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The league of villains had run out of food recently, along with a few supplies they needed to get by. With no money and no safe way to travel in public, they resorted to a more basic method of getting things, by a classic breaking and entering method. Dabi and Shigaraki were the /lucky/ two who got to head out, as the others had a mission to do. Yet was probably for the best, Dabi and Shigaraki were smart when they went into public, unless they wanted to show off, but they could get things done when needed. If they went to a neighborhood, no one would realize it was them.
The thing was, when they neared a big two story house, they thought it would be a jackpot. Didn’t seem to have security or alarms, Dabi able to simply break the back glass door with a rock and get in. What the two didn’t think of was Dabi’s little space when going along with this mission. The house looked like a steal and it didn’t even pop up that maybe something may trigger Dabi to slip, Shigaraki knew he had a strong hold when needed, least he believed his little had. Having been Dabi’s caregiver for the months he’s known about it, since that one day he found out by accident, when Dabi slipped after a night terror. Shigaraki and Dabi had been closer since then. It was nice, Shigaraki did truly care about Dabi, giving him the attention and affection he deserved, the things Dabi didn’t get as a child. But a few months was the only time he had to get to know Dabi’s little side and the strength he had over it.
“I’ll search the kitchen, you go upstairs.” Shigaraki said, a black bag hanging off his shoulder, one similar to the one Dabi was carrying. “And don’t waste time, who knows when they will be back” the leader had stated, scratching at his neck with his gloves hands, wanting to be careful not to turn anything they got into dust on accident.
“Yeah, I know.” Dabi had nodded, not too glad to be the one doing all the work instead of any other person from the league, but they needed the supplies, someone had to get it. Dabi trailed to the stairs, heading up and spotting a few family portraits on the wall. A mother, a father, a teenage girl, and a younger boy, probably four by the looks of it. He rolled his eyes at the sight of the happy looks on their faces, a look at a so-called ‘perfect family’, Dabi felt he was getting cavities just looking at it.
Dabi was able to find the master bedroom first, taking anything that looked useful, as in two blankets he shoves in his bag along with a few clothes that may be able to fit someone back at the hideout. There was not much there, or maybe he truly wasn’t looking, only searching a few drawers and the closet. After a not too detailed look in the room for other things, he walked back out the hallway and to a different door.
Dabi had kicked the door open, hands in his pockets as he looked inside the room. He had paused for a moment at the sight, frozen in place as his eyes tried to comprehend what he was seeing. Was obviously a child’s room, walls a pale green color with bumblebee stickers along the walls. There was a race car bed with stuffed animals covering the soft blankets. Near the bed was a short nightstand with a lamp that was bee themed. On the other side was a shelf with six square holes, bins of different things, including toys. The rug on the ground was eye-catching, made to look like a city with streets you could drive toy cars on. There were so many colors, so many toys in sight, so many plushies and enough things for a kid to have a field day any time they came in.
Dabi had tried to stop himself, wanting to tear his eyes off the child’s room. The kid’s parents definitely spoiled the kid, Dabi could tell. He never got spoiled, he never got anything like this as a kid. Dabi’s feet seemed to be moving on their own, heading into the room, hands leaving his pockets as he did. He looked around with wide eyes, his bag sliding off his shoulder and to the ground as he sped walk to the bins on the shelf. He pulled one of the felt bins out, toy cars, airplanes, trains, and other vehicles, scattering all over the floor. His eyes lit up and a gasp left his mouth as he grabbed an airplane toy, it being around the size of his hand. He lost his hold, unable to stop himself from slipping at the sight of all the fun toys and bright colors. He couldn’t help but grin, bringing the plane up and started waving it around and making a swishing noise as he moved it around the room, running along with one arm out as if he was his own plane.
His thoughts didn’t even go back to the rush they were in, or if Shigaraki would be mad if he played, he was already having a blast and he only picked out one toy. Eventually he got back to his bag, almost tripping over it. He stopped and looked down at it. He already had a few things from before stuffed in, what’s a few toys to add? Not like he had many at the base. He crouched down and brought the plane to his bag, soon shoving the toy cars in as well. He looked back at the other bins and started dragging them down to go through the toys, finding a few toy dinosaurs and shoving them in his bag as well. Was like a kid at a toy store, yet not having to pay for anything, he just got to take.
He was soon to repeat these actions with the stuffed animals laid on the bed, searching for his favorites past the hero plushies and grabbing a T-Rex, a Sauroposeidon, and a blue bird that looked to be some Pokémon, yet he didn’t pay much attention to that, he just thought it looked cool. All were shoved into his bag, him noticing one other one that he knew he had to keep. He grabbed the black dragon, a wide grin forming across his face as he hugged it close. “You come home with me.” The little one had started happily. “Away from all mean heroes.” He looked back to the three hero plushies on the bed, one being All Might, then a Fatgum one, then one even of Endeavor. Dabi grabbed the Endeavor plushy and started to tear it, ripping the head off them and throwing it in a huff. “Meany, they don't deserve to be stuck with you!” The little had called out, glaring at the now broken doll on the ground. He was doing these toys a favor, no one wanted to be stuck with Endeavor of all people.
