Eraserhead and Scribe II

Eraserhead and Scribe II Chapter 4

Shigaraki left the hospital deep in thought. He'd always admired Eraser, but he'd never imagined working with him. He hoped the man would start asking questions on his end of things. Somebody on the hero side had dropped a very big ball and Shigaraki really wanted nothing more than to crush them with it. Though he might have to settle for watching Eraser do it, but that might be nearly as much fun.

Maybe it had been Kamui Woods, the hero who'd been in charge of the operation. The man was capable but not terribly talented in Shigaraki's view of things. Certainly not one he'd dislike seeing taken off the board. It might be worth making a few discrete inquiries himself.

He ran through the other heroes who'd been on the scene. He knew of most of them, but there'd been some pretty low-rated ones, too, that he'd never actually encountered. Maybe one of them had been too eager to make a name for himself? He'd have to look into it.

If only there was an easier way to get in touch with Eraser. He couldn't exactly exchange texts with a UA teacher, but going to the hospital too often was risky, too. Dabi was already on guard. Shigaraki wasn't even sure what the scarecrow kid's game was. He knew about Scribe. He definitely could have challenged Shigaraki on it when he asked for their help to track down what had happened to Scribe. Why hadn't he? It might almost be a relief if he would make a move so he could be squashed.

And of course Dabi was waiting for him in the warehouse. "Got a minute? I might have some information of interest."

Shigaraki motioned for him to follow. If it was information about Scribe, he didn't want to discuss it in the open. He led Dabi into his office and turned. He kept his hands in his pockets. Dabi didn't bring out any fireballs to play with. They both seemed determined to keep the other at ease.

Or off guard.

Dabi got right to it. "It's Murder Hornet. Did you know he had a daughter?"

"A daughter?" Shigaraki repeated the words almost dumbly, then with more interest. "Really?"

"Yeah, another poison quirk, but get this...she's in college." Dabi grinned. "Unlike most doting fathers, looks like hers didn't want her to follow in his footsteps. Or that's the story, anyway."

"But you think she could've been there." Shigaraki considered. "If she and her old man combined their quirks, maybe they could've done this."

"It's a thought." Dabi shrugged. "Or maybe the daughter's poison's more potent than the father's. Makes sense, doesn't it? Women tend to be stronger than men." He paused, then added, "Speaking of which, how is Scribe?"

Shigaraki shot him a sharp look. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing at all," Dabi held up his hands as if in surrender. "Truly. Just figured you were coming from the hospital."

"Hmm." Shigaraki contented himself with a noncommittal grunt. "Don't worry so much about what other people are doing, patches." He shot him another look. "And thanks for the information."

Dabi saluted with a slightly sarcastic grin and Shigaraki sat at his desk, busying himself with reports from his various lieutenants while Dabi backed out of the office...probably still grinning.

***

Scribe woke and stretched, feeling the sheets slide over her body. She sat up and yawned, looking at the empty side of the bed in confusion. Where did he go? She almost never woke up alone, especially at this hour. He should still be there to roll over and put his arms around her, hold her tight...

He knew how much she hated to be alone. Alone was where the things snuck out of the black spaces. She could feel them coming even now. Horrible things that would crawl all over her if they got close enough. She opened her mouth to call him, but then he was there, his arms warm around her, spreading safety through her and the things retreated again.

"Where did you go?" She laid her head on his bare chest, breathing in his scent. "Why did you leave me?"

"I'll never leave you, and nothing can hurt you as long as I'm here." He kissed her hair and tilted her head up so he could look into her eyes. He shook his shaggy blue-white hair back and smiled at her. "Don't you know that, pretty?"

"Thank you, Tomura." She breathed the words, but even as she leaned against him again, part of her tried to pull away. The black things began to skitter around in the dark spaces, and she pulled that part of her consciousness back into place. No.

Why does she keep doing that? She should be past this by now.

Part of her still knows. Maybe her attachment to Eraser was deeper than we bargained for.

You've had a month, Doctor. I don't know how much more time I can buy you.

I cannot swear the reprogramming will be complete without enough time.

Do your best. I'll stall as long as possible.