𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬, 𝐛𝐧𝐡𝐚 𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬

[30]

Two of hearts

30

___

In the dimly lit hideout of the League of Villains, an air of palpable tension saturated the atmosphere. The low hum of uncertainty reverberated through the room, where the current members of the League gathered.

Kurogiri, the enigmatic mist-like figure, stood behind the bar, meticulously polishing glasses as if engaged in a rhythmic meditation. His movements were measured, a stark contrast to the brewing storm around him.

Shigaraki, with his characteristic hands covering his face, sat at a table, his head bowed as he studied two photographs before him. The glare in his eyes cut through the dimness, reflecting the hatred and disdain he harboured. The silence emanating from him was more menacing than any words could be.

Toga, perched on the ground, seemed unbothered by the oppressive atmosphere. Carving her name into the rotten wood floor with a crude blade, she exhibited a carefree demeanour that belied the tension surrounding her. Her eyes, however, flickered with a peculiar interest as she observed the dynamics in the room.

Dabi, leaning against the bar with a scowl etched on his face, exuded an aura of rebellion. The disdain in his gaze mirrored Shigaraki's, a shared sentiment toward a world that had dealt them both a bitter hand. The unfamiliarity of his presence added an extra layer of unpredictability to the volatile mix.

The bar hideout, a haven for chaos and discontent, resonated with an unspoken understanding that change was imminent. As each member navigated their own thoughts and motivations, the room itself seemed to pulse with an impending storm, its epicentre the unsettling photographs that Shigaraki clutched with white-knuckled intensity. The clash of personalities, united by a common cause but divided by individual ambitions.

Dabi, his eyes sharp and filled with an aloof scepticism, glanced at Toga, who seemed engrossed in her peculiar activity. With a scoff, he leaned in a bit, disrupting her self-imposed solitude.

"What's with the carving, Freaky?" he queried, his voice laced with a cynical edge.

Toga, without looking up from her task, continued to etch her name into the decaying wood. "Leaving my mark," she replied casually, her tone holding a hint of whimsy. "So when we all kick the bucket, at least my name will be there, y'know? Proof that I existed!"

Dabi raised an eyebrow, the scowl on his face deepening. "That's so stupid."

Dabi's cynical remark hung in the air, and without looking up from her carving, Toga responded with an eerie, amused lilt to her voice. "Stupid? Maybe. But at least I'll leave something behind. What about you, Dabi? What's your grand legacy? Who's gonna remember you when you're dead and rotting?" She giggled.

Shigaraki, overhearing the exchange, let out an annoyed scoff. "Can two freaks shut up? You're getting on my nerves."

Dabi, with a smouldering gaze, shot back a retort. "What are we even waiting for? Shouldn't we be doing something more productive than playing games and leaving marks on the floor? I didn't join this crew for kindergarten fun."

Shigaraki turned his attention back to the two photos, his lips twisting beneath the hand mask that concealed his face. A frown crept onto his features as he muttered, "We're waiting for someone. Don't rush things; patience is a virtue."

"Awe, did your daddy teach you that? That's so cute!" Toga's voice dripped with a saccharine sweetness.

Shigaraki's eyes shot a glare in Toga's direction, irritation evident in his posture. "Shut up, Toga. You don't know anything." His response was sharp, cutting through the air like a blade.