Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Never in your career did you think this is how it would end.

Being a hero was something you'd always dreamed of. Becoming one of the bests was your goal. So when you finally made it to a point where you were at least recognized, it felt amazing. You weren't like All Might, but it felt like that wasn't too far away.

Yet all that work and honor had led you to this point, bleeding out on the floor.

"W-Why.." You were crying, barely able to get a breath out.

Your colleague just grinned.

"I can't have you outing me. I'm planning to be up there with the greats. Do you know how rich I would be if I was as famous as All Might. "

He twisted the sword in your back, and you cried out, clenching your fist into the dirt. You couldn't even activate your quirk. Your body was beaten. Way past the point of you even moving.

There were rumors of a hero who had joined with villains. You thought it was no more than talk. But you came to realize that your friend was working with one of the worst villains out there to boost his popularity. You'd barely had a chance to even react, because you were struck down from both sides. Said villain had already made his escape.

Asa stayed behind to ensure that you weren't found. No one would save you, and ultimately you knew he would just direct it to his partner. Assisting in his plans to become a well known hero. At that moment it made you ponder just how many people possibly suffered because of a hero who was meant to protect the innocent.

"Why don't you try using that little wind trick?" He snickered.

His foot moved to your spine, and when he applied pressure, you could feel yourself slipping in and out of consciousness from the pain. You coughed up a mouthful of blood, and when he finally removed the blade from your body. You just prayed he would end it quickly.

"Do you really think heroes are the good guys? I used to think you were joking about the whole honorable hero speech, but looking at you now, it's clear you're just naive. "

Your tears mixed in with the blood on the dirt, and you closed your eyes.

"Maybe..I was naive.."

You hated that your last thought was this revelation. You'd wasted your life on a foolish ideal that was now responsible for your death.

"Fake heroes."

The cold tone from above makes your eyes shoot open. Asa flinched.

"H-Hero Killer!"

You caught the sight of his bandages in your peripheral, followed by a scream from Asa. Stain landed right in front of your body, his sword in hand. Blood dripped from the tip of the metal. The second his tongue swiped across, Asa panics. He doesn't even get a chance to manipulate the metal, because his body is paralyzed. Asa's eyes are shaking, and so are yours.

Stain approaches him. Each step feels louder than the last.

It's when his blade pierces Asa's flesh, that you try to hold back any more sobs. Asa's body hits the floor. You can't determine whether he's alive or dead. All you know is, you're next. You fully prepare for it. What you don't anticipate is your body being lifted from the ground. You can barely move your limbs.So when you look up, you expect the look of a Killer. He's probably about to dispose of your body.

However, the ruby gaze that meets your own displays what can only be described as sympathy. There's nothing remotely menacing in his eyes. You almost wonder if you've already bled out. So your body is playing tricks. Stain takes off, up onto a building.

Carrying you.

The journey isn't long. You aren't exactly sure where he's taking you. But the next time he lands, you finally let go. Because it has taken every bit of your strength to stay awake. Just like that, you give into the darkness.

Drifting off, hoping for a different outcome.

~

"Room 112."

Aizawa's eyes run over the number. When he'd heard the news he prayed it wasn't real. You were one of his past students. Honorable, driven, always going the extra mile. Most of the people that passed through the walls of the academy were after fame, recognition, wealth. But you were different. He remembered the day he saw you. The minute his eyes connected with yours, that memory seems to rush back. He'd saved you once. You were wearing the exact expression you did that day. One of awe and determination. He knew then what an incredible hero you would be. Seeing your body battered on the sheets of the hospital bed was heartbreaking.

"You seem to be doing much better. "

Aizawa walked into the room. The many balloons and flowers are what caught his attention.

"You've got a lot of admirers."

You said nothing, and when you turned your head in the opposite direction, he knew why. Letting out a soft sigh, he stood by your bed.

"Not all heroes are that twisted. "

His eyes surveyed the many bandages on your body. When they found you, it's clear that you were near to the point of death. You hadn't spoken since you were discovered, and Asa had long been arrested. He survived Stain's attack.

Not something many people could say.

He was currently being tried for his crimes as they tracked his accomplice. But Aizawa knew that this situation had broken you. Asa was someone you trained in the academy with for years. You were both very close. He couldn't imagine what he would have done had he been in your position. If you couldn't trust your colleagues, your friends, then what right did they really have to deem others good or bad.

The person they said to be your enemy was the only reason you were still breathing.

Reality truly was cruel.

~Two Months Later~

"One more."