Soon he got back up, bag back around his shoulder and him holding the dragon plushie. He scouted the room again, grabbing a few eye-catching things before finding a set of collaring books and crayons. He shoved some of the books in his bag and then a box of crayons, but then ran out of the now trashed room. He ran downstairs quickly, wanting to show his caregiver all he found. “Daddy!” He called out, yet couldn’t find Shigaraki no matter how hard he looked. He was soon in the living room, him stopping to see an empty wall, the paint a light color, so bare and empty. An amazing idea popped into his head, he quickly moved to the wall and moved to his knees. He dropped his bag to the ground, reached inside for a big box of crayons, dumbed the assortment of colors onto the ground and grabbed one of them, then started to scribble on the wide wall. He decided he was going to draw his daddy a picture, something amazing that he will love for when he comes back to him.
Dabi had been quick, drawing two figures, one a stick figure with a dress looking jacket, black hair scribbled on with blue lines meant to be flames. The figure was smiling wide, the circle of the head the big smile. The other figure was a wavy stick figure with long blue hair, the hair overlapping a lot of the head and upper body. This figure was also happy, a few chicken feet looking hands along his stick arms and body. Dabi had written in purple letters, ‘me’, pointed to the drawing of himself, and ‘daddy’, pointed to the figure of Shigaraki. The background consisted of green and blue scribbles along with a sun in the corner. Dabi had stood up and reached as high as he could to write in big letters “to dabdy From Me”
“What are you doing?!” A raspy voice had come over top of his scribbling, Dabi dropping his purple crayon and it breaking on the floor. He looked back to the other, seeing his bag had been full of supplies, seeing a few foods sticking out from the bag. Dabi, smiling widely, gestured his arms out to the drawing. “Draw you picture!” The little had announced. “You like it?” He asked, bringing his hands back, bouncing on his heels as he waited for an answer.
Shigaraki looked at Dabi for a moment with a questioning look, but then went over to the giant picture on the wall. If they didn’t clean that up, everyone was probably going to know they were there if the people were actually smart, less they thought It was a decoy. Shigaraki then glanced at the bag Dabi had on the ground, then the stuffed animal gripped in one of his hands. He should have guessed this house had kids rooms, was a giant place, no wonder. Shigaraki mentally was hitting himself for not thinking this would happen, yet he swore Dabi would be able to keep himself from slipping if they left. Yet it had been awhile since Dabi had slipped and some of the last missions were stressful for them.
Shigaraki walked forward, looking the picture up and down before bringing a hand to ruffle Dabi’s hair, having his gloves on so he had no need to worry. “Looks great, I love it.” The man had stated, but knew if this got out to the world, Dabi was not going to be happy. Shigaraki brought his hand away, about to speak again but that’s when he heard a car outside. The people who lived here were home. At probably the worst time. “We gotta leave, you get everything?” Shigaraki had asked, bringing the bag that was discarded on the floor over Dabi’s shoulder for him to hold, then grabbing Dabi’s hand to start dragging him along with him to the back door.
Dabi had whined, which Shigaraki should have expected, Dabi always complained, he always did when he was little. “Wanna stay- the room has a race car bed!” Dabi had started, trying to pull back, but Shigaraki’s grip got tighter. “And more shuffies! Wanna get them!”
“Either you come with me or you’ll get a time out, got it?” Shigaraki had threatened, but by the look on Dabi’s face, he wasn’t scared by the threat, the pout in his face being the last thing Shigaraki wanted to see at such a moment. So instead, Shigaraki moved to hoist Dabi up, the little arms wrapping around his neck and legs around his waist. “You got some toys already, that’s all that matters, so no complaining.” Shigaraki added, quickly moving out of the back door, the way they broke in. As the door had started opening from the front, Shigaraki was already running to get him and Dabi out of there. Shigaraki felt he was probably the only one who actually got things they needed, but this means Dabi wouldn’t just have those two toys he had in his room back at the base. What did matter most of all though, was getting out of there before the family entered the house, before the cops were called. It was up to Shigaraki to get them both to safety. Least they got what they needed, now there was no room to turn back.
