MHA: Harbinger of Fear - Male Reader x Midnight

Part 2

One rare sight to behold was a hero caught off duty. In Y/N's case, it was even rarer to see a retired hero in action once again.

There was a faint hint of chemicals in the air. It was somewhat pleasant as it was accompanied by the silence surrounding him. He could always appreciate a bit of quiet from time to time.

He held a small basket of items in one hand while he read a list in the other. It gave him pause, a moment to think an unresolved issue over.

Watermelon or carrot?

Nemuri didn't say which bread she preferred. Was it a sweet watermelon delectable, or a toasty carrot pastry?

Y/N dismissed it with a shake of his head and placed both in his basket before continuing through one of the many convenience stores in Musutafu.

A catchy jingle played on a small speaker within the store ceiling. It wasn't unpleasant so Y/N nodded with the beat and continued through what he thought was a near-empty store.

As he passed an aisle leading to the cashier, he stopped. Slowly backpedaling, he watched as an individual had a hushed conversation with the store owner.

A poor old woman had a terrified expression she managed to stifle. While behind her thick and rounded glasses, her eyes connected with Y/N's in a silent plea for help.

The retired hero gave a quiet sigh of frustration. Before he knew it, his shoes tapped along the tiled floor of the store as he approached the armed robber.

When he emerged from the flanking aisles of snacks and steaming foods, the early morning sun draped him in its soft, orange light.

A hooded individual was puzzled by the store owner's eyes glowing in recognition. Hearing the heavy footfalls behind him, he whipped around and paused as he needed to look up to his unwelcome visitor.

A young man's eyes widened beneath his hood. He was also quick to recognize Y/N despite his casual clothes and the baseball cap casting a menacing shadow over his eyes.

"H-hey." The young man attempted to puff his chest with a terrified whimper. "Don't try a-anything funny."

He asserted his presence with a shake in his pocket. Y/N raised an eyebrow at what he assumed was a concealed gun.

The hooded man flinched as Y/N raised his hand. He trembled like he was frostbitten as Y/N set a large hand on his shoulder.

"You should have stayed in school..." Y/N said, his tone was casual but with an underlying threat to his safety.

"Wha-?" The young man suddenly screamed in agony as the retired hero squeezed his shoulder with an audible pop. He yanked his hands from his pockets, attempting to wrench himself free from Y/N's death grip. Meanwhile, his supposed gun only turned out to be a small flashlight clattering on the floor.

The cashier sighed in relief. But the agonizing scream ripping from the young man's throat made her cringe.

It was only when the robber dropped to his knees did Y/N release his hold.

"Call the police," The hero directed his gaze towards the old woman. "He won't be going anywhere."

The store owner nodded rapidly in reply. She did as she was told while Y/N went back to shopping.

Y/N narrowed his eyes as he inspected a milk carton. He only nodded in satisfaction when he swapped them around to find one with a later expiration date.

He continued to browse the store at a semi-brisk pace, hoping to dodge any questioning from police officers.

It was when he grabbed a pack of ramen did the front door swung open with an audible ding resonating across the store.