Jumping you opened your palms, the force of the wind releasing from your hands pushing you into the air. Your body gilded right to the top of your building, and you released a sigh. Wiping the sweat off your forehead, you turned, looking out at the city. The darkness brought a bit of comfort. Maybe it's because you'd had so much time to think. You'd like nothing more than to jump into the sky and fly off to the moon.

Away from hurt.

Aizawa lectured you to take it easy. To allow your body to heal. But the second you could move your body you started training. Staying in that bed just kept giving you flashes of those unpleasant memories.

Betrayal.

It took a month for your body to fully heal. Since then you haven't been back to the administration. Aizawa didn't even look surprised when you sent in your resignation letter. A few even tried to convince you to stay. It was understandable. Each and every hero that worked knew there were days much like your own. It would have been easy to say the trauma of the injury scared you. But that wasn't it. You just couldn't trust the academy anymore.

A part of you finally sees why Stain chooses to hurt corrupted heroes. Although you can never side with killing someone, you understood.

"You survived."

You flinch, spinning around. Those eyes..

Stain is hunched at the side, and you almost hold your breath. He drew his blade, and you can feel your heart racing.

"Are you scared?" It sounds like a taunt. When he straightens, he expects the fear he's used to. But the second your eyes connect, all he can see is tears. He paused. They were rushing down your cheeks and when you bowed, he was convinced he's misread the situation.

"THANK YOU FOR SAVING MY LIFE!!"

It's a yell, far from what he expects. Your tears are now hitting the ground right at your feet, and your shoulders shake with each sob you let out.

"T-Thank..you.."

Between the cries, he can hear the gratitude in your voice.

He sighs, sheathing his blade. He'd been ready for anything, but not this. Had you decided to fight him, he would have retaliated. But now it feels cowardly to fight.

"I did it out of pity. You looked pathetic." You straighten, and you seem unphased by the insult.

Wiping your eyes, you actually smile at him this time.

Stain narrows his eyes.

"Surely she knows I'm the enemy."

Stain brushes it off.

"Heroes are still my enemy. Nothing has changed."

"Alright." You were still wearing a smile. It was disarming.

"Beat it before I change my mind." He turned his back, not even looking at you.

"I can't."

That stopped Stain.

"Did she call for reinforcements?"

"He should know better than to let his guard down. When he looks back he expects maybe a calvary. But you're still wearing that stupid smile.

"I have to repay you. Please name anything."

"What the.."

"ARE YOU AN IDIOT!!"

You shook your head.

"Nope. My IQ is actually 110. I scored pretty well on my hero's test at the academy." You let out a laugh and his eyes twitched.

"This woman.."

Stain disappeared, the next time he appeared, he was directly in front of you. His intention was to scare you into running off, but before he could even fire an attack, his body was hit by the force of wind. The air was knocked right out of him, and he gasped when his body hit the floor. You hadn't moved a muscle.

"I'm going to repay my debt to you." There was no negotiation, you were the one walking away this time.

"See you around!" You said it in a chirpy voice, and he groaned.

"What the hell did I get myself into."

He should have known better. Heroes were always a nuisance.

~

The weeks after the incident Stain knew he needed to keep his guard up. Although Asa was taken for his crime, some of his previous allies refused to believe that he'd betrayed the academy. In their foolish denial, they had come after him.

He'd long adapted to attacks. But he'd been greatly outnumbered. Because rookie heroes weren't the only ones tracking him. But experienced ones. Aizawa stood with his bandages hanging low. Eyes glinting that dangerous red. Stain smirked, coughing up another mouthful of blood. He'd taken quite a beating from the dozen of heroes that stood before him.

"Guess this is the end of the road."

He wasn't naive enough to believe his actions would go unpunished. But at least he knew what he did kept the truly bad people out of the picture. There was no evading this one. He was exhausted. If Aizawa were to use his quirk on him, then it was over. Stain knew Aizawa believed in the system, he would be tried. But even with a lenient sentence, execution was the only possible choice. No one would go against that vote.

Stain gripped his sword. Planting his foot, he intended to push forward, but the sudden cracks in the earth stopped them cold. Stain paused. Abdomen soaked with blood. His intention was to fight to the death. When the wind began to pick up, the three men around him started yelling.

A bolt of lightning struck the ground right before him, and all it took was a blink.

There you stood.

Eyes fierce, hands clenched. Aizawa lifted his head.

"(Y/N)...."

He could barely believe it.

"If any of you touch Stain.. I'll kill you myself."

