to believe your words but couldn't quite bring himself to. "maybe. or maybe i'm just as obsessed with destroying him as he was with surpassing all might. different goals, same fucking toxic mindset."
you sat up straighter, turning to face him fully. "no. there's a difference. he hurt innocent peopleโhis wife, his childrenโto achieve his ambition. you've never done that. you've never hurt someone who didn't deserve it."
"tell that to the heroes i've burned," dabi said darkly.
"those 'heroes' prop up a system that abandoned both of us," you reminded him. "that lets people like your father abuse their children in the name of creating better heroes. that labels children as villains because of quirks they never asked for." dabi studied your face for a long moment before a genuine smileโsmall but realโcurved his lips. "how did i end up with someone who actually believes in me?"
"because beneath all that anger and cynicism, you still believe there's something worth fighting for," you told him, leaning forward to press your forehead against his. "and so do i."
for a moment, you stayed like that, sharing breath in the dusty afternoon light of the hideout. two broken people who had found each other in the darkness, whose scars complemented rather than repelled each other.
"we're going to tear it all down," dabi murmured, his lips brushing against yours. "the hero society, the systems that failed us. and when i finally face himโwhen endeavor finally sees who i've becomeโi want you there with me."
"i will be," you promised, closing the distance between you with a gentle kiss. "until every false hero burns."
outside, the sun began to set, casting long shadows through the boarded windows. soon the others would return, bringing with them the chaos and noise that defined the league of villains. but for now, in this quiet moment, there was just you and dabiโtwo children abandoned by their fathers in different ways, who had found their own path to justice in a world that had never wanted either of you.
and if that path was stained with ash and marked by flames, so be it. some things needed to burn before they could be rebuilt.
side note: this is an old, but long drabble I decided to post because well- why not?
mutuals: @haikyuubby @https-bakugo @va-3 @lotusstarr @kitkat13001 @n3r0-5352
ยฉ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ โ
๊ฐเญจเญงโ ใ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ + ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐
โ ๐๐๐๐๐ โถโ.ห โ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ู เฃชโญ โ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ เนเฃญโญ โ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ โฆ . โบ
ยฉ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ โ
๐ญ๐๐ ๐ฌ: ๐ง๐๐ข๐ญ๐จ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ฆ๐ ๐ฑ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐๐ซ, ๐ซ๐๐๐๐๐ซ ๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ฆ๐
๐ฉ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ : ๐ง๐๐ข๐ญ๐จ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ฆ๐ ๐ฑ ๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ซ๐จ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐๐ง๐ญ! ๐ ๐ง! ๐ซ๐๐๐๐๐ซ
๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ @haikyuubby
he probably met you during the sports festival or some inter-class training exercise. instantly, he's got you pegged. what'sย yourย quirk? How can he use it against you...or, well, analyze itย strategically?
if you're in 1-A: Oh, theย drama. he'll use every opportunity to subtly (or not-so-subtly) mock your class. it's his bread and butter, but thereโs a glint in his eye whenย youย retort. heย lovesย someone who keeps up.
if youโre in another support class: heโs lowkey impressed with your skills, but heโs not gonna show it at first. heโll โtestโ your inventions/ideas, offering critiques that are unnecessarily harsh but secretly constructive.
no matter what, he remembersย everythingย about your quirk after seeing it once. he's already thinking about how to use it. not necessarily in a malicious way, but in a โwhat ifโ scenario kind of way. like a twisted game of chess.
he'll probably try to shake you with a comment that sounds like it's targeted at you, but actually, it's targeting all of 1-A.
he denies it. vehemently. to everyone. especially himself. it's "strategic interest," nothing more. heย needsย to understand you...for reasons.
he starts showing up where you are. A lot. "purely coincidental," of course. he just happens to be studying in the library at the same time you are...every day.
his jabs become...less pointed. More teasing. he still roasts 1-A, but when you're around, the jabs are more directed at you for whatever your thoughts are at that moment. and he actually listens (mostly).
he will โhelpโ you study, which quickly devolves into him quizzing you relentlessly and then smugly correcting you, but will explain in a way that is actually beneficial.
if someone else is flirting with you? oh, heโsย livid. but heโs not going to start a fight. instead, he will find some way to subtly undermine the potential rival with a cutting remark about their quirk or their intelligence while maintaining plausible deniability.
he analyzesย everythingย about you. your strengths, your weaknesses, your study habits, your favorite tea, your handwriting, even the way you fidget when you're nervous. it's all "data," but he's memorizing it like it's poetry.
secretly, he likes the way you challenge him. you make himย think, and he appreciates that, even if heโd rather die than admit it.
the confession? aย disaster. he probably tries to play it off as an experiment, a challenge, or some other convoluted excuse, but the blush on his face gives him away. you have to basically spell it out for him.
dates areโฆinteresting. expect a lot of intellectual debates, museum visits disguised as "research," and him trying to impress you with obscure facts.
he's surprisingly attentive. he remembers every little detail youโve ever mentioned and will use that to surprise you with thoughtful (if slightly eccentric) gestures.
he will defend you to theย death. if anyone dares to insult you, he will unleash a torrent of scathing wit so brutal it would make bakugo blush.
he loves to copy your quirk, especially if it's something he can use to tease you. expect demonstrations and exaggerated imitations.
he has a soft spot for physical affection, but heโll never initiate it in public. it's usually a stolen hand squeeze or a quick hug when no one's looking. heโs a bit awkward about it, but he cherishes those moments.
heโs fiercely protective of you, but not in a smothering way. he trusts your judgment and abilities. he just wants to make sure you know he's always there for you.
he is a surprisingly good listener, even if he interjects with snarky comments from time to time. he genuinely cares about what you have to say and values your opinion.
heโs a surprisingly loyal and devoted partner. once he commits, he's all in.
