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Description
English is my third language so please forgive if there are strange wordings or constructions in there. This is my first time writing directly in English.

(The next update may take a while longer since I go back to work tomorrow on since hollidays are over~)

Art: Sketch by VampireSiberian lineart, colors and background by me~
Background: BnHA

Read chapter 1 here: Shigatala - Chapter 1
Read chapter 2 here: Shigatala - Chapter 2

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mortala was not sure for how long she had slept since there were no windows nor any clock and so she decided to go back to the bar, bringing back the dishes too. This time only Kurogiri seemed to be there. He thanked for the dishes and gave her something to drink after she sat down.

    —     What time is it? — she saw a dim light coming in from outside but was not sure if it was the morning or the evening. She had lost complete notion of time since she had been there.

    —     It is quarter past seven in the morning. You have slept most of yesterday evening and night.

Mortala looked at the juice right in front of hear, lost in thoughts after hearing the hour. If that were true, this would be already the third day in that place. She wondered if the school was looking for her or if her parents had already heard about the situation. She never had much contact with them since she went to the dorms so it would not be surprising to her that they have not heard yet. She also wondered if the pain she had felt the other day would really come back again. Somehow those memories seemed so distant even if it was just some days ago.

    —     Where is Shigaraki?

She looked around again and wondered y he was the type of person sleeping until late into the day, or maybe, he was out, steering up some trouble again or finding another victim to force to join them.

Kurogiri did not answer but offered her a warm breakfast instead. Mortala played a bit around with the eggs before eating them, carefully avoiding the yellow from it she did not like. Again, that food tasted amazing and she complimented Kurogiri for it. She was just finishing when the front door opened and Shigaraki came back from somewhere despite the early hour.

Mortala jumped up when she saw what was in his hands, feeling her heart skip a beat.

    —     Mardy!

She instantly took the cage with the black rat out of Shigaraki’s hand, looking and inspecting everywhere before taking the animal out closely checking if he was ok. Only when he started to walk up her arm and sit down on her shoulder, as always, she knew he was all right and took a deep breath, relieved.

    —     What do you want with him? Don't you dare!

    —     Shut up. If I wanted to, he would be dead already.

Shigaraki tossed something more at her before disappearing in the backrooms. Kurogiri just cleaned up what was left from the breakfast and left Mortala with her confusion and thoughts alone.

Back in her room she took out what was in the sack Shigaraki had tossed at her and found food for rodents and even some new toys and stuff for the cage. She decided not to think too much about it and played with her friend and who also was for the longest time her only companion, not only while living with her parents, but also later in the dorms.

But curious as Mardy was and being in a new place, he decided to go explore and Mortala ran behind him, trying to avoid that he would go or bite into places he should not.

    —     Hey, where are you going!? Come back! This isn't home Mardy!

Ignoring his owners voice he went everywhere he could even climb up some new pairs of legs he discovered coming out from the crack of a door that had just opened. Shigaraki kept quiet when he noticed the animal climbing up on him until rest on his shoulder.

Mortala stopped in her feet where she was looking from Shigaraki to Mardy and back, cursing, and apologizing.

<
Shigaraki caressed the animal with one of his fingers and so the rat played with him lovely, enjoying the attention of a new person.

    —     Little traitor ...— Mortala said under her breath seeing how her little friend seemed to have taken a liking to Shigaraki.

Somehow, seeing them at that moment, Mortala thought that he seemed to be a different person from the day he had brought her and forced her to join the league. She was not sure about what to do since she did not want to reach her hands to get her pet back, but also did not want to leave them alone and out of her supervision.

After some minutes of awkward silence Shigaraki broke it, opening the door to his room a bit more, inviting her in.

Seeing how he went back, continuing with whatever he was doing on the computer while still playing with Mardy, she sat down on the bed, looking at them. Why did all this look like as if they were just friends hanging out together and not a villain and its captive.

    —     What are you doing?

Shigaraki continued playing his game and she thought he would just ignore her, so when an answer came, it surprised her.

    —     Hanging out with you.

    —     What do mean?

