Chapter Text
It's been all of two weeks since he joined up with this weird little 'League of Villains'. And aside from the weird kid obsessed with blood, and the weird lizard who's way too obsessed with Stain, it's become pretty apparent that Shigaraki, All For One, and Kurogiri, don't give a shit about his ideology. And it's just getting more crowded around here too. Also clear that Shigaraki is a leader in name only, because no matter what plans he makes, what jobs he floats, either Kurogiri shuts them down, or AFO takes over as soon as he starts to actually put something together. If anything, as far as AFO is concerned, he and the rest of the League might as well be friends that he's bought for Shigaraki, not any kind of useful assets. Which. He thought that would make him resent Shigaraki more, but it has stunningly had the opposite effect.
Because behind the brattiness, it's clear that Shigaraki does have his own goals, has things he wants to achieve and even ideas on how to get there. He's smart as hell and clearly a strategist, even if he talks in video game references half of the time. Still manages to get his ideas across effectively anyway because Dabi knows precisely shit about games, and he still gets it. And his ideas aren't bad. But they're not AFO's. So they never get done. He thinks he'd be ready to throw a fit too if that was literally the only way to actually get to be in charge the way that his mentor and keeper always pretend he is anyway. Dabi thinks the treatment might be bordering on gaslighting at this point as he watches AFO attempt to convince Duster that a job he'd forced them to take, had been Shigaraki's idea in the first place. Psychotic, all of it. But having a place to sleep is nice, having food and booze, and they're about to get support gear and new costumes. Being bankrolled by one of the biggest supervillains in the world is worth it for the time being if he can get stronger. Will absolutely need that if he's actually going to tear down the false idol that his father made himself. Whatever is going on with Shigaraki and his mentor is not his problem, and he doesn't want to draw attention to himself anyway. He's spent enough of his life desperate to be someone else's tool. If he can keep those greedy not-eyes off of him, then he'd be happy for long enough to reach his own goals, then he'll be happy.
But that doesn't mean he's blind, or that he doesn't have ears. Is in the bar when Shigaraki and Kurogiri come through one of his portals, haven't stopped their argument to teleport.
"--a hundred times. There's no reason I can't go back to get that information."
"Your teacher has forbidden it, Tomura Shigaraki." The mist man responds evenly.
"Without any reason to--" He snaps in response, his nails biting bloody scratches along his neck. He can't see Duster's face with his mask on, but he'd guess from the tone that his lip is curled back over his teeth from how viciously he snarls before the other two notice he's at the bar. He raises his glass in greeting and Shig shuts up.
"Your teacher knows what is best in this circumstance." Kurogiri tells him sagely. "Fret not, a solution will present itself." And Kurogiri takes up his usual place behind the bar as Duster keeps on moving, heading out of the room and upstairs towards the apartments.
Not deaf, and not blind. And been someone desperate to prove themselves before. Not any of his business whatever AFO 'forbade' though. So he shouldn't stick his nose in it.
He finishes his drink and wishes the mist man a good night before heading up to bed.
He leaves his shoes on as he lays down and strains his ears for any sound of movement in the hallway beyond his door.
///
It's a little after two in the morning before Dabi hears the barest sound of movement. Not going down the hall towards the stairs, but to the opposite end towards the fire escape. Smart. Definitely what he'd do.
He gets out of bed and heads down the main hall, down right out through the front door. Kurogiri is exactly where he left him, but doesn't remark on his comings or goings. Never does. The rest of them are free to travel if AFO doesn't have immediate use for them. Duster is the only one who's confined to the house. His exit is swifter than Duster's, probably taking care not to get caught going past any of the windows and avoiding the rusted gaps in the grates. Is just stepping into the back alley before Dabi is cutting him off.
"Sneaking out, boss?"
Duster stiffens, turning to look at him and Dabi blink in surprise himself. Not wearing his mask. He's always wearing his mask. Never seen him take it off. Finds that he's got sharp features, more of that weird texture along his neck also around his mouth and eyes. Scar around an eye and slashing across his lips too, a birthmark on the other side of his mouth. Seen flashes of his red eyes, but they're a lot brighter when his hair is pushed back away from his face. Also never seen him in anything other than his skinny jeans and black shirts. Not expecting well-tailored slacks, a white button down shirt with a thin leather cord around his neck that dangles nearly to his stomach, and a dark red coat draped over his shoulders.
