The News

Listening to mom sing in the kitchen making dinner while I went over my upcoming schedule after summer break was comforting. It's nice to just come home sometimes eat moms half burned dinners, listen to dads awful jokes, even get asked by Mrs. Nakamura next door if I met a nice boy yet has a familiar feel to it. I lied to her of course, if mom and dad found out about Dabi they would want to meet him and that's just not possible. I hope whatever job it is he needed to get back for isn't too dangerous, but he promised to be careful said for the most part he's going to be behind the scenes leading the others, something about him being the leader kinda turns me on. Dabi and his damn big mouth told Natsuo about me helping him when he was hurt, and if I thought I had trouble being mad at either of them separately that was child's play to having both brothers looking at me with their fucking 'I'm innocent and adorable' looks. Shit isn't fair, at least I found out it's a problem for Ryoko too. She laughed so hard watching me struggle to be pissed at Dabi for telling our little secret then at Natsuo for being so assertive about calling him next time. Ryoko thinks Dabi just loses control sometimes when he's not well or too tired and accidently burns himself, she has no idea what he does and we all plan to keep it that way. Watching the boys together was interesting to say the least. I mean don't get me wrong he loves his brother but he's a bit of an asshole, it sorta reminded me of our first interaction and theirs. I thought I just had the wrong impression of him, but he really is a dick, but mostly sweet to me for some reason.

"Mom UA's on the news, do you mind if I turn it up to listen?" She nods ceasing her singing. The more I listen the harder my heart races hands drenched in sweat, Natsuo can't know or he would have called me already, they are describing Dabi calling him dangerous. They refuse to give any names I pull out my phone looking for Shotos name. He's likely fine Dabi wouldn't let anything happen to him, but he can't control everything, he's only one man.

"Hello?"

"Shoto, thank goodness, are you ok?"

"Yeah, fine not supposed to talk about it."

"Don't go there, when I call Natchan you know what he's going to be like, do you need anything? We'll come see you."

"I'm fine, no need to call my brother."

"Shoto, he's your brother, he loves you he'll want to know you're ok."

"You're the one who called not him."

"I'm certain he isn't aware of the situation, he's out at a lake with no TV so if your father didn't ca-"

"He's calling me, bye L/N" I look at my phone after he hangs up on me, if he's talking to Natsuo I have some time to call Dabi. "Mom, I'm going to get some air and wait for Natsuo to call." She nods waving me away watching the news intently

"Hey baby, I'm fine no need to worry."

"Now that you answered my first question why didn't you tell me your mission was going to affect Shoto?"

"Because we never talk specifics, it's our rule." Fuck he's right, didn't have to be a dick about it though.

"Can you at least tell me the kid you have is ok?"

"Fine and healthy, promise. Boss just wants to talk to him."

"And your team, are they ok? I saw three were taken by the police"

"For the most part, had a couple get their asses handed to them by some pros by nothing they can't handle and even if they were hurt I want you far away from all this shit, fuck them if they bleed out that's on them." Jesus, doesn't he care about his own team? Can't be good for morale

"Sweetie, I know you don't want me coming around that's not what I meant, just trying to ascertain if things may be a little more difficult for you." He lets out a sigh annoyance coming out of his voice.

"I don't particularly trust or like them, they are merely stepping stones to what I need to accomplish for my own goals. If I have to get new recruits so be it, you're safe, my brothers and sister are safe, my mother is safe, the rest of the world could burn and I wouldn't give a damn. Fuck here comes crazy I have to go baby, I'll call you later." After he hangs up I think about his words and his tone. He's not usually so cold, I haven't been able to picture him as a villain but now I see it. It's like a missing piece of the puzzle I've only vaguely realized I was even trying to find finally put itself in the right place making one thing crystal clear to me for the first time. I'm in love with him.