No One Is Doing It Like Him

#OMGINEEDTHESE #LOV #MHA

WANT

i was giggling the whole time drawing this

Shigaraki from chapter 411. No matter how much venom and hate Shigaraki continues to spit out at Izuku, he still tries to save him and remind Shigaraki that he is human and deserves a chance. I really have no idea how this is all going to end, but I deeply admire Izuku’s heart and willpower to save Shigaraki.

blind date (shigaraki x reader)

After endless failed attempts to help Tomura up his game, his friends have settled on their last resort: A blind date. Even before you show up, it's not going well. No quirks AU, 2k words.

this was originally in the x reader lovers community, but I figured I'd release it into the wild as well!

Tomura gets being a little late. “A little late” is practically his middle name. He waits until the last minute to do almost everything, and that means any complications mean he’s running behind. Hypocrisy pisses him off so much that he tries to avoid it all costs, so that means he has to put up with it without bitching when somebody else is a little late, too.

Except half an hour isn’t a just a little late for anything, let alone a blind date Tomura didn’t want to go on in the first place. He’s been waiting outside the bar you were supposed to meet at for half an hour, and he’s pissed.

“That’s it,” he says after the eighteenth time a woman his age has walked past and hasn’t been you, whatever the hell you look like. “I’m out of here.”

“Just a little longer, honey,” Magne says. She’s smiling, but she’s also got her arm around Tomura’s shoulders, and if she squeezes any harder, Tomura’s going to pop like a balloon. “She’ll be here.”

“No, she won’t.” Tomura crosses his arms over his chest, tucking his hands in so nothing will bite them. They’re on the waterfront, in the summer, and there are insects everywhere. Whose dumb idea was this? “You showed her a photo of me and she changed her mind.”

“It’s a blind date,” Magne says. Like Tomura’s supposed to know what that means. “She doesn’t know what you look like, either. That’s why you have to stay right here and keep wearing that baseball hat. Otherwise she won’t know it’s you.”

Tomura hates the hat. Right now he hates everything. “So she got here on time, saw me, and left. Can I go?”

Magne shakes her head. “You promised you’d try.”

“I showed up. I waited for fucking half an hour. I’ve tried.” Tomura finally shoves Magne’s arm off his shoulders. “I’m done.”

Tomura wishes he could say he didn’t know how he got here, except he does. One of his friends is getting married, and there’s supposed to be a wild bachelor weekend in Vegas, one last blast of stupid before settling down. Most of the groomsmen are planning to hook up with as many people as possible, and that’s where the problems start. According to his friends, Tomura has no game. Zero game. Negative one hundred game. If he was rolling for his game stat, it would be a critical failure – and none of his friends want to babysit him when they could be getting laid.

Tomura wouldn’t want to babysit when he could be getting laid, either. His solution was to skip the bachelor weekend and just show up for the wedding in his stupid rented suit. But apparently his friends really want him to come to the party, and they decided that what he needed was to get some practice in before the trip. Which means that for the last month, Tomura’s spent every Friday night and weekend getting dragged through his own personal hell.

They made him try dating apps, which were a disaster, even though Tomura let Toga set up his profile and make the first move. Then they tried traditional online dating, which also sucked, because Tomura’s too picky and other people have standards. Hanging out in bars and clubs worked exactly how it’s always worked – it doesn’t – and when Dabi pulled out the big guns and dragged Tomura to the sex club where he met his fiancé, the only people who talked to Tomura were guys. Tomura thought that was sort of a good sign, even though he’s not into men, until he remembered that guys will fuck anything with a hole in it. He’s not high on himself on his best day, but that was a really shitty night.

He thought they were going to quit after that, but his friends had one last ace up their sleeve – a blind date, Magne’s idea, which Toga enthusiastically signed off on when she saw a picture of the woman Magne wanted to set Tomura up with. Toga’s type and Tomura’s type line up, sort of, and Spinner giving the photo two thumbs way up sealed the deal.

It’s not like Tomura was hopeful or anything. He just wanted to get his friends off his back. Still, rejection sucks, and ghosting sucks worse. He’d rather have you show up and tell him to his face that you weren’t interested than stand him up.

Magne collars Tomura again, but her phone starts ringing at the same time, Toga’s contact info popping up. “Don’t go anywhere,” she warns Tomura as she raises the phone to her ear. “We’re here. She’s not here yet. Can you tell him –”

Tomura ducks out from under her arm and books it into the crowd of people on the waterfront, figuring he can make it to the metro stop before Magne figures out which way he’s going. But even that can’t go his way today, because he runs into somebody who’s moving at warp speed in the opposite direction, colliding at the shoulder hard enough to make him stagger. Tomura’s not confrontational, but it’s the wrong fucking day. “Can you watch where you’re going? It’s not like you matter to whoever you’re going to –”

“Are you Tomura?”

