Her Forgotten ~Tomura Shigaraki x OC AU~

Chapter 5: Canary's Freedom

Illika

What is freedom to the canary is hell to the worm.

That's one hell of a perspective, but a mighty good one. It makes sense. I understand its logic and even agree with it, but I still stand by my belief.

We all have the right to exist – quirk and all – despite how uncomfortable it may make others feel. We all have the right to live wholly and authentically as ourselves without persecution or the fear of retaliation. We have that right.

Restricting quirks and limiting them is invalidating those rights. It cages us, placing us in blocks too tight to wiggle from. It pins us. And then giving special licenses to the few and titling them as heroes further constricts us, leaving us helpless and useless, unable to protect ourselves. It's sickening and disgusting. Weakening the few.

"You're awfully quiet tonight," Tomura says.

I blink, looking over at him. He is already standing, readjusting his pants as his eyes remain locked on me. I am laying naked on the rec room sofa, chest rising and falling as fresh hickeys already form.

"Sorry." I sit up, letting my hair fall to the sides of my face. "I'm just thinking."

"You were thinking after that? Must not have fucked you hard enough."

My lips curl. "You fucked me plenty hard enough. I wasn't thinking a single thought during it."

He scans me but smirks. "But now that it's over..."

"I'm thinking, yes."

He finishes fixing himself. "Still, they must be loud thoughts to be thinking after that."

He's not wrong. They are. They're thoughts that have been nagging at me all day, just rattling around in my brain. Loudly and without intent, but my conversation with Atsuhiro has reawaken the part of me that was growing too comfortable in this routine.

I shrug. "Penny for my thoughts?"

He looks at me. He's not much for this kind of thing. Talking a real conversation that doesn't revolve around either sex or the PLF. Still, as he observes me, I see how he unclenches his jaw and relaxes his shoulders.

"Alright," he says. "What is it?"

I smile and start to collect my own clothes. "I was just thinking about something Compress said earlier."

"What'd he say?"

"What is freedom to the canary is hell to the worm." I look at him. "We were talking about how freedom can have different definitions for different people."

It almost looks like he rolls his eyes. "Of course, he would say something like that. Leave it to him." He looks at me. "Well, it seems you understand what he was saying, so what is there to think about?"

"I know what he was getting at. That some peoples' way of living and mere existence frightens others. But I don't know. I feel like everyone has the right to live and exist, ya know? As the bare minimum."

My eyes meet his and I feel myself slip into them, but not far. Just ankle deep in the vastness of that stare. Not nearly enough. He's so hard to read. Not impossibly so, but difficult. And yet, I know there's something there. I just don't know what.

He shifts his weight, crossing his arms over his chest. "So, what are you saying?"

"I think that no matter what a person's quirk is, they deserve to live and exist as they are. They deserve basic freedoms and rights. They deserve...happiness."

That is the other half of it, isn't it? People are happier when they're free to live and do as they please. When they can protect themselves and the ones they love. When they're not relying on others to keep them safe. When they can just simply be.

"I believe in freedom," I say with a small voice. "People should have the right and freedom to exist simply as they are without being condemned or punished for it, even if their quirks are taboo."

It's quick. I barely catch it, but I do. It's a flicker and a glimpse that flashes across his face. However, as quickly as it appears, it vanishes, returning to his usual cold stare, but I can hear the softness in his voice.

"You believe in that? Do you really stand by that sentiment?"

"Yes. Completely."

"And you still hold that value with all quirks?"

"Yes, of course."

His eyes bore into mine. "Even if the quirk is so deadly it can't be controlled?"

I search him, trying to dive deeper, but I can only go so far. Still, I can see through his words. I know he is referring to quirks such as his own. In fact, he is talking about his. There is no reference, only the underlining truth.

With my shirt now on, I walk over to him, never taking my eyes off his. "Even then. No matter how strong or how dangerous their quirk is, everyone should have the right to simply exist and live as they please." I am standing before him with my chest high and my shoulders back. "And if they were allowed to live that way from the start, I bet they would be able to control their abilities more."

He searches me, but I still can't read him. Not completely. Not as much as I would like to, but I accept that.

He moves closer, towering over me as his eyes remain locked on mine. The shadows sliver across his features, slithering over his scars. I wish I knew the story behind those scars. And I wish he'd let me touch them, but he won't. I'm not even allowed to look at his naked body.

He stops in front of me, bringing his face closer to mine. His lips linger so close to my own that I can practically feel them. I can practically taste them. His hot breath brushes my skin as he whispers.

"Through the ashes freedom will sprout."

And then he kisses me softly.

**Bello lovelies! Another day, another chapter. Got to see a little bit of Shiggy. And look! Him and Illika seemed to have a somewhat meaningful conversation, though briefly. Hey, it was something. I promise, I know where this book is going, but the journey is about to be a surprise for us all because I have no roadmap as to how we're getting there. We're all just here for the ride. I just happen to know that there will be some fun parts. Lol sorry. I'm gonna end this chapter here. Thank y'all so much for all the love and support! Stay awesome sauce! Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross