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Chapter Text

Tomura  Shigaraki watches with his crimson eyes as his human mate darts through the hive. Toga, Spinner, Twice, and Compress chase after her. From his vantage point, it's easy to see how Rebel takes every advantage of the terrain.

"Do you think she's practicing running away again?" Dabi asks with a lilt of hope. Tomura glares at him. After being brought back to the hive, his mate has tried two more times. Each time she didn't make it far, and the punishment was the same, taking both Tomura and Dabi's knot. He was starting to get jealous, like she wanted to be double knotted. He even wondered if Dabi had helped her just to fuck his mate. But once she started showing, and a few new creative threats later, she has been an obedient little mate. She had said to him that family meant everything to her.

"Doubt it. Since Hana was born, I can hardly keep her away. I'm not sure what this is. I doubt it's what she says it is for." Dabi's expression didn't change, but Tomura knew he was disappointed.

"What does she say it's for?"

"Keeping her body in shape while giving the rest of the flock practice chasing prey."

"Need to talk to you, boss. It's about Rebel and a few other things."

"If it's about becoming a thruple, I'm not interested." Tomura stretches his large brown wings, giving them a few flaps.

"Hear me out first," Dabi says. He gives a wicked grin that looks like it could split his burnt face in two.

Rebel dodged between Twice's legs with a slide, using the momentum to straighten herself upright again. The smooth wax-like texture of the walls is perfect for this move. It's not something she would try in the forest.

"That looked cool! So, lame!" he shouted after her. She is running through the maze of the hive as Toga pops out in front of her. Toga doesn't have her legs spread as Twice did, so she crosses her arms in front of her chest and drives her shoulder into Toga. Toga squeals as she is knocked into Spinner and Compress behind her. Poor Toga, she thinks.

"I'm sorry!" She shouts. She barely avoids Compress's hand when she dips into another hall. She's almost to the home stretch when a wall of blue flame appears in front of her. She scrambles to avoid it, screaming as she slides closer, the heat curling her hair. A strong hand grabs her by the arm.

"I got you!" Spinner shouts. He has her, but he doesn't look confident in his stopping power. The blue flame cut out, and they are both on the floor, gasping and laughing in relief. Dabi comes around the corner, shaking his head and crossing his arms.

"That's a pathetic sight. I had to help you catch a powerless human. A weak little female." The other three are running up, panting.

"Hey, she's really fast and sneaky, and I just gave birth." Toga huffs. Twice and Compress help the two up.

"It was a close one. You guys are getting better. Next time lower your center of gravity, so you harder to knock down, and it's harder for me to get through your legs." Rebel smiles. They chitter and accept this advice. Dabi scoffs. Rebel has worked hard to gain the flock's trust, and they are eating it up.

"You could have burned Tomura's mate!" Spinner shouts. Since Rebel has proven to be helpful, he has become protective of her. Dabi laughs.

"I have complete control over my magic, would've pulled it back, but you guys know the rules. Rebel isn't allowed anywhere near the kitchen level. You fools were going to let her go right to it, where we keep knives." Rebel laughs at Dabi and gives him a sweet smile.

"So, paranoid." There's a sparkle in her eyes that tells Dabi he's right. It makes him want to lick her to heat right then and there. But Dabi knows patience and gives her a smirk instead.

"I'm going to check on Hana before dawn." Rebel announces, walking away. Toga squeals.

"I'll come with you and check in on Akuma! I can't wait until they are bonded for life! Then we'll be sisters!" Toga entwines her arm with Rebel. Her wings are fluttering in excitement as she coos to her.

Rebel and Toga enter the nursery where three human slaves tend to the babies. Hana is wet nursed, so Rebel turns her attention to Toga's offspring. The child glitters like gold. Since Mothmen have a shorter birthing cycle Hana and Akuma were born close together, so they are almost raised as twins. Of course, if Toga had her way, they would be married already. She picks up the hissing baby and hands him over to Rebel, who starts to breastfeed him.

"You're such a good Mommy." She says to Rebel. Toga chitters and chirps at them. Toga loves kids for about a few hours a day and doesn't want one latched to her chest. Rebel doesn't mind. Shiggy is so paranoid that Hana will manifest a power that he doesn't let her hold or feed Hana. It breaks her heart. She rubs Akuma's back while he greedily suckles. Her hand is running over the two bumps where his wings will grow. He falls asleep. Rebel kisses him and hands him to Toga to burp. Toga coos at them and Rebel some more before she leaves. The second she does, Rebel is at Hana's crib, kissing her tiny toes and playing peek-a-boo while the poor slaves tell her some interesting news.

"Dabi has made a deal with Tomura. You are to be shared as a mate when Dabi recruits some more flock members from other hives. Dabi has not been successful in breeding, and you are the only human that has given birth. He is leaving soon. Tomura is considering it since they need more members, and they can't keep affording to replace the slaves Dabi kills." Rebel scoffs. Dabi had knotted one poor slave's throat and killed her. The other two died trying to give birth. At least, that is what they are told when they come across the burnt corpses. She didn't think the throat thing was on purpose. Who wants to risk having their dick bit off, but the others seemed suspicious.

"Good work, here. Eyes and ears open at all times." She discreetly hands the girl's extra food tokens. The real thing she steals from the kitchen.

"What is going on here?" Tomura rasps. He is scratching his collar and giving Rebel an unsettling stare. Her heart is pounding like mad in her chest. She just got caught being deceitful. It carries a heavier punishment than running. He is in front of Rebel before she can answer. "What do you think you are doing? What is the rule about the baby?" A part of her sighs in relief.

"It's just her feet Shiggy. I didn't see the harm in touching her feet." He is seething, his unblinking blood-red eyes burning into her. She can feel the waves of anger.

"Powers can manifest through the feet, hands, mouth, or eyes. Do not touch the baby!" He shouts. Causing both babies to cry, the slaves rush in to quiet them.

"You!" he points to the girls. "You know better, and you let my mate touch her anyway. Do you need to be taught a lesson?" The girls cringe and weep soundlessly. They had been trained to always be quiet around the children.

"Perhaps an eye, maybe an ear? You dumb bitches can still take care of babies with only one eye, right?" Rebel steps in. She hugs him and rubs her face in his neck fur.

"Please, mate, I'm sorry. Don't punish them for my stupidity." He snarls at her, but he is calmer.

"I do this for you! Don't be stupid, and don't be callus with their lives if you care so much. This is the only warning I'm giving any of you. Do you understand?" All of them, including Rebel, nod yes vigorously. He lifts Rebel and carries her to their nest. He is possessively clinging to her, his body tense, his wings shaking in frustration. Tomura licks and kisses her chest while whimpering. Burying his face with her breasts. She runs her fingers through his hair the way he likes.

"What's wrong?" she asks tenderly.

"I can't stand the thought of losing you. Don't do that again." She wants to love him in moments like this. She can't bring herself to say it after everything, so she goes on comforting him with her body. Embracing his head, kissing him while his feelers crawl over her face. "I may have to do something we will both hate," he mumbles.

"What like to sell me? Pfffft, go ahead. Daddy sold me plenty of times, and I always came back until you fuckers."

"How do you feel about Dabi?"

"I try not to think about him unless he's in front of me."

"Do you like him more than me?" She stops kissing him. He's looking up at her with big puppy dog eyes. She's wondering if she overpaid for information he would give to her on his own accord. She then almost laughs at the thought. She almost got those girls maimed. She underpaid them, if anything. The flock is a bad influence.

"I dislike you both equally." Rebel says harshly. He looks hurt but understanding with those puppy eyes. She can't be completely cruel to him. "As I said, I always will come back. I can't love either of you more than Hana. Dabi is a flock mate. You are my mate. The things we do together don't change that." He pulls himself to her face and gives her a sensual kiss. His loud purring rumbling and vibrating her against her chest. She's ashamed to think it, but Shiggy is a quick learner and knows how to get her aroused. She kisses him back, their tongues playing with each other. He tastes like moss and spring water. It's a required taste she's come to love. She moans in his mouth and strokes the top of his vibrating wing. He pulls away suddenly. She catches his lower lip and bites it, and he groans.

"No, can't tonight," He mumbles. He pulls her to him and lays her head on his chest, letting her use his collar as a pillow, fists above his head. She doesn't beg him to bind his hands tonight. She wants him in a deep sleep. When she is sure he is out, she gathers her things and makes her way to the lower part of the hive. At the edge, she tosses a rope down made of blankets.

"Well, that's not long enough. You'll get caught trying to escape. Did you miss me that much?" A smoky voice asks from behind.

"You know it's times like this I love the most." She turns and gives him a wicked smile. "I'm not going to get caught because you're going to fly me down to the bottom."

"I am, am I?" Dabi looks amused.

"Oh yeah, you know, you are going to fit into my family. Shigs hinted at your bullshit bargain. It's so touching. I honestly didn't think you gave a shit other than playing with something someone else has. You're a sneaky backstabbing fuck. That's something I understand. However, you're fucking with my family. So, here's how it's going to go. You're going to drop me at the bottom and leave tonight. When the both of us get back, we will be one big happy family." He nods slowly. She needs him to leave tonight. Otherwise, Tomura will send Dabi to fetch her. He's the only one he would trust with the task. Spinner's appearance makes him too big of a target, and she's grown too close to the others for them to be reliable.

"You're not mad at him? He traded you." He smirks.

"He did what he had to do, what you made him do. I get necessary evil, so I don't blame either of you. Daddy sold me many times. But we can't survive like this, Dabi. Shiggy is too scared to let me help. He never sees the big picture. I need to be able to touch my baby and sleep at day. I know you are a long con kind of guy. You should understand the big picture."

"What if I told you I don't know what a happy family looks like?" It's her turn to laugh at him.

"We all have Daddy issues. Grow the fuck up. You are planning to breed me, right? I'm not stupid, and I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty for family. If we have a baby, you are going to be family. I can make us a happy family, if not a happy one, then a dysfunctional one altogether, at least. Besides, I'm just a frail human female. If I fail, you can always try to kill me." She gives him a wink. He laughs at her. Life with Rebel is never dull.

"Fuck woman, I guess it's better to have you on our side. If you break his heart." He grabs her around the waist. "For that, I will kill you."

"Oh, I'm scared. I left a note at the Hoodwink sphinx. For this to work, it requires all of us. Trust me. I can make this happen."

"Every time, you say that you have some shit cooked up. You got Toga in trouble; you're not going to pull the same shit on me."

"What is Tomura to you?" She asks.

"A fun means to an end. I feel the same about you." With that, they jumped.

She ran to the Index, a three-day run; she had been training for it.

Chapter Text

Her lungs burned, her legs burned. She can see the Index. Something nasty is chasing her, and all she must do is get past the gate. The vampires had already seen her. Her lungs are burning, and something is crashing through trees behind her. She can hear branches snapping, dirt being kicked up in the air. A screech echoed in her ears. She knows that sound. It is a fucking griffin. She can understand why they would be pissed.

She smells like a Mothman, one that has been ripping apart any griffin that goes near the hive or sphinx territory. She's not worried. She can outrun griffins. She sees the Count and runs past him, her legs give, knees turn to sap, and crumples to the ground. Her lungs were on fire, the whole world too bright and hazy around the edges. The Count is cutting his wrist, his blood arching. Then the griffin is a burst of feathers and gore. Buckets of water are being poured over her. The Count is casually walking to her, amused. The Count was always amused by Rebel. She sees his grinning face as she blacks out, several hands groping and pulling as vampires shout above her.

The Count is watching her sleep. She was used to creepy things like this. As she stirred, he was right there, a bemused smile etched on his face.

"Good morning Mabel May SmithHammer. My dear, have some tea." He hands her a cup. Things like this, things the Count remembers being human but not quite right. This is him trying, so she sips the tea and smiles at him. He always put her in the next best suite. The bed hurt compared to the nest she shares with Shiggy. The Count leans on his cane, watching Rebel's throat as she swallows. He looks like a very handsome young man in his twenties, with long wavy locks and a jawline that has sliced the heart of thousands of creatures, males and females. He's just another monster to Rebel. The Count showed her his ugly side long ago, and she has never forgotten.

