You can't run forever (villainDekuXreader)

20: Plotting

"What do we do with her?" Deku asked once we were settled in a hidden spot.
It was cold, but Deku had a warm blanket and he pulled me close to him.

I closed my eyes, leaning against him. "Can't we adopt her?"

"Does she have a quirk?" Deku wondered.

"Okay, perhaps we can't adopt her."

"What?" Deku suddenly moved me away a bit, sudden horror on his face at my words, "That's cruel—"

"Not like that," I said quickly. I looked at the girl, curled up with moon. "I read that her quirk allows her to turn what she touches back in time, or something. Like an eaten apple would turn into a full apple, and back into the flower it grew from, and then it disappears. She can kill people with her touch and so far she hasn't learned any control yet."

Deku looked at me.
"I thought you meant something different."

"Hey, I love you, so why would I push her away if she were quirkless?"
I then realised what I had said.

Deku leaned forward. I didn't resist the touch. I felt as though this was what I wanted.
For the moment anyway.

I leaned my head back on his chest before I closed my eyes, wondering what to do with myself.
I wasn't supposed to love a serial killer. Why was I so hesitant on walking away anymore?

"We'll hand her over to the heroes," Deku muttered, "First thing tomorrow."

"Won't that be dangerous?"

"I trust you can aim a gun rather well," Deku said proudly, "You looked damn hot killing those people."

My face burned red as I pushed it in his shirt.
"Deku— don't say that."

He laughed softly. Slowly his breathing eased as he fell asleep.
It felt so ridiculously safe in his arms, I savoured it.

Before I fell asleep I spared Eri and Moon one more glance.
If only this could actually work.

Was it selfish that I wanted to be the one to make her smile? I knew there were beter people out there for her...

—

"Hey Eri?" I looked at her as she messily ate the food from the plastic plate, "Can we discuss something?"

"Don't send me back—"

"We would never!" I assured her harshly, "Got that?"

Eri nodded, thoughts she didn't continue eating.

I pulled some hair away from my face as I thought of my words. Deku didn't bother me with anything as he just sat and ate. Yep, I was alone in this.
"You're safe now," I told Eri, "But I know some people, some friends who will show you happiness."

"Happiness?"

"Yeah," I smiled and pointed at it, "Like this."

Eri tried to smile. She pulled the corners of her mouth up with trouble, but she gave up.
"I'm sorry, I forgot how to smile."

Deku paused his eating. Sadness filled my chest, but I only got more determined and put up a soft smile for Eri.

"No matter," I said softly, "My friends will help you with that. If you want you can stay with them. You can be safe, warm, happy and you'll never have to be hungry! You'll never get hurt again!"

Eri considered my words.
She looked up at me with her red eyes.
"Will you really allow me that?"

"A beautiful child like you deserves at least that. I'm sorry those mean scary people back there did you any wrong."