#shie hassaikai arc | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

concussed-to-pieces · 1 year

Text

The Chance And The Change; Part Nine

Fandom: Boku No Hero Academia/My Hero Academia

Pairing: Reformed Villain!Mirio/AFAB Reformed Shie Hassaikai!Reader/Tamaki Amajiki

Rating: Holy shit M.

A/N: Welcome all, welcome to our last installment. I gotta' say, I am never writing in these little nub style chunks AGAIN. Enjoy!

Tag List: @hijackser @nonstop-haikyuu @zombiexbody @buttons-beads-lace @moonchhu @swift-omg-no @ectoplasmictoast @tartimaar-bloggeth @plaguedoctorsnake

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Part Six

Part Seven

Part Eight

[!TRIGGER WARNING!: This installment contains depictions of emotional duress. Stay safe!]

It had been over a month since the incident with Toga, after which Sir Nighteye advised that you, Mirio and Tamaki should stay in a secure location while the League's intentions were under investigation.

"They knew Tamaki was unfamiliar with you, which means that they've been hunting for a way into that apartment for quite a while." The Pro Hero had said, giving Mirio a stern look. Mirio had quailed beneath his mentor's stare and that was the end of the conversation; the three of you all packed up and escorted to a safe house within three hours of the prior discussion.

Oh certainly, the safe house wasn't bad. A little more lavish than you were used to, what with the in-home gym setup and the food delivery schedule. What was going to do you in was the boredom; despite your employer's reluctant allowance permitting you to work from home, you were quick to run out of daily tasks.

At least you weren't the only one suffering from cabin fever. Both Mirio and Tamaki's injuries had healed up seamlessly over the weeks and the two of them were becoming more and more restless with every passing day.

"I hate just sitting around like this." Mirio finally complained one bright morning. "It's almost Christmas, we should be out there shopping and keeping people safe!"

"Nothing in between?" You asked wryly, sorting through the muted shades of cardstock that you had discovered in a closet. "Which two colors do you want?"

"Oo, red and blue!" Mirio exclaimed, deflating slightly when the only option was a faint cranberry and a blue so light it was nearly white. Tamaki, still slowly working through his morning coffee, silently accepted the faded gold and lavender sheets that Mirio scooted over to him.

Brandishing a pair of scissors, you announced, "we are making decorations today. We only have two pairs of scissors, though. And one roll of tape. So behave yourselves."

Tamaki perked up almost immediately, snagging the second pair of scissors before Mirio could make a move for them. "Paper chain." He mumbled.

"Good call. I'll fold us some stars!" Mirio then grinned at you across the table, holding out his hand. "Can I borrow those scissors, Sunshine?"

…

"Mirio wants to keep people safe," Tamaki said softly later that afternoon, his fingers absently stroking through the sleeping Mirio's hair. You could hardly complain though, as his other hand was busy giving your own scalp a massage.

"I've noticed." You murmured in reply. Poor Mirio would often crash late in the afternoon, his body too used to a schedule that started before sunrise, which allowed you and Tamaki to become accustomed to the quieter evenings. A holiday film played on your work laptop, providing some gentle background noise to punctuate Tamaki's extended pauses. You had come to mind them less and less, knowing that he was always thinking.

"Even in middle school…always. Was a shock to everyone when he didn't graduate, but I guess that's got something to do with what…happened. Back then." Tamaki had a far-away look in his eyes when you gave him a curious glance.

"'Back then'?"

"Something happened towards the end of senior year. Not sure what. He stopped coming to school one day and that was it." Tamaki sighed heavily. "He won't talk about it."

You chewed on your lip, thinking back. You had always been so hellbent on keeping people at arm's length during your time in the Hassaikai, you had never taken an opportunity to really get to know Mirio. And now, it almost felt like it was…too late, in a weird way.

Just then Mirio groaned, the sleeping man stretching and shifting his weight. Tamaki grimaced, trying to adjust. "He's like a pitbull," he complained in an undertone. "His head is so heavy."

You weren't buying it though, teasing, "a burden you're more than happy to bear, I'm sure." Tamaki flushed, glaring at the wall instead of looking at you.