ยฉ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ โ
Iโm sorry but I love the smash books sm. . .
class 1A
ua students
vigilantes
pro-heroes
villains
civilians
ยฉ property of kenzdolls
Why do I feel like bro motherfucking did this at the beginning of the leagueโฆ
Iโm fucking cackling this is going to heal the world and our hearts by itโs IMMENSE power ๐ซถ๐ค
@https-bakugo @majoryeager104
Justin Bieber x mha is healing the world
@17yoeren on tiktok
๐ญ๐๐ ๐ฌ: ๐ญ๐จ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ค๐ข ๐ฑ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐๐ซ, ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ค๐ข ๐ฑ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐๐ซ, ๐ญ๐จ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐ฑ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐๐ซ, ๐ฏ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง! ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ซ, ๐ฉ๐ซ๐-๐ฐ๐๐ซ
๐ฉ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ : ๐ญ๐จ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ค๐ข ๐ฑ ๐ฏ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง! ๐ ๐ง! ๐ซ๐๐๐๐๐ซ
first meeting? he barely acknowledges you. he's got bigger things to worry about than some new recruit. you're just another pawn to him.
he watches you carefully during your first mission together. not because heย cares, but because he needs to know if you're competent enough to be useful. if you screw up, expect a harsh comment.
your quirk fascinates him, but not in a good way at first. he sees it as a variable he needs to understand and control. he might ask you a million questions.
if your quirk is touch-based, he'sย extremelyย wary. he'll keep his distance and probably wear gloves even when he's not using his own quirk.ย
he forgets your name for weeks. you're just "the [quirk name] user" to him.
he tests you, pushing your buttons, and trying to figure out what makes you tick. he needs to know everything about his teammates, obviously.
you're probably the only one who doesn't flinch when he gets angry. he notices.
the first time he actually listens to you โ really listens, not juststrategizing โ he's caught off guard.ย
he starts finding excuses to be around you. "i need to observe your quirk usage" turns into "i'm sitting in the same room as you while you do absolutely nothing."
he gets unreasonably irritated when other league members talk to you for too long. he would never admit he's jealous.
he starts mimicking your mannerisms, subconsciously.ย
he starts cleaning up his hands some more. not because he wants to touch you, no, no, no. it's because he wants to seem presentable for all for one.
small acts of "kindness," like making sure you're included in mission briefings or "allowing" you to choose your assignments. he's still the boss, after all.
he notices the little things about you: the way you furrow your brow when you're concentrating, the way you fidget when you're nervous, your favorite snack.
he'll deny it to his grave, but he starts taking your opinions into consideration.
he starts scratching his neck a LOT more when you are around for some reason.
if someone hurts you, he is more enraged than he is normaly.
he is more likely to listen to you.
he can't help but stare at you.
he accidentally calls you by a pet name when he's frustrated, and he gets even MORE frustrated after he realizes what he did.
he starts losing sleep, which is never a good sign for his mental state. he doesn't know why, it must be because you are bothering him or something.
the "confession" is less of a romantic declaration and more of a mumbled agreement. "i guess you're... not entirely useless."
physical touch is a HUGE hurdle. it starts with accidental brushes, then maybe a hesitant shoulder bump. he doesn't trust himself (or his quirk) to get any closer.ย
lots of late-night talks about villains, society, and their shared hatred. it's his way of connecting.
he still doesn't say your name often. pet names become his go-to.
he is very protective and possessive of you.
dates? forget fancy restaurants or romantic walks. you're more likely to find yourselves planning world domination over cheap ramen.
he actually listens and remembers things you say and like; if it's useful for a mission, of course.
he can get jealous and possessive, and he isn't afraid to show it.
he occasionally wants to hold your hand but doesn't know how to approach it without disintegrating you.
he gets genuinely upset if you get hurt.
he hates seeing you sad or stressed.
he's still a mess, butย yourย mess. And secretly, he wouldn't have it any other way.
sleepovers are uncommon since his skin can be harmful, but there are nights when he is okay with it.
he's not a cuddler, but he secretly likes it when you snuggle him.
he always wants to be around you.
he would go with you everywhere.
he's willing to doย anythingย for you once he's in love.
when he actually calls you his partner, you know its serious.
sometimes when he's asleep, he has nightmares of you leaving him/ dying, so he hugs you closer in his sleep.
he would take you out on a picnic if you asked, even though he would hate it.
he will often ask you if you are doing alright or if you needed anything.
he would kill for you.
you are, without a doubt, his player 2.
he would never admit it, but you are his weakness.
it makes him very happy when you hug him.
he likes hearing you call him by his name.
he will do anything for you; wether itโsย killingย dealing with someone, or if itโs getting you anything you desire
heย lovesย tolerates you a lot
ยฉ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ โ