"You know, ever since your Daddy dragged you in here, I always knew you would come back to us. The House always wins. I hope you don't mind. I had the ladies give you the normal scrub and put you in your pretty dress. Destiny Rebel, the House always wins."

"Thank you." She says. He laughs. Rebel hates his laugh. It's misleading in how pretty it is.

"You hate it, I can tell, but I do insist. My dear, you are so full of surprises. You survived and had a little grub." He touches his nose. "I can smell the milk, dear. What do you want? What has that little brain plotted?" He pretends excitement. "Or has sweet Rebel finally come home?"

"I want to see Master Kai." The Count laughs, not amused.

"I got the tea from an intere…."

"Tomura is coming. He's coming, and I'm running out of time. I don't have time for your games."

"Mmmmmm, poor Jenny. Sold to the Lycanthropes for half of your value to the Mothmen. But to be fair, she didn't have half your talent."

"You know you should be the Master."

"Then there is your Uncle Zee. I heard he has two more years."

"I can save all my family."

"Your poor Daddy doesn't have the skills he used you, and big brother is struggling." She sighs at him. His little mind games go on and on if she lets him.

"What's the price?"

"Very high. You know he's completely mad? I don't think your mate will like the cost."

"Shiggy is not here right now, is he, and I wouldn't have to pay this cost had he listened to me."

"Oh my. Trouble in paradise? You know you're not that sweet-smelling virgin anymore; it will be difficult for me. Even with the carrot, he is still pissed at how defiant you've been, and I was tasked with winning you back. When you sold yourself to the Mothman, it did not help our relationship. He is livid, mostly at my failure. I'm the one taking all the risk; it's on me."

"For fucks sakes, Cain, what's the price?" The Count bristled at hearing his name. Not many know his actual name, but not many have known The Count all their life as Rebel has. For the first time in a long time, The Count did not look amused. His grin dropped.

"You are always so rebellious. Rebel suits you much better than Mabel May. You know better than to call me that. Your mate is quite an impressive creature. "Turned me down. Just how deadly is he?"

"I'm scared of him. I'm not scared of you."

"You think he can get rid of Master Kai?"

"He could, but I don't see why."

"Oh? He's that scary?"

"Yes," she says, a matter of fact. He eyes her suspiciously. Then he breaks out in a grin, amused. "I know he can, but what if we can get him out of your way?" she asks.

"My nose can smell everything. It can smell opportunities in the air. It can smell the past and the future." His hand his snaking up her dress. His long fingers are playing with her garter belt. "For instance, you have two males simultaneously, very naughty of you. Then there is the time we met; I smelled the future on you. You would give in and and beg me for my help at some point. And here you are. Do it, Rebel."

"What about the payment being getting rid of Master Kai? That should be enough?"

"Master Kai went from dead to out of your way, Count. We both know that's not a guarantee: your blood and body for just one night. That's a guarantee." She hikes up the frumpy dress the Count loves seeing her in. She grabs him by his long hair and shoves his mouth against her inner thigh. Right, where her carotid artery is. He sighs, and his whole body eases in satisfaction. Vampires are easy to seduce.

"Cain," He nips at her for that. "I need your help; I need to see Master Kai. I will pay with my blood and body. I want you to take them. Pretty please, make the meeting happen. No turning or draining me to death," His lips are trembling the tip of his tongue runs along her pulse.

"I'm sure I'll regret it. You have that much faith in your primitive Mothman." He closes his eyes and inhales her scent. "Fine, I really shouldn't want you this badly. I practically raised you." She snaps, pushes him away, and slaps him hard, a crack that reverberated off the walls. Her rage is overflowing.

"You never raised me! I have a family that loves me! They raised me, you fucking monster!" He's on top of her tearing her dress apart.

"Oh, yes! I want your blood boiling! How about you call me Daddy while I'm in you!"

"I hate you, Cain! Small dicked parasite!" She's hitting and trying to claw his eyes out. His hand is painfully over her mouth as she bites him. He laughs and squeezes his blood on her face.

"Here! Have a taste, little baby girl!" she goes limp. He growls and shakes her. 

"Fuck! It is never the fun way with you. Gods damn it! Why do you do this anytime I'm having fun? This isn't going to stop me. I know you are still awake and pissed. You know I sold your stupid fucking sister. I arranged it all. She was a stupid bitch, so I threw her to the dogs. You didn't bother to train her well. It wasn't even worth the effort I put in," he sneered.

She can't help panting with rage. But the harder she fought, the worse it would be for her. Only The Count can get her to Master Kai. He rips off the rest of her clothes. She is ragdoll as he teases her about. She doesn't move or look at him as he undresses and is completely naked in front of her. She doesn't react when he slaps her or says foul things. Not, as he rubs his cock between her thighs and breasts.

"I trained you too well. I still won't stop; it doesn't matter to me if you like it. I will take it if this is the best I can get." She knows he's dragging this out on purpose. He says he doesn't care, but she can see his frustration.

"Price went up to participate." She tells him. She reaches up and grabs his hair and yanks his head down to look at her.

"Master Kai and one million gold minimum for Tomura. Give Tomura a thousand gold. You be gentle with me, and we never talk about this. It has to be sworn in blood." He laughs at her request, which turns into a lustful moan as she yanks harder. The Count is a real talker before ravishing his prey. He made her watch once. Rebel used to be scared. Mothmen broke her fear of sex and violence. Now she just wishes to get it over with. She hates to admit he is attractive, and his cock doesn't painfully knot. This may not be as horrible as it has been with Shiggy.

"Does our Rebel love her barbarian rapist? You don't want him to know about our little fun? Oh, my dear. Had I known, I would have killed him at the door." He breathed in her ear. She is getting heated not because she loves Shiggy. No, not that. Memories flash of the times he has been kind to her, and she pushes them violently to the back of her mind. She doesn't want to think about him at this time.

"Should have. You know it's about family; also, I don't want him to kill me." She sneers at him.

"Oh dear, who are you trying to convince?" She gives him a dirty look and goes limp again. He moves to place himself between her legs. Grabbing her ankle and placing it on his shoulder.