After what had occurred with the League Of Villains, you had easily picked up on more and more instances of Mirio and Tamaki dancing around one another. A look here, a soft smile there…it would have been cute if it wasn't so damn sad. And sure, you were a teeny tiny bit jealous of Tamaki, but not nearly enough to attempt to insert yourself or disrupt their…non-relationship? Situationship. The teasing you did do was lighthearted enough to be easily dismissed; you didn't want them thinking you were some stiff who didn't approve!

Tamaki's hand was abruptly resting on your own, the young man giving it a gentle squeeze. When you glanced up again, he was actually looking at you, in a way that seemed…thoughtful? Like he was mulling over a problem mentally, trying to suss out a solution.

"What's up?" You whispered.

Tamaki just shook his head, returning his attention to that incredibly interesting section of wall.

…

It was greedy.

What he wanted could only be labeled as such in the chiefest sense. Two partners, two individuals, when anyone should be more than content with one! There was no logical way that--he couldn't even ask Tamaki when he had been younger and now you too?! What was wrong with him? Everything in his body was confused, jumbled, screaming about what he didn't deserve and shouldn't have but could have and wanted wanted wanted, wanted so much that it ached.

Togata Mirio was a man of great internal conflict, constantly warring with himself over (what he would label) ridiculous thoughts. The audacity of even being able to rationalize two potential partners had him in absolute torment. Wasn't that cheating? Wasn't it doomed from the start? If he was attracted to two people he must actually not want either, right? But…

But what if he could love both of you?

What if, what if, he could somehow manage to ask both of you to stay with him. Let me protect you, let me help you.

It was in his nature to want to protect. He had shoved the desire down during his time with the Hassaikai, knowing it would do him no good in those less than stellar ranks. Nighteye had seen fit to foster the protective traits in him though, encouraging Mirio to always consider the fallout from his actions.

What if someone is injured from your carelessness, Mirio? One wrong move, and innocent people die.

Protective actions had consequences, just the same as those morally-gray endeavors he had carried out while with Chisaki. The fallout from this particular foray, while maybe not physically devastating, would absolutely destroy him mentally.

But the thinking was driving him insane! What if, taunting him as he watched you laugh at whatever Tamaki was showing you on his phone, as Tamaki then turned to show him the same funny clip. Instead of looking at the screen though, Mirio was captivated by the small grin on Tamaki's face.

Always with this, always zoning out while Tamaki was trying to talk to him or while you were working on your daily assignments and frowning cutely at your computer. It was extremely exasperating and Mirio found himself holing up in the gym more and more. Once Tamaki got his late morning routines out of the way the space was free and clear, so it was here that the blond man ended up spending the majority of his waking hours.

This, however, led to him being absolutely exhausted by the time four thirty rolled around, which was how he had ended up in this predicament: Tamaki's fingers carding carefully through his ungelled hair, your hands wrapped around his scarred forearm while you and Tamaki carried on a whispered conversation over his head.

It was terrifyingly gentle, comforting even. But all Mirio could think of was that it would all come crashing down soon enough.

…

"Okay so I need your help." All in a rush, because you needed to get the words out before you lost your nerve.

Tamaki blinked at you over his mug.

"You don't have to say anything, just listen." You bargained, which garnered you a ponderous nod. "And you can totally ignore this, so don't feel bad."

"Concerning." Tamaki pointed out.

"I know, man, believe me." You sucked in another breath, your nerve about ready to abandon you. "I like you and Mirio. I like being around you and Mirio. I'm happy with this arrangement. B-But I…I feel like I might be getting in the way of your uh. Whatever it is that you guys have."

"We don't-"

"Tamaki please, I'm dumb, not blind. You guys…look, the both of you have great chemistry and it would be a shame for you to not at least try, right?"

A heavy silence settled into the space between the two of you. When Tamaki finally spoke up, his voice was somehow less confident than usual.

"I-I don't know if Mirio…I don't know if he likes guys." He admitted softly, his eyes on the table.

"He may not like guys, but he sure as hell likes you."

"No." Tamaki shook his head, a wistful little smile softening his pensive face. "He likes you. I've seen him look at you, the way he laughs, the way he-"

You interrupted, "The way he lights up when you're around? The way he falls asleep on your lap, the way he makes your coffee and the way he…" Tamaki was blatantly staring at you, and as you stared back at him, things slid together in your mind. "Oh. Shit."