——
Shigaraki felt they had accomplished the quest to get supplies for the league. Shigaraki was able to grab tons of food from the house for them all and even break the safe in one of the closets, getting some cash as well. He was able to stock up on things, yet Dabi did more for himself than the actual league. He was able to take a few sets of clothes he found, a few blankets for them, and jewelry to sell, but after that it was all things his little side had wanted. It wasn’t bad, they got food and that’s what mattered, but there was a cost of Dabi unwilling falling into that little space in that house.
In the new hideout the league had required, they were able to fix up an old television that was there, needing to be able to watch the news to see if anyone was catching into them, speaking of them, or to know anything more of the heroes. Toga and Dabi also were fond of cartoons, Toga loving to spend that time with Dabi, it being a true time for them to bond while Dabi was little. Compress loved to watch his drama shows and Shigaraki was even able to hook up a game system Kurogiri was able to steal for him. Television was a great part of this base, sometimes even spending time together just to watch bad tv shows in free time.
As of that day, a day after they had done their scavenging mission, they were all in the living space of the abandoned location, Dabi and Kurogiri in the side kitchen alongside the living space, Dabi at the bar counter as Kurogiri was in the kitchen. Toga was with Twice, then on the couch talking about nonsense that most people were tuning out. Shigaraki was seated on the floor in front of the couch, watching as the news went on over a recent hostage situation that a hero had taken care of. It was all fine, until the next story had come up.
“Yesterday a break in had occurred on —— street, the league of villains had broken into the house and stole many belongings within the house. Yet what was caught on camera and found when the family returned would surprise you-“
Dabi had been drinking a glass of whiskey as his ears picked up on what was being said on the news. Everyone who was in the room, all their gazes set to the television as the story went on. Toga and Twice had been delayed in spotting the news, yet as everything became quiet, Dabi turned to look at the television.
“Pictures and security footage had picked up on the highly wanted villain Dabi acting childishly on the scene. This picture was found drawn on the wall, thought to be drawn by the villain himself.” The woman had explained, a picture of the drawing having popped up on screen.
Everyone’s gazed except Shigaraki had traveled to Dabi for a moment, yet it was soon before the tv went on again and grabbed their attention again.
“There was a nanny cam in the child’s room and this footage had been sent to the police for investigation. We will now show the footage that was brought in.” It was the child’s room, all recorded from the shelf. Was all he did, kicking open the door, the pause, then when he slipped. All for everyone to see, right there. Dabi’s skin went pale at the sight. Shigaraki had glanced at Dabi for a moment, seeing the male in such a tense state.
After the video had stopped it was cut back to the two people in the news station. “There are a few theories on this behavior but it has been stated that there is a possibility the villain either has a condition stated as Dissociative identity disorder, or had what is called a Littlespace, one who would go into a childlike mindset.” The newscaster had stated. The man in the room had even pitched in, not making matters any better. “Guess this top villain truly can be as harmless as a child.” The man let out a chuckle.
It was cruel to say he was harmless like that, that phrase being what broke Dabi.
Dabi had thrown the glass across the room, getting the others to jump in surprise. “Bullshit, I could burn him and his whole family if I wanted to!” The villain had stated in anger. It was embarrassing, it was shameful to Dabi that everyone knew this part of him. How was he supposed to have people fear him if they knew of his little space? No one but the league was supposed to know, but now everyone knew.
“Dabi, calm down, everyone knows you can-“ Toga had brought up, heading closer, but Dabi had gotten up from his chair, shoving her aside. Toga fell to the ground from the force, yet didn’t fight back.
“No, now they think I’m just some fucking child!” Dabi had spat, some steam fuming from his scars.
Shigaraki got up from where he sat. “Dabi, calm down, who cares if they know, only make it more unexpected when you actually defeat them-“
“You-“ Dabi had stated, looking back at Shigaraki with anger on his face. He felt so frustrated, so ashamed. He didn’t want people I know. “You could have fucking stopped me, yet you didn’t! Now everyone knows! You said no one was ever going to figure it out!”
“Like hell, we had to separate to get more supplies, it was smarter that way.” Shigaraki had started back, bringing a hand up to scratch at his already damaged neck.
Dabi stayed there for a moment, before kicking over a chair. It was his fault, now everyone was going to think he was weak. “Now everyone knows and I’m going to be looked down on because of it. Thanks a lot!” He yelled at Shigaraki before storming off.
Toga had tried to get up from the ground, eventually standing but it was too late. “Dabi!” She called out, but stayed standing in her place as she heard the door slam shut. “Shiggy, what do we do?” The female had pointed out desperately.
Shigaraki glared at the door, a redness forming on his skin where he scratched. “If he wants to be a brat, he’ll deal with it himself.” Shigaraki walked off further into their abandoned house to head to his own room. He couldn’t think, he was just as stressed. He could have done something yet now a top member was known as a little, he didn’t know how to approach that, he was still new to being a caregiver. Now Dabi was upset and he didn’t know how to help him. He knew he should go out to try and find and calm down Dabi, yet he didn’t have the mind to.
