Work Text:
Shoto watched the villain who had turned Bakugo into a marble approach the younger of the two leaders in suits. Wait, he recognized him. That was the one who Bakugo called quirkless before following him into a portal, and then Kirishima came back with a story of a reflection quirk and Bakugo acting with too much aggression, getting them both hurt with his own blasts. It appeared he wasn’t done with Bakugo.
“Rogue, here is your requested prisoner,” Mr. Compress said dramatically, handing over the blue marble.
Rogue grinned, “Good. Come with me. I have a room ready for him.” Rogue looked up, intelligent green eyes meeting mismatched, confused ones, “Shoto, it’s good to see you. I’m sure you and your eldest brother have a lot of catching up to do. Everyone, the basement is off limits for a while, unless something interesting happens with the heroes. That includes you, Tomu-kun. I want to take my time with Kacchan, and I can’t have you distracting me.”
“Just ask me if you want to keep a souvenir,” Shigaraki chuckled, letting the green-haired beauty go to the torture chamber he’d designed.
Shoto froze. He didn’t have any question what these people were capable of; Rogue had personally crippled Iida during the Hosu massacre to send a message to Bakugo before calling himself in to get the crippled boy medical help as Stain killed Burnin’. Stain, who had killed one of his father’s sidekicks and stood right next to him, checking if his blade needed sharpening. He knew these were killers; he came with them to kill his own father… but still… torture seemed… excessive. Words almost caught in his throat as he asked, “What… why Bakugo?”
“Why Endeavor?” Rogue asked, smirking, “We all have our demons to kill, Shoto. Demons who wear hero costumes and call themselves righteous when they hurt those weaker than them. Mine were just… a little bit easier to get to.”
Dabi chuckled, moving to set himself between Shoto’s eyeline and the exiting Rogue.
Hey kid (hey kid), do I have your attention?
Dabi grinned, leading Shoto to sit at the bar
I know the way you've been living
Life so reckless
Tragedy endless
Welcome to the family
Dabi opened his arms, gesturing to the gathered League of Villains, sans Rogue and Compress.
“Don't you think torture is a little bit much?” Shoto asked.
“Dear old dad certainly didn't, did he?” Dabi countered,
Hey, there's something missing
Only time will alter your vision
“Don’t worry about the explody one. His fate is…”
Never in question
Lethal injection
Welcome to the family
“You’re calling the League of Villains your New family,” Shoto said flatly, “They’re about to torture and murder a helpless student.”
Not long ago you'd find the answers were so crystal clear
Within a day you find yourself living in constant fear
Dabi countered, grabbing them both drinks, something sweet for Shoto, something hard for himself, “These guys are a better family than the one we left. They’ll fight for us. Did any of them ever fight for you?”
Shoto looked at the beverage in his hand; he didn’t even know if it was alcoholic or not, and then at the mirror bright pin on Dabi’s coat, his own reflection looking back.
Can you look at yourself now?
Can you look at yourself?!
You can't win this fight
And in a way it seems there's no one to call
When our thoughts are so numb and our feelings unsure
Dabi mused, tossing back his drink, looking at his little brother.
We all have emptiness inside
We all have answers to find
But you can't win this fight
Shoto put his untouched drink on the counter with a loud sound, freezing it over. “I can’t just sit here and let him kill a classmate.”
Hey (hey kid), I have to question
What's with the violent aggression?
“You’re not worried about the Bakugo kid. You see he’s going to be another Dad as easily as we do. What’s really in your head, kid?” Dabi asked, getting to the root.
Shoto sat down, grabbing his head, leaving the frozen beverage on the counter. “I just… I can’t help but remember what it was like when we lost you. I don’t want to put them through that again.”
Details blurry
Lost 'em too early
Welcome to the family
“You’re worried about Fuyumi and Natsuo,” Dabi said flatly.
Hey, why won't you listen?
Can't help the people you're missing
“They’ve been through this before; at least this time they’ll know where both of us are,” he added.
It's been done
A casualty rerun
Welcome to the family
I'll try and help you with the things that can't be justified
I need to warn you that there is no way to rationalize
Dabi shrugged, looking at his brother.
So have you figured it out now?
So have you figured it out?!
You can't win this fight
“Not without our Help.”
Shoto looked at his drink, sipping the slushy liquid now.
And in a way it seems there's no one to call
When our thoughts are so numb and our feelings unsure
We all have emptiness inside
We all have answers to find
But you can't win this fight
“That’s why we’re working together.”
“Exactly, little brother.” Dabi Grinned.
Shoto frowned, looking at the TV playing in the corner; an ad with Endeavor’s face on it started to play.
Gunning for you
And all mankind
I've lost my mind
Psychotic, rapid dementia
I won't be fine
Toga stepped in, pulling Shoto into a dance as softer music started to play.
I see, you're a king who's been dethroned (been dethroned)
Cast out in a world you've never known (never known)
Stand down, place your weapons by your side (by your side)
She pulled his cold arm down with a smile.
It's our war, in the end we'll surely lose but that's alright (you'll surely lose to me)
Dabi grinned at him, pulling him away from the crazy girl.
So have you figured it out now?
So have you figured it out?!
Shoto nodded.
And in a way it seems there's no one to call
When our thoughts are so numb and our feelings unsure
We all have emptiness inside
We all have answers to find
But you can't win this fight
Shoto looked to the basement; it was oddly quiet down there. You’d think with Bakugo he’d hear some shouting. Maybe it was soundproofed. He huddled to a spot in the corner, sipping the rapidly melting drink his brother had handed him.
Deep inside
Where nothing's fine
I lost my mind
You're not invited
So step aside
I lost my
Deep inside
Where nothing's fine
I lost my mind
You're not invited
So step aside
I lost my
Rogue rushed up from the basement, wiping blood off, eyes locking on the newscast on the TV. “Shit, they’re trying to make a distraction. They must have found us. We need to get moving,” he said, gesturing to Aizawa on the screen.