"Oh, shit." Tamaki breathed.

…

The two of you had been avoiding him for three days now. It was Christmas Eve and Mirio was sitting on the weight bench in the gym, fidgeting anxiously. Nothing that he could do seemed to be able to help him shake the feeling of foreboding that hung over him like a dark cloud. All the energy he had spent just left him with lactic acid buildup and more questions than answers.

Treadmill, he decided, getting to his feet.

The treadmill was nice and repetitive. If that didn't shut off his brain, nothing would. Just the treadmill, the miles slowly ticking away, not thinking about you or Tamaki or you and Tamaki or–

With a frustrated growl Mirio flipped the switch and stepped back off the machine. Nothing is working, he realized, the frisson of fear that ran down his spine thoroughly unwelcome. Nothing.

Maybe he could just casually broach the subject? Granted, the idea made his stomach clench with anxiety but if that was his only alternative to this silent torment, he might take his chances.

What if you and Tamaki had decided you wanted to become…more? He had seen the way Tamaki looked at you, the way his piercing eyes softened when he thought no one was watching. Mirio wasn't jealous, not exactly anyhow. If he had to actually label it, he would say what he was feeling was sadness. Regret, even. But if you and Tamaki were happy with each other, that's what was important.

Right?

Mirio shook his head at himself, heading to his room to shower.

…

"Okay so, where do you want your bow?" You asked Tamaki, gesturing high and then low. "Do you want to be sweet and put it on your head, or do you want him to know you'd like to be railed so you put it on your-"

"Why would you say that?!" Tamaki sputtered, hiding his red face in his hands. You certainly were confident! He on the other hand was a massive ball of nerves. He wasn't sure if this plan of yours would work and the waiting was driving him insane.

"Listen you can be shy but you still get to voice your needs and wants here." You reasoned pragmatically, sticking a large bow to the top of his head. "We don't know how he'll react, of course, and this may not be the best course of action, but we might as well rip this bandaid off."

"W-We've been thinking for days now and this is all we could come up with. If we think longer, it'll just never happen." And what an awful thought that was, never knowing for sure. That would almost certainly feel far worse than the momentary embarrassment Tamaki was enduring while you fussed over him.

"I also want you to know," you murmured as you straightened his collar, "that even if it is just you that he wants, I'll still like you."

"Really?"

"Of course! You're kind and sweet, and you take good care of Mirio. He couldn't ask for a better partner, trust me."

His face was going to catch fire. All Tamaki could do was mumble a thank you and try to maintain some semblance of composure. "When should we…?"

"He's in the shower now, so we'll surprise him once he gets out." You smiled up at Tamaki as he carefully placed your bow on the top of your head. "Everything is going to be okay."

…

Mirio stared at himself in the steam-fogged mirror, his visage warped and unfamiliar. It's fine, he told himself sternly. Totally fine.

Maybe you and Tamaki were…

Mirio crushed that thought before it could fully form, shoving away the mental image of Tamaki arching over you, you gifting him with a soft moan, fingernails raking down his back--stop, idiot, stop it. You're just going to hurt your own feelings.

He needed to shake this off. It was probably just a combination of cabin fever and trauma bonding. That's it.

Mirio wrenched open the bathroom door, his mood thoroughly ruined by his runaway imagination. However, everything came to a grinding halt once he entered his bedroom.

Why were you and Tamaki on his bed? Why were you and Tamaki on his bed?! Mirio blinked at the sight in front of him, baffled and wary.

After a few seconds of awkward staring, you gave Tamaki a gentle nudge with your elbow. "Go ahead, Tama."

Tamaki jumped a little, stammering nonsense before he seemed to get a hold of himself. "I-I-I…h-hi Mirio. Um, happy h-holidays." He managed to squeak out, staring at the floor. His fingers worried the hem of his loose sweater, over and under the fabric again and again.

"Happy…holidays." Mirio replied slowly, shooting you a quizzical glance. You, it seemed, were focused on a fascinating bit of carpet. "What's going on, guys? You're both acting kind of strange." He asked bluntly, noting the way Tamaki winced at the question.

