Me and the Devil

Numb

Toga handed her a knife, "You know how to throw?"

Chise nodded, "It's been a while but yes, I do."

The girl beamed, "You're so amazing!"

They had decided to spend the afternoon outside. It was brisk, but the sun felt nice on her skin. She wore a black fitted tshirt, her vibrant tattoos on display, and dark jeans. Compress had been kind to send Toga for more clothing. The heroes were still staking out her bar, waiting to see if she came home.

She watched as Toga threw her blade, showing off her skills. Chise had to say, she was impressed. She could throw far and accurate. Compress sat casually on the porch, "Let's see if Chise still has it."

Her green eyes looked over the blade in her hand as she tossed it around, feeling the weight, "Can I borrow a few more?"

"Of course," Toga eagerly handed them to her.

Her movement was fluid and effortless, sending the blades towards the makeshift target. One landed in the head, the other the heart, and the last one in the groin. Compress gave a low whistle, "That was nice."

Chise blushed slightly, "I'm a bit rusty," she walked to the target, grabbing the daggers and handing them to a beaming Toga. She sat on the porch beside of him and watched Toga practice.

"There's a lot we don't know about you it seems," Compress chuckled, "it keeps it interesting."

"The more people know about you, the more they use it against you," she smiled slightly, "I don't like giving out ammo."

"I respect that," his brown eyes landed on her. She looked pretty in the setting sunlight. It illuminated her blonde hair, making her green eyes pop. He sighed, "Dabi better behave."

"Oh?"

"Yes, he better not act like a fool with you," he looked back at Toga, "He would be stupid to."

"I'm nothing more than a tool for him," she stood, "even I know that." She walked back into the house, her skin feeling cold from the air outside. She made her way up to the room she was staying in, closing the door behind her. She pulled on an oversized flannel and laid back on the bed. She felt so numb in this moment. It scared her. She didn't want to become that person.
______
The house was quiet, barren. The group had been sent out on a mission, leaving her alone in the large house. They knew she wouldn't run anywhere...she had no reason to.

Moonlight made its way through the window as she laid back, staring at the ceiling. She had been like this for hours, sorting through her head. tears silently fell, she still felt so incredibly numb. Her eyes closed, hoping soon exhaustion would take her for an escape.

Dabi returned, making his way through the house. He had been sent somewhere different tonight, having to meet up with Hawks to gather information. He made his way up the stairs, stopping outside of her door. Why was he here? There were others places he could be, some funner than others, but, his mind brought him back here. To her.

He opened the door and walked up to her sleeping form. His bright eyes looked her over. She had been crying again. It made his blood boil. He reached down and grabbed her chin, turning her face towards him. Chise's eyes shot open, meeting his.

"What," she snapped softly.

"Why are you crying?"

She swatted his hand away, "It doesn't matter Dabi."

He huffed and grabbed her again, "Just answer the question."

"Drop it."

"No."

Chise sat up in his face, "Back off."

He glared dangerously, "No, now spill it."

"Leave me alone," her voice wavered slightly.

His hand gripped her neck, "I'm not messing around."

"I'm..." she swallowed, "I don't feel anything. It's exhausting...."

He let her go, "What do you mean?"

"Emotions, they're becoming more scarce. Empathy feels like a far off dream," she laid back and sighed, "I don't want to become this. It's too much like them."

"Your parents."

She nodded, "Yeah."

"Maybe it's what you need right now," he tossed his jacket to the side, "to not feel."

"What if it never goes away?"

He sat for a moment, thinking. His solution would be to not let it come back. It's easier that way. But, Chise wasn't the same as him. He leaned down over her, resting his elbows on either side of her head, "I'll make sure it does."

"Promise."

He sighed, "Yeah."

"I'll make it up to you."

"I know you will." He lingered for a moment before getting up, grabbing his coat, "They should be back by now."

Chise sat up, "Are you going to bring them back?"

He pulled it on, letting out a long breath, "I guess."

"Be careful," they looked at one another for a long moment until he turned and exited the door. Chise laid back, looking out of the window at the bright fall moon. She felt calm right now, still numb, but calm. Her eyes grew heavy once more.
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AFO paced quietly, thinking. Their army was rapidly growing after the incident with Chise and her brother. That boys sacrifice was doing the work for them. He was grateful for that. Reports from the other league members noted how she had regained her strength and was beginning to come into her own.

He needed to meet with her soon to gauge her mindset. Perhaps she would want to reopen the bar and gather information. Plenty of the right people would want to speak to the woman who threw Endeavor through buildings. Or, she would be useful in the field as well. Her quirk was universal, able to render her opponents useless while doing damage to their person at the same time.

Dabi was currently out cleaning up their latest mess. Meaning Chise was alone, probably sleeping. He would summon her tomorrow for a lengthy chat. After all, she was his new shiny toy.