"Fine, I am nothing if not a good host. I will give into your demands, my baby girl. Gentle, like the gentleman I am, it is." He tenderly pushes two of his fingers into her mouth. She sucks them, wetting them with her spit, and her smooth tongue rolls under his touch.

"He's trained you so well. Remember to participate like a good little girl. Do you have any idea what you smell like to us?" He pops his fingers out of her mouth and rubs her clit.

"You told me once when I was little." This conversation disgusts her. He shoves his fingers knuckle deep, making her squirm. Gliding and gently pressing her sweet spots, he is talented.

"Most humans smell like walking pork chops. Your scent sets our senses on fire. I remember when I first saw you. Your heart pumped like a scared rabbit, your blood the sizzling smell of flesh boiling cloves and blackberries. Encased in savory innocence. As you got older, your scent aged like a fine wine. It now carries a tang of rosemary and buttery cream. The heat of your skin is finer than any perfume. Our dicks grow hard while our mouths water." To emphasize, he slurps his drool from his fangs.

"I don't understand why vampires have sex. Sound like you rather eat me. Can't you just suck me and get this over with?" The Count gives her a throaty chuckle. His fangs are growing longer, gleaming in the candlelight, as the tips threaten to sink into her flesh. As he glides closer to her middle, his fingers working like magic in her, his thumb rubs her clit.

"I was once human. Vampire's evolution is macro; we lose it if we don't use it. I always enjoyed carnal pleasures. It's the spice of life past. It also has other benefits that suit our prey's taste. It feels good to warm up our meal, heart pumping faster, blood heating. It intensifies the scent, the look of heaven trapped in their eyes as they squeeze and coax hell from us. Then when we bite into the tender flesh, the burst of flavor pouring hot blood down our gullet is the most erotic experience." He pulls his digits out and licks Rebel off them.

"All those heightened senses, we know when our little prey is about to cum before they do. Again, call me Daddy when you do cum all over this cock. I know it's not the size you are used to, but we can make do, my dear." He orders.

"That's revolting and disturbing." Rebel mumbles. She misses his fingers. He nestles her leg between the crook of his neck.

"Or Tomura. I don't mind if you imagine me as someone you actually want to be with. Participation, remember."

"I'll remember that." She hisses at him. He grins at her, amused as he hugs her leg, sinking himself slowly between her wet folds. Groaning as he plants himself deeply. She grips the sheets and closes her eyes as he begins to roll his hips. He laughs.

"Which one is the rumor, dear? Do pussies get wrecked or that Mothmen have dicks like bulls because you are still tight, baby girl." These mind games are the worst, and they never stop around The Count.

"I don't call him Tomura. The pussy being wrecked, Cain." He runs his hand down to her ass, squeezing and kneading her lovingly before smacking her hard. She grits her teeth and growls at him.

“Un-uh, Daddy or Tomura. For this game, if you want to call me anything, it's one of those two. Don't break our deal. Here I'll help. I will spell it inside you. However, you did get a little tighter. If you like it rougher, I can be harsher, my little Rebel." She stares at him with seething hate. He does as promised, slowly spelling out each letter against her sensitive walls. She closes her eyes. He is experienced, but she misses the words of encouragement with chirps and coos. Laws can't be broken in The Index; he can never talk about this.

"Tomura, harder." She breathes.

Her blood is heating in rage with herself, shame, and arousal. The Count laughs and gives her what she wants. He's grinding deep in her, slicking against her walls. He rubs her clit. Both are panting and moaning. Her blood is starting to boil, her skin is hot, her heart matching the pace of his new relentless stride. He grabbed her other leg and put it on his other shoulder, enfolding her into a mating press.

His hot breath is on her neck, her pulsing beating in his ears, traveling through his aching prick. It's hard for Rebel to breathe as he presses down to pound her deeper. She's gasping as he licks her nipple, taking a small taste of her leaking breasts. It makes her wet nipples pucker in the cold air as he moves back to her neck.

"Harder," She gasps. The lack of oxygen is causing a buzzing in her mind. Her orgasm is snowballing. Building until it crashes into The Count. He releases the press, and burning pain shoots through her neck. It's lighting of pain that ebbs with his sucking. She inhales but struggles to free the air. Her mouth surges with the coppery taste of death. Her heart is pounding against her chest like a frightened bird. White stars are bursting in her vision as darkness floods around the edges.

Rebel can feel everything slow and get colder. She's getting too weak to struggle as she loses consciousness.

Chapter Text

Shigaraki had read the letter and re-read the letter.

Everyone had disappeared after Toga handed it to him. She checked if Rebel had run to the Sphinx's and was given a letter to pass to Tomura. The letter, it wasn't just to call it that; it was a note at best. Very casual, as if she didn't betray his trust.

He might have lost his temper, he can't remember, but after opening it, the hive was empty for two days. Shigaraki thought about it for two days. He had thought about his Rebel for two days. At first, he considered ripping her apart, then just removing her legs, and now that he has had proper time to consider it all, he knows what to do.

Tomura got up with the note and found his daughter. Everyone had hidden in the slave's quarters.

"Are you ok?" Spinner asked cautiously.

"Fine, everyone can go back to the hive. Let me see Hana." The slave girl whimpered, she didn't want to hand the child over, but she did. He held her and cooed at her.

"I'm going to bring your Mommy back." He chittered to her. Hana played with his antenna. Tomura handed her back to the slave girls.

"I will be back soon. All of you, watch over Hana." The girl sobbed and rocked Hana like a porcelain egg. He gives the girl a dark look as he leaves the note with Hana.

The Index

Bring Gold-R xxx

Rebel couldn't move or wake up for long periods. The Count took good care of her personally when he didn't have one of his twelve wives or five husbands take over. They were so upset when he could not bring Rebel into the fold. He might have gotten carried away with drinking, so she needed to pull through.

Broken words in the Index are a death sentence even for him. It had been days, and her blood still warmed and burned in his veins. Even with the loss of her virginity, he is sure Master Kai will want her. He could hear the Mothman's raging heart for miles now. The Count is amazed at how intense Tomura's anger is.

