Intruder
Bakugou smirks, chuckling somewhere deep in his chest with a feeling of victory as he rocks back and forth on his feet, putting pressure on his ankles. His arms raise as he starts doing jumping jacks and progresses into lunges. It feels amazing as fuck to not have to rely on those damned crutches anymore. It’s only been a few days, but the last few days have felt a lot better than these last few months.
Being off the crutches now means that he won’t have to spend his spring break and his subsequent birthday hobbling around everywhere. He’ll be able to move faster to avoid whatever shit his mother is throwing at him and well he would be pleased about the ability to party, but this year is a little different. This year he’s bringing a girl home, his girl. He won’t be able to go out, get drunk and hookup with randoms this year. And truthfully, he’s not too butthurt about it.
He is warming up to Himiko. She’s growing on him a little more everyday and it’s not bothering him as much as he thought it would. He figures that this is just what it’s like to be with someone who appreciates and loves him for everything he is instead of what he does for them. Someone the complete opposite of she who shall not be named.
He hasn’t told Himiko that he’s bringing her yet, he wants it to be a surprise. It’s not like she’s thrilled about going to her own family home so this will be a great gift to her. The gift of the chaotic mess that is the Bakugou family. His father won’t be a horrible issue, he’s always been a quiet and easygoing man. His wench mother on the other hand, ugh. The initial thought of her and Himiko in the same room was almost enough for him to change his mind, but no, he wants this. He has to make sure that she’s the perfect fit to his family.
“Yo, lookin’ good bro.” Kirishima smiles as he approaches with Kaminari, both sweaty and smelly from the finished practice. “It’ll be nice to have you on the field again instead of the sidelines.”
“Yeah, well, I could’ve been on the field today, but if I have to play it safe then I guess I’ll play it safe.” He grumbles back in response. Personally, he believes he could’ve been on the field practicing with the others today, but his coach would prefer to wait until after Spring Break just to make sure he’s a thousand percent. He is the best player there so he figures he can be a little understanding.
“Man, are you still planning to go home for break?” The other blonde whines. “I still think you and Toga should road trip with us to the beach.”
“Fuck you and fuck the beach. Why would I wanna take her to the beach where a bunch of extras can ogle her?” He scoffs, grimacing at the other male. Just the idea of some loser checking his property out in a bikini makes him tense with frustration. It’s a his eyes only kind of thing, reserved for Bakugou Katsuki and nobody else. He could never realistically take her to the beach!
Kirishima rolled his own set of red eyes but declined to make any further comments on the chaotic mess that was Bakugou and Toga’s relationship. The way he saw it now, Bakugou was at least making an effort and he couldn’t expect him to change completely over night. At least she seemed happier.
“Eh, we’ve still got the summer to look forward to. If you guys are still together that is.” Kaminari shrugs. That comment makes Bakugou’s face pinch into more of a frown than normal.
“What is that supposed to mean?” He questions.
“Uh..I don’t know..” Denki shrugs again, “I guess I was just saying that you never know?”
“Never know what idiot? I didn’t plan on breaking up with her this summer.”
“Yeah okay, I..my bad man.” The amber eyed male apologized, holding his hands up in surrender. “You guys are gonna be together forever I guess.”
...forever? Like forever ever? And ever? His frown deepens more. He didn’t say that either. He doesn’t know what his future entails, but why the hell is this idiot putting so much thought into a relationship that has nothing to do with him?
“Hey Denki, don’t you have a project or something to work on? An essay? An assignment?” Kirishima questioned trying to direct the subject into a less dangerous direction.
“No? Yes? Man I’m so behind, all I’ve been thinking about is Spring Break dude!”
Bakugou snorts and rolls his eyes. He’s gonna consider his workout done now that the idiot has ruined his mood.
He and the redhead depart from Denki and begin to make their way back to their dorm. The whole time he’s trying not to think about any of Kaminari’s stupid comments, but he has a terrible habit of fixating on things and now he can’t get it off his mind.
What would forever look like for them? Could he really handle all of that? He’s positive that Toga would probably and has probably thought about a forever future for them, but would he be okay with it?