"Do you like me?" The black-haired man suddenly blurted out, slapping a hand over his mouth immediately after. Mirio was stunned silent, just staring at his violently-flushing roommate. "W-Well?" Tamaki mumbled around his hand.

"I…well yeah, of course!" Mirio did his best to try for his usual cheery affect, but judging from your reaction clearly neither you nor Tamaki were having any of it. "Of course, Tama." Mirio repeated, a bit softer this time.

"Do you like me?" You asked it this time, and Togata couldn't miss the way your fingers entwined with Tamaki's.

"Sunshine, we went through hell together." Not that you needed reminding! "Yes, I like you."

"He likes both of us, Tamaki." You sounded…relieved? Happy? Excited? Tamaki for his part looked more elated than Mirio had ever seen, almost tripping over himself as he got up.

"S-So you-!" The black-haired man began, grabbing Mirio's hands.

"I…?" Mirio prompted while Tamaki just stood there, shuffling back and forth in place. "I what?"

"Like me. L-Like…us." Tamaki explained haltingly. "We like you too."

"Guys, I don't know if I get whatever is going on here." Mirio murmured, his heart starting to pound in his chest. There's no way.

"We're your presents!" You chirped from his side, and that was when he noticed the bows clinging to your and Tamaki's heads. "If you want us, that is."

If you want us.

Holy shit it's happening.

"I…I do." Mirio whispered. "I…really? Both of you…and me?"

Tamaki was the one who said it this time, "if you'll have us," his hands trembling in Mirio's grip.

Mirio wrapped his friend, roommate, something more in a hug, feeling the heavy sigh Tamaki released against his chest. After a moment, Tamaki ushered you into the embrace. The three of you just held each other silently, then Mirio bumped his forehead into your own.

"If you'll both have me, I think I'd like that." He paused, feeling the mischievous smirk blooming on his face. "I know it's not Christmas yet, but do you guys mind if I…" He plucked the bow off of Tamaki's head. "...unwrap my presents a little early?"

23 notes · View notes

concussed-to-pieces · 1 year

Text

The Chance And The Change; Part Four

Fandom: Boku No Hero Academia/My Hero Academia

Pairing: (Eventual) Villain!Mirio/AFAB Shie Hassaikai!Reader

Rating: Holy shit M.

A/N: Gang we go full-tilt in this one. In this installment I wax theoretical on the full capacity of Mirio’s Quirk, and I will be taking certain creative liberties. That being said, please read the trigger warnings. Enjoy!

Tag List: @hijackser @nonstop-haikyuu @zombiexbody @buttons-beads-lace @moonchhu @swift-omg-no @ectoplasmictoast

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

[!TRIGGER WARNING!: This installment contains verbal abuse, implied child abuse, allusions to previous abuse, canon-typical violence, very descriptive physical violence, gun usage and discussion and use of medication/drugs (pills). Stay safe!]

It had gone to hell, because of course it had gone to hell.

It should have been an epic clash of moral ambiguity and you shouldn't even be involved!

This wasn't how it was supposed to be. You were supposed to live out your days in comfortable anonymity after working for a few decades in a shady syndicate. You were supposed to keep your head down and your mouth shut, and you absolutely were not supposed to get involved in any coworkers squabbles.

'Squabble' may be an oversimplification, you admitted to yourself.

Mirio's hand came down to cover yours, the tall man glancing at you. "Can you keep up with me? It's okay if you can't."

Your ego had already suffered mightily during your stint with the Hassaikai, but you weren't about to let the do-gooder wannabe outpace you. "'Course." You scoffed, your brow furrowed in annoyance. "I just hope you can keep up with me, Schoolboy."

…

It was clearly posturing, but Mirio appreciated your determination all the same.

He needed you to keep your hold on his arm long enough for him to at least deal with Deidoro. Your Quirk could dampen Deidoro's and that would make his job infinitely easier.

Togata was uncertain if the two of you would be able to function effectively together, though. He usually relied on calculating out his ricochets but with you holding his arm, using his Quirk like that wouldn't be possible. He would have to do things the old-fashioned way. As he was thinking that, you slid your hand down his arm to take his hand instead, lacing your fingers through his own and giving him a light squeeze.