Tomura’s heart lurches. He stares hard at you as you right yourself, picking up the backpack you dropped in the collision. There’s no way this is happening. There’s no universe in which his blind date would be someone like you.

He can see right away why Toga and Spinner approved of you, but he thought you’d be someone in his league, not somebody who’s several kilometers above it. Maybe Tomura’s too excited that you actually showed up to evaluate what you actually look like. He looks away, then looks back. Nope – you’re still pretty, even though your face is flushed and you’re breathing hard like you’ve just been running. Did you run here to meet him? Only one way to find out. “I’m Tomura.”

“I’m so sorry,” you say. “My boss held me back at work, and I missed my train –”

You’re wearing some kind of work uniform. Scrubs, maybe. Are you a nurse? “And then I couldn’t decide whether to wait for another train or just run, so I ran – but I don’t really run, so it took even longer –”

Tomura doesn’t run, either. When he was doing the stupid online dating thing, he sorted out everybody who said more than one sentence about working out. You pause to suck down a breath, then keep talking. “I know everything I just said sounds like an excuse, and I know you’re leaving,” you say, “but I was hoping I could catch you so I could say I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stand you up. I get it if you want to call it off.”

Before Tomura can answer or even think about what he’s going to say, Magne bursts out of the crowd. “I told you not to run off,” she scolds, collaring Tomura again. “If you don’t stay put, there’s no way she’s going to – oh! You’re here!”

You nod. Magne looks you up and down. “I told you to dress cute,” she scolds. “And to get here on time. I practically had to chain him to a streetlight so he wouldn’t escape.”

“I’m sorry,” you say. “My boss –”

“Of course,” Magne says, scowling. “He’s never met a good time he doesn’t want to ruin.”

Magne knows who your boss is? “How do you to know each other?”

“She’s a pharmacy tech at the place I go to pick up my E,” Magne says. “She’s the only one who works there who isn’t an asshole, and her boss is the biggest asshole of them all. I only go in there when she’s on and he’s off. But let me introduce you the right way. Shigaraki, this is – ”

Tomura misses your name the first time Magne says it, catches it the second time, but it barely registers except as something he probably shouldn’t forget. You’re pretty. You’re not an asshole, or at least you’re the same kind of asshole as Magne and everybody else Magne’s friends with, including Tomura. Your boss is the wrong kind of asshole, which means you probably didn’t blow Tomura off on purpose. And you ran here so you could meet him even when you knew you were really late. You must have really wanted to meet Tomura. What did Magne tell you about him?

Tomura can ask you about that later. “So?” Magne is saying expectantly. “Can I leave you two alone, or are you going to run away again?”

“No,” Tomura says. “You can go.”

You look surprised. “Um –”

“Now.”

Magne cackles. She snatches the hat off Tomura’s head, ruffles his hair, and slaps him on the back hard enough that he staggers. “Have fun! I want all the details later!”

“Sure,” you say, bewildered, as she kisses you on the cheek. Tomura’s going to have to talk to you about that – any details you share with Magne will be fair game for the rest of Tomura’s friends, and he’s not sure how much he wants them to know. “Um, bye.”

Magne waves and vanishes into the crowd. Now it’s just you and Tomura standing on the sidewalk. You shuffle off to one side, out of the way, and Tomura follows you. “Are you sure you still want to do this?” you ask once you’re both leaning against the railing. “I get it if you’re not in the mood. When I’ve gotten stood up, I haven’t wanted to –”

“You’ve never been stood up in your life,” Tomura says, and your expression changes from confused to offended. “Look at you.”

You look down at yourself, then back up at him. “What does that mean?”

“I didn’t know anything about you and I got here on time. If I knew what you looked like beforehand I’d have been two hours early.” It sounded like a compliment in Tomura’s head, but he can’t tell if you’re taking it that way. “People like you don’t get stood up for dates.”

“I wish that were true,” you say. You look away. “I know how it feels. I get it if you don’t want to go out anymore.”

Tomura pretends he’s thinking about it. “How far did you run to get here?”

“Sixteen blocks.”

“You ran sixteen blocks to meet me. That cancels out being late,” Tomura says. You look up, surprised for a second or two before the relief kicks in. “I still want to go out.”

“Me, too,” you say. You smile at him. Women don’t usually smile at Tomura. People don’t usually smile at Tomura. He doesn’t know what to do with it. “Thanks, Tomura. For giving me a chance.”

“Yeah,” Tomura says. “What do we do now?”

“I don’t really know,” you admit. “It’s been a while since I went on a date.”

“Same,” Tomura says. ‘Never’ counts as a while in his book. “I don’t know – grab drinks or something?”

You nod. “Can we find somewhere to sit down for a second first? I don’t usually run that much, and I don’t want to pass out on you.”