"What, you got a hot date or something?" Cause, yeah, this is, huh. This looks like Duster's all cleaned up.
"Shut up and leave me alone." He starts towards the mouth of the alley, even in immaculate dress shoes instead of his sneakers.
"Sure, I can totally do that, go inside, mention I saw you leave--"
Not expecting Shigaraki to whirl on him with his teeth bared in a vicious snarl and for him to have four fingers around his throat faster than he thought the other man could move. "Or I can kill you right now and not have to worry about you running your mouth about things that don't concern you ." But If he was going to do that then Dabi's pretty sure he'd already be dead, so he forces his temperature lower and tries to relax.
"Come on, this has to do with that fight, doesn't it? What's so bad that your teacher doesn't want you to mess with it? Or is this just another one of his bullshit attempts at controlling you?" Knows he hit the nail on the fucking head when the grip around his neck tightens slightly. Not enough to choke him, not lowering his raised finger. But a tell all the same.
"Just go back inside, Dabi." He pulls his hand away in favor of bringing it to his own throat.
"Nah. Besides, I came here to join the League of Villains. Not to become another one of All For One's nameless henchmen." Looks Shig up and down again. "So if you've got a job for me, I'll take it, Duster."
There's a pause, Shigaraki's eyes searching his face, his nails not biting into his skin anymore. And in that pause, Dabi is sure he's about to be told to fuck off again. But after a second, he takes a slow breath and pulls his hand away from his neck. "Have you heard of La Vénus?"
Never heard someone say it with a decent French accent, but the name rings a bell vaguely. "Yeah, it's a club."
And Duster looks a little surprised. "You're familiar?"
"Enough." Never been to it, heard it was pretty exclusive and there was a door fee that he absolutely could never afford.
"An old... acquaintance of mine tends to frequent it when she's in the country. She runs in circles that overlap with a hero who tends to get very chatty when she's gotten a few drinks in her. I think she could know the exact dates that the students are going to be at the summer camp. She knew when the students were going to be in the USJ building." He explains carefully. "And if she doesn't, she'll find out for me."
"Okay. And AFO won't let you go see her, why?"
"Because he would rather rely on a spy he says he has in the school instead." It's a subtle dig, but clearly Duster has his doubts.
"Alright," he considers for a second. "I'll keep my mouth shut, good luck, I guess."
Surprises him when Duster pauses. "...Do you want to come with me?"
And Dabi blinks. "What?"
"I'm not going to be participating tonight," he says and yeah, Dabi cannot for the life of him imagine Shigaraki dancing at a nightclub. "And I haven't gone since the USJ incident. On the off chance I end up getting into a fight--" He's all close range and Dabi is all long. Kind of the perfect backup if things do go tits up.
And when the fuck is he gonna get another chance to see Duster in a club ? That's kind of such good comic relief just in concept that Dabi can hardly believe it's real. "... Yeah, okay."
The tense line of Duster's shoulders loosens slightly. "Fine," and he puts his hands into his pockets, "Go change."
Oh, shit. "Don't think I have anything to fit the dress code, boss."
Duster does not look surprised by that. "Fine, come on, I know a place."
///
Dabi is learning a lot of weird shit about Duster tonight. Namely that he keeps an insane amount of cash on him, he actually has some kind of sense of style, and that he apparently has more social skills than Dabi ever thought he did. Also that La Vénus is apparently in a much nicer part of the city. The kind of place where people are still criminals, but of the white collar kind. Duster takes him into a boutique that should not be open this late, and gets him into a new pair of leather pants, and a sheer long-sleeved shirt that he tells him to leave mostly unbuttoned. He offers a coat as well, but Dabi already knows the heat of his quirk will be unbearable in a club packed full of people and Duster takes that in stride and doesn't push. New shoes too, and he has him slick back a portion of his hair. When he spots his nipple piercings, he turns and disappears into the store and comes back with silver rings to replace the barbells. Which, okay. Must be a very strict kind of dress code then. But he dutifully puts it all on and watches as Shigaraki pays for it without blinking before he's ushering him out of the shop and down a few more streets until they're getting to a modern looking building. Dabi can hear the music pounding.