They could get married after they graduated...possibly. And a little on down the line, maybe, they could have a kid or two? If he chose that route. But maybe he wouldn’t want kids because having kids would take his focus away from his profession….but then again…the mental image of Himiko walking around his home barefoot and pregnant with his kid stirs something inside him. She would look beautiful carrying a piece of him inside her. The dark, possessive parts of him are thrilled about the idea of putting a baby in her womb. It’s the ultimate mark for him. Even if some unnatural and far out of left field thing like her leaving him happens, she would be bound to him forever and know for the rest of her life that- ‘stop. Stop thinking like that.’
There are to be no more deranged and toxic thoughts like that. He’s not going to be that kind of boyfriend anymore. She deserves better than that. He doesn’t have to own everything and everyone.
“Hey man, you good?” He hears Kimirishima ask as they exit the elevator to their floor.
“Fine.” He mutters out. “Is Mina going on your spring break trip?”
“Nah, she wanted to have a girls trip with some of the chicks so she’s gonna do that.” He smiled.
“A girls trip?” He echoes. He ruined all of Himiko’s friendships so..she can’t take any girl trips, but if she had the option to, would she choose them over him? It seems like the answer should be obvious since she already chose him over them once...but if she had the choice…
“Yeah, her, Yaomomo, Ochako, Tsuyu, and Jirou are renting a vacation house. They’ve been planning it for months and she’s super pumped about it. I was a little bummed at first, but she just seems so happy and she deserves the break. She’s been working so hard this semester.”
He sounds so...what’s the word? Nice? Generous? No, not those. He doesn’t know what to call it, but something about the way Kirishima talks and thinks about his relationship versus the way he talks and thinks about his own relationship rubs him raw. The whole concept just seems so much easier for his friend. As if he and Mina don’t have nearly as many issues as he and Himiko.
‘They’ve been together for years. Of course they’ve ironed it to be smooth.’ He thinks. Eventually he and Himiko will be that way too. But when?
As a matter of fact, when did he get like this? So confused? He used to have very clear intentions, he used to know exactly what he wanted to happen, how he wanted it to happen, and when, but now he’s suddenly being hit with thoughts of worry and doubt. Questioning everything he’s doing. He thought that making a conscious decision to be better would just solve everything, but it seems to have raised a guard within him. Like, what if he’s doing his best to be better and then she gets too comfortable and stops being her best? What if his good deeds and efforts end with him being used and thrown away again?
He tries to tell himself that this is an irrational train of thought. It makes no sense and it has no basis. She likes him like this. Being good to her. She wouldn’t leave him just when he starts to do good. It’s obviously Kaminari’s fault for bringing up futures and shit.
As he expected, Himiko is in his room when he enters. She’s got her back to him, in the middle of packing, trying to stuff a few of his shirts into the bottom of her bag. He leans against the doorway, watching the little thief with slight amusement. “I better get those shirts back.” He drawls with a smirk on his face.
She squeaks, jumping slightly at being caught red handed and peers at him over her shoulder. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She lies, feigning innocence. His smirk widens and he feels some of his earlier tension roll off his body. They’re good, they’re fine, he’s just being paranoid.
“Sure you don’t.” He continues, moving to sit on the edge of his bed. “Your parents expecting you anytime soon?”
Her face falls into a bored expression, dramatically sighing and putting on her theatrics. “Ugh, my dad has been calling me all day to make sure I’m still coming home like he wants. This is going to be the lamest spring break ever!”
“Eh, it doesn’t have to be.” He mentions casually, feeling his smug pride rise in his chest.
Toga stands up and skips the short distance to him, throwing herself against his body with a wide smile on her face. Her lips meet his cheek for a quick peck and then she buries her face against his neck. “Thanks for the positivity babe, but you’ve never met my family. You have no idea how boring they are. So many rules, so many chores, so much whining!”
“How about you blow them off then? Come home with me...meet my family.” Her body goes stock still against him and he’s waiting so patiently for her to burst into hysterics and excitement. Meeting his family? It’s gotta be like an invitation to the red carpet for her.