“You can pass out on me if you want,” Tomura says. You blink. Tomura facepalms even though you’re looking right at him. “There are benches back there.”

The crowd on the sidewalk is only getting denser. Tomura doesn’t want to get separated from you, so he tells you to hold onto the back of his shirt. You grab his hand instead, and you’re still holding it when the two of you find a place to sit down. Still holding it once you’re both settled, searching for something to talk about. Tomura’s not optimistic about this. You’re too good to be true – the kind of woman who’d run sixteen blocks to meet him and hold his hand is a kind of woman who doesn’t exist. Even so, it’s – nice. Tomura laces his fingers with yours and decides to enjoy it while it lasts.

Toya and Shoto 🍜

HE'S SO HANDSOME

Tomura went from “I wanna kill you” to “I wanna save you” real quick.

We live for shiggy fluff

Accidental Boyfriend (Tomura Shigaraki x F!Reader)

Words: 5.5k // mdni (part 1)

Tw: reader's drink gets spiked, college au, heroes and villains are reversed(?), izuku stalks reader, fluff?, accidental dating, tomura's scatching described as a tick and will later be talked about as self harm, autistic!Tomura implied, idiots in love, gamer bf x artist gf, buckle up, (dialog heavy I wasn't feeling like writing well sorry)

Teaser: “I'm your boyfriend duh? I googled how to be a good boyfriend all night and one of the main things is safety and protection.”

It's a short circuit decision. Well, it's no decision at all since you're forced to do something– anything. He looks like he's no trouble… judging by the fact that he is sitting all alone on the couch during a house party just staring at the wall ahead. It is kinda weird. He looks like he might be nice enough though. Blue hair, dressed in a cozy black hoodie and you spot the septum piercing last. You hope. You have to take your chances. You sit down next to him.

“Hey, I know this is so weird and random but can you be my boyfriend? My stalker is right there and won't leave me alone,” you tell him. “I am so sorry to inconvenience you but… I need help for a sec to get rid of him.”

The blue haired guy looks at you and there is no reaction on his face whatsoever. Nothing. Death would be impressed. He just stares up at you with his crimson eyes like you're an abstract painting he doesn't get.

Is he deaf?! Or does he not speak your language?! You turn around to spot Izuku coming closer and your stomach twists. You can run… but if he catches you alone outside what then? No. The guy slings his arm around you, his hand comes to rest on your hip. So he did hear you? You lean into his side. Your heart is pounding so hard but you settle.

“Oh, (Y/N), there you–” He sees the hand on your hip and looks at the figure next to you. His face hardens instantly.

“Hi, Midoriya! Have you met my boyfriend?” You say.

“Y-You are dating Tomura Shigaraki?”

Tomura Shigaraki? Should that name ring any bells? He says it so… so… almost fearfully?

“Piss off,” the boy next to you, Tomura, mumbles through his teeth and you feel your stomach sink watching Izuku shrink. It was so inaudible, barely translating over the party commotion and yet it has Izuku tensed up.

“I am sorry to bother!” He leaves without another word, fists tensing by his side.

Now… Izuku is a big, muscle packed guy and the dude next to you is anything but that. He is lean and about your height? What just happened?

“It's not nice to tell people to piss off like that,” you say and bring some distance between him and you again. He retracts his hand.

“Thought he stalks you? Why be nice?” His voice is like sandpaper. It never raises or changes and stays monotonous just like his expression. You are unable to be read his face. He just is there… existing.

“Fair point--Tomura, was it?”

His eyes stare at you and you can hardly hold his gaze. He looks tired… and should chug about 4 litres of water to rehydrate. “I am (Y/N).”

He doesn't reply.

“Usually you'd say nice to meet you or something,” you mumble after a moment of dead cold silence passes.

“It was not nice?” He mumbles, looking at you… his eyes are cold but also attentive.

Your face reddens. Right. “I am sorry. Thank you! This night is a disaster.” You get up and bow to him. “Thank you again! I am a total bother. I apologize!” You walk a few steps but suddenly feel weird. You rub your forehead and tumble a bit holding onto the couch's backrest. “Why… why do I feel dizzy? I didn't even… drink alcohol… just some soda.” You brush it off and put a smile on your face. “Thanks, Tomura!”

》》》》

“Go low.”

You stir. Your whole body hurts and you feel like someone ran you over. Who is talking?

“Nah… your aim was off. I got you.”

This isn't your bed… it's too messy and smells like the sheets haven't been washed in forever… What happened? You groan as a sharp pain hits your head. Holy shit. You can't be hungover. You remember Shigaraki and them… nothing.

“I'm not turning my camera on. Stop bothering. You have– huh. I'm going AFK.”

You sit up. Gosh is this room messy. Your gaze is naturally attracted to the light spilling in through the gaps in the drawn curtains and that's when you see him. Tomura. He is sitting at his desk, turning in his gaming chair slowly toward you. Your world stops.