Deidoro chuckled darkly while circling around Mirio and you. "Silly schoolboy, hangin' around with the wrong crowd." He jeered, hiccupping afterwards. "Thought you'd get special treatment from the boss? He hates people like you, hates hates hates."

"I'm starting to realize that I don't care much about what he thinks of me." Mirio replied airily, "and if my loyalty is called into question, that's all the better." He wished he could give you more warning when he was about to strike, but he knew he was already essentially telegraphing his moves to Deidoro.

The Hassaikai member dodged his first punch while laughing wildly, and as such was caught off guard when both you and Mirio swung your combined fists down into his chest like a hammer. Deidoro staggered back, wheezing out swears. "Why the hell ain't you two weavin' yet?! You should already be more off-balance, what the fuck-"

Mirio lashed out next with his legs, landing one kick after another in rapid succession. You followed along after him, your fist crashing into Deidoro's jaw to knock him back another step. Mirio caught the grim look on your face and it heartened him somewhat to see that your determination hadn't been entirely bluster. You clearly believed you had some skin in this game, and you had decided that it was worth fighting for.

"Why you always gotta' make things so difficult?" Deidoro slurred, spitting a wad of bloody saliva at Mirio's boots. "Always fuckin' around, always upsettin' the bossman. You make me sick, know that? You ain't ever had a hard time in your life, and you!" His attention shifted to you and Mirio felt your hand involuntary twitch. "You, you're the reason my Quirk ain't workin' on him! You little bitch, I'll fuckin'-"

Mirio, used to reading movements, realized what you were about to do and figured he could tack on a little extra. You dropped down suddenly to sweep the ranting Deidoro's leg and Mirio fed your momentum into his own spinning back kick, his heel connecting with the side of Deidoro's skull and sending the thin man tumbling across the floor. The member of the Eight Bullets hit the wall and there he slumped, lifeless.

The sudden silence was all-too-quickly broken when Nemoto's gun fired, the projectile whizzing past your head and making you accidentally jerk your hand free of Mirio's grasp. Luckily with Deidoro unconscious his Quirk was rendered inert, leaving Mirio free to speedily deal with Nemoto.

"Didn't anyone ever tell you it's dangerous to play with guns?" Togata scolded, the next shot passing harmlessly through his body as he charged forward.

"Why are you doing this?!" Nemoto shouted at the younger man, his Quirk compelling Mirio to answer.

"Because it's the right thing to do!" Mirio yelled, ricocheting out of the floor and tackling the slight man. As he struggled to wrest the gun from the flailing Nemoto, you sprinted past him after Chisaki.

…

Eri pleaded for you to leave while simultaneously clinging to you, her tiny hands tangled in your jumpsuit. Behind you came the sounds of a frantic pursuit; running footsteps, Overhaul barking orders and you knew Kurono was probably already hot on your heels. You prayed that Mirio had finished dealing with Nemoto, otherwise things were about to get even hairier for you.

The floor in front of you abruptly reformed into a carpet of vicious spikes, making you skid and lunge to one side, then the other as the cement underfoot rippled like water. Shit, shit shit I am not fast enough for this, you realized grimly, planting Eri on your shoulders in a desperate bid to keep her out of harm's way.

A spike drove into your side and you hissed out a swear, twisting away from the site of injury.

"I've got her!" Mirio was suddenly beside you, snatching the child from your grasp while the next foiled onslaught of sharpened protrusions crashed to the floor around him. "Get out of here!"

"Oh sure, I'll get right on that!" You yelled, aiming a kick to punt another sidelong spike into the stratosphere. "Look, now's definitely the time to let me know you can make other people untouchable!"

Togata shot you a regretful look that was all the answer you needed, and in that moment of inattention the floor beneath him erupted upwards in a sea of jutting spikes.

You swore again, this time much louder. Of course Mirio had avoided most of them, the taller man hoisting Eri overhead and bounding out of range. The cement protrusions phased through his lower body, failing to reach Eri before they were crumbling to be reformed anew. Again and again Overhaul struck, only barely falling short to Mirio's clever maneuvering. Lemillion was nothing but a red and white streak, somehow managing to maintain his usual velocity even with Eri in his hold.