When they first met the man, he could smell it rolling from him like a tidal wave. It is much like that now he is in the room. He turns to see Tomura's entire body tense and vibrating with fury. His red eyes are seething as he looks from Rebel to him. The Count seems amused.

"Oh, it is exactly what it looks like. But you are in my world, not yours." He reached into his jacket, and Tomura's fingers twitched. "No fighting. I'm just giving you a marker for the amount of gold your little butterfly requested."

The Count tosses the marker next to Rebels resting form. She is slowly gaining her color back. It pleases The Count to see her recover so quickly. The Mothman is in a mood. He can hear the scraping of nails on flesh and smell blood and the scent of sunflower fields waft in the air.

"She never told you about us, did she? Huh, well, that's Rebel for you. She only confides in her family. To her, you are probably just an obstacle to her kin. Let me say this, and I'll leave the two of you. I have only ever allowed three humans to play at the Index; she's too special to waste. Now I bid you ado." The Count tips his hat and exits quickly. That thing is scary.

Shigaraki stands over his mate, chittering and chirping. Her eyes flutter open. She doesn't want to open them; it's such a struggle lately. Her face is lying in soft, warm fur and the mild scent of musk and flowers.

"Shiggy?" Rebel moans.

"I am here, my bad mate." He hisses. Rebel jerks weakly in his arms. She knows bad mates get punished. She moves to speak and puts a finger over her lips.

"Shhh, anything you need to say can wait until you are recovered."

"Can you put your wing over me?" She asks before drifting to sleep. Dawn was coming, so Shigaraki wrapped his wings around his mate and settled in the uncomfortable bed for the day.

The Count made his way deep underground, snapping at the staff and his mates. Problems and bitching, other than her blood, at least Rebel came to him with solutions.

"When do we get a taste?" One of his younger brides whined. He was tempted to kill them all and start over again. With great patience, he wasn't feeling; he consoled them.

"Patience, my little pets, the House always wins." He shouted, pushing past them.

"So, my sister really is here," Jenny asked, although it sounded like a fact from her.

The Count is busy, but he always has time to torture Jenny. It's the perfect way to relieve his stress.

"She was, sweet Jenny. I told her that your daddy sold you to me, and she shrugged and muttered something about how it was about time." Jenny is trying not to sob and failing.

"Liar!" She screams in his face. Jenny is not as clever, pretty, or scented as her older sister, Rebel. She holds something that Rebel had the good enough sense to throw away: bravery. Jenny's weak little human body shoves at The Count, not doing much than mussing his jacket.

"You are a fucking liar! Rebel would never say that! She would never leave me here!" The control ring on her finger prevented her from doing much more than pout and threaten. The Count laughs in her face and turns to walk away. He had more pressing matters.

"When she finds out you are dead! You hear me! Dead! She will make you regret being undead! Do you hear me, shit bag!" She shouts after him. His laugh can be heard bouncing off the hollow walls. He needed that. He's in a much better mood when he has to talk to Lilith, The Countess.

The Countess doesn't even resemble humans anymore. Her spindly nerves and veins spread and infect most of the massive chamber. In the center is a splay of her white bones. Her blank head rises from her chest. Her breasts are small and smooth like a doll. He is determined to never let himself go like this.

"Aw, lovely as ever, Lil." He says. He grabs the pitcher of blood and fills the many bowls her veins drink from.

Failed. Leave the child alone.

She no longer has a mouth, so her sultry voice is in his head; it never fails to give him a tension headache.

"Well, to be fair, she did learn from the best. It's hard to talk her into contracts." He grins at her empty face. She laughs. He feels he is going mad until she stops.

Your hubris got in your way again. Patience is the only virtue you hold. Use it. Wait, and the worlds will align for us.

"It's nice to know you still think of me. Us, sentimental and sweet."

Patience. If you remove her too soon, the destruction you seek will fall on us.

"When can we have them then? I bought that annoying little shit to lure her here. They are both here now, within reach. I could grab both."

Shigaraki is a ball of consuming fire, remove his hope, and there will be no end to his wrath.

The Count shudders. He can feel and smell Tomura now, it's calmer, but it's there. Rebel did seem to have a little bit of a positive effect on him.

"I saw his power. It didn't seem that impressive. Are you sure he is capable of killing Gods?"

Rebel has been giving him training with the griffins and vampire huggers. He has grown stronger in a short time. He can bring the world to its knees and crumble the Gods with the right motivation and time. Patience. Let his power unfold.

"Fuck, so much work. You know I was hoping that I could relax a little when I became immortal, but no. It's always Count this or Count that, please Count I don't have hands! I'm envious of that fucking Sphinx. Hedonism is the way to go. No worries, I'll let our little apples ripen on the vine. Then when the tree shakes, I shall pluck them from the air. I shall have them in the palm of my hands."

Pretentious

"What?"

The weak metaphor. You almost killed the key to unlocking our goals. Treat Rebel with the unicorn tears.

"Well fuck, another thing to work on. As always, love, thank you for your guidance. I shall keep it in mind when I play with them. I'll fetch the tears."

Tread lightly

Shigaraki can feel the light kisses of his mate. He wakes to her complexion much too pale, with dark circles under her eyes. He jerks back from her.

"Bad mate," He hisses. She groans and nuzzles his fur.

"I know," She says simply. Went back to kissing as she ran her fingers through Shigaraki's groin fur. He bats away her hand away with a moan. She is distracting.

"I should take your legs for running again. For abandoning Hana." Rebel digs down deep for the hate in her gut to give her strength as she lifts her legs to plant her feet directly in the middle of his gut.

She shoves with all her force, and Tomura goes flying off the bed.

"Fuck you, fucking dick hole! I would never abandon Hana; she had her father and the flock. I'm doing all this for her! For all of her family, which includes you." Fuck, did she just lose her legs? Rebel is not brave, but she does lose her temper. He's laughing as he gets up from the floor to pounce on her. He's growling as he's on top of her. Damn, he's fast.

"Good! I was worried that disgusting Count broke what's mine to break." He chitters.

"Pffft! Takes more than a twizzle dicked bloodsucker to break me." He sits up and flutters his wings as he reaches over and hands Rebel some orange nectar.