“You're finally awake,” he rasps. That same monotonous voice… maybe a bit softer.

Your body floods with panic. You look down on yourself. This isn't your shirt. No. No way. No way in hell.

“I didn't know if I should take you to the cops… the drugs they used should still be traceable if you go now. I googled.”

“W-what?” You stare at him.

Tomura sighs. “That Izuku guy and some of his friends must have spiked your drink or something? When you left the party you could hardly walk straight and they were waiting by the door… so I took you here since I don't know where you live.” He explains it so cooly like it's not a horrible thing to say. But he does know… He just can't show.

You draw short breaths and your lip quivers, tears sprout in your eyes and slowly travel down your tender cheeks. You try to wipe them but they don't stop coming. You are shaking all over. You never thought it would go this far. “Why did you do that?”

“I'm your boyfriend duh? I googled how to be a good boyfriend all night and one of the main things is safety and protection.”

You sniff and chuckle. So he's got jokes after all. “Tomura… thank you for looking out for me,” you sniff.

He shrugs, slouching there in his chair. “You threw up on your clothes… I put them in a trash bag in the bathroom. Just so you know.”

“I am so sorry.”

He shrugs again and itches his neck for a second then sits down on his hands. You definitely noticed the retraining he just practised on himself. “There's some Ramen and water… I have to get back to the game. Is that okay?”

You nod.

Tomura turns toward the desk again and puts the headset on. “I'm back. You guys suck without me.”

You wipe your tears. There is so much to think about. Do you wanna go to the police? Not really. There is no way to prove it was them spiking the drink. You know how this will go. Your head hurts.

You get up and walk to his bathroom. “Oh boy.” You have been to guy's dorm rooms before and they are never clean but Tomura has a problem. You wash your face and then use his electric cattle.

Can you say something?

“I am carrying you again,” he tells whoever he is talking to, clicking on the keyboard. “Stop bothering about the camera. Holy shit. Concentrate on the map.”

He sounds different. The color of his voice… it is more lively. You like it. You walk to the small kitchen area and grimace. Has he done dishes at all since uni started? You don't think so.

You open some drawers and find trash bags and dish soap and, thank the heavens, rubber gloves as well. You look for your phone and find it on the nightstand; plugged in.

He was even mindful enough to plug your phone in? That's sweet. You open Crunchyroll and lean the phone against the top shelf, then you start by sorting through the dishes. Sometimes you let it get this bad too. You don't judge him for it. It is what it is. You are in the zone super quickly, not realizing he approaches.

“You don't have to do that?”

Your body flashes with a current as his aura washes over you. He stands too close. You can feel the soft warmth of his body radiating.

You look up at him. “I know. I want to. Do you mind?”

“Do girlfriends do that?”

What a weird question? You shrug it off. “Well… if their boyfriend struggles then I think girlfriends help and support but a girlfriend is not a mother, of course.”

“I see,” he nods.

“I'm doing it as a thank you. Is that cool?”

“I guess. What are you watching?” He squints at your phone.

“Sugar apply fairytale… it's shojo.”

He nods. His gaze is so intense. You don't know what he wants. You can't read him one bit. Come of it… He reminds you a lot of Shall Fen Shall. “Do you want me to go?”

His eyebrows pinch and he itches at his neck again. “N-no? I don't… mind you being here.”

“Then let me clean to compensate you for all the inconvenience and we call it even and I'll be out of here?” You smile.

Tomura nods. “Do you want headphones? You can barely hear?” He says and mentions to the phone. He opens his backpack and gives you his overhead headphones then returns to his desk.

“Thank you,” you whisper.

You finish the kitchen and remember that you wanted to make tea. Now you have clean cups for that. You get the cattle going again and add a tea bag. You turn to Tomura.

“Shoot, you dingus!” He raises his voice a little. It's followed by a little laugh. You smile.

You push one of the ear cuffs back and step up to him. “Do you want tea?” You smile.

Tomura looks up at you, his eyes are kind of wide and his lips slightly parted. “Y-yes.”

The cattle clicks and you pour the water into the cups.

“Shut up. My girlfriend’s with me.”

Funny. Real comedian.

“Shut up. No… you don't know her. No! I am not making it up! I won't turn my camera on.”

“Hi, Tomura's friend,” you say as you put the cup on the desk. You wink at him and move on to the bathroom.

“I won't tell you. Shut up now. Let's game.”

But somehow Tomura can't really concentrate anymore. He watches the tea steam and takes a sip. “Of course she's cute. She's beautiful. Don't ask me that stuff. Shut up, Spin! I'm logging off.”

“Tomura?” You peek your head out from the bathroom.

“Just shut up!” He presses a button harshly and takes off his headset. “Yes?”