Sees a line of about twelve people waiting to get in, and they head towards the end of the line. He's starting to wonder if his fake ID is going to be up to scruff for this part of town, when a man at the front of the line starts to argue with the bouncer in English, so Dabi can't make out a word except 'fucking', and that does get dropped a few times as the exchange goes on.
Duster rolls his eyes though as he reaches into his pocket and pulls on a pair of black leather gloves with the middle finger cut out of them. "You speak English?" He hums in acknowledgement as it looks like the bouncer, a tall woman with skin made of stone, might have to properly bounce the yelling guy. "What's he saying?"
"He's a first-timer and he's not in training or collared, and Saho won't bend the rules for him."
"Training?" Maybe Duster's English isn't as good as he thought it might be. Shigaraki stiffens slightly and then looks at him, sharp, questioning eyes.
"...You've been here before, haven't you?" Gets the sense that there is definitely a right and wrong answer to that question.
And absolutely knows he's giving the wrong one. "...Can hear about a place without having been, Duster."
Not expecting him to grab him by the wrist and pull him aside, letting the couple who came up behind them go in their place. Really not expecting him to cage him up against a wall and lean in close so that he can murmur in his ear. "And exactly how much have you heard about this club, Dabi?" Hissed with enough urgency that he's suddenly a lot more concerned about this decision than he was before.
"It's just some bougie nightclub isn't it?"
Shigaraki looks like he wants to disintegrate them both. "No. It's a bougie BDSM club, Dabi."
He can't help how his mouth falls open slightly. What ? Suddenly gets the close proximity. Probably look like a couple who are having a private discussion, like he's got cold feet all of the sudden. "No fucking way you are a regular at a sex club , Duster."
Shigaraki's flat look has him doubting his skepticism. "Fuck. Go home, Dabi. You don't belong here."
Which. What the fuck? His pride stings sharply. Yeah, maybe dressing him up in designer clothes hadn't made him any prettier to look at, but fuck Shigaraki for even dropping basic niceties. "Like hell. I thought you needed backup?"
"You won't even get past the door." Duster snaps.
"You know the bouncer! Tell her I'm your plus one or whatever!" He snaps back, careful not to raise his voice above a whisper. though he does not know why he's fighting so hard to follow him inside. Maybe because he just can't believe what Duster is saying to him.
Thinks that his boss might have gone through all five stages of grief in the next second. "I can't . They know I'm a dom. Unless I say you're collared or in training, they aren't going to let you in."
"Then tell them that."
Duster stiffens slightly. "Dabi--"
"Oh come on, do I have to do anything to sell that, cause I'll go home if I've got to suck you off or let you whip me or something."
Shigaraki pulls away from him, dragging a hand over his face. "No, you don't have to-- Fucking hell." Which, never heard Duster swear like that before. "No." And then he reaches for the leather cord around his neck and takes it off. And Dabi sees that it's actually a very thin leather leash . "But if I say you're in training, you have to stay by my side, you do not speak to anyone unless I've given you permission, you never speak back to me, and you'll have to address me as 'Sir' or 'Master'."
"Holy shit, you actually are into all this stuff?"
"Dabi--"
"Yeah, yeah, keep my trap shut, and be your slave. Got it, Sir ."
Duster really, really looks like he's going to insist that he go home, but he doesn't. Instead he wraps the leash around Dabi's neck, clipping it onto itself and keeping the rest of it wrapped around his hand. "That will work for now, come on."
"Yes, Sir ." A little mocking as he says it, and allows himself to be led back towards the line.
"Dabi."
He shuts his mouth, especially when he sees that the line has mostly gone. It only takes a minute or two before they're in front of the boulder of a woman.
"Tomura," She greets as soon as she sees him, eyes then moving over to him before going back to Duster. "Haven't seen you anywhere but the news lately."
"I haven't had much time for socializing outside of it. Will that be a problem?" He asks, voice cool and composed.
"Can't imagine so. Who's this?"
Duster tugs gently on the leash, tightening the leather slightly. "This is Dabi, he's my sub-in-training."
Saho's brows shoot up, but she doesn't comment. "Alright, your membership is still good, but entry fees have gone up for non-members."