——
Dabi didn’t know how long he had been walking for, yet he had punched enough walls to make his knuckles bruised and bloody. Shigaraki had promised him he wouldn’t let this slip, promised no one outside of the league would know of his little space, yet now everyone knew. He wasn’t against his little space, it truly was helpful for him and Shigaraki had been an amazing caregiver to him even if the beginning had been very rocky for them, but he still didn’t want people knowing. It could be used against him, even be seen as a weakness. He was supposed to be a powerful villain, not a child.
“Awe, look who it is, the baby of the hour.” A voice had started from behind him, a few other voices laughing along with the comment. Dabi didn’t turn around, but could hear them nearing close. “What’s wrong, going to cry? Listen /kid/, we want to be part of the league of villains, so go crawl to your daddy and tell him, or else you’ll be in time out mister.” The man had spoken again, laughter following afterwards.
When no words had come from Dabi, a man had scoffed, walking closer. “Hey, you hear me? You deaf too or something?” A shoulder had touched Dabi’s shoulder, but quickly retracted, as if touching a hot stove. Dabi was soon to turn around, bringing a hand up to easily grab onto the man’s neck and ignite him into flames. The three men who witnessed it eyes widened, watching the man burn into question.
Dabi was silent when the screams were heard, bringing his hand up to send a burst of flames to the men who tried running away, all setting a blaze and ending up as nothing as ash. “All of you deserve to burn.” He commented, letting out a sigh afterwards as he started walking away, a wound under his eye opening and bringing some blood to drip down his cheek. “Bastards.”
——
It was about an hour later until Toga and Spinner had convinced Shigaraki to go out searching for Dabi. He had been gone for quite a bit and everyone was getting worried, even Tomura himself. He was Dabi’s caregiver, yet they were still very close even outside of that. Shigaraki did care, he saw how Dabi was in pain yet ignored it, like an idiot, but now he had to find him. Shigaraki didn’t know where the villain was, but after finding a few piles of ash and steam, he felt he had to be close. He continued to walk along the abandoned streets, following a small trail of blood and ash that was along the sidewalk. Even a few burned marks along the building, as if someone dragged hot tools over the surface. Shigaraki was smarter than that, he knew Dabi had to be tracing his hands over the buildings he passed. Shigaraki knew he was close, these were newer marks.
Eventually he found his way to a dark alleyway, hearing sobs and murmuring from the entrance. “Dabi?” The red eyed male called out, yet the sobbing had stopped at that. Shigaraki shook his head with a sigh. “I know you’re there, I heard you.” He walked forward, eventually finding the male behind a pile of old boxes, hands over his mouth with blood trailing down his cheeks. Those blue eyes look up to the other, Tomura able to see the sadness within his orbs. Shigaraki crouched down, getting to eye leave with the sitting male. “Was dumb of you to run away, but I guess I didn’t stop you.” The man had spoken, bringing his hands, pinky up, to gently guide Dabi’s own hands off from over his mouth. “So sorry, okay, we can figure this out.”
Dabi was quiet for a moment, Shigaraki able to see by his expression he had slipped, probably before he even found him. Tomura had known Dabi long enough to see his tells, how his lip quivered, how his fingers fidgeted, the fact that Dabi wouldn’t willingly let anyone see him cry. “Daddy!” The male sobbed, moving forward to hug the male, arms wrapped tightly along Shigaraki’s neck. “They’re being mean to me! And and- making fun of me.”
Shigaraki let out a sigh, bringing his arms around the other, being mindful not to lay all fingers down on the other. “You shouldn’t listen to those idiots, they just don’t understand.” The villain had stated, rubbing a hand up and down Dabi’s back as a form of comfort. “Who cares about their options anyways, you're much stronger and smarter than any of them.” Shigaraki added.
“W’eally?” Dabi had commented through a soft voice, leaning back a bit to look up to his caregiver. Shigaraki nodded, confirming his thoughts.
“Yes, really. Now how bout we head back? To people who actually matter.” Shigaraki had stated. Dabi had brought his hands to wipe some of the body's tears from his face, smearing it along his cheeks and hands. Shigaraki knew Dabi would definitely need to be washed up when they get back, but at least they could spend the day together to try and get by this mishap. After a sniffle Dabi had nodded, bringing his hands back out and gesturing them to let Shigaraki know he wanted to be picked up. Shigaraki had stood and grabbed Dabi along with him to prop him up, holding the male to his chest.
Dabi snugged his face against the villain’s neck, closing his eyes after a few as they headed down the street. “I love you daddy.” Dabi muttered, yawning afterwards, the tantrum having tuckered him out a lot more than he thought it had.
“Love you too, firefly.”