Disdain [Dabi x Reader]

VIII

"2 months." Botan's red irises lit underneath the shade of darkness he veiled himself in, his arm stretching out before the desperate criminal, a paper of indecipherable letters and numbers clutched between his fingers. (Y/n)'s gaze wearily lingered on his face, attempting to read through whatever fake exterior he had on this time, but as usual, it was an attempt in vain.

Their eyes strayed down to the page, scanning through the scattered dates and codes scribbled across it. They hesitantly grabbed the file from him, shooting him a cautious glance. Botan was a mysterious individual, and a frightful one too. It's difficult to figure out what was roaming through his crippled mind. No matter how many times he aided (Y/n), they still felt a suffocating feeling of unsettlement whenever they were near his presence. Aloofness was all he ever radiated. No wonder he was so ruthless.

"I'm not so keen on the details, but it's something about his successor." He dug through his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes, his eyes visibly lighting up as he stared at its glory. He opened it with a flick of his thumb and hauled out a tab, ready to subdue his addictive desire

"Successor?" They quired while frowning down at the document in their hand.

"Yeah. You know his plan for world domination, no? I guess he needs someone else to make sure the plan goes through in case he bites the dust. Common bullshit." His lips twisted into a snarl. He placed the slanted cigar between his teeth and lit it up with a worn-out lighter, his chest rising as he inhaled the stinging nicotine smoke.

(Y/n)'s face scrunched up in dismay, the sides of the paper cranking at their tightening clutch. Botan raised a brow at their sour expression. He released the smoke and spoke.

"What? isn't 2 months long enough for you to prepare?" 

"It's more than enough." They sighed, folding the paper and tucking it into the inner pocket of their coat. "I'm just worried. What if the plan doesn't work?"

"I'm like 90% sure it's going to fail miserably." He waved his cigar at them. A tick mark appeared on their forehead.

"Gee Botan, so reassuring." They hissed through gritted teeth.

"What? Don't look at me like that. I'm being realistic here. I mean- what kind of idiot dares even affiliate with the likes of All for one?" He shrugged. "Why even take anything from his stronghold? You know he was going to ask for something in return, even if you paid."

"I knew that. I didn't think he would go after the boy, though. And there isn't really much he could ask from me. Unless he wants some kind of surgeon."

"Your quirk?" He sucked in another puff from the cigarette.

"My quirk is useless to him. And even if he wanted it, I wouldn't care, I barely even use it." They muttered. Suddenly, the viper-eyed male began coughing uncontrollably, smoke residue escaping from his lungs. (Y/n) awkwardly stared at him, somewhat concerned. With a final knock of his fist against his chest, his coughs quietened. He panted, catching his breath, then snapped his head up to look at them. His eyes were wide and bloodshot.

"You didn't use your quirk?!" He exclaimed. (Y/n) jolted, confusion riddling their features. "Are you serious?!" 

"What are you-"

"You came here without checking if someone was following you?!" He yelled with clear frustration. 

"That's what you're yelling about?!" They retorted

"Yes. You really are an idiot." He snapped. They rolled their eyes at him, annoyed by his paranoia. "Use it." 

"What?!" They frowned.

"Use your quirk." He demanded. His glare tightened a noose around their throat, threatening to let them hang and suffocate if they didn't obey his command. Sweat seeped through their skin, their brows furrowing further as they glowered at him. They gulped down the saliva that built up in their mouth. 

"Fine..." They breathed out. Tension visibly crept out of Botan's form, but he still kept his glare fixated on them.

Once they activated their quirk, they felt a surge of energy pulse through their veins, the unpleasant taste of their unwanted power pooling under their tongue. They could feel the pacing beat of Botan's pulse vibrate throughout their body. their eyes trailed across the brick wall beside them, thoroughly listening to the faint heartbeats of the insects hidden beneath it.

"Nothing." They deactivated their quirk, letting out a relieved breath. Botan released his glare. "Only you and me here. Unless you want to count the cockroach crawling up your shoe." They glanced down at his feet. He craned his neck down, his eyes laying on a relatively large brownish creature slithering on his leather boot. He silently peered at the insect, unfazed.

He kicked the roach off him, then pressed his feet on top of it, a satisfying sensation setting in once he felt the creature's form crack and squish into a pile of smeared insides. He wiped the sole of his foot on the floor.

"Good." His eyes caught a glimpse of his cigar laying on the ground after he absent-mindedly dropped it. He looked up at (Y/n), surveying their stiffened figure for a few moments. "Come on. Pay up."

"Right." They grabbed a heavy suitcase from behind them and tossed it over to him. His arms snapped open, the case hitting his chest before he clutched it with his arms as if enveloping it in an embrace. (y/n)'s brows rose when they saw a ghost of a smile on his lips whilst he eagerly stared at the briefcase, like an old man ogling a stripper at a stripping club. He quickly masked his grin with his uncharming facade of the day. 

"If that's all you needed then, I shall take my leave." He turned around, raising his palm up in a motionless wave. "Oh. And, just so you know, if All for one ever aimed for your throat, I won't be there to save your ass like I did when Stain almost slaughtered you."

"I'm aware." They replied, crossing their arm.

"Well then, good luck to you, Mindcraze." He strolled off, his built frame fading into the shadows.

"And to you too, Serpent."

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A/N: ignore when I said I'll leave for  two weeks