Me and the Devil

The Showman

"Haru," Chise softly knocked in his door, "can I come in?"

"Yeah." Came a faint and soft reply.

She opened the door and closed it behind her, "Can we talk?" He nodded and she sat on his bed, "Can we be open and honest?"

"Yeah," he leaned back against his headboard.

"What is the real reason? I promise I won't be mad at you. I just want to know so I can help."

Haru sighed, "I....everyone has a family member bring them...I feel weird."

Chise blinked, "Oh, I see."

"It's stupid," he bit his lip, "but it makes me feel-"

"Alone," She reached out and stroked his soft hair, "I'm sorry Haru. I need to do better for you." A sad smile formed, "Starting tomorrow, I will walk with you to school."

He smirked slightly, "Just not in your pajamas."

"I promise," she kissed his forehead, "I love you, brat."

"I love you too sissy."
_________
She made her way downstairs to make sure the door was locked. Haru had went to bed. She was glad they made up. After checking the door, she turned around and jumped. "Fucking Christ are you joking?"

Dabi smirked down at her, "You need to be more careful."

"That or put a bell on you," she looked him over, "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

He reached out and ran a finger along her jawline, " You want me to take care of them?"

"Of who," she kept her eyes on his.

"Those punk ass mob brats." He stepped closer to her, "They seem pesky."

She swallowed, "What do you care?"

"Don't get it twisted," his hand carefully settled around her neck, "I just don't want my favorite hiding place compromised." He brought his face closer, "Not to mention, Haru. I'm sure they'd be low enough to go after him too." He leaned into her ear, "Consider it a favor, just for you."

Her eyes closed feeling him so close. Her voice sounded in his ear, barely above a whisper, "Please."

He fought the grin that tried to surface on his face. He greatly enjoyed that  word coming from her mouth. His thumb traced her bottom lip, "Consider it done."

He released her and made his way towards the exit in the back room of the bar. It locked automatically, but he knew how to pick it. Chise stood there, begging her heart rate to settle itself, and the heat on her skin to dissipate. Gods help her. She was almost putty in his hands. She cleared her throat and made her way upstairs to take a cold shower and head to bed. She didn't want her mind to wander.
_________
Chise woke early and got dressed in a pair of jeans and long sleeve shirt to hide her tattoos. She tamed her messy waves and went into the kitchen to make Haru's lunch. She had barely slept. And when she did, her dreams were of him. That feeling of being close against him, his hand around her neck. She tore herself from her thoughts when footsteps made their way into the room. A sleepy Haru fixed his uniform and yawned.

Chise chuckled, "You have a long night too?" He nodded. She placed the bento in his backpack and handed it to him, "Let's go."

Haru held a rare grin on his face as they walked up to the school. Chise smiled and held his hand. He was right, almost everyone had an adult or sibling with them. It made her heart warm to have this moment with him. She leaned down and gave him a tight hug, fixing his uniform, "Be good today okay? I'll have dinner ready when you get home."

"I'll see you then," he giggled and took off into the school. Chise smiled and turned, heading home. A familiar voice stopped her, making her sigh.

"I thought I saw you," it was Haru's instructor, "It's good to see you this morning."

Chise bowed with a smile, "Goodmorning."

He grinned, "How have you been?"

"I've been well. I hope you've been doing well also."

"I have," his eyes scanned his students, "Haru has been doing well."

"That's good to hear." She took a step back, "I have to get going, I hope you have a good day."

"I'd still love to take you for dinner."

"And my answer is still a flattered no," she smiled and walked away, rolling her eyes.
______
Dabi tilted his head, studying the man at the school. He could tell from Chise's body language he was trying to pressure her into something. He could burn the entire school down. Watch him burn alive. He sighed. Haru was in there. He couldn't risk it. He retreated his form to the shadows, off to continue his task.
_________
Shigaraki settled on an alleyway and watched the woman quietly. Dabi had been hyper focused on her and it annoyed him. Why? He wasn't sure. He had mentioned she had a strong quirk, but, he wouldn't tell them anything further.

When she disappeared inside of the bar, he finally spoke, "Go poke around. Dabi is taking too long."

The man fixed his mask and chuckled, "My pleasure."

Chise stretched her arms, walking around the bar. Since she was already awake, she needed to restock and precut for tomorrow night. She pulled out the cutting board and laid out the limes. After a few cuts she paused, something was off. It wasn't Dabi. A slight panic ran through her. She spun around and pressed the knife against her intruders neck.

"No let's not make a mess today," his voice was smooth, like a showman you'd see in late night television.

"The doors are locked," she pressed the knife harder against his skin, "So I suggest you start talking...I can clean up a mess just as quickly as I can make one."

"I'm just here to see what all the fuss is about."

Her green eyes narrowed, "I'm not sure what your referring to."

Before he could respond a husky voice sounded behind him, "Compress...did you take a wrong turn?"

A wave of relief fell over Chise. The man named Compress casually spun around, "Not at all. I came to lay eyes and see what the hold up is."

"There is no hold up," Dabi shoved his hands into his jacket pockets, "Did he put you up to this?"

Compress chuckled, "I volunteered."

"You can volunteer to leave," Chise kept her eyes on the man.

"She's sassy," his tone confirmed the grin on his masked face, "I like it." He gracefully spun around to face her, "I hope to see you soon so we can chat a bit more."

Chise glared at Dabi once their guest was out the back door, "You better start talking."