"One of the Count's slaves insisted you drank this when you awoke." She drinks the tangy drink greedily. Tomura pours more from a pitcher for her.

"You're still a bad mate. You should have had faith in me and waited. Insubordinate, churlish, and too rebellious for your own good. Now, look what you did. You fouled yourself, debased your body, and lost your blood. Disgusting. Even now, I wonder if your punishment should be more severe than sharing you with Dabi." He goes to pour more. She stops him and sets the glass aside, throwing herself into him. She is sobbing into his collar. He hisses in surprise, confused. She has been punished worse than what he's threatening and never cried this hard. He chirps and coos, scenting his mate, comforting her until she stops.

"I needed that. You don't know the half of it. I had to sink really low, so low, Shiggy. I wish I could have waited. I wish for a lot of things, but right now, I'm just so happy to see your livid face." Tomura is wary. Whenever she seems cooperative, it's some kind of trap, but all he senses is vulnerability. His nature drives him to dive into it and warp it to his desires.

"Now, now, my mate. Your Shiggy is here. You can tell me all about it. You can tell me anything." His hands are roaming over her body, the smile in his voice betraying his nefarious intentions. She relaxes and lets his skilled fingers dance up and down her back, making her shudder in pleasure. She scoffs.

"So, you can throw it in my face later. I will tell you one thing. The Count taught me to trust that a monster will always be a monster. I need your help, and I'm willing to be a good obedient mate to get it." She strokes his leaking cock that is pressed between them.

"You are my clever little mate, but you are not smart enough to remember that your body and mind are mine to use as I see fit. But out of curiosity, how obedient to me?" He is licking her neck and nipping her earlobe. He loves this scent of wounded prey begging for him.

"I'll wear a control ring." He scoffs at her.

"Control rings are false obedience. I don't need false submission. I need you at home, where it's safe, where Hana and Akuma can see you." Rebel moans and leans into Shigs. She doesn't know when but she did miss him.

"I'm sorry. I'm just so tired. I want to explain my plan, but I feel so exhausted. I missed you. Can you stay with me for a little while longer?" Rebel kisses his jawline. She pulls him down on top of her. She's kissing him passionately, running her fingers through his hair, and playing with his antennas. He groans and growls as he tries to pull away.

"I'm supposed to be saving your heat for Dabi." He says. Pressing his cock hard against slicked folds.

"You can pull out before the knot. Cum all over my stomach and scent me with your seed. Fuck Dabi, I'm your mate first," Her words pull a whimper from him. Her skilled hands are using his leaking precum to coat him. She guides his leaking head to her ready entrance. She wraps her legs around him, digging her heels into his ass, making him sink deeper. His hips begin to buck as he fucks his way into her, her soft walls giving to his girth as she arches into him. He growls as he bottoms out her silky walls squeezing him tight. He kneads and licks her leaking breasts.

"Careful with the hands." She whimpers. "Could you suck on them? My breasts ache." His wings buzz in excitement as he quickly does everything she asks.

"They have gotten bigger. I'll help you." His crimson eyes are never leaving her sultry gaze. She smiles sweetly at him as he suckles and thrusts. His wings dancing, the flashes of vibrant color is hypnotic as dust covers her naked body. Making her skin shimmer in the low light. She's using all her energy to encourage him as she rolls her hips gently back. He's chirping between licks and sucking.

"Mate, slow down. Let me do the work for now. You need your energy. At this rate, you will bring me to knot too quickly." he mumbles around her nipple. His chest rumbled with purrs.

"MMMMmmm feels good. No such thing as being too quick when you feel this good. Oh, Shiggy, I'm about to cum." He slows his pace to grind deep with shallow thrust in her wet, stretched pussy. He can feel her flutter around his cock. She screams his name as she rubs and wiggles underneath him.

He growls and pants as he feels her spasm, her juices soaking his groin. She is squeezing his head just the way he loves. Her body is milking him. With more resolve than he wanted, he pulled out, using his hand to make up for the absence of her tender cunt. He spurts hot ropes of cum on her writhing body. His white seed arching to her tits. His eyes are rolling in the back of his head, his wings creating a buzzing sound as they flap with tension and joy. Jaws clenched as he finished. He chirps at her.

He sees her eyes are shut and her breathing even and not moving. His head cocks in confusion. The panic begins to rise. Did he hurt his mate? Did he make her faint? She was too weak, and he mentally scolds himself. There is another sound in the room, hands clapping. Shigaraki turns his head to see The Count sitting in a chair, clapping with his infamous bemused grin.

"That was quite the show! In Rebel's own words, 'fucking beautiful.' I can see she likes you. I had to work five times as hard to get her to squirt. No, worries, she's just asleep." The Count laughs as Shigaraki hisses. "If you need help cleaning up, I can assist."

He eyes Shigaraki's glistening cock with a lustful lick over his fangs.

"Does your kind need air?" Shigaraki rasps.

"What an odd question. No, but the human language surprisingly needs air to sound correct."

"No, then."

"Oh, how quaint! You wanted to kill me with that knot. How novel. I will have to keep that in mind for the future. It's large. Ever seen a grapefruit? Wait, what are you doing?" Shigaraki ignores him as he goes to lift Rebel. They are going home.

"I wouldn't do that unless you want to kill your mate. She is suffering from severe anemia. I came here to treat her."

"Who gave her that issue?" He hisses at The Count.

"I promise I shall heal her to full health. In the meantime, I know she wants your flock to have a lot of gold, and you still have your marker. There is a game right now with a very rich dragon. This is Rebel's room, so there is no charge. Can I entice you with comped meals and drinks?"

"Why are you being so gracious?"

"I can't let Rebel walk out of here on death's door. It will mean my death as well. So, please allow me." Shigaraki grins and gets very close to The Count's face.

"If she dies, you don't have to worry about the Elder Gods." Turning back to Rebel, he chirps and licks his mate's cheek before leaving. He doesn't want to leave, but The Count refuses to treat her while he's in the room. He wants his mate in top health for her punishment. This feels like fate to him.

"OOOOoooooo, that was scary and poignant. He's gone. That is an easy way to distract a man. Makes me wish I could switch my sex a will."