Slowly she pulls away so she can stare directly into his red eyes. Her gold ones scanning his face for any sign of joking and tricks and finding nothing of the sort. “I... oh my gosh...Katsuki. I always dreamed of the day that you would invite me home and I can’t believe it’s finally happening! Ahhh!!” She screams, kicking her legs merrily.
He chuckles softly as he watches her live out her happiness, bouncing up and down on the floor and practicing her greeting to his parents. This is obviously much better for her than some stupid beach trip. “Holy shit what should I wear? A skirt? A dress? Are we thinking knee length, ankle length? How conservative are your parents?!”
“Relax looney bin,” he tells her with a roll of his eyes. “They’re not conservative, but I mean..don’t show up with your ass out.”
“Well shit, now I have to go shopping!” She exclaims panicked at her apparent lack of ass covering clothes. “When are we leaving?!”
“Tomorrow morning, bright and early so you’re going to bed early tonight so I don’t have to hear you whining about how tired you are tomorrow.” He tells her. The excitement slowly vanishes from her face and she groans a little. “You can sleep on the way, don’t cry about it.”
“N-no no. It’s not that, it’s just uh...well I wasn’t going to my parents house until Wednesday.” She says quietly.
Okay? “Your point being?” He asks, raising his brows.
Himiko hesitates, licking her lips and tucking some hair behind her ear. “Well I kind of had some...things I needed to do before I left which is why I was waiting to go to my parents and they’re really really important things so I-“
“Important things? Like...more important than meeting my family? More important than me?” He asks her in a low tone. He’s trying not to get upset, allow her to explain herself, but just know this isn’t what he expected or what he wanted.
“Of course not Katsuki! Nothing is more important to me than you and meeting your family, but I really and I mean really have to do this thing!”
His tongue slips between his teeth and he bites down hard to prevent himself from saying something thoughtless. “What...thing do you have to do?”
“I can't tell you, it’s a secret.” She practically whispers. He chuckles dry, scratching the back of his head.
“So we keep secrets now?” He questions. His foot begins to tap the floor rapidly and his jaw is clenching. Maybe he wasn’t being paranoid after all. She’s clearly rejecting him right now. Putting something else, maybe someone else above and before him.
He can tell by the way that she shifts back and forth in her spot, the way she keeps averting her eyes, she knows she’s being a bit of a bitch right now. He also knows however that if she says anything about it suddenly he’ll be the bad guy. She’ll start crying and playing the victim card again and it hears him up inside because how dare she do that when he’s trying to do something for her.
“Don’t be mad at me please.” She whispers. “I promise I’ll come, I just have to take care of this one thing. Then I’ll be all yours.”
Then she’ll be all his? She’s already his. The devil in him is screaming to start a fight, yell at her and tell her that she doesn’t actually have an option to opt out of coming, but the angel Kirishima on his shoulder is chiding him for thinking that way. So instead he just takes a deep breath in and exhales very slowly. “Fine.” He growls. “You go do your little thing...maybe I’ll see you later.”
Himiko sighs at him, moving to place her hands on his shoulders but he seats them away and stands abruptly. “Don’t...touch me right now. I’m gonna go for a walk.” He ignores her when she begs him to stay and talk to her about it, but there’s nothing to talk about. She’s made her decision and she didn’t choose him.
Himiko felt very cold when she woke up this morning. Katsuki was leaving. He didn’t even say bye to her, refusing to let her kiss him when she tried. He’s very angry and she feels a little guilty about it, but there’s nothing she can do. She has to get Dabi off her back so she can move on with the rest of her life.
The asshole was getting impatient, waiting for her to figure out a way to infiltrate the Yakuza hideout. His brain must be fried if he thought it was as easy a task as he made it sound. His little maid service idea just sounded worse and worse the more she thought about it. She’s never been the cleanest person, Bakugou is always harping on her about leaving her shit laying around so there’s no way she can pass as a maid.
Planning has never been a strong suit of hers no matter how hard she tries so out of desperation and a loss for what else to do she came up with a half cracked idea that may just get her killed if she fucks up.
Dabi mentioned to her the hatred that Shigaraki and Chisaki have for each other and every time she’s in their presence she gets to feel that hatred first hand when the shit talking starts. So, being the little sneak she is, she decided why not just pit the two against each other sooner rather than later? If Dabi doesn’t care about his friends getting arrested and thrown in jail, why should she care? They aren’t her friends, just people who kidnap her after work and make her do illegal shit for them.