<>

She remembered Kurogiri’s words how everyone in the league was like family. But she was not there out of her own will.

    —     I am only here because of Mardy

This time Mortala just looked at the animal, hoping he would soon have enough of Shigaraki and come back to her.

The morning went by that way, in the room, in silent what had started awkwardly but somehow became comforting. Mortal, bored, had taken some of the comics around and was reading them, while listening to the sounds of the game in the background and Shigaraki cursing from time to time. When she was forced to join the league two days ago, she did expect more villain work, reunions and planning further plans and actions, not something like this.

She finished the second comic of a series she had started with and that surprisingly intrigued her more than expected and was now ready for the third one when she noticed Mardy’s weight on her shoulder. It caught her by surprise that she did not notice it earlier to go out from there, but somehow, suddenly, it did not matter to her anymore.

    —     You looking for this?

Mortala snapped out of her thoughts and took the comic Shigaraki was handing her and felt a rush of warmth getting to her cheeks for some reasons, seeing him this close out of the sudden and away from the computer.

    —     When did you…?

The computer seemed to be off some time already but because being immersed in the story from the comic she also did not notice the moment he had stopped playing and was sitting beside her, looking at her.

<>

Shigaraki seemed to shrug it off as if nothing, but to be honest, he was somehow as surprised as her even if he did not make it obvious. When he had turned around to tell her to get out of his room once the rat hat left his shoulder, he had not brought it over himself to interrupt her. Mortala looked so serene when reading, making funny expressions during different scenes, totally unaware of what was going on around her in the real world.

When she stood up, with the last volume in her hand, he noticed that he did not wanted her to go.

    —     You can stay if you want.

He looked away and took out some papers from under his desk and started to work on something. Unsure about what to do, Mortala decided against her judgement to lie back down and started the third book.

About an hour later, Shigaraki was interrupted by a faint cry and sniffles and encountered an unexpected scene. Mortala had just went by the last pages of the comic and, even knowing it would be a sad ending, he did not expect such a reaction from her. Showing such vulnerability in front of someone she obviously did not stand and consider an enemy.

He was looking at her, lost about what to do or if he should say something. He continued looking indecisively and finally decided to sit down by her side and pat her head.

Mortala looked at him and had to laugh in between the sniffles because of the silly and child-like interaction Shigaraki was showing her. Some more instants passed by before Mortala finally stood up and gave the comic back to him.

    —     Thank you.

And with those words and taking Mardy back with her, she went to her room, only to notice her growling stomach.

<< I did not notice it was noon already>>

The morning had gone by faster than expected, even with everything what had happened in the morning. She left him in the cage and went to the bar, wondering if she would always eat there from now on.

<>

She sat down and out of nowhere Kurogiri served her a hot and freshly made soup. Her mouth became watery just by smelling it.

  — How...?

    —     It is the duty of the owner of a bar to have everything ready for their guest. Do you not agree?

Mortala smiled, acknowledging his words before eating, humming softly because of how good the soup was. Somehow, she felt bad out of the sudden for not having said her name yet, since they have been somehow kind to her, ignoring that first day when everything happened. She wondered if that only had been because of how things did not turn out as Shigaraki wanted when he invaded UA and had seen himself forced to take her hostage when coming back. She sighted, messing with her hair, unable to organize her thoughts.

    —     By the way, my name is Mortala

As if nothing she continued eating and Kurogiri did not say anything, accepting her opening to him as the kind gesture it was without focusing on it. From the door Shigaraki was also looking, wondering if Mortala had known that he was there or not when she decided to tell her true name.

    —     Tsk… Kurogiri bring the food into my room

Mortala looked his back disappearing wondering if he did not want to eat with her and because of that took it back to his room. She shrugs it off and finished eating her portion, and even a bit of a second plate since it was too tasty to pass.

She enjoyed some ice-cream after and was ready to go back to her room, wondering if someday she would be able to go outside again, even if it was under their approval and vigilance, when Kurogiri stopped her.

    —     Would you be so kind to bring this to Shigaraki? I am not able yet to leave here.

    —     Sure!