Rebel sits up and scraps off Shigg's ejaculate into the juice glass. "Interesting drink." The Count remarks, smiling.

"Why? Men get everything by using their dicks as clubs in this world. You taught me that. This is my cum, don't let anyone else touch it."

"Wouldn't dream of it, dear. I got you some clothes. Here drink this. It's unicorn tears. Perk you right up." Rebel swallows the drink, and it has an immediate effect. She feels amazing. Her sex afterglow is shining brightly. It stirs the Count's loins again.

"You son of a bitch, how are you not dead already for breaking our deal."

"I have no idea what you are talking about, but I would remind my little pupil that you have to be very precise with words in the Index. For example, the word "we" instead of "either-or." Rebel places the glass in a cabinet near the bar.

She understands her mistake, and it won't be made again. The room had everything a Rebel could ever want. When she was little, it was filled with stuffed animals and toys from distant lands. It put their current nursery at the hive to shame. Something she was about to correct. She moves swiftly to get dressed when she sees the outfits The Count has brought her.

"What the fuck is that?" She points at the magnificent black gown; it has two bows at the shoulders trailing a long silken train that twirled with little gust.

"It's a dress, dear."

"I know that is a Vampire wedding gown," she hisses at him. The Count shrugs at her.

"You never had a commitment ceremony. The beast mentioned someone named Dabi. He really doesn't seem to be that devoted to you. Yes, if you become mine, you will have sister wives and brother husbands, but that will give you a bigger family to look over you. You will be valued. Your opinion in highest of regard." Rebel quickly dresses in a pair of leather pants, boots, and a cowled jerkin.

"Fuck off. You are the one who taught me to trust a monster to be a monster. My relationship is none of your business." She said the words. But she felt hallow. The Count cut her deep. She did want to be valued. She did want a big family, to be engulfed in love again. With the Mothmen, females are valued as breeders, but not for much else. A part of her has no idea how Shig feels about her.

"I'll be back tonight with all the SmithHammer clan. Inform your staff. Don't get any ideas; they are just stopping to rest."

"I'll have a feast ready for them. They better only be passing Rebel. If it's not nailed down, your people have a bad habit of taking things that don't belong to them. Use the staff entrance."

She gives him a curt nod as she races to her village. The Count is grinning, watching her form speed away. He fingers the black swirling fabric. It's a dress Lilith had commissioned for Rebel when she was six. The Count has no doubt it will fit when she is his.

A nasty seed of doubt has been planted, and he can't wait to see the fruits of his labors.

Chapter Text

The entire SmithHammer clan is infamous in Forestdale as being the best blacksmiths and the worst kind of greedy cheats.

Both facts the family is very proud of. They helped conquer these lands and shaped them into the crushing elitist pit it is today. Their blacksmithing is on par with the Dwarves they had originally descended from. The city needed their skills, so the clan was whispered to be avoided in dark back alleys.

As Rebel break through the forest, she sees the run-down cottage she grew up in at times. The youngest of seven are playing in the dark, something she forbade when she was at home; this is bad. Abbey saw her first, squealing and babbling as she ran to Rebel. Rebel scoops her up in one arm and David in the other. They are stirring the hornet's nest of her home.

Daddy shouted for gin and more meat in the stew for Rebel. Their little girl was home. Rebel takes a look at the state of Daddy and the cottage and loses her mind. The four youngest are dirty and malnourished. The older siblings are not even home. The stew is watery rotten vegetables, and Mama looks wide-eyed and scared to see Rebel. She flips the table over, screeching in rage. Shiggy had taught her the proper way to throw a tantrum, and she has no problems using the lesson now.

"What the fuck is going on? This is way worse than Rusty indicated in his letter! Look at you! Look at the state of this place! How could you, Daddy! How could you let it get like this?"

Her mother is holding a newborn, another sibling, she assumed, bringing the total of brothers and sisters to eight now. Daddy had borrowed money, and when the debt was due, they took the tip of her tongue as payment. No answers would be coming from her, not that Rebel would put much stock into what she said anyway. She was a compulsive liar. Daddy looks unfazed and very happy to see her. She looks to Abbey, who is eight, to give her answers. She is about to spill everything to Rebel when Daddy interrupts.

"Doesn't matter now that thou art back home!" He hugs and kisses her, he looks much older, and she can feel his boney frame through his bulky clothes. Her anger melts into pity. "Kids, go fetch the others, tell them that it's an early night now that Rebel is home."

They take off before she can stop them. Mama comes up and taps the back of her hand in the secret language the family created for Mama.

No mad. Dad ill. Rusty wet boy. You home?

"In a way, Mama. Let me clean up the mess I made. She ends up cleaning up most of the mess she didn't make as well. Mama hands her the baby, and she breastfeeds it in relief. The little one is greedy and too light, in her opinion. It's a cute little redhead, making her wonder if Mama had to do something unsavory to pay a debt again. Both her parents exchange a look as she coos and chirps at it. When the rest of the clan came bursting in, they reeked of piss and shit; it may be because Shiggy had her accustomed to a better life, the sight of them like this broke her heart. They sobbed into each other's arms, Rusty pouring them all a shot of gin. Everyone is celebrating, and she has to stop them.

"No! Everyone needs to pack now, we have a long run, and I need to get back to the Index before Shiggy notices I'm gone." Everyone stares at her, confused.

"Where we going?" Abbey asks sweetly.

"We're moving to the Hive." Rebel replies switching the baby to the other breast. Mama gasps, and the rest look equally terrified. Rebel sits to talk to Rusty. She is the eldest. Rusty is next in line and should be in charge while she's gone.

"Rusty, things are worse than in your letter. What happened?" Rusty pales.

"I never sent a letter." He says. Rebel looks around. It explained why they were so happy and surprised to see her. She burps the child, and her brother gives her a curious look.

"Right, you explain while everyone else packs."

"Now, hold on. I'll not be exposing my children to those beasts. I shall not be living with those foul creatures." Daddy snorts. Rebel grabs his shoulders and pleads with her eyes as she announces to the room.

"No one will hunt for us at the Hive. There is so much food that all of you will be too plump to walk. I'll see to it we never have to live like this again." The kids move to pack, but Daddy is stubborn.