It’s one big game of manipulation and she’s just tired of being on the receiving end of it all so she has become the manipulator. It started with subtle pushes, a gentle questioning to Shigaraki about why he hasn’t tried to put an end to Chisaki yet if he views him as a threat. She didn’t go as far to blatantly ask him, ‘are you scared?’ She wasn’t trying to get hurt herself, but the implication of that question was there and Shigaraki, like any man, found his ego and pride being challenged. Challenged enough to start plotting against the Precepts.
He didn’t trust her enough to be let in on these plans, but Dabi made sure to relay it all to her. Once he relayed this to her she started working on finding a way to draw out the big bad Yakuza boys and get them to the battlefield to ruin the League’s ambush. But how do you make contact with someone without physically making contact? You add another middle man and get them to do it for you. All those in between clients of the two parties. It's already her job to chase them down and haggle them for money which makes for the perfect opportunity to whisper in their ear and make deals. They go to Chisaki’s dealers and plant bugs that Shigaraki is planning something and rile up that party and for their reward Toga will allow them to steal whatever they can get their grubby hands on during the raid of the Yakuza hideout. Whatever she can get her own hands on will go to Dabi and atone the rest of her ridiculous debt. He’ll be his own free king and she will never have to deal with him again.
She’s done herself up real good for the raid. A short, choppy black wig. Some brown contacts, loads of makeup, faux freckles, some faux braces she found on Amazon. She didn’t even know those things existed but she wanted to make absolutely sure that there is no possible way she could be recognized, not even by the addicts she tipped off to meet there.
Dabi: I just left the League, they expect nothing, are you in position?
Her eyes read over Dabi’s text repeatedly, her heart pounding in her chest. This is it. This is her one and only chance to get it done or she will just have to move and change her name and drag Katsuki along with her.
She’s been lazing on a bench in the fancy ass neighborhood park waiting for his signal. Some of her fellow delinquents have already arrived, hoods up, not looking sketchy at all. Their hands are itching to get in there and rob. It’s like they have no fear of getting caught at all.
I’m ready. They left about ten minutes ago, they should be headed to the hideout.
Are you sure you’re okay with this? Ya know, setting up your friends? Someone could get seriously hurt…
Dabi: It’s a dog eat dog world doll face. Just wait five minutes and call the police from your burner. They should get in there to avoid too much bloodshed. What a jerk he is.
Okay. We’re going in then.
Toga turns off her cell and shoves it in her back pocket. She stands to her feet and looks at the four others that have come to join her in her caper. “We’re going. Everyone remembers the plan right?” She stresses. No vandalizing, no stealing anything traceable, no removing your gloves, don’t stare directly into cameras. The general common sense things.
“Yeah yeah let’s just do this shit, I’m getting bored.” Right, just do it. The sooner this is over the sooner she can go to her baby and slide in his arms. Once this is over she’ll never have to lie to him again.
The five of them go together, approaching the back door of the home. She didn’t want a break in to be obvious so she made sure that instead of bashing windows and wedging doors that they came equipped with screwdrivers to simply remove the knob and replace it when done. They have twenty minutes to get in and get out and there isn’t a single minute to waste.
The second they’re inside it truly becomes every man for themselves. All her rules about no vandalizing went straight out the window as they started tearing apart the dark home looking for illicit drugs. It’s annoying and a problem, but Toga tries to keep as calm as she possibly can while she takes a more rational approach.
Obviously these things aren’t going to be out in the open, so she goes looking in places she learned about from movies. The basement, complete with a padded lock and a door combination. “Fuck.” She hisses to herself. How lucky could she be if she was able to find the combination somewhere? The answer is too lucky. She has to think of another idea because she knows damn well she isn’t going to get into that room.
She quickly abandons her plan and begins to head upstairs to the top floor. There’s not very many rooms here, enough to hold the average sized family. She has to wonder if his daughter sleeps here, but then she decides that if she did stay here the house would still be guarded. Chisaki probably also wouldn’t have her around his work...would he?
