Me and the Devil

Elaborate Schemes

Blue eyes shot open when he felt movement in his chest. His tired eyes settled on Chise, resting against him, breathing deeply. He reached up and stroked her silky soft hair. He hated it. The way she made him feel. He didn't like feeling anything, especially something like this. It was a distraction. Instead of focusing on his moves, he was focused on how they would effect her.

His eyes settled on the scar on her shoulder. The bullet hole from the night Haru was killed. The night he truly felt that instinct. Protect her. Her precious, stupid life. He knew AFO was going to use her in their final push. It would break her, like the prison riot almost did. Hell, to be honest, it would probably kill her. He knew what he had to do.

"You're hearts racing," her eyes fluttered open, "Are you okay?"

"Go back to sleep," he wrapped back around her, "I'm fine."

Her hand wound into his hair, sleepily playing with the darkened strands, "Liar."

He felt his eyes growing heavy under her touch. He relaxed once more, letting himself enjoy this, knowing there wouldn't be much more.
_______
Hawks narrowed his eyes as he listened on the phone, "You want me to what?"  His golden eyes scanned the agency as he leaned against the wall, "You actually think that will work? Yeah, I am doubting you." His eyes settled on Endeavor, "I gotta run, lemme get back to you."

"Who was that," blue eyes looked down at him.

"A contact," Hawks took a deep breath, "Are the others coming? I have some information and a plan."
________
"Stay inside," Dabi leaned down and placed a single kiss on her lips, "If AFO calls, don't answer."

"Dabi, part of the deal-"

"I know what the deal is," he snapped softly, "Just, leave it. I'll be back soon. I need to take care of a few loose ends."

"What do I do if he shows up?"

"He won't. I have a plan."

Chise took a breath and nodded, "Alright."
________
Erasurehead sat back in the chair with his arms crossed, "How do you know this isn't a trap?"

Hawks grinned, "I don't."

"How do you know it's even her," Endeavor scoffed.

"Because I've seen her in the flesh, just the other night."

"This sounds risky," Jeanist leaned onto the table, lacing his fingers together in front of him, "But, she would be better off here, out of his reach."

"She's a danger to keep around," Endeavor huffed, "How do we know she isn't going to turn?"

"We don't," Snipe finally spoke up, "but, she doesn't get joy out of what they're doing. She just doesn't know the way out. I'm in."

"I guess we might as well," Erasure looked to Present Mic, "It's worth a shot."

Hawks flashed his signature grin, "Patrol starts tonight."
__________
A soft knock at her darkened window made her heart jump. Her green eyes narrowed as she saw Hawks smiling face, "What do you want?"

"Can I come in?"

Chise paused before walking to the sliding back door, opening it, "Are you coming to harass me?"

He winked, "Maybe. Our favorite flame thrower called me today." He casually walked around the apartment, "I wanted to fill you in on what to be expecting."

"Is that so," she closed the sliding door and locked it, "how kind of you."

"Don't be moody with me," he plopped on the couch, "I had to get my point across."

"You wanted more than that," she casually scolded, sitting in a chair.

"Of course. You're beautiful," he smirked when he saw the blush on her cheeks, "Anyways, you'll start seeing some heroes around soon."

"Why?"

His golden eyes watched her sink into the chair, making him sigh. If they only knew the damage they had done. He made no comment, continuing, "So All For One can't get to you."

"He'll find a way..." her voice was quiet.

"Nah," the hero grinned, "I'll be here, with you. I'm well aware of his little portal hopping. You'll see some familiar faces outside. Then, when Romeo comes home, we'll be MIA. When the times comes, you'll come with me to-"

"Do I not get a say in any of this?" She glared at him, "You all just make these elaborate plans."

"I told him you'd get prickly. Chise," he leaned forward, "we just want to keep you-"

"In control," she eyed him, "I'm not completely stupid..."

"I don't see it like that. I'm sorry that you do. AFO is going exploit you, and when shit hits the fan, he'd rather let you die than try to help you." He licked his lips, "Dabi won't ever tell you, but he cares for you, a lot. Enough to go against AFO himself if it meant keeping you from his grasp."

"You don't know that."

"Actually," he corrected, "I do. Believe it or not, he and I have a lot of conversations. He's someone I consider a close friend."

"That's fucked up. Even for you," Chise let out a long breath, "Can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"He's not planning on making it out alive is he," her eyes cut to his.

"To be honest, no. But, Dabi is incredibly strong, so I think even if he's willing to sacrifice himself, he would still live on." He stood and walked up to the chair she was seated in and knelt down, "He wants you to be able to get out. Let me help with this, you can hate me, be angry, it doesn't matter. You got caught in the middle of something you shouldn't have."

Chise swallowed the knot in her throat and looked down at him, "I...don't want to hurt people, Hawks. All I can think about is the prison and-"

"I know. You're not a villain Chise."

"I'm not a hero either," she watched as his hands rested on the arms of the chair, "I just want to go back to being nobody."

"Then let me help you, please," his golden eyes were serious, "I have others who genuinely care want to help."

"Who?"

"For one, Snipe. We haven't told him about the bullet yet. Chise he's killing himself over it. When I mentioned this, he was the first to advocate for you."

"Why haven't you told him," she tilted her head.

"Honestly, I haven't had the time to sit down with him one on one. Maybe when he comes to patrol, we can have that conversation." She nodded slightly. He stood, "You remember Erasure, right?"

"Yeah. He was the only one who didn't treat me like a crazed animal."

"He's in as well. He's worked with children under similar circumstances. Eri, is now under his care as well."

Chise smiled, "She got out." Overhaul had mentioned her, and his use for her. It made Chise sick to think a child was being used in such horrid ways. She was only a year younger than Haru.

"She did. When this is over, maybe you could spend some time with her." He walked forward and closed the curtains to the sliding doors, "We will have a few weeks before AFO tries anything. It'll give us some time."

"Okay," she stood, "Um, I'm going to go to bed now."

He looked her over and nodded, "Chise if you need anything or someone to talk to...I know I'm an asshole, but it is possible for me to shut up."

Her laughter was music to his ears. No wonder Dabi found her so infectious, "I'm sure you can. I'll keep it in mind."