Duster doesn't even blink while Dabi is doing his best to stay composed because membership ? Seriously? Wants to choke on his tongue when Shigaraki also readily pays twenty-thousand yen for him to get in. The slip of a man Dabi hadn't even noticed by the door, scuttles over to take the fee and Saho opens the door.
"Welcome back."
"Thanks." And then he guides Dabi in on his leash.
The lobby of the club is as extravagant as the rest of the building, but it is a lobby. A front desk that appears to also be a coat check, elevators, people coming and going. Everyone is dressed up, but no one is in anything more scandalous than what Duster put him in. "Did you bring your phone?"
"Yeah--"
"Here, put it in with your other clothes." He turns it over and Duster heads over to the coat check where the man behind the counter smiles and greets him enthusiastically in French. Dabi is completely lost as the two exchange words, but after a minute or two, Duster hands over the bag with his stuff in it, and disappears behind the counter in exchange for a ticket that Shigaraki pockets.
And then he's guiding him away by his leash again, towards a staircase rather than the elevators. As soon as they step inside, the music that he could hear pounding through the ceiling, is dulled somewhat and Duster pauses, taking a slow breath.
"Are you sure--"
"You literally could not pay me to leave." Has to see how much more batshit this night can get.
Shigaraki looks like he's considering insisting, but instead he takes another breath. "You aren't going to be participating in anything . If anyone approaches you and for some reason I'm engaged, you tell them that I am your master and they should leave. If they don't , get my attention and I will handle it."
"I can take care of myself, Duster."
"I know that, Dabi," he snaps. "That's not the point. If you stay, then you're my sub-in-training. That means that I am responsible for your well-being and I decide what you will and won't engage in." He waits for any other argument, but the intensity of his tone stills Dabi's tongue. "Do you know the traffic light system?"
"Yeah," at least knows that, because he would really rather Duster not think he's completely out of his depths.
"Good. If we're in a room and something is happening that you're uncomfortable with, tell me 'yellow' and we'll move somewhere else. If you want to leave for any reason, just say 'red' and we'll go, alright?"
"Yeah, got it, Shig." Kind of blown away with how serious he's acting. "Not gonna faint away when I see a tit or dick just 'cause I don't have a membership to a sex club." He wonders how many times he can make Duster look like he wants to die in one night. But Shig just heaves a sigh and starts to take them up the stairs.
"Why are we not taking the elevator?"
"Because they lead to the nightclub. If Aki's here, she'll be in the Play Area."
///
There's another coat check when they spill out onto the floor that Duster says is the 'Play Area', and the music playing here is a lower drone of bass. Though this coat check has people surrendering any number of garments, some giving up all of them before moving through the doorway and into the room beyond. Duster ignores that, and just leads him through.
The room they enter is fairly large, with a bar tucked off to one side, and little half-moon alcoves set along the walls with black leather benches and round tables. Some people are sitting off to the sides there, but others are milling about. Some lounge on the larger couches in the same black leather closer to the center of the room, and plenty of them mingling as they make their way around. Lots of them are in fetish gear that he's seen in passing. Leather masks, latex suits and dresses, collars, leashes, body harnesses, but others dressed like he and Duster in nicer clothes that are still befitting of a club. And about ten seconds into looking around, he sees that there's a woman talking to another as they sit at the table in one of the alcoves, and her skirt is pushed up her thighs so that the man kneeling underneath the table can eat her out as she talks.
Dabi doesn't stare, and despite what he'd said before, he definitely hadn't been fully prepared for this. Sees other people breaking off, some going deeper into the club, some just finding a place here that's suitable. Sees what he assumes are workers wearing gloves and walking around with trays that are full of an array of different sachets of lube and condoms. Realizes he definitely has eyes on him, and he looks to find Shigaraki is watching him carefully. He's fine. This is weird as shit, but it's fine. Duster takes him out of this room and into the next, passing a hall with large viewing windows frames in red velvet curtains, looking in, on both sides, to two different rooms with large lavish beds that are decked out with chains that only one of the pairs beyond are making use of. The other is partaking in other toys, as on either side he can see a couple and a quartet thoroughly enjoying themselves. The hall is wide enough for people to linger and mingle, and masturbate , but Duster barely glances at the displays. Leads him into a smaller room than the front one, this one with a number of other branching hallways leading out of it, but a cozier lounge of sorts. Still a bar tucked in the corner though. Shigaraki goes over to that, orders for both of them, scotch, which he's not going to complain about, but still weird. Makes Dabi carry both drinks and gives him a warning look when he starts to bring his glass to his lips that stops him.
