Chapter Twenty-Two

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"This is so cute!" Toga exclaims and twirls around the main room of the hideout. She stops in front of a cracked mirror and grins at herself. Giran had just stopped by with Toga's new outfit and it's safe to say that Toga loves it. Her ochre eyes are shining with pride as she twists around in the mirror to see herself at any angle.

A soft and dusty pink oversized sweater almost engulfs Toga. Without the sleeves pushed up, her hands disappear completely. It dips down to her mid-thighs; which covers part of the pale blue shorts that she's wearing, those cut off just above her knees. Toga seems the most excited by the fishnets that cover her legs, petite fingers constantly pluck idly at the fabric. Her new look is complete with white small boots that come up just past her ankle. To Natsuo's amusement, he can just spy the mismatched coloring of pink and lavender socks. Even with totally specialized clothes for her quirk, it seems that Toga has to be completely unique in her sense of style. She catches Natsuo's eye from the mirror and her smile turns into a sly smirk.

"It looks like your mom loves me more!" She exclaims and then lets out a giggle, hiding her smile with one of her sleeves. Natsuo rolls his eyes, he knows better than to stoke the fire of her teasing so he keeps silent. Natsuo is just glad that she finally has an outfit that doesn't completely melt away after her quirk runs its course. In his own solitude, perhaps Natsuo would hesitantly admit that what Toga had said rubs him the wrong way.

Perhaps he's just being childish. Maybe, just maybe, Natsuo wants to get a new outfit. Of course he's being childish and the unimpressed look that Tomura gives him, solidifies that.

There's that knowing glint in the ruby eyes of his lover. To Natsuo's relief, Tomura doesn't comment on anything and looks away. Natsuo knows that Tomura has the capability to peer deep within his soul, seemingly being able to read all of his thoughts. Oftentimes, it unnerves him. It makes Natsuo acutely aware of the fact that Tomura is on a completely different level than he is. He feels like a bug that had been stuck in a spider's web, only the spider isn't interested in eating. Not now. However, there's only so long until the spider grows hungry and then simple conversation won't satiate that hunger.

How long will he continue to toe across the silken threads of Tomura's web before Tomura ultimately grows weary of Natsuo's company?

That is a question that worms its way through his mind and makes itself at home, much to Natsuo's chagrin.

Is he even loved back? Is this nothing more than a symbiotic relationship to scab over their mutual aching voids of loneliness that has taken hold of their hearts? Natsuo isn't sure and he doesn't even know if he wants to know the ultimate answer. Not when there stands the risk of his heart breaking at the answer; Natsuo can't deny the cruel truth that he is in love with a dangerous and calculating man.

The simple idea of that he might be nothing more than a convenient body for Shigaraki Tomura is an idea that strikes loud and painfully against his heart. He has cast himself too far into the ocean of swirling ruby and drowns in the soft light that Tomura casts. Natsuo knows that he stands before Tomura with open arms; fully exposing his mind, heart and soul. His unyielding love.

Shigaraki Tomura is the sole person that is so easily able to pick him apart, thread by thread. Bone by bone. Thought by thought.

Before he can spiral more from his own thoughts of what may or may not be, Toga pops up in front of him. Her eyes are wide and Natsuo swears that he can even see his reflection in the endless amber. She tilts her head, blonde hair falling across her brows and obscures her curious gaze for a moment before the flicks her bangs out of her face.

"Smile, Natsuo! It's no fun to see you looking so sad." He blinks, looking over Toga to see Tomura now studying him with narrowed eyes. Natsuo thickly swallows and puts on a smile. Toga hums, tapping her chin thoughtfully before shaking her head.

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