Your words held a weight. As Aizawa studied the specks of lightning around your body, he felt like he'd failed. None of them truly believed it when they saw the famous Hero Killer drop your body at the entrance of a hospital that day. Many speculated that he'd sent a message. But when you explained the extent of what happened, Aizawa knew. At that moment he knew that he'd lost you. You were loyal to a fault. Right now it's obvious you were repaying a debt. But it's possible that you were also making a declaration.

You would no longer fight for heroes.

Your eyes landed on Aizawa. For a brief second when the wind drew together around your body, he was able to catch just a glimpse of your face in all the lightning and debris. He'd only manage to see you mouth a few words as you sent him a sadden smile.

Another crash of lightning, and you were gone.

So was Stain.

"Eraser head, we need to go after them!!"

He shook his head.

"Don't bother."

It's clear to him that chasing was futile. Stain was a trained fighter, so were you. This may have been the last time he'd see you. And the next encounter with Stain would be like most of their fights. Through all of this, Aizawa chooses to hold onto your last words to him. There was no guarantee that he'd ever hear of seeing you again.

"Thank you for always being there..Aizawa."

He clenched his fist.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save you (Y/N)." 

Chapter Text

"If any of you touch Stain.. I'll kill you myself."

It wasn't a dream after all.

Stain turned his head to the right, eyes adjusting to the light above his head.

He was inside a house. Someone's home.

"Home."

When was the last time that such a word even crossed his path?

"No one is going to find us here." Your voice breaks his train of thought.

You were sitting right next to him, twisting a wet cloth in your hand as you placed it on his forehead.

"Your fever has finally gone down. I'm relieved." you offer a smile, and Stain just lets out a breath.

This entire situation makes very little sense to him. Were you really going to risk your life, your safety for a lost cause like him.

"What are you trying to prove?" His tone was cold. But you were still wearing a smile.

"Why do you have to assume everyone has ulterior motives?"

"Because that's the way humans are."

Your hands evened out on your lap as your gaze lowered. He was right. You learned first hand that not everything was the way it seemed.

"To be honest, I'm not even sure anymore. I just..needed to protect you. The same way you did for me even though you didn't have to. " His eyes studied the conflicted expression on your face. He had no idea where all his blades were, and you'd torn through his vest to get to his injuries from what he saw. His entire body seemed to be covered in bandages. Who knows how long he'd been out.

"Are we still in Masutafu?"

You shook your head.

"From that moment I'd already promised myself that I would leave. There's nothing for me back there."

Now it makes sense. It's obvious he wasn't a part of your plan. You'd acted purely on impulse and brought him to the place that you wanted to start over in. Your safe haven. He wasn't sure if you were incredibly foolish or just reckless.

"You can be safe here, you don't have to go back there. Heroes, villains, we don't have to be a part of it anymore. I can protect you here."

For a moment he thought you were joking, but the determination that was now reflected in your eyes was too prominent. You were serious.

"You would protect a killer."

"YOU DON'T HAVE TO KILL ANYMORE!!" You stood abruptly.

Your outburst wasn't a surprise to him. As much as he understood why you felt the need to do this.

It was impossible.

"Sins like this aren't so easily forgiven. As soon as I am healed I'm going back. "

Your face fell, and Stain was surprised when he saw the tears begin to trail down your cheeks. A single tear pattered, right on his cheek, then another. Your lips quivered, and his eyes widened when you bent over, hugging him. He couldn't move, couldn't speak.

"P-Please..just give me a few weeks to show you that there's more to life than pain. I-I..I don't want you to die.."

You continued to sob against his chest, hands gripping into the sheets at the side of his head. Stain wasn't sure what action to take. Because he couldn't comprehend this. You were pleading for his life. No one has ever truly cared for his life. After a while he supposed he stopped caring too. Death was the future he saw for trying to keep corruption from taking over the city he lived in. But here you were, offering him an alternative.

A hero no less.

When did life become so crazy?

Stain swallowed.

"Two weeks."

Your body seemed to tense at the words, and he could still see the tears as you pulled back slowly, staring at him.

"I'll only give you two weeks. If you can't convince me, then I'm leaving."

He wasn't sure there were words to describe the way your eyes lit up. You were still pretty close. Nodding vigorously, you wiped your tears, laughing and crying as you did.

"Two weeks!" You manage to cheer.

It was cruel of him to give you false hope, he knew that. Regardless of what happened, he would go back. But he just didn't want to see those tears. It pained him to see you so broken. So he would let you hold onto it as long as you could. In a week he would recuperate.

"I'll stick around for a while, then I'll head back."