She took the plates and carefully went down de hall, hoping nothing would fall. She hated to maneuver such stuff whenever it was not for her since she was just too aware of how clumsy she normally is. Even bigger was the surprise that she arrived at the door without dropping anything. For a second she looked at the closed door, thinking, before knocking with her feet.

    —     What took…? What?

    —     He couldn’t come so… here, I guess.

He slammed the door without taking anything, surprising Mortala who jumped back, letting everything crash down. She suppressed a scream, whimpering when she felt the hot soup over some of her legs and her arms, trembling afraid of the consequences of the mess she had made, even more than from the pain.

The door opened instantly, and even Kurogiri appeared by her side, already with some tissues and cold water to pour over her where the soup had landed on her skin.

    —     I am sorry. I will clean it up right now.

Shigaraki looked from the door, irritated, squatting while helping with the broken pieces, holding her hand before she could get any.

    —     Don’t cut yourself. Take care of yourself first

He mumbled something more to Kurogiri but nothing that Mortala could understand. She stayed where she was, patting the burned areas with the wet cold tissue while looking how the other two were cleaning up the mess without any effort. She continued apologizing and wanted to go back to the bar with Kurogiri.

    —     Come back.

Shigaraki called for her and she flinched. She turned around and went back from where she came, following his call, going back to the room she had been during the morning. Only that this time she was shivering, awaiting the consequences of what had happened, and not the calmness she had felt during the morning.

    —     Sit down.

She did as told, sitting down on the bed, looking at Shigaraki’s back while he was roaming around different drawers. Only now she noticed that somehow, he had a really fragile slim figure, but his aura was so intimidating she did not notice it until now. Also, the strength he had was not representative on how he looked. He only turned back a while after, with bandages and creams, sitting on the chair just in front of her.

    —     Stretch your arms out.

Again, she obeyed without any word, seeing him work in silence, as if concentrated to see where the skin on her arms was still red, rubbing in some of the cream in those places with two of his fingers, soft enough it would not hurt her sensitive skin even more. After that he proceeded to bandage them to keep the protection on there longer as if exposed.

He finished bandaging the burns on her second arm before stopping, still holding her arms, looking on the cuts in the underarm. Even more visible this time that the first time he had seen them in the bathtub when cleaning her.

Mortala pulled them back when she saw what he was looking at, looking away. She had no issue about people seeing her scars, but not him.

    —     I’m sorry…

She looked at him, still holding her arms against her chest, hiding them from his view.

<>

Not daring to say anything yet, the seconds went by, seemingly like minutes, before she let her arms down, taking a deep breath. Waiting for the punishment somehow seemed harder than having it right away, also, she did not know what to say to his apology.

    —     It was my fault. Please do whatever you want to me now… I hate waiting. It makes it worse…

For a second, Shigaraki did not know what she was talking about, then remembered the fist day he had brought her here and messed with his hair, exasperated.

    —     You idiot! Those burns are enough…

She flinched once more when he raised his voice, looking down. Her breaths became more unstable and she tried to hold back her tears. She hated yelling. She hated all this situation. It brought back memories of her home, where everything she did wrong had brought yelling and punishment with it. Even if it was out of her control.

    —     I- I’m sorry… I will pay for the plates.

    —     No one said anything about the damn plates. Why are you so damn scared?

Shigaraki took her arm, forcing her to look at him. Somehow this girl did not remember the one who confronted him the first time she had been there. Who resisted him, talked back to him. She seemed a messy bundle, shivering and at the verge of tears.

Mortala looked at him, hiccupping while trying to hold down the knot in her throat, not wanting to cry but uncapable in holding them down. She was always someone easy to cry what only had brought more screaming and insults from her parents to her person.

Seeing what was happening, Shigaraki was unsure about what to do, overwhelmed by the situation, scratching his neck out of frustration about what to do. This was the second time he had the crying girl on his bed.

    —     Just stop crying already.

