~𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢 ℌ𝔞𝔰 𝔑𝔬 𝔅𝔬𝔲𝔫𝔡𝔞𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔰~ (Tokoyami Fumikage X Reader)

Chapter 29

Later that night Niko and Dabi parted ways as Niko headed back to her apartment. Walking through the nearly empty streets she reached her apartment and opened the door finding Hawks and Tokoyami in the living room.

"Fumi, what are you doing here?" Tokoyami looked up at Niko, his crimson eyes studying her intently.

"I was...waiting for you" He replied. His voice slightly raspy. Niko smiled ever so slightly as she walked towards Hawks' and sank in his chest as Hawks wrapped his arms around her.

"How has my little birdie been?" He asked softly. Niko spoke, her voice slightly muffled "Fine. The patrol went fine. Just a few robbers trying to steal from a store" Hawks let out a hum in response and pulled her closer. "Did you meet him again?" He asked. "A-aniki" Niko let out a soft whispered and nodded.

Tokoyami kept observing both of them before speaking up. "He didn't hurt you, right?" Niko shook her head. "He didn't. He also told me his real name and asked me to call him Onii-chan" Niko replied, not telling about the hug part because she wasn't sure how both of them would react.

Keigo kisses Niko's forehead and let out a small sigh. "I know you still feel conflicted. But I promise I won't let anything happen to you. You're safe"

Niko smiled softly comforted by being held by Hawks. Keigo released her from his embrace and got up walking towards the kitchen as he started cooking dinner. The scent of Katsudon filled the air, as Tokoyami and Niko sat on the couch watching TV.

---

As the warm, savory aroma of Katsudon filled the apartment, Niko leaned into the couch, her head resting on Tokoyami's shoulder. His presence was steady, a quiet strength she had come to rely on. The gentle glow of the television cast soft shadows across the room, but Niko's mind was elsewhere—her thoughts still tangled with the earlier encounter.

Tokoyami's voice broke the silence, low and careful. "You don't have to tell us everything, Niko. But... if something's bothering you, we're here."

Niko bit her lip, her fingers absentmindedly tracing small patterns on the couch. "I know. It's just... complicated. I know he's a villain, but when I'm with him, it doesn't feel that way. It feels... different."

Tokoyami remained still, his expression thoughtful. "Blood ties don't define you. It's your choices that do." His hand gently found hers, their fingers intertwining. "Whatever you decide, I'll stand by you."

The words warmed her, and she squeezed his hand in silent gratitude.

Keigo called from the kitchen, "Dinner's ready! Come eat before it gets cold." His tone was light, but there was an undercurrent of concern.

The three of them gathered around the small dining table. The meal was comforting, a reminder of the normalcy they all craved. Between bites, they shared quiet conversation—Keigo talking about his latest mission, Tokoyami discussing new techniques Hawks had shown him, and Niko listening, the steady rhythm of their voices grounding her.

After dinner, as they cleared the dishes, Keigo spoke up, his voice casual but laced with sincerity. "You know, Niko, if you ever want to talk about... him, I'm here. I won't judge. I get it. Family's complicated."

Niko nodded, her chest tightening. "Thank you, Keigo. I... I just need some time to figure things out."

As the evening drew to a close, Tokoyami prepared to head back to the dorms. He stood by the door, his dark silhouette framed by the soft glow of the hallway light. "If you need me, you know where to find me," he said, his voice a gentle promise.

Niko walked him to the door, hesitating before wrapping her arms around him in a brief, tight hug. He returned it, his touch careful and deliberate. "Goodnight, Fumi," she whispered.

"Goodnight, Niko," he replied, his voice lingering even after the door closed behind him.

---

Later that night, as Niko lay in bed, sleep eluded her. The room was dark, but shadows danced along the ceiling, twisting and shifting like her thoughts. She couldn't shake the memory of Dabi's embrace—the way he had held her, the vulnerability beneath his hardened exterior.

Her phone vibrated on the nightstand, a single message lighting up the screen.

Unknown Number: _Stay safe, little sister._

Her breath caught, and she stared at the message, her thumb hovering over the reply button. She didn't know how he had gotten her number, but part of her wasn't surprised. Her fingers moved on their own, typing a response before she could overthink it.

_I will. You too, Onii-chan._

She hit send, and the screen dimmed, leaving her alone with the silence once more. Her mind drifted, caught between the worlds of hero and villain, family and duty. And as the night stretched on, she found herself wondering which path would lead her to the truth—and which would lead her to herself.