“Do you know that you have to clean your shower?” You ask. It's not accusatory or judgemental. It's a question. “Did anyone show you how to clean? Like your family?”

He blinks. But why… there is water running down the shower… why clean it? He doesn’t understand.

You have your answer. “Give me your tiktok? I will send you some good cleantok videos that explain how it works. That's how I learned it too.”

“Okay. T-thank you.”

He watches how you start to scrub the shower floor. “What are you playing?”

“Mostly fps games,” he shrugs.

Frames per second? What? No… that cannot be it. “Ah. Are you good at it?”

He nods– shrugs. “You could say that.”

You tug your hair back and use his headphones to keep it out of your face. It's really cute. He likes it.

“Are you hungry?” Tomura asks and grabs his phone.

“I mean… yeah.”

“Sushi? I pay.”

“Isn't that too expensive?” You frown.

“No?” He doesn't understand the question.

“Okay?” Is he secretly rich?

You finish up and sit back on his bed with your now lukewarm tea, watching his screen. FPS must stand for first person shooter. You giggle.

“What?” Tomura looks at you. He immediately thinks he did something awkward.

“You said FPS and I study Animation, right, so to me that means frames per second,” you explain.

“Oh,” his lips curl a little. “That is funny.”

“Yeah. What do you study?”

“Business.”

“Oh?” Your face twists in utter surprise. “I didn't expect that. Do you like it?”

“Enough,” he shrugs. “My dad makes me do it.”

“Ah… I understand,” you nod and bring the cup up to your lips. “I hate my dad, too.”

Tomura chokes on his tea and looks at you.

You shrug. “What?” You laugh. “Am I wrong?”

“No,” he chuckles. “I hate him.”

“Boyfriend–girlfriend bonding,” you go along with the joke.

“Yes,” he smiles a little.

The food is delivered and you watch how he turns one of his screens toward the bed then opens Crunchyroll. He searches for Sugar Apple Fairytale.

“What episode are you on?”

“5.” You watch him closely. He is cute for letting you watch your thing. The boys you dated always whined when you said you love romance anime. You think it's cute. He is cute. In a harmless way. He isn't really your type but Tomura is cute. Are you blushing?!

Tomura starts the episode and sits down next to you. “What is it about?”

“Fairies! It is Grumpy x Sunshine which is one of my favourite tropes!”

You spend a few more hours together, mostly decluttering and then it is time for you to go back to your own dorm. You almost don't want to leave. Something about Tomura's presence is making you feel safe and at ease.

“Thank you again,” you bow to him as you stand in the hallway. “It could have… ended badly.”

“Just give me a call if you need me. You have my number now,” he nods and tries to smile a bit.

“Thank you,” you nod and want to turn away but he leans in and presses a kiss to the top of your head. You freeze.

“Goodbye, gf. Thank you for… the cleaning, you know. I'll do my best to not let it get that bad again.”

“It was the least I could do… bye.”

Oh, the joke may have gone a bit too far now.

》》》》

You are sitting with Ochako scribbling a storyboard for one of your classes. You are telling her all about that night. What Izuku and co probably have done and that Tomura Shigaraki saved you.

“Shigaraki?!” She looks at you, deadpanning. “Holy shit, stay away from him!”

“Huh,” you look up and blink at her. “I just told you that he–”

“He killed his family? You don't know that? And he's kinda famous and has like crazy fangirls I hear. He's also super weird and creepy.”

“Izuku stalks and drugs me and you focus on some rumors and Tomura being– well, nerdy and emo? He is nice.” It fills you with rage. You don't know why. You don't have to be protective of him… he's a stranger. He is not your boyfriend. You really know nothing about him at all… why if he's–. “Let's not talk about it.” What's this about him killing his family? This is ridiculous? You sigh and turn back to the page but the sun gets blocked suddenly.

You look up. “Tomura!” He has the hood of his sweater pulled up over his pale blue hair and he looks even more exhausted than before. His lips are more cracked as well. You honestly just want to give him a lip balm.

“(Y/N), hello,” he nods. “How have you been?”

“Good? What about you?” You smile.

“Yeah.” You notice he avoids the question and instead opens his backpack and gets out a bookstore bag. “Here.”

You frown but take it. Did you forget something at his place? “What is it?” You look inside to find 3 volumes of a manga you have been meaning to pick up for a while.

“The women said it is grumpy x sunshine… so I got it for you,” Tomura rasps. “I read them already so we can talk about it. I have to go to class now.” He awkwardly leans down and presses a kiss to your temple.

Your eyes are the size of the moon in utter shock and your stomach churns. What is going on? What in the world is happening? You stuff your things into your bag and run after him, abandoning Ochako.

“Tomura, hold up!”

“Hm?” He turns.

“What is this about?” You can hardly hear yourself over how loud your heart beats. No you have an idea but… that is so ridiculous.