Shig finds an empty table off to one side of the room, a worker having just finished wiping it down, from what Dabi does not want to think about, as they sit, and Duster tugs on his leash so that they're practically pressed together on one side of the table, looking out at the rest of the lounge. Dabi tries to tune out the sounds of pleasure that are spilling out underneath the thrum of music and focus on Shigaraki as he leans in a little closer to speak just loud enough for him to hear.
"Are you alright?"
"Green, sir." He replies, maybe a little shell shocked, but he can't say he wasn't at least sort of warned before they actually walked in. He's the one who said he wanted to keep walking anyway. "Don't stop on my account. Shouldn't we be looking for your friend?"
"She's not-- That's not how things are done here. Come closer," Dabi scoots up so that their legs are brushing and Duster leans in, so that his face is hidden behind his own as he murmurs in his ear. "The other regulars know my preferences. If I start asking for Aki, then they're going to get suspicious. We're already garnering too much attention." Dabi glances up, focusing more on what's happening in the room around them instead of trying to tune it out. And yeah, if people aren't actively engaged in conversation or elsewise, they're getting a lot of glances. Sees he's about to speak and adds, "Glass in front of your mouth." He lifts it as if to take a sip and mumbles,
"Why? You really that big of a deal here?" Duster pauses for a second. " Seriously ?"
"I have... a reputation. And I haven't ever brought an outside sub here before. Can I put my hand on your thigh?"
Fucking hell. He really hopes he's not blushing like a schoolgirl. "Okay."
Starts at his knee, just two fingers, one covered the other not, and trails them slowly up, higher than he would have thought, before he settles all of them around his thigh and squeezes for a moment. "If Aki is here, she'll come find me. Even if she's not, then someone else might come to say 'hello' and I'll be able to ask."
"Got it." Doesn't ask 'what now' but Duster must be able to see it on his face.
"We'll stay for an hour. Just sit still, if you want to leave sooner, tell me. Otherwise," he shrugs, giving his leg another little squeeze. "Enjoy the show."
///
Dabi doesn't know if he can say if he's enjoying it or not as time feels like it crawls by. Has seen a slew of things in person tonight that he's only ever seen in porn, and every time he glanced at Duster, he found his extremely weird boss just watching the proceeding with an almost disinterested eye. Meanwhile Dabi is doing his best not to twitch or squirm because his hand is still on him, and he's practically pressed into his side, and he doesn't know if he's more embarrassed, or if that's starting to creep towards arousal himself. Is really, really hoping that the hour is almost up because if he pops a boner now, he's going to have to kill himself.
Saved, at least a little, when a man in his mid-forties with neon green hair that might actually be glowing a little in the low lights, approaches their table. "Tomura,"
"Morozumi," and Duster actually removes his hand from his leg so that he can shake the other man's. "How's your niece?" Does not know how he can ask that question when Morozumi is also only wearing a black thong that does not hide the fact that the carpet absolutely matches the drapes, but Dabi just is apparently not built for this kind of socialization.
"Oh, she's doing well, and you? Heard that you found a full-time dynamic, is this--?"
"Just a rumor," Duster tells him easily, sounding perfectly relaxed. "This is a friend of mine, he was looking to be trained."
"And you took him under your wing," The man gives Dabi a bright smile, "You're in good hands, is this your first time?"
Dabi opens his mouth, then shuts it promptly as he remembers what Shig said outside, turning to him.
"You can speak, baby boy." Really glad that Morozumi laughs and addresses Duster again, because that means Shigaraki is looking at him, so hopefully he doesn't see how Dabi flushes immediately.
"Already started with him, I see."
"He's a quick study." And then Duster waves him on and Dabi finds his voice.
"It is." He answers belatedly. "That obvious?"