Yet still, you had the feeling that the two of you were only prolonging this torment. You didn't have any real aspiration for victory, and the knowledge that everything was essentially over sat in your stomach like a lead weight. Everything had gone so wrong. There was that tiny hope that you and Mirio would waste enough time and cause enough of a ruckus that the pros could still manage to locate Eri, but it was growing smaller by the second.

Shards of yellow polycarbonate went flying past your head and it only took you a moment to figure out that Mirio's visor had been destroyed by a blow to his temple. The young man reeled, nearly impaling himself when he staggered backwards.

You bolted towards him, arms outstretched in a desperate bid to grab Eri instead of letting her get dropped. A slab of flooring tipped upwards beneath your feet, making you stumble and nearly fall before you managed to catch the child. "Lemillion!" You then shouted an order, thoroughly fed up with the current state of things, "get him!"

It was like flipping a switch. Mirio lurched downward into that familiar stance, shoulders tight and knees bent. There was murder in his eyes and then…

He was gone.

…

Get him.

Those two words seared through his rattled mind, latching on to his very being. Fighting the fog of concussion and impact, the haze of red from the blood slowly dripping into his eye, Mirio could barely make out the shadowy form of Chisaki across the room. Chronostasis seemed to be flanking him as well, not that it mattered.

Get him.

You would take care of Eri. You were strong, so strong, stronger than you thought. You could keep her safe. You had faith in him. You thought he could do this. You believed he could defeat Chisaki.

Get him.

A breath out, a breath in, predict his movements, remember his position.

Mirio sank down into the floor, angling himself before he rocketed upwards again. He was too fast for Overhaul's spikes, but he could hear them impacting against one another directly behind him. Chisaki was still desperately trying to keep him at a distance.

It would do him no good.

Mirio's eyes narrowed, his whole field of view reduced to the man who had caused such misery and pain. "Chisaki!" He roared, his fist crashing into the yakuza leader's midsection. The next moment he phased his arm through nearly to his shoulder, fingers seizing the back of the other man's jacket. "This is for what you've done to her!" Mirio seethed, then solidified his arm.

The limb was whipped backwards of its own accord, dragging the thick jacket fabric along with it through Overhaul's stomach and trapping his arms at his sides in the now-taut sleeves. Togata leaned into the motion of the recoil, the heel of his other hand hooking beneath Chisaki's chin and ushering him to the ground.

The back of Chisaki's head slammed into the floor with a devastating amount of force and he screamed out in agony, writhing underneath Mirio's bulky form. The young man leaned in close, close enough to see the panic in the eyes of the normally unflappable leader of the Hassaikai. "Congratulations." Mirio informed him through gritted teeth. "You've pissed me off."

Kurono attempted to use his Quirk on Mirio and received a face-shattering backhand for his trouble, the white-robed man folding like a house of cards under the single blow.

"I want you to suffer, like you made Eri suffer. Like you made that little girl hurt." Togata continued, shaking his hand to alleviate some of the sting as Kurono collapsed. "Everything you've ever done to her, I'll return tenfold!"

Chisaki scrabbled at the ground, the flooring abruptly dissolving when he activated his Quirk. "I'll kill you for this, Schoolboy." He hissed, managing to escape out of Mirio's hold by shifting the cement to knock the younger man aside.

"I'm not done with you yet!" Mirio spat, his boot landing squarely on the center of Overhaul's right thigh, only to phase through it and then blow out the side in a bloody mess when he resolidified his foot. This particular technique always made Mirio's bones ache but he barely noticed it now, so intent was he on his attack.

Get him.

Both palms slammed down on Overhaul's forearms, phasing through and then gloved fingers digging into greedy handfuls of muscle. Overhaul shrieked wordlessly as Mirio tore free, tissue and bloodspray splattering on the floor in a gory display.

Togata's forehead cracked into the older man's, his teeth bared in a furious snarl. "I could kill you, boss." He reminded Chisaki in a gutteral whisper, one bloodied finger hovering at about eye height. "Could crush your brain from the inside, excise you like the cancer you are. I can take you apart faster than you can fix yourself, I promise you that much."