He owed you, the least he could do was give you two weeks of relief.

~~~

"Karakura Town."

You nod as you stocked up the fridge.

"It's supposed to be pretty quiet here. No villains or monsters that you have to worry about." You were humming as you did the chore, and Stain's eyebrow twitched.

"I can't believe I agreed to this."

It was only a week and he was already tired of your constant sunshine energy. The minute he was able, he'd done his own surveillance. It's not like he expected heroes to start popping up. But it paid to be careful. The first day that he tried to sneak out, it was just to scope the area, but you thought he was running away and had a near meltdown. After he'd explained his reason, you'd tentatively released his hand.

That night you stayed up until he came back. You wore a stupid smile that really shouldn't have even given him the slightest bit of warmth. He was a killer for goodness sake. But the thought of someone waiting for him, worrying about him. It felt different. Foreign.

Warm.

"Are you hungry, I'm about to make dinner. Do you have any preferences?"

It took him a moment to realize the question was directed at him.

He turned his head.

"I don't care."

Everything you made tasted delicious anyway, so it really didn't matter.

"I'm heading out. "

You paused, and Stain caught the silence, and he felt your hand grab his wrist almost out of instinct. He glanced behind, and it seemed to knock you out of your daze. You blinked, catching yourself as you let go hurriedly.

"A-Ah! Sorry. I guess it's kind of a reflex now. B-Be safe."

He wasn't sure how to respond to that, so he merely nodded, heading for the bedroom so he could get to the roof. As you watched his form disappear, your fist tightened at your side.

"Don't go.."

Those were the words you wanted to say.

~~~

A little over a month, and he was regaining his full strength. He could feel the power of his quirk through his veins. It was weird. Being in this house had made him quite domesticated. He'd been going and coming as he pleased for the most part. But he'd got into the routine of returning for meals. Your meals.

He'd gotten comfortable and he hated it. How easy being with you made him forget that he'd killed so many.

That night, he checked his blades. Everything was accounted for. As he moved towards the window, he fought the urge to turn back. His steps slowed, and despite everything in his body telling him no, he had to see your face one last time. He made a sharp turn, heading down the short hallway as he slid the door open to your room. Stain stepped inside, watching the way the wind blew your curtains lightly. He'd warned you countless times not to leave your bedroom window open.

His eyes drifted over your body. You were merely laying there, so defenseless. So innocent. How could something so pure even give a crap about him.

"I can't stay here."

It was a whisper.

He was surprised when your eyes flickered open lazily.

"So you're just going to leave?"

Your head turns in his direction, and Stain moves closer to the window. His back is now facing you.

"I guess I underestimate you."

"I'm not as naive as you make me out to be Akaguro-san." The manner of address made him tense, and he gritted his teeth. That person was no longer who he was.

"Did you really think I would stay here and play house with you?" He placed his hand on the window sill, lifting his leg.

"You care about me." The statement makes him halt.

"I know it's true, because I care about you Akaguro."

"That's not who I am anymore."

"Just because you created a barrier to protect yourself, it doesn't mean you stopped being that person. I know you don't really want to leave. There's nothing back there for you."

"Are you telling me there is something here? You really think I'm gonna stay here and be your little buddy." When he turns to you he looks so angry, but you're unphased.

"I don't want a friend. "

He doesn't get what you're hinting at, not at first, but when you rise from the bed, it's somewhat clear. The hooded expression behind those eyes seems so easy to read now.

"I'm a monster. The first chance I get I'll hurt you."

"If that were true, you wouldn't be warning me right now."

His hand balls into a fits.

"WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU WANT FROM ME!!"

He's at the end of his patience.

"I want your heart Akaguro Chizome."

That obviously isn't the response he expected.

"Give me your heart.." You whisper.

You reach for him, and he's stunned that he doesn't resist when your palm slides over his cheek and your lips press to his own. He's completely still. Because a part of him is fighting to comprehend how he ended up in this position. When you press into his body, reality registers. You press your lips to his and his hands ball into fists.

"I need..to stop her.."

That's what the logical part of his brain says. But his body won't move to push you away. Your hands grip his shirt, and his mouth opens. You moan the second his tongue brushes your own. His hands settle on your body and he pushes you against the wall. Now that he's fallen down the rabbit hole, there is no turning back. Your fingers thread through his thick hair. Pulling, tugging. He welcomes every sensation that follows.

He only pulls back when he feels your tears against his cheek. His eyes take in the vulnerability in your eyes. Your lips quiver.

"Please..d-don't leave.."

It hurts to see you this way.

"Please.."

You're begging, and he curses, kissing you in a haste.