    —     I- I am sorry… I try

Mortala sniffled, taking deep breaths and wiping away the tears into the bandages. It did not hurt anymore as much as before, and it helped her to calm down a bit. Even if the tremble did not cease for now. She felt a blanked falling over her, covering her as if it was trying to give her comfort. She did not dare to move once she was covered, wondering if it was Shigaraki’s attempt to comfort her, like what he had done that evening.

    —     Are… you not mad at me?

<< Why did it even matter to her? >>

    —     Are you stupid? What is there to be mad about?

She thought about it. Honestly, she just was reacting out of habit. She herself also thought it was a stupid thing to be worrying about, but it was also not the first time she had heard whatever insults toward her because of her clumsiness.

The sniffles died down slowly, and Mortala was able to breath calmer again, but still she did not dare to move, hiding under the blanket Shigaraki has tossed over her. She wondered if those were the only ways, he knew of giving some sort of consolation.

Suddenly she felt sad for him.

She moved the blanket to the side, looking at him who was sitting, grumpy on the chair beside the bed, looking at her when he noticed the movement. But he did not say anything either, not even when she stood up.

Mortala looked at him, swallowing the bit of fear she still had inside of her and tilt a bit, hugging him tightly, closing her eyes afraid to die at an instant because of what she was doing.

Shigaraki opened his eyes, tensed his body feeling that of the girl hugging him out of the sudden. He took his arms in the air, since he had not his gloves on and touching her, even if by accident, would mean instant death.

    —     What are you doing? Are you crazy? Do you have a death wish?!

Mortala denied it, continued hugging him. Somehow, she also needed that right now, and did not want to let go. She felt Shigaraki needed it too, even if he did not want to accept it.

Not sure how long she did hug him, nor how long he would let her be before it was enough for him and he would dust her, she let go, not looking at him, going back into her room. If he wanted to punish her o do something to her, he could anytime. There was no sense to stay there for now.

Left in the room was a confused Shigaraki, still tensed on the seat, with his arms apart for a second before composing himself. Confused.

Mortala let herself fall on the bed, pulling the blankets over her, curled up and hugged the pillows wanting just to fall asleep and not think about anything anymore for the rest of the day.

Description
English is my third language so please forgive if there are strange wordings or constructions in there. This is my first time writing directly in English.

(The next update may take a while longer since I go back to work tomorrow on since hollidays are over~)

Art: Sketch by VampireSiberian lineart, colors and background by me~
Background: BnHA

Read chapter 1 here: Shigatala - Chapter 1
Read chapter 2 here: Shigatala - Chapter 2

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mortala was not sure for how long she had slept since there were no windows nor any clock and so she decided to go back to the bar, bringing back the dishes too. This time only Kurogiri seemed to be there. He thanked for the dishes and gave her something to drink after she sat down.

    —     What time is it? — she saw a dim light coming in from outside but was not sure if it was the morning or the evening. She had lost complete notion of time since she had been there.

    —     It is quarter past seven in the morning. You have slept most of yesterday evening and night.

Mortala looked at the juice right in front of hear, lost in thoughts after hearing the hour. If that were true, this would be already the third day in that place. She wondered if the school was looking for her or if her parents had already heard about the situation. She never had much contact with them since she went to the dorms so it would not be surprising to her that they have not heard yet. She also wondered if the pain she had felt the other day would really come back again. Somehow those memories seemed so distant even if it was just some days ago.

    —     Where is Shigaraki?

She looked around again and wondered y he was the type of person sleeping until late into the day, or maybe, he was out, steering up some trouble again or finding another victim to force to join them.

Kurogiri did not answer but offered her a warm breakfast instead. Mortala played a bit around with the eggs before eating them, carefully avoiding the yellow from it she did not like. Again, that food tasted amazing and she complimented Kurogiri for it. She was just finishing when the front door opened and Shigaraki came back from somewhere despite the early hour.

Mortala jumped up when she saw what was in his hands, feeling her heart skip a beat.

    —     Mardy!

She instantly took the cage with the black rat out of Shigaraki’s hand, looking and inspecting everywhere before taking the animal out closely checking if he was ok. Only when he started to walk up her arm and sit down on her shoulder, as always, she knew he was all right and took a deep breath, relieved.