A vibration from her pocket makes her jump a little before she realizes it’s the burner cell. Shit, it’s probably Dabi wondering if she’s called the cops yet. She doesn’t even waste time reading it, skipping over his message to dial for the police. Calling the cops on someone while she’s in the middle of a crime herself has her anxiety running on high.
‘Emergency services, how may I help you?’
“..hello? Uh.. I need to report a crime.” She whispers, her voice trembling.
‘Okay. Where are you and can you tell me what’s going on?’
“I’m not there! I mean, I was jogging past the place and I saw a lot of heavily armed men going inside this abandoned building on West and Sixth. It just looked really sketchy so I ran and thought I should call.”
‘On West and Sixth? The old steel plant?’ Oh god she doesn’t fucking know. It’s an empty ass, big ass building!
“Yeah.” She shrugs, quietly pushing open bedroom doors and peaking inside.
‘May I have your name ma’am?’
“I would prefer to stay anonymous actually. Please just send someone fast, I’m afraid people are going to get hurt.” She urges. Before the woman can ask her anything else she hangs up to avoid getting herself caught somehow.
Dabi: You call?
I just got off the phone with them. I can’t get the drugs Dabi, they’re padded and locked away in a room in the basement.
Dabi: Shit. I guess I should’ve thought about that.
I’m gonna take whatever cash I can find and things you can pawn and then how about we call it even yeah?
Dabi: No idiot, I can’t pawn any of their shit.
Oh my gosh! Just pawn it outside the city or something!! You’re making this difficult!
Whatever, he’s not the one in here so she’s going to do whatever she wants. Her bag starts to fill with anything pretty she can find in the rooms upstairs. Spare money, fancy looking lighters, some jewelry. One watch in particular catches her eye. A nice ass Rolex that sparkles at her in the darkness of the bedroom. Oh it’s just gorgeous, sterling silver and diamond encrusted. What a wonderful gift for her man. It puts the lame gift she already got him to shame.
How wrong of her would it be to give him something stolen? There’s no engravings on it, looks barely worn. It couldn’t hurt and he deserves it anyways. She pockets the watch and smiles softly. As she’s moving towards the door to hit the next room she realizes that it’s eerily quiet in the house as opposed to the chaotic noise that was being made earlier. Did they all leave? Seriously, without her? She’s ready to storm downstairs and check for herself when another possibility dawns on her.
What if someone came back? What if they were scared off?
She presses her ear to the door, straining to hear. It’s silent for a bit until she hears the heavy and carefully measured footsteps against the hardwood landing of the staircase. Himiko backs away quickly. It could be nothing, it could be one of those guys she brought with her, and then she starts to think about how that isn’t the greatest thing ever. Why would she corner herself alone up here with a man she barely knows? Why did she ever think the thug life was for her? She isn’t a thug!! She’s a fucking college student that’s gotten herself caught up in some dark game of make believe.
“Out out, I need to get out.” She acknowledges to herself. She can’t run out the door, so the only other option is the window. Whatever happened to the others isn’t on her mind, the person slowly climbing the stairs isn’t on her mind, none of that letters anymore she’s just concerned about making her escape.
She pushes the window up and takes a look outside. It’s not too bad. She can climb out, land on the second story landing and then jump to her freedom. She sighs heavily, trying to calm her mind and makes sure her bag is secure on her back. Carefully, she tosses a leg out the window, straddling the sill and ducks her head out next. The knob on the door starts to turn, catching her attention and with a loud thud it crashes open. She shrieks at the man standing across the room from her. Holy fuck he’s huge, he looks so pissed, he’s snarling at her..and then she lunges.
Toga screams in a panic and winds up falling sideways out the window. “Get back here you little thief!!” She hears him yell as she just keeps rolling right over the ledge and down to the ground. She sputters and lays there for a second as she embraces the impact she just took and prays like Hell that she didn’t break anything.
She can hear boots stomping above her, apparently the big guy is gonna jump off the roof too which means she needs to get the hell out of dodge. Himiko forces herself up to her feet and pushes herself to run, narrowly avoiding his attempt to grab her.
