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

Chapter 30

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the apartment windows, casting soft patterns on the walls. Niko stirred, the faint sound of birds outside pulling her from the remnants of uneasy dreams. She sat up, rubbing her eyes, and the memory of Dabi's message resurfaced, leaving a lingering weight in her chest.

Keigo was already gone, likely off on another mission. A small note was left on the kitchen counter: "Stay safe, little birdie. Call me if you need anything. -H". Niko smiled faintly, the familiarity of his handwriting a small comfort.

She got ready quickly, her movements almost mechanical. She had patrol duty  today, a welcome distraction from her thoughts. As she slipped on her hero costume, her phone buzzed—this time, it was Tokoyami.

Tokoyami: Morning patrol finished early. Want to grab lunch?

Her lips curled into a soft smile. Niko: Sure. Usual place?

---

The café they frequented was nestled in a quiet corner of the city, a small haven away from the bustling streets. Niko arrived first, finding a table near the window. The soft hum of the café, the clinking of mugs, and the scent of fresh coffee wrapped around her like a warm blanket.

Tokoyami entered a few minutes later, his expression calm but his eyes brightening when he saw her. "Niko."

"Hey, Fumi."

They settled into an easy conversation, discussing training exercises and the latest agency gossip. But as the meal went on, Niko found her thoughts drifting back to Dabi. The unanswered questions gnawed at her, and it must have shown on her face because Tokoyami's expression turned serious.

"You're thinking about him again." It wasn't a question.

Niko sighed, her fingers tracing circles on the rim of her cup. "I can't help it. I keep wondering if... if there's more to him than what we see."

Tokoyami leaned forward, his voice low. "It's natural. He's your brother. But Niko, you have to be careful. Villains are masters of deception."

"I know." She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "But when I'm with him, he doesn't feel like a villain. He feels... lost."

There was a pause, and then Tokoyami spoke, his voice gentle but firm. "If you want answers, you'll have to find them. But not alone."

Her eyes met his, the crimson depths filled with unwavering resolve. "You mean... you'll help me?"

He nodded. "We'll figure this out together."

---

As they left the café, a breeze ruffled Niko's hair, the city's noise returning as they stepped back onto the bustling streets. They walked in comfortable silence, Tokoyami's presence a steady anchor.

Just as they rounded a corner, Niko's phone vibrated again. She glanced at the screen—a message from the Hawks' agency. One of Hawks' sidekick.

Hawks' sidekick: Change of plans. Report to the southern district. Possible villain activity. Be on alert.

Niko's demeanor shifted instantly, her training kicking in. "Fumi, I've got to go."

Tokoyami's expression mirrored her seriousness. "I'll come with you."

"No, you need to report back to Hawks. I'll be fine."

He hesitated, but after a moment, he nodded. "Be careful."

Niko turned, a determined look on her face as she moved toward the southern district. Tokoyami watched her go, his fists clenching at his sides. He pulled out his phone, his fingers flying over the screen.

Tokoyami: Niko's heading to the southern district. Keep an eye on her.

---

The southern district was quieter than usual, the streets almost deserted. Niko moved cautiously, her senses heightened. She reached the location specified by the agency—an old warehouse, its windows shattered and walls covered in graffiti.

Her instincts prickled, the air thick with an unsettling energy. She moved inside, the sound of her footsteps echoing softly. The interior was dim, shadows pooling in the corners. She reached for her communicator, ready to report back, when a voice cut through the silence.

"Didn't expect you here so soon, little sister."

Niko's breath caught as Dabi stepped from the shadows, his blue flames casting an eerie glow.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, keeping her voice steady.

Dabi's expression was unreadable, his stance relaxed but his eyes sharp. "I could ask you the same."

Niko tightened her grip on her communicator. "I got a report of villain activity."

Dabi chuckled, a sound both amused and bitter. "You came alone. Not very hero-like."

"I can handle myself."

He tilted his head, studying her. "I know you can. That's what worries me."

Niko blinked, confusion flaring in her expression. "What do you mean?"

Dabi's flames dimmed slightly, the room growing colder. "You're walking into a trap, Niko. The League isn't here—but someone else is."

Her blood ran cold. "Who?"

Before he could answer, the warehouse doors slammed shut, and a low hum filled the air. The shadows seemed to shift, and figures emerged—masked, armed, and radiating hostility.

Dabi's demeanor changed instantly, his body moving between Niko and the intruders. "Stay close."

Niko's instincts screamed at her to fight, but the sheer number of enemies had her rethinking her strategy. "Onii-chan, what do we do?"

He shot her a glance, the old arrogance replaced with something more protective. "We fight. Together."

As the attackers closed in, Niko's hands ignited with her telekinesis, the soft yellow light of Niko's telekinesis and blue flames swirling together. Dabi's blue flames roared to life beside her, a stark contrast to her own. For a moment, a hero in training sibling and villain stood side by side—not as enemies, but as allies.

And as the battle egan, Niko realized that the line between hero and villain was thinner than she had ever imagined.