    —     What do you want with him? Don't you dare!

    —     Shut up. If I wanted to, he would be dead already.

Shigaraki tossed something more at her before disappearing in the backrooms. Kurogiri just cleaned up what was left from the breakfast and left Mortala with her confusion and thoughts alone.

Back in her room she took out what was in the sack Shigaraki had tossed at her and found food for rodents and even some new toys and stuff for the cage. She decided not to think too much about it and played with her friend and who also was for the longest time her only companion, not only while living with her parents, but also later in the dorms.

But curious as Mardy was and being in a new place, he decided to go explore and Mortala ran behind him, trying to avoid that he would go or bite into places he should not.

    —     Hey, where are you going!? Come back! This isn't home Mardy!

Ignoring his owners voice he went everywhere he could even climb up some new pairs of legs he discovered coming out from the crack of a door that had just opened. Shigaraki kept quiet when he noticed the animal climbing up on him until rest on his shoulder.

Mortala stopped in her feet where she was looking from Shigaraki to Mardy and back, cursing, and apologizing.

<
Shigaraki caressed the animal with one of his fingers and so the rat played with him lovely, enjoying the attention of a new person.

    —     Little traitor ...— Mortala said under her breath seeing how her little friend seemed to have taken a liking to Shigaraki.

Somehow, seeing them at that moment, Mortala thought that he seemed to be a different person from the day he had brought her and forced her to join the league. She was not sure about what to do since she did not want to reach her hands to get her pet back, but also did not want to leave them alone and out of her supervision.

After some minutes of awkward silence Shigaraki broke it, opening the door to his room a bit more, inviting her in.

Seeing how he went back, continuing with whatever he was doing on the computer while still playing with Mardy, she sat down on the bed, looking at them. Why did all this look like as if they were just friends hanging out together and not a villain and its captive.

    —     What are you doing?

Shigaraki continued playing his game and she thought he would just ignore her, so when an answer came, it surprised her.

    —     Hanging out with you.

    —     What do mean?

<>

She remembered Kurogiri’s words how everyone in the league was like family. But she was not there out of her own will.

    —     I am only here because of Mardy

This time Mortala just looked at the animal, hoping he would soon have enough of Shigaraki and come back to her.

The morning went by that way, in the room, in silent what had started awkwardly but somehow became comforting. Mortal, bored, had taken some of the comics around and was reading them, while listening to the sounds of the game in the background and Shigaraki cursing from time to time. When she was forced to join the league two days ago, she did expect more villain work, reunions and planning further plans and actions, not something like this.

She finished the second comic of a series she had started with and that surprisingly intrigued her more than expected and was now ready for the third one when she noticed Mardy’s weight on her shoulder. It caught her by surprise that she did not notice it earlier to go out from there, but somehow, suddenly, it did not matter to her anymore.

    —     You looking for this?

Mortala snapped out of her thoughts and took the comic Shigaraki was handing her and felt a rush of warmth getting to her cheeks for some reasons, seeing him this close out of the sudden and away from the computer.

    —     When did you…?

The computer seemed to be off some time already but because being immersed in the story from the comic she also did not notice the moment he had stopped playing and was sitting beside her, looking at her.

<>

Shigaraki seemed to shrug it off as if nothing, but to be honest, he was somehow as surprised as her even if he did not make it obvious. When he had turned around to tell her to get out of his room once the rat hat left his shoulder, he had not brought it over himself to interrupt her. Mortala looked so serene when reading, making funny expressions during different scenes, totally unaware of what was going on around her in the real world.

When she stood up, with the last volume in her hand, he noticed that he did not wanted her to go.

    —     You can stay if you want.

He looked away and took out some papers from under his desk and started to work on something. Unsure about what to do, Mortala decided against her judgement to lie back down and started the third book.

About an hour later, Shigaraki was interrupted by a faint cry and sniffles and encountered an unexpected scene. Mortala had just went by the last pages of the comic and, even knowing it would be a sad ending, he did not expect such a reaction from her. Showing such vulnerability in front of someone she obviously did not stand and consider an enemy.

He was looking at her, lost about what to do or if he should say something. He continued looking indecisively and finally decided to sit down by her side and pat her head.

Mortala looked at him and had to laugh in between the sniffles because of the silly and child-like interaction Shigaraki was showing her. Some more instants passed by before Mortala finally stood up and gave the comic back to him.

    —     Thank you.

And with those words and taking Mardy back with her, she went to her room, only to notice her growling stomach.

<< I did not notice it was noon already>>

The morning had gone by faster than expected, even with everything what had happened in the morning. She left him in the cage and went to the bar, wondering if she would always eat there from now on.

<>

She sat down and out of nowhere Kurogiri served her a hot and freshly made soup. Her mouth became watery just by smelling it.

  — How...?

    —     It is the duty of the owner of a bar to have everything ready for their guest. Do you not agree?

Mortala smiled, acknowledging his words before eating, humming softly because of how good the soup was. Somehow, she felt bad out of the sudden for not having said her name yet, since they have been somehow kind to her, ignoring that first day when everything happened. She wondered if that only had been because of how things did not turn out as Shigaraki wanted when he invaded UA and had seen himself forced to take her hostage when coming back. She sighted, messing with her hair, unable to organize her thoughts.

    —     By the way, my name is Mortala

As if nothing she continued eating and Kurogiri did not say anything, accepting her opening to him as the kind gesture it was without focusing on it. From the door Shigaraki was also looking, wondering if Mortala had known that he was there or not when she decided to tell her true name.

    —     Tsk… Kurogiri bring the food into my room

Mortala looked his back disappearing wondering if he did not want to eat with her and because of that took it back to his room. She shrugs it off and finished eating her portion, and even a bit of a second plate since it was too tasty to pass.

She enjoyed some ice-cream after and was ready to go back to her room, wondering if someday she would be able to go outside again, even if it was under their approval and vigilance, when Kurogiri stopped her.

    —     Would you be so kind to bring this to Shigaraki? I am not able yet to leave here.

    —     Sure!

She took the plates and carefully went down de hall, hoping nothing would fall. She hated to maneuver such stuff whenever it was not for her since she was just too aware of how clumsy she normally is. Even bigger was the surprise that she arrived at the door without dropping anything. For a second she looked at the closed door, thinking, before knocking with her feet.

    —     What took…? What?

    —     He couldn’t come so… here, I guess.

He slammed the door without taking anything, surprising Mortala who jumped back, letting everything crash down. She suppressed a scream, whimpering when she felt the hot soup over some of her legs and her arms, trembling afraid of the consequences of the mess she had made, even more than from the pain.

The door opened instantly, and even Kurogiri appeared by her side, already with some tissues and cold water to pour over her where the soup had landed on her skin.

    —     I am sorry. I will clean it up right now.

Shigaraki looked from the door, irritated, squatting while helping with the broken pieces, holding her hand before she could get any.

    —     Don’t cut yourself. Take care of yourself first

He mumbled something more to Kurogiri but nothing that Mortala could understand. She stayed where she was, patting the burned areas with the wet cold tissue while looking how the other two were cleaning up the mess without any effort. She continued apologizing and wanted to go back to the bar with Kurogiri.

    —     Come back.

Shigaraki called for her and she flinched. She turned around and went back from where she came, following his call, going back to the room she had been during the morning. Only that this time she was shivering, awaiting the consequences of what had happened, and not the calmness she had felt during the morning.

    —     Sit down.

She did as told, sitting down on the bed, looking at Shigaraki’s back while he was roaming around different drawers. Only now she noticed that somehow, he had a really fragile slim figure, but his aura was so intimidating she did not notice it until now. Also, the strength he had was not representative on how he looked. He only turned back a while after, with bandages and creams, sitting on the chair just in front of her.

    —     Stretch your arms out.

Again, she obeyed without any word, seeing him work in silence, as if concentrated to see where the skin on her arms was still red, rubbing in some of the cream in those places with two of his fingers, soft enough it would not hurt her sensitive skin even more. After that he proceeded to bandage them to keep the protection on there longer as if exposed.

He finished bandaging the burns on her second arm before stopping, still holding her arms, looking on the cuts in the underarm. Even more visible this time that the first time he had seen them in the bathtub when cleaning her.

Mortala pulled them back when she saw what he was looking at, looking away. She had no issue about people seeing her scars, but not him.

    —     I’m sorry…

She looked at him, still holding her arms against her chest, hiding them from his view.

<>

Not daring to say anything yet, the seconds went by, seemingly like minutes, before she let her arms down, taking a deep breath. Waiting for the punishment somehow seemed harder than having it right away, also, she did not know what to say to his apology.

    —     It was my fault. Please do whatever you want to me now… I hate waiting. It makes it worse…

For a second, Shigaraki did not know what she was talking about, then remembered the fist day he had brought her here and messed with his hair, exasperated.

    —     You idiot! Those burns are enough…

She flinched once more when he raised his voice, looking down. Her breaths became more unstable and she tried to hold back her tears. She hated yelling. She hated all this situation. It brought back memories of her home, where everything she did wrong had brought yelling and punishment with it. Even if it was out of her control.

    —     I- I’m sorry… I will pay for the plates.

    —     No one said anything about the damn plates. Why are you so damn scared?

Shigaraki took her arm, forcing her to look at him. Somehow this girl did not remember the one who confronted him the first time she had been there. Who resisted him, talked back to him. She seemed a messy bundle, shivering and at the verge of tears.

Mortala looked at him, hiccupping while trying to hold down the knot in her throat, not wanting to cry but uncapable in holding them down. She was always someone easy to cry what only had brought more screaming and insults from her parents to her person.

Seeing what was happening, Shigaraki was unsure about what to do, overwhelmed by the situation, scratching his neck out of frustration about what to do. This was the second time he had the crying girl on his bed.

    —     Just stop crying already.

    —     I- I am sorry… I try

Mortala sniffled, taking deep breaths and wiping away the tears into the bandages. It did not hurt anymore as much as before, and it helped her to calm down a bit. Even if the tremble did not cease for now. She felt a blanked falling over her, covering her as if it was trying to give her comfort. She did not dare to move once she was covered, wondering if it was Shigaraki’s attempt to comfort her, like what he had done that evening.

    —     Are… you not mad at me?

<< Why did it even matter to her? >>

    —     Are you stupid? What is there to be mad about?

She thought about it. Honestly, she just was reacting out of habit. She herself also thought it was a stupid thing to be worrying about, but it was also not the first time she had heard whatever insults toward her because of her clumsiness.

The sniffles died down slowly, and Mortala was able to breath calmer again, but still she did not dare to move, hiding under the blanket Shigaraki has tossed over her. She wondered if those were the only ways, he knew of giving some sort of consolation.

Suddenly she felt sad for him.

She moved the blanket to the side, looking at him who was sitting, grumpy on the chair beside the bed, looking at her when he noticed the movement. But he did not say anything either, not even when she stood up.

Mortala looked at him, swallowing the bit of fear she still had inside of her and tilt a bit, hugging him tightly, closing her eyes afraid to die at an instant because of what she was doing.

Shigaraki opened his eyes, tensed his body feeling that of the girl hugging him out of the sudden. He took his arms in the air, since he had not his gloves on and touching her, even if by accident, would mean instant death.

    —     What are you doing? Are you crazy? Do you have a death wish?!

Mortala denied it, continued hugging him. Somehow, she also needed that right now, and did not want to let go. She felt Shigaraki needed it too, even if he did not want to accept it.

Not sure how long she did hug him, nor how long he would let her be before it was enough for him and he would dust her, she let go, not looking at him, going back into her room. If he wanted to punish her o do something to her, he could anytime. There was no sense to stay there for now.

Left in the room was a confused Shigaraki, still tensed on the seat, with his arms apart for a second before composing himself. Confused.

Mortala let herself fall on the bed, pulling the blankets over her, curled up and hugged the pillows wanting just to fall asleep and not think about anything anymore for the rest of the day.