He blinks and sighs. “I-is it wrong? Did I act wrong? I googled and it said to make your girlfriend gifts and show interest in the things she likes. Do I need to do it differently? Tell me! I'll do better!”

Your stomach sinks as it dawns on you. His jokes… It never was a joke. He does not make jokes. Oh god. He really thinks… he took you seriously? No way. And now he looks at you like a wounded puppy. He is really worked up about it? He is putting in so much effort. How could you possibly crush him?! No. No. You can't do it. Holy shit. How did you get in this situation?!

“No! You are fine! Just–”

“Shiggy, we'll be– Oh, is that your girlfriend? No way… you didn't lie,” a pink haired guy walks up next to him, putting an arm around his shoulders. “Hi, I'm Spinner.”

“(Y/N), hi,” you say.

Tomura blinks at you. Did you want to say something or not? Did he already fuck up? He hates being this way. It is so weird how he got a girlfriend… he didn't think it would happen that way. He does not want to lose you already.

“Let's meet later?” You ask.

“Okay,” Tomura nods.

Oh god. You have to tell him somehow. How do you let him down gently though? You have no idea. You don't know anything about each other. How can he believe that you are dating… this is so strange. But you are so very aware he isn't doing it with any bad intentions… he truly doesn't know better and that makes it so hard to let him know this was never real.

You can hardly concentrate the rest of the day. You come up with every possible conversation starter for telling Tomura that you're not a couple but nothing seems sufficient.

And when you see him waiting for you outside your building, your heart just breaks. Your thinking shifts suddenly. What if you accidentally got a boyfriend? Would that be so bad? He's a cool guy… you'd just have to get to know– no… that just wouldn't be fair at all. It would be a lie… it would be out of pity.

“Hi, Tomura,” you try to smile and sit down next to him. People rush home around you as you sit on the stairs leading to the building.

“Hi.”

“We have to talk,” you say and watch how his eyes darken with sadness. Already? No no no.

“Oh… I read that's what girlfriends say when they break up. No… it's fine. I know I'm…. A degenerate.” It's like you can physically see him become smaller, shrinking. It is sad. You don't have the heart. Holy shit you want to scream. He looks so exhausted – exhausted that it is so hard to connect with people and that no one understands him.

You can't do it.

“Did you spent the last few days researching how relationships work?” You crook an eyebrow at him. He gives a nod. “You're cute.”

“Huh?” His mouth gapes ever so slightly and his eyes widen at you.

“Let's spend some time together tonight?” You ask. “Grab some dinner and do some class work?”

“O-okay?” You are weird but he doesn’t care. He knows he's desperate but he has been thinking about you nonstop. The way you just helped him get his apartment back on track and then also send him resources so he can learn how to clean for himself. Just because you wanted to help him… he can't let it go. It makes him feel so… heard. You didn't scold or judge him. You just helped.

You get up. “Let's just go to the cafeteria?” You are broke as fuck this month and couldn't afford anything else.

“Okay?” If that's what you want.

“Spinner seems nice,” you say. “Is he your best friend?”

“Yeah.”

You puff out some air. He's hard to have conversations with.

“The girl you were with, is she your best friend?”

Oh, a question. “Ochako is my roomie. We are pretty close,” you smile. “My best friend is back home though.”

“I don't have any friends back home,” he chuckles. You look at him worried. Tomura waves his hands and smiles. “Oh, no. I meant that in a… you know… funny way.”

“I see,” you smile. “So, I have heard some things about you.”

Tomura feels his chest tighten. You are still talking to him though so… maybe you haven't heard too much.

“Are you a famous gamer or something?”

“Oh… yeah. I stream and post on YouTube,” he says quietly.

“That's so cool. My bestie does that too. It's crazy how involved people get. So… you have like a fan base and all?”

Tomura nods. “Some of the hardcore fangirls won't like I have a girlfriend now… but I don't have to tell anyone about you yet… right?” He looks at you for confirmation.

You nod instantly, eyes a bit wide. “Wait… just how famous are you? Is that why you didn't want me to see your tiktok?” You frown and move your head closer. He only gave you his number so you had to send him links… you didn't understand why but brushed it off.

Tomura can smell your perfume for a second and nearly trips over his own shoes. You catch him, grabbing his arm. “Watch out,” you smile softly.

Oh, your smile. Tomura feels lightheaded every time. “S-sorry.” Your smile is what really gets to him… you smile so freely. He loves it so much.

“What for? How old are you by the way?”

“22. You?”

“Me too.’

He nods. “So… you're not from here?”

“Nope. I am a whole country gal.”

Tomura smiles subtly. “I see.” You're weird but so cool. He wants to spend every free second with you. Oh damn… does that make him a… simp?! “Do you play any games?”