“Did that flaky bastard send you and the rest of those little intruders?!” He shouts as he chases her down. Toga can’t respond, she’s too busy screaming like her life depends on it. “I’m gonna wring your fucking neck when I catch you!”
“No no please!! I-it’s such a nice neck!!” She wails, crying into the night sky. Her eyes scan her surroundings for anything she can use to her advantage and there is...nothing. Houses with their lights off, obviously not wanting any part of the foolery going on outside. Cars with doors that are probably locked. And oh so many fences.
“Stop...running!!”
“Stop...chasing me!!” She veers right, running towards through the streets to make it to the entrance of the neighborhood. She’s horrified thinking that he would continue chasing her and eventually catch her out there. The car driving through the road simply trying to get home comes to be her miracle and she finds herself oddly relieved at the sound of it clipping her pursuer. She even looks back just to make sure it hit him and maybe she shouldn’t have. She should be happy that she’s getting away, but the med student inside her is protesting against her will to abandon someone in need.
He doesn’t even look too hurt! Clearly conscious, gripping his stupid leg, a small laceration on his forehead and angry fueled eyes. She should keep running, but all her training and teachings are telling her not to. The panic filled cries of the driver who is terrified that they’re going to get in trouble for this make her feel guilty and this is exactly why she isn’t made for crime. You’re not supposed to feel guilty and you’re not supposed to help your enemies, but she’s long since realized that a criminal is not who she truly is.
“I- I didn’t see you, I’m so sorry!” The driver sobs. He looks so young, a teenager who just got licensed. His wet eyes turn to Toga and he begins apologizing to her and professing his innocence. She cringes, groaning heavily.
“Fuck me.” She whispers. She sighs and jogs back over to the scene of her crime, approaching her victim with her hands out. “I know that we got off to a rough start, but I- I know some things about first aid. I can help you?”
“Help me?” He grinds out. “You little bitch! I’m gonna fucking kill you!”
“Well, pfft, I can tell without having to tip your pants leg that you aren’t gonna do anything with that injury, but I understand your frustration.” She says chuckling awkwardly as she crouches down. “Hold his arms down, he wasn’t joking about that killing thing.” She instructs the frazzled teen.
“What’s going on out here?” Oh, now the neighborhood wants to wake up.
“Just a small incident! If someone could call for an ambulance that’d be great!” She calls out to the civilians exiting their homes. Her attention turns back to the enraged man on the ground. There’s so much blood, and the white protrusion from his slacks tells her it was most certainly a clean break. “Okay, your leg is broken.”
“Gee, really?!” He hisses.
“More particularly a tibial break.” She continues. “Your adrenaline is pumping right now which is the only thing preventing you from going into shock and passing out. I consider that a good thing because the laceration on your head looks a little deep. A gusher. You could have a serious concussion.”
“I called the ambulance, they’re on their way. I’m so sorry.” The kid continues crying.
Toga turns to him next, gripping his shoulders tightly. “It’s okay, you’re gonna be okay and he’s gonna be fine. It was an accident. Now, I need your shirt so I can stop the bleeding.”
“You realize helping me goes against your favor right?” The man questions. His breathing sounds labored, his adrenaline is running out and he’s sweating profusely.
“I know, but it’s my instinct. I never meant for you to get hurt, I just... I got messed up in a messy situation and I apologize sincerely.” And she means that with all her heart. She has learned a lesson here. She will never again touch or think about drugs. She will be a good girl through and through. She will behave and keep to her studies. She’ll fix her relationships with her friends. At one point she was using this as an escape from how confusing and fucked up her life had become, but this wasn’t the kind of escape she needed. Instead of trying to find delinquent thrills to her problems she will face them head on. Stand ten toes down instead of running like normal.
She doesn’t realize that she’s started crying, doesn’t even know when the first few tears fell. She’s tied off the man’s wound and made a comfortable makeshift pillow for him to rest his head. It feels wrong to leave, but she can’t stay here and she knows that. He’ll be fine and this isn’t her running away again, this is simply her closing the door to a disgusting chapter of her life. A chapter of pain and misunderstanding. She hasn’t felt right ever since this began, but running off into the night to safety and freedom feels just about perfect.