The younger man paused, the words he had just uttered sounding foreign and wrong to his ears. Maybe this was too much, maybe he was playing into Chisaki's hands by teetering on the edge of this…unfamiliar, red tide of fury.

Overhaul's response erased his doubt, however.

"Where the hell was this attitude when you were whining to me about hero restrictions?" Chisaki choked, feebly attempting to buck Mirio off again. "Schoolboy, you've missed your calling. If I had known you were so eager to kill-"

"Shut the hell up!" Togata raged, Overhaul's mask creaking under the stress of his continued pressure. "It's over, Chisaki! Once the pros get here-!"

"Is it? Oh, is it, Schoolboy?" The older man wheezed and Mirio both felt and heard a rumbling crash behind him. Togata dared to glance back, his eyes widening as he realized that the hallway had collapsed. "Looks to me like things are just getting started!"

…

Mirio traded blows with Chisaki while you desperately searched for a way around the rubble that had nearly crushed you. You knew you didn't have much time to waste, Mirio hadn't been in great shape to begin with.

The roof kept dropping debris and Eri ducked her face into your chest, mumbling something frantically. "We've got you, kiddo." You soothed, giving her a smile you didn't feel. "Once the pros get here, you'll be safe. Just hang on a little longer."

"Everyone's going to die because of me." She sobbed, giving you pause. "People always get hurt, and it's all my fault."

Before you could reply the ground under your feet shattered, shit he's back on us! You flung yourself back, landing against the wall with a grunt. "No way." You panted. "That's just something that adults say to make themselves feel better about doing bad things. It's a lie, kiddo, so don't you buy it for a second." Eri stared up at you wide-eyed. "People want to help you. There's a bunch of people on their way right now to help you! We just have to hold out a little longer. Can you be brave with me for a little longer?"

The floor next to you split apart, spikes shooting upwards from the chasm. Columns snaked towards you in a mad dash, forcing you back until you were trapped against the tangle of rubble again. A large chunk of flooring that had flipped upwards looked like it would maybe shield you from the next bombardment and so you flung yourself behind it, curling into a ball.

"Just a little longer." You repeated, cupping Eri's head and tucking her face into your chest to dampen the attack that was coming.

Instead, a warm body pressed to your back. Arms wrapped around your torso and both you and Eri were thrown bodily into the air, just high enough to miss the deadly onslaught.

Your eyes widened, realizing as you stared down at his bloodied, smiling face that…

Mirio was a hero.

Not someone like the pros, not someone authorized by the government to protect the population, not someone motivated by the perks and power.

Mirio Togata was a true hero, a real hero, someone who made mistakes and had a moral compass that was faulty but always tried to do good and right. He was incredible. Everything you could never be. Strong, certain, and willing to throw himself to the wolves if it meant the faintest chance of rescuing someone in need.

Well shit.

You crashed to the floor, the wind knocked out of you by the rough landing (and the rock that had made itself at home in your lower back). Eri struggled free from your arms and you couldn't exactly move yet, so it wasn't a particularly difficult task.

"Lemillion!" Eri cried. You woozily raised your head, blinking in an attempt to clear your vision.

Mirio was still standing but only just, his left leg giving out even as you watched. He toppled to the ground, catching himself with his right arm. The left hung awkwardly from his shoulder; whether dislocated or broken you couldn't say. He mustered up a smile for the little girl despite his obvious injuries and something, something inside you flickered to life.

Sure, you were tired. Sure, everything on your body felt like one giant bruise. Sure, sure, sure. But if Mirio could still fight on, you would too, dammit!

The lone sheet of capsules rested forlornly in your palm, its plastic bubbles mangled. You'd get maybe six intact pills out of it if you were careful. Gingerly peeling the foil sheet off the back of the plastic, you tried to ignore Mirio's panting. Even from your current position, you could hear how hard he was working just to pull breath. You closed your eyes, trying hard to steel your nerves before you acted on this really, really stupid idea.

The pills nearly stuck in your dry throat when you swallowed, but you forced them all down.

