Eraserhead and Scribe IV

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Scribe was quiet during dinner. She seemed lost in thought and her replies to him were absent. Shigaraki watched her closely. She hadn't changed into whatever special outfit she'd chosen for their "celebration", and she looked pale enough to make him anxious. He hesitated to press her any further for information about what had happened. Possibly the best course of action was to call on Eraser as soon as possible.

"Maybe you should get to bed sooner rather than later, pretty." He sipped the wine, resisting the impulse to reach for her hand. The more I touch her, the more I'll have to miss of her. "I'm worried about you."

She shot him a quick smile. "I'm sorry, Tomura. I just can't shake this weird feeling that someone needs me."

Shigaraki was very aware of the phone in his pocket. Maybe Eri needed her. If he showed her the picture of herself and the little girl, what would happen? The memory of the way her eyes had rolled back into her head earlier held him back. Somehow, the cure for whatever had happened to her was not as simple as jogging her memory. In fact, it seemed that might be very dangerous for her. "S'okay, pretty. You've had a rough day."

"Yeah. I guess." She sighed and pushed the plate away. She put her hand on his. "Would you dance with me?"

"There's no music." He turned his hand over so he could close his fingers on hers.

She stood and pulled him up with her. "I don't need music. I just want you to hold me."

He let her move closer, felt her lay her head on his chest, and wrapped his arms around her, feeling as if he were complete for the first time in his life.

Just for a few minutes. He lowered his head so his lips touched her hair, her scent filled his nostrils. It was more fulfilling than anything he'd ever imagined, even holding her while she slept. Even more than the memories she'd shared with him of the time she'd been locked in the alternate reality by the doctor. In that perfect moment, he didn't just hold her, and she wasn't holding onto a figment of the doctor's imagination. The real Scribe voluntarily leaned against him, her arms around him and his around her.

"I love you." He'd never spoken the words in real life before, but they slipped from his lips now. Realizing what he'd done, he stopped her from replying. "Don't."

She tilted her head curiously. "Why not?"

Because you won't mean it. And even if you do, it won't matter in a few hours, probably. He stepped away from her. "I...I'm sorry, pretty. I have something I have to do. And you need to rest."

"Tomura." She caught his hand as he turned away. He looked back at her. "I'm not sure what's going on, but I do. I love you."

He read the truth in her eyes and somehow knew this was how she really felt. Somewhere deep inside her, Scribe did love him. Not just now. Not just when she couldn't remember Eraser and her life at UA. He thought of the picture of her and Eri on the phone. Eraser had no doubt taken it. So no matter how she felt about him, the ties that bound her to her real life were far more important.

He pulled her gently back into his arms, lowering his lips to taste hers. Just once more. I swear. He drew away and this time he said it on purpose. "I love you. And everything I do is for that love, pretty."

She raised her hand to touch his face. He turned his head, kissed her hand, and left, walking quickly so he couldn't change his mind.

***

Spinner met him on the street where he'd found Scribe. It wasn't much at this time of night. A back alley in a rundown neighborhood. He could see a few boarded-up storefronts. A good place for a gang of misfit mental quirks. And something about it made him feel like he was being watched.

"I found her over here." Spinner indicated a spot on the side of the road. It was littered with cardboard boxes and cigarette butts. "Just the bump on the back of her head. No identification or phone, I thought."

"Where did you find her phone?" Shigaraki poked through the litter.

"Actually, back there." Spinner nodded down a side alley.

Shigaraki turned toward it and the feeling that he was being watched grew stronger. He took a step toward it but stopped when the phone in his pocket buzzed. He pulled it out. "It's Eraser."

Spinner's eyes widened. "You think he knows?"

"No. I think he's hoping." Shigaraki pressed the answer button. "Evening, Eraser."

A stunned silence greeted him. Then Eraser said in a cautious tone, "Shigaraki?"

"Got it on the first try." Shigaraki turned away, ignoring Spinner's gestures for him to hang up. "We need to meet."

"Damn straight we do, but first explain to me how in the hell you got Scribe's phone. Do you know where she is?" Each word sounded as if it had been bitten off with grinding teeth.

"I have a better idea than you do at the moment." Shigaraki answered the question as cautiously as he could. "Which is why we need to meet. You'll want my information."

"Where?"

"First, let's agree to no quirks. I will if you will."

"I don't need my quirk to kill you."

Shigaraki tsked softly. "Who's talking about killing, Eraser? Wasn't me. Your quirk is just so damn irritating. I'm offering a gentleman's agreement to exchange information peacefully. If you're up for it, that is."

"Fine, when and where?"

"Best place to find something is to retrace your steps. Think about where you were when you had something valuable and go there. I'm there now, so whenever you're ready."

"Stop speaking in riddles, dammit!" Eraser sounded like he was near his explosion point.

Shigaraki rolled his eyes. "You're absolutely no fun, you know that? Fine. I'm turning on the location for her phone now. You should have no trouble finding me." He hung up, looking around. He needed to find a spot to observe Eraser's arrival from. To make sure he came alone. He spotted a low-hanging eave of a dilapidated shack. It would have to do. He glanced at Spinner. "You need to get lost, Spinner."

"You sure about that, boss?" Spinner frowned. "I could hang out and be backup. Eraser's not going to be happy—"

"I don't think he'll risk anything while he doesn't know where Scribe is. Get back to the compound, make sure Scribe doesn't do anything...unpredictable."

Spinner nodded, understanding what he meant. "I'll keep an eye on things, boss." He saluted. "Stay safe."

Shigaraki saluted back, set the phone down on a cardboard box at the side of the road, then shimmied up onto the roof and into the shadows to wait for Eraser's arrival.