10 - Respect

My hand goes through a purplish warp-gate and reappears from an identical portal in an empty corner of the room. My hand crashes into an empty box, and it crumbles into a pile of dust. That should have been Dabi. Another warp has appeared in front of Dabi, and sapphire fire blazes in a different part of the room, while Himiko Toga's knife stabs into the wall through another warp. Sensing my angst and the impending fight, everyone in the room had prepared to fight, and the Mist Man had blocked us all in an instant.

"Shigaraki!" Kurogiri yells. I withdraw my arm, but the portal doesn't disappear. He really thinks I'm that childish that I'd try to kill Dabi again? Disgust rises in me.

"Get out of my seat, bastard," I hiss to Dabi. Warily, Kurogiri lets his Quirk relax, though he keeps a close eye on us. Finally, Dabi turns around and looks at me, his blue eyes bright and calm. Then his hand lashes out and grabs my wrist, pulling me with such unexpected force that I end up sprawled on his lap, my hands on the wall behind him. I stare at him, unable to breathe for a moment as electricity crackles between our bodies. My balance thrown off completely, my chest pressed flush against his, and that arrogant smirk so close to my own mouth...

"Make me," he murmurs in my ear. I twist the grip on my wrist, making sure to dig in four fingers on his bare flesh. He grins, baring his teeth, and I snarl in response. Does he not realise how much he makes me want to brush my thumb on his skin and watch him die? I stand, and yanking him behind me, I go into my room and drag him inside too, though he comes willingly enough.

"What the hell is this about, Staples? I'm your boss. I run the place, I'm the head of the League. If you can't accept my authority, you can get the hell out."

He gives himself permission to sit on my bed, twisting his hand away from me and dropping his hands into his pockets. "What? Are you afraid of your authority being undermined?"

"Everyone here has to answer to me. Everyone here has to see me as the leader so they'll obey when it counts. Do you understand that?"

He looks up at me, his sapphire eyes blazing.

"I understand more than you seem to think, Shigaraki. I understand that the League is going to fail if you keep going like this-"

"Shut up. Just - shut up. I don't care what they say, but if you're not going to accept my leadership then you can leave the League and never have to see me ever again."

His eyes darken. "Look, Chapstick, I won't challenge your authority as long as you give me respect. Let me contribute to the plans, simple things."

"You'll get what you deserve when you deserve it. Respect is earned."

"And so is authority."

He lifts a hand from his pocket and lets blue fire race along his purpled skin.

"Show me why you're worthy of my own respect," he breathes, putting out his fire, and before I know anything, he stands, his other hand curls around the back of my neck and he throws me down onto my bed-

A knock on the door stops us in our tracks. His hands are frozen on my shoulders, pressing me into the mattress. My heart is pounding as I gaze up at his face. Mild irritation flashes across Dabi's chiseled features before he hides it again, smoothing the mask of cool indifference over his face. Kurogiri's voice echoes through the wooden slab:

"Shigaraki, it's Master. Don't keep him waiting."

Dabi cocks his head, smirks, and offers me a hand. I sit up without taking it, and quickly slip Father's hand over my face - just the one for now - and head outside. With that fraction of extra weight, the reminder of death and ash, I can think a little more clearly.

Dabi follows behind me, his fire extinguished, but standing so close behind me that I can't even catch my breath. What would have happened if Kurogiri hadn't interrupted us? My heart pounds, and I curse it, and I curse him. It's all his fault that everything is turning and changing, it's his fault that I don't feel like myself lately.

I head into the main room with Kurogiri in front and Dabi behind. I try to put all thoughts of him out of my head, clearing my mind for this. Master likely won't be pleased that I failed-

I see his face on the screen affixed to the wall atop the other end of the bar, and I bow deeply. "Master," I say, my head inclined and eyes on the floor.

"Tomura. How did it go?"

"I failed you, Master. We successfully infiltrated the school, but right before we could make our escape, All Might arrived and thwarted us. However, we returned here with our forces wholly intact, and the blood of several of the students-"

"Don't worry about it, Tomura. We have the time for you to make as many more attempts as you need. Remember-"

This is all for you, Tenko Shimura. For you can have a world of your own.

"-This is all for you."

"Yes, Master. I will not fail you next time."

Finally, I dare to look up. Master has given me everything; taken a broken child and given him purpose, and for that, I will repay him in every way possible.

"Continue to work hard, Tomura."

And with that, the image on the screen dissolves into static, and Kurogiri turns the screen off. He walks down the corridor to his room, but I wait for a moment, staring at the screen. How is it that after I've failed so many times... Master keeps faith in me? How is it that he continues to give me everything?

The room is now empty apart from us, Magne and Toga playing on their phones in the corner - we almost have this place to ourselves. This time the black-haired man heads behind the bar himself rather than sitting in my seat. So respect in exchange for respect, huh? Show me why you're worthy of my own respect. The contrast between the darker skin stapled to his natural pale complexion is highlighted by the stronger light behind the counter. I've never met anyone like him. As I watch his nimble hands pour a drink into two glasses, his sapphire eyes flick to mine and he winks.

My whole face flushes as I realise I was staring at him. I'm so glad that he can't see the blush behind the palm firmly affixed to my face. I promptly turn my gaze to my hands, tapping a rhythm on the oaken bar, only looking up when a glass is placed in front of me. Dabi neatly vaults over, landing in a crouch on the seat next to me.

"Drink up," he says.