You slowly rose to a crouching position, focused on Mirio's form hunched over Eri. There was a gaping wound in his thigh which seemed to be the chiefest issue, several more deep lacerations on his torso. Work on the chest wound first, get him back up to speed, go to leg from there, shoulder next.

A massive column struck the wall and shattered where your head had been as you made a break for Mirio and Eri. You felt the air displaced by the speeding object whip by your cheek and your legs very nearly failed you, but you gritted your teeth and forced yourself forwards.

You skidded to a stop practically on top of Togata, placing both your palms on his back. Mirio coughed raggedly, his eyes shooting open no doubt in response to the sensation of your enhanced Quirk. Your own skin felt like it was on fire and you squinted, setting your jaw. "Don't move," you warned. "It's a lot harder to fix if you jostle me."

"Nemoto, shoot him!" Overhaul's shouted order cracked like a whip through the air. Chisaki would absolutely force the situation, which meant that you had seconds to get done what usually took hours. Mirio had apparently not dealt with Nemoto as well as you had hoped. To be fair, Mirio had done the bulk of the heavy lifting thus far. You couldn't exactly blame him for not wholly incapacitating the marksman, regardless of how much it was going to potentially cost you.

Your eyes narrowed and you glared down at your hands, willing your Quirk to work faster dammit! It was okay if you got shot, you decided spontaneously. It was okay if something bad happened to you. At least you knew how to deal with bad stuff and…and if something bad happened to you, that meant it wasn't happening to Mirio or Eri, which was good.

Better me than you, Schoolboy.

"Nemoto-!" Mirio tried to rise, his good arm flailing back at you like he was going to push you away.

"Don't. Move." You hissed, your fingers digging into his uniform. You had no idea what angle Nemoto would have, but you tried to widen your stance all the same. "Don't let this be for nothing, okay? You've got things to accomplish, Mirio. You've got shit to do!" You jerked your chin towards Eri's terrified face. "You can keep the kid safe. You can be the hero she needs right now!" Your upper arms ached from how tightly you were clenching your muscles, but the rigid posture helped speed the process. Come on, come on!

"I'm not letting y–wait, wait," Togata attempted to prop himself up, the large man barely managing to get on all fours.

"The hell did I just say?!" You shouted, bolting onto your knees to lock your arms and slam your full weight down on top of Mirio. He collapsed again, fingers clawing desperately at the rubble, at your leg–

As he met the ground once more, a shot rang out.

The bullet meant for Mirio punctured the back of your shoulder, tearing through your uniform and burying itself in the skin beneath with ease. You arched your back, the pain flashing lightning-bright in front of your eyes and nausea abruptly souring your mouth. It felt almost like the time an overzealous security guard had tasered you; every muscle in your body drawn taut and screaming for mercy while white-hot agony radiated outwards from the point of impact.

Battling through the urge to just go limp, you sobbed out a breath and clawed forward to grasp Mirio's injured shoulder. By some incredible stroke of luck it seemed that you had been able to reset the dislocated limb with your amplified Quirk, which you hadn't anticipated at all! "Thank fuck." You muttered through clenched teeth, feeling almost sick with relief. He could still fight. He could still do this.

Mirio began to fight your hold anew, clearly healed enough to function again. He all but threw you off his back, his eyes flying to your wounded shoulder.

"It'll be okay!" You tried to smile but failed miserably, settling for a pained grimace as you clumsily tried to apply pressure. "I was serious, anyhow. Don't let this shit be for nothing. It's definitely better me than you."

"You shouldn't have had to make that kind of choice." Togata's voice had an odd rasp, the man clearly enraged. "Not for me."

The floor suddenly lurched beneath your knees. An explosion rang in your ears and larger chunks of concrete debris began raining down on the three of you. All you saw was a green blur rocketing towards Chisaki through a freshly-made hole in the wall and Mirio rising to stand tall over you, his arm moving a split-second too late to shield you from the next shower of cement detritus.

Part Five

#mirio togata #lemillion #slow burn #eventual romance #villain au #villain!lemillion #villain!mirio #villain!au #mha au #mha fandom #bnha au #my hero academia #my hero fanfic #boku no hero academia #mirio x reader #mirio imagine #overhaul #canon typical violence #shie hassaikai arc

16 notes · View notes