"You look like a deer in headlights, young man." Dabi winces slightly. Shit. "Don't worry, most people do their first time. I remember how badly you were blushing the first time you came here, Tomura."
Shigaraki seems unperturbed, putting a hand on Dabi's back, rubbing soft circles through his thin shirt, as he reaches for his glass. "I remember too. Aki thought I was going to faint."
"She did! Had Ibuki making ice for a cold pack before you got past the main room." The other man laughs again, loud and bright. "Did you hear? She's gotten collared."
Duster actually looks surprised, and Dabi really wished he had more context. Hasn't seemed surprised by anything since they came in. "No, really? Anyone I know?"
"Well," and the other man gives an exaggerated grimace. "I would say so." But he doesn't elaborate, glancing at him.
Duster's hand stills on his back, and then he turns to him. "I'm going to have a private word with my friend. You stay here and sit pretty for me, alright, baby boy? It'll just be a few minutes."
"Yes, Sir." He responds dutifully. Shigaraki slips the loop of his leash from his wrist and hands it to him, but doesn't let go immediately when Dabi takes it, instead pulls his hands up so that he can press a kiss to the back of his knuckles. And Dabi's face goes mortifyingly hot again.
"Good boy. Five minutes."
And then he slides out of the booth and disappears in the crush of bodies. Dabi immediately finishes his drink. Fuckin hell . This is way too weird. He wishes that he had his phone, had anything to look at that wasn't the trio who have taken up residence on one of the lounges, but they've gathered a bit of a crowd. Feels his face go even hotter as the woman uses her quirk to turn her fingers into long, undulating tentacles, and slips them into the body of the man trapped between her and another woman who is feeding her cock into his throat. And he looks like he'd be enjoying the hell out of the treatment if his cock wasn't bright red and straining against a cockring.
"Is this seat taken?" Dabi jolts, looking away from the display only to find a tall, broad shouldered man with a neatly trimmed black beard, short black hair, and dark eyes watching him. He's in a full suit, though his tie is open along with the top few buttons of his shirt, revealing a further smattering of dark hair.
Fuck. He finds his voice. "My...owner is sitting there."
"Oh really? Invisibility quirk?" He smiles, and his teeth are two, neat perfect rows of white.
"No," hesitates, "Tomura just stepped away for a second." And knows he made the right call about using Duster's first name when the man's brows go up.
"Really, well it just so happens that I'm an old friend of Tomu's," Something unpleasant crawls down his spine that Dabi can't quite place. "I'm Ryoma Shima." He offers his hand. Duster said his reputation would proceed him, said to get his attention if it didn't work. But he has no idea where he ended up. Fuck, he does not want to embarrass him or bring unwanted attention. But he wasn't supposed to have to interact with anyone in the first place.
"...My master said to keep to myself."
Shima hums, but lowers his hand. "Not a surprise, he always likes to keep pretty things to himself." And then his eyes roam over him. "And you are quite beautiful. Exotic too. I've never seen anyone as...decorated as you."
And Dabi has gotten called a lot of things, a lot of times because of his scars. He's burned people alive for the shit they've said about his face. But he's never gotten something that made him want to burn himself alive to escape how a comment made his skin crawl. He keeps his mouth shut instead, unconsciously clutching the leash a little tighter. Draws the man's attention to it.
"No collar?"
Hopes that he's right from context clues when he responds, "I'm in training."
Shima clicks his tongue. He shouldn't even be able to hear that sound when there's so much else happening in the room, but he does. Like every sense is attuned to this guy because Dabi is a dangerous guy. He's worked with a lot of dangerous people. And every fucking fiber of his being knows that this guy is dangerous too. "And still using this old thing--" he reaches for the leash and Dabi instinctively draws it back, practically cradling the cord against his chest.
Didn't need to because a gloved hand reaches out and catches Shima's wrist in a tight grip. The man gives a slow, insincere smile as he looks down at Duster. Easily two heads taller than him, and Shigaraki doesn't blink. "Ryoma, you know better than to touch something that doesn't belong to you."
"Hello, Tomu. My apologies, I thought he was being trained?" The man says pleasantly. "Not claimed."
"You thought wrong." Hasn't heard Duster use that tone except when he's actually about two seconds away from killing someone.
"I am surprised, you're still using that old leash? Don't you think that someone you intend to claim, at least deserves a real training collar?"
He doesn't have enough context about what's going on between the two of them but he knows a sly insult when he hears one. Duster's expression is unmoved, "And he will, once it arrives. For now, that leash is more than enough. He knows exactly who he belongs to, don't you, baby?"
"Yes, Sir." Dabi says immediately.
"Besides, Aki gave me that my first night here." Shigaraki lets go of his wrist and offers his hand instead. "Congratulations, by the way."
Shima gives a wider, more dead-eyed smile, but does take his hand. "Thank you. I'll be sure to pass that along to her."
"I would love to congratulate her myself, does she ever attend?"
"Once in a while. Maybe you'll run into her while you're training your new pet." He half turns his attention back to him. "Who might deign to tell me his name now that his master is back."
Dabi glances at Shigaraki, expecting him to deny the request. "You can speak, precious."
"...Dabi."
"Dabi." Shima says with more false warmth. "It was very nice to meet you. Enjoy the rest of your night." He turns from the table with a last, "Tomu." Before he's leaving.
Duster watches him make his way across the room and then disappear down one of the side halls. Then he turns back to the table and finishes his drink, setting the glass down roughly before he composes himself again. "Alright, baby, it's time to go."
"Yes, Sir." Says it because there are people who were definitely watching that exchange more than anything else going on at the center of the room. He slides out to the edge of the bench and Duster extends a hand. Dabi passes him back the other end of the leash, and Duster leads him out of the Play Area the same way they'd come, though he does opt to take him down a main hall to an elevator this time. He doesn't say anything the whole ride down, and Dabi follows his lead.
They go through the lobby and Dabi gets his clothes and phone back, and then they make their way back out onto the street. Shigaraki still doesn't make a sound as they get out of the bougie part of the city and closer to the back alleys that Dabi's been calling home. And then his careful composure slips a little more, as he brings a hand to his neck and gives a scratch so vicious the skin splits and blood dots his collar.
"So, are you gonna tell me what that was about?" He sees a muscle in Duster's jaw jump as he clenches his teeth, and for a second thinks he's not going to get an answer.
"That was Ryoma Shima. He's the owner and, apparently, Aki's new dom." He lets out a hiss of breath, grip tightening on the leash slightly. Seems to even remember it's around his neck then and pauses, turning to actually take it off of him. "Which means this was fucking pointless ."
"Because you don't get along with her boyfriend?"
" Dom ." Duster corrects waspishly as he unhooks the leash and slips the leather from around his neck. "And even if he does let her come out any time soon, I can't go back until after the summer camp job is supposed to be over."
"What? Why?"
Duster meets his eyes, and then turns and starts walking again. "It doesn't matter. This was a waste of time. I'll just have to wait for my teacher's spy to get in touch."
"Oh come the fuck on." he walks faster, getting in front of Shig so he can see his face as he asks, "Is this because of me ?"
And he doesn't say anything for just a split second too long.
" Why ?"
Duster lets out a frustrated huff and runs his hand through his hair, mussing the waves a bit out of place. "Because I said I was training you. If I start showing up without you, or even if I keep bringing you, it's going to look suspicious if you're not participating."
"So? I'm not a fucking prude, Duster." Doesn't know why he's even arguing. He wasn't really all that enticed by the prospect of participating, but he also doesn't want to be the reason that this job got ruined. Wasn't even supposed to be here in the first place. And... he sort of gets wanting to prove that he's capable of getting something done without a father figure breathing down his neck telling him he can't. Call it projecting, but he doesn't give a shit about what AFO wants Duster to do.
" So , I said you were my sub." He snaps. "I don't share, Dabi. If you were mine, if I was training you, then you would be participating with me ."
And a pregnant silence stretches out between them. "...Oh."
"Yeah." And then he steps around him and keeps going. And Dabi is left standing in the middle of the alley, his stomach knotting up. Oh he should have let this fucking go when Duster stormed out of the bar earlier. Should have backed out when he had his deadly hand around his throat. Should have said 'no' when he asked to put his hand on his thigh.
Should really not turn around and nearly jog to catch up to him. "Okay, so I participate with you . My face really so fucked up that I'd spoil your fun, pervert?"
Duster looks at him like he's grown another head, slowing, but not stopping as they continue on their way to the bar. "...Dabi."
"Said I came here for you." He says pointedly.
"Not like that ."
"Does it really matter, Duster? Literally saw about two hundred people not making a big deal out of all of that." He gestures vaguely like that could put into words what seeing the club was like. "And your friend might be there the next time we go and it won't be a big deal. And I can fucking compartmentalize."
Shigaraki scratches at his neck again, and with the gloves still on, Dabi feels safe enough to grab his wrist and make him stop before the one exposed nail can do any more damage. He looks at his hand around his wrist, then searches his face. And Dabi really hopes he looks as nonplussed as he sounds. "... If we do this, then I'm going to need to actually teach you the ropes--"
"Bondage is step one ?" And he should not have made the joke because he is being glared at now. Or maybe making a joke was the best thing he could have done because he and Duster are usually glaring at each other. It definitely feels more natural than him pressing in close and calling him 'baby boy'.
"You'll have to be trained at least a bit so that you'll know the etiquette and be able to fit in. And we're going to have to have a long conversation about things you do and don't want to engage with, Dabi. You'll have to be forthright and honest with me, or you could... get hurt. I could hurt you." There's something heavy, a shadow that pulls itself over his features, and Dabi thinks that should be the thing that makes him back out. Because that's the look of someone who's done it before and knows that it could happen again. Because if Duster is worried about hurting him whatever way he's thinking about now, but had no qualms about killing him when they'd first met, then it must have been bad.
But Dabi never backs down, he figures his way through and out. Always has. "Tell you whatever you want to know about my dick, Duster. But that's all you're getting." Still not giving up his name. not when he's damn sure that AFO would have a field day if he knew who he was. Just because Shigaraki is clearly annoyed about how tightly his teacher holds his leash doesn't mean that he won't let something slip.
"That's a start. But you're going to have to take this more seriously. If I don't think you're being safe then this is over. Understand?"
"Yeah, got it, boss." And Duster lets the conversation die there. Dabi can practically see the gears turning in his head as he figures out how to work with this. Figures he should say something before the wrench gets thrown too deep into the gears.
"I definitely don't have designer boutique or membership money though, Shig."
"That's fine, Dabi. Don't worry about that. It's my responsibility to take care of you." Doesn't blink as they get back to the fire escape. Easily jumps to catch the lowest rung and climbs up like he's done it a million times before. Dabi moves to follow, "You'll have to change and then come back in through the front."
"What--"
Duster climbs up to the right window and pulls a hammered piece of metal from between two of the bricks, slipping it out and then pressing it between the jam of the window and the sill. He braces one hand against the glass, "He'll know exactly where you've been if you come in wearing that." And then he brings the heel of his palm on the part of metal sticking out. The window pops out of its tracks without being unlocked. He slips the metal back into place and lifts the glass high enough for Dabi to slip into the hallway. Holds it like that for him as he rushes to go change and come back out. As he slips back out onto the fire escape, "If you really want to go through with this, then we can talk about it tomorrow. But, Dabi," He catches his arm to keep him still. "You can always change your mind."
"Yeah, yeah, we'll see how long it takes for you to scare me off, perv." Easier to say that than anything else. Shigaraki sighs, shaking his head slightly, and then returns both hands to the glass. Dabi is just glad that the cavalier remark is what ended up coming out of him, because he feels like he's choking on asking how many times Shigaraki has had to sneak out of his house to have such a practiced system in place.
Duster closes the window, popping it back home with barely a sound and then he starts down the hall to his room. Dabi watches him go. Waits for a few minutes. Until the strangeness of the night dulls a little as his mind really registers how late it's gotten. Only then goes inside, finds Kurogiri standing at the bar, exactly like he always is. Always thought it was weird, but he thinks he gets it now. Not just standing there because he's making sure none of them binge his expensive booze and he doesn't need sleep. Acting as a watchdog. Making sure that Duster stays exactly where All For One wants him.
He heads upstairs without a wave, and gets into his bedroom. By the time he's laying in bed, staring at the ceiling as the old apartment building creeks softly around him, he can kind of get why the myriad of sounds at La Vénus might be more appealing. At least everyone there is enjoying themselves.