“Not really but I'm up for trying! Will You teach me?”

“Yes! Sure! Of course! I think I know a game you could like.”

You look up at him and smile. He looks so excited and your stomach churns. Maybe this isn't too bad? You will just see where this goes? Maybe you end up falling for him? Some fake dating plot turning real? Why not… he seems to be fine with the situation as it is right now?

“Oh–”

Tomura grabs your arm and pulls you into his side. You were so focused on his joy that you must have missed someone coming the other way.

“Are you okay, (Y/N)?” Tomura asks.

“Yes… thank you,” you tell him then swiftly turn. “I am so sor– Izuku.”

“(Y/N)! Didn't see you there!” He beams. He always beams and it is such a creepy smile. Izuku makes the hair on the back of your neck stand with fear. It is the first time you see him since the party and your body freezes completely. “Sor–”

“Shut the fuck up!” Tomura barks and steps in front of you. “You did it on purpose, do you think I'm fucking stupid?” He shoves at Izuku.

“Tomura…” You look at him in utter confusion. Not at what he says… he might as well be right. Izuku seems to always be the one you physically bump into… weirdly enough. You are confused about the volume that Tomura's voice can climb to. You didn't expect it. There is so much rage inside of him.

“Wow… call your guard dog back,” Izuku laughs. “I am glad you're fine.” Izuku reaches out to touch your arm but Tomura intercepts the touch.

“Fuck off,” he tells the taller Izuku and Izuku leaves with a last look at you. What a fucking creep?! Tomura saw it. He saw it. How dare he?!

“Tomura?”

Tomura turns to look at you and his stomach sinks. He fucked up now. Oh, he really did fuck it. He shouldn't have done that. Why is he so incapable? Why does he ruin everything?

You watch how his hands fly up to his neck and start scratching violently. You reach your hand out but he backs away.

“I have to go,” he chokes out and hurries into the opposite direction. Running away is better than facing you. He does not want to see you look at him with fear… just like his–

Your body doesn't move for a moment. What are you doing? You are not really dating this guy? Why do you care? Your heart races in your ribcage begging your body to move.

“Tomura!” You run and catch up with him. “Are you okay? What's– oh god– stop!” You grab his wrists. “You're bleeding.”

And then somehow he ends up in your dorm room, sitting on your bed as you gather some band aids. Tomura has no recollection of how he got here. Its a blur. He thinks your hand was holding his. Now he is looking at your manga collection in the soft warmth of fairy lights, smelling clean laundry and your parfum.

“You have a lot of pillows,” he says.

“Yeah,” you shrug.

“I once read that lonely people sleep with more pillows.”

You blink at him. “Okay? You have a lot of pillows too.” You frown and kneel down on the bed beside him. You use a damp cloth first and clean up the dried blood. “What was that about?”

“I don't know… got nervous.”

“Don't lie.”

He looks at you. Everyone else would have run away at how weird he acted. “Aren't you… mad?”

“I am worried? Why would I be mad?” He truly is a mystery. “Are you okay?”

He doesn't answer. You put bandaids on his scratches and sit back. He looks like a wet dog now. Slouching, making himself small and wanting to be anywhere but here. What changed all of a sudden? You are so confused. You want the Tomura back that was starting to get comfortable.

You lean close and place a kiss on one of the bandaids. Tomura jolts back and looks at you bewildered. “Makes it heal quicker,” you say.

“That's not… medically proven, is it?” He rasps.

“It's real,” you smile. “Will you tell me why you got so upset?”

He doesn't get it. Why aren't you upset? You should be upset?! Tomura sighs and drops onto your pillows.

You look at him with a tight frown. He's not your boyfriend… so why… because he needs it? Is that? Your helper syndrome always kicks in at the worst times.

You lay down too, making him the little spoon. Your hands are reluctant, careful, as you sling one arm around him. You feel him stiffen up instantly.

“Is that okay?” You ask.

He nods. “Just… unfamiliar.” He pauses. “But I like it.”

You nuzzle your face into his back. Maybe he's right. Maybe you're terribly lonely… Maybe this is okay. You like it too.

“Izuku did do it on purpose. He always does.” You murmur.

“I… still shouldn't have–”

“I remember what you said at the party. Why be nice to my stalker? Like… duh… why didn't I think of that.”

Tomura snorts. “What? Someone puts a gun to your head and you smile?” Maybe it is because you're from the country side. Maybe you are too nice? Is that possible? Tomura wishes more people would be too nice then.

“Probably.”

He chuckles but gets quiet. “My dad… he doesn't want me to act… like that.”

Like that? Aggressive? Protective? “You protected me… I think that was fair. You said yourself that is what boyfriends are supposed to do.”

Tomura stays quiet. His hand slowly moves to yours and your fingers lock together. He feels so torn. This feels so good. You are so warm and soft and it makes him feel warm and soft for a change… but at the same time it is terrifying. Tomura knows he's not worthy of things like this. Yet…

You squeeze him a little. “Your dad sounds like a dick.”

Tomura laughs. It is a real laugh. He does not know where it comes from and you don't know why it makes your chest feel tight. You pull away and plop yourself on your elbow, looking at him.

“Your laugh is pretty,” you smile.

He blushes and looks away.

“So… the itching is a tick? Do you do something to cope instead of hurting yourself?” You ask.

“Why do you ask that so casually?” He sigh.

You don't understand the question. What else are you supposed to do? It is obvious and it is okay. “It is nothing to be ashamed of.”

“I have fidget toys on my keychain.”

“Why didn't you use them?”

“Huh? Because you would have thought I was weird!?” He raises his head to look at you.

“You're already weird,” you say. “That's nothing bad, though? I draw furry porn when I need money… that's weird too. If it keeps you from hurting yourself… Please use them. I won't judge.”

Quiet.

“Can I see?” He frowns.

You chuckle and get your phone out showing him the folder. His jaw drops.

“What the… fuck?” Tomura looks at you.

“Furries pay so well,” you say.

Tomura laughs again. “What else do you draw? Anime porn?”

“Am I so easy to read?” You grin. “My Sukuna porn is very popular.”

“Sukuna?!”

“With the 4 arms.”

“No.”

“Yep.”

“Show.”

“You need to unlock that part of lore first.”

He smiles. “I see.”

Your eyes lock and there is so much softness in the gaze you share. No… he's full of softness. And he wants to let it out, he begs to share it. Your chest feels tight again.

The door clicks open and you both sit up quickly.

“Oh?” Ochako says.

“Hi!” You say and jump off the bed. “Tomura, Ochako. It was an emergency,” you say and grab the first aid kid, putting it back.

Tomura waves at Ochako. “Hi.”

Ochako just grimaces. You frown.

“I should go,” Tomura gets up and takes his bag. “Thank you, (Y/N),” he says and bows to you.

“Yeah? No problem? Will you be okay?” You hurry after him as he walks to the door a bit too quickly.

“Sure. Bye.”

The door closes, leaving you confused again.

“Please, don't bring him here, okay?” Ochako says. “He's not a good guy.”

“What do you mean?” You look at her with squinted eyes. “Like… what? He's–” You sigh. You don't want to fight.

“Is he not leaving you alone after what happened at the party?” Ochako unpacks her bag. “That's scary.”

Huh?! She has never said that about Izuku once and Izuku has been forcing his way into your room before. “No… we wanted to hang out.”

“But you're not for real dating, right?” Ochako looks at you like you're crazy.

Your tongue doesn't work for a second then your phone rings. “That's my bestie. I gotta–” You take your phone and walk outside sitting down in the empty hallway. How will you tell him about this? He will burn you alive. “Yes?”

“Sup, girlie?”

“Too much. I accidentally got a boyfriend.”

“– what?! How do you accidentally get a boyfriend?! Explain that shit to me.”

You tell him the story leaving out some things. You don't tell Touya about the spiked drink. You know he'd raise hell and Izuku would walk out of it with broken bones. “And now… now I kinda think I wanna see where this goes. He's cute… maybe something–”

“Bitch, it's all a lie, tho? Is that fair to him?”

“I get what you're saying but I think I would… I think telling him that I never meant to actually date him and it was just to scare off Izuku… He'd be crushed and discouraged.”

“How the hell did you get in this situation? And why the fuck would you not clear it up? Are you taking drugs or something?”

“I have no idea,” you whine. “You should have come by and dealt with Izuku, I guess.”

“Didn't you say you don't like violence?” His breathy laughs rings.

“I changed my mind. Why be nice to Izuku… right?”

“Oh… ya boyfriend has a good influence on you?”

“Shut up?” You smile. “He's cool. He plays games too. FPS or whatever.”

“Immediate red flag.”

“Oh, cmon. He's nice.”

“I'm your bestie. I have to hate your boyfriend… even if he's just an accidental one. You will have to tell him eventually.”

“I know… I will. I just… I think he needs the safety, you know? Don't worry.”

“Tsk. You have a stalker and an accidental boyfriend… sure I worry.”

“Touya.”

“Gotta log in to my gaming sesh, will you be okay?”

“Yes. Have fun! Oh! Will you like… make a list with gamer abbreviations. Like what is afk?”

Touya laughs and the line goes dead.

You get up and walk back inside and Ochako stands right at the door. You frown, a suspicious feeling washes over you but you brush it off unknowingly of what's to come.

Your phone lights up again. You shouldn't feel so happy seeing his name. But then again… Why not? It's so weird. You didn't think this is how you'd get a boyfriend.

[Tomura Shigaraki, party bf:] good night <3