"A SmithHammer hast lived in Forestdale since its creation!"

"We can always come back, old man. Go pack now," Rusty orders. Dad cowers, and Mama helps him gather his things. Now it's Rebel's turn to look confused.

"It must have been the Count. He wanted David in exchange for sending you a message. We refused, so he must have sent the letter anyway. Rebel, I have no idea what he's plotting but thank the Gods you are here. You had us set up for years, but the whole house fell ill after you disappeared. The medicine cost quite a bit, and Father never got better. A hefty doctor fee later reveals he has dementia. We went into debt with gambling losses, dad's medical bills, Uncle Zee in prison, and a new mouth to feed." Rusty explains.

"This is Red. He's mine. I got Mandy pregnant, and she died during childbirth. I turned to wet work with the Blacksmith shut down."

"Wet work for who?" Rebel dreads whatever answer he will give.

"Gimble."

"That's very bad. But I think we can save each other. The flock needs to empty the lake of Vampire huggers and soon. But the mother beast is burrowed in deep. The fact is we need a ballista, maybe three. I have a child too, with Shiggy, her name is Hana. Since she is half magical, Shiggy won't let me touch her. I want to bargain with Master kai for his anti-magic metal. We will need a talented smith to work with it." Rusty nods.

"I can make the ballistae with the cousins, but Uncle Zee is the only one who can work the anti-magic metal. I'm afraid I don't have the talent for that."

"One thing at a time, then. First, we relocate the family and tell Summer to fetch Uncle Zee's family. Without uncle, I'm sure things are not going well for them. Buy more medicine for Daddy. I have plenty of gold. We break out Uncle Zee when things are settled. We'll need the flock. Then we get Jenny back from the Lycanthropes."

"Lycanthropes? The old fool sold Jenny to the Count. When did he sell her to the wolves?" Rusty looks panicked. Suddenly things started to make sense. The Count said he arranged it, but he told her he sold her in the heat of the moment. Rebel knew him too well.

"If Daddy sold her to the Count, then she's still likely in the Index. Let's get going while we form a plan. All of you need to be heading out of the Index with the dawn." The whole clan ran through the forest to reach The Index in time for their insane plan.

Jacque, the human chef, greeted them at the service entrance. He was always kind to the SmithHammer clan and ensured they had privacy from the vampires while they ate.

"Are you sure this medicine gives him a good few hours of his old self?" Rebel asked Rusty.

"Most definitely, but the bulk of this plan lies on your Mothman's shoulders," Rusty states.

"Nonsense, I can win Rebel back. Fucking monster, breed, and whore my daughter out. I shall strip him of all thy gold too." Daddy laughs in high spirits. It's the first time he sounded like his old self, and Rebel smiles. Rebel and Rusty exchange knowing looks. They doubt his abilities to beat out the top players in this state. Rebel is busy smearing Shiggy's cum on the outside of their clothes.

"What the fuck is this?" David scowls at her.

"You and the rest of the family are going to the Hive. Since neither Shiggy nor I will be with you, I'm marking you with his scent so they don't kill you on sight." Rebel says, not answering his question as she continues with all of them. The cousins shift nervously. They are big burly men who wince when Rebel touches them.

"Don't worry. You will all be safe. Talk to Toga but remind her that your family, so no stabbing," She smiles, and the cousins exchange a look.

"Let us hope that mate of yours is good at sticks," Rusty huffs.

"Don't worry about Shiggy. He's the best sticks player I have ever seen," Rebel beams with pride.

"Really?" Rusty scrunches his face in disgust. "Will he go along with it, though?"

Rebel shrugs.

"We'll see. We need the Count distracted for hours, which means we have to have someone good enough to keep the table cycling. You know what to do if the Count looks like he will leave. I just need to talk to Shiggy alone for a few minutes first. So, slap me. Hard enough to draw blood." Rusty does as he's told without hesitation. A part of her thinks he had been waiting for the chance. Maybe a bit angry, she got herself in bed with Mothmen. Poor Rusty probably feels abandoned. Well, she's fixing it.

"Ow! Dickhat. Daddy, you ready? Rusty?"

"Oh boy, let's go!" Daddy is rubbing his hands together in joy. Gambling and cons are his two favorite things. Rebel burst onto the gambling floor sobbing with a bruising handprint on her face.

"Shiggy! I'm sorry!" Rebel wails, running to him. Shigaraki is immediately maddened, his protective instincts riled, as his mate weeps in his fur. He's forgotten she doesn't speak Mothman. He is chittering and hissing at her, asking her what has happened, when Rebel's Father comes rushing at them shouting obscenities. A young man trailing him as he points and accuses Shigaraki of something. He firmly shoves Rebel behind him, covering her with his wings.

Shigaraki is confused. His mate looks and sounds distraught. Someone has laid their hands on her, but her smell is very off. Her Father is in his face. Finger-wagging in front of his eyes as the man spouts human speech too fast for him to understand. He really wishes he could bite the finger off. The man is furious, but it's not the scent on his mate's cheek; both males reek of his odor. He's had enough of this game.

"Shut up! Back off!" He snarls, flaring his wings and baring his fangs. The room rumbles and darkens. Several other species flee to a safe distance. "Rebel first. Then human."

Daddy quickly gets in the Count's face. The Count looks bemused and suspicious. Shiggy is chirping and licking Rebel's cheek. His feelers are caressing her face while he wraps her in his wings. Rebel uses the time quickly.

"Shiggy, my mate, I need your help," she snivels. She shows him the control ring she is wearing on her finger. He starts to scratch himself, hissing; the room rumbles again.

"It's all part of the plan. Don't worry, my mate. But I need you to keep the Count distracted and lose to him after a few hours. Please, I promise I'm yours. I need you. I need you to play along," She begs. Her large eyes are glistening with tears. He loves how vulnerable she looks. Her pleading is music to his ears. He runs his claws through her hair.

"My mate is clever but reckless," he hisses. She is scenting herself with him, running her fingers in his hair, pressing his buttons. "Reckless female. You will be honest with me later, or I will rip your Father in half."

"Of course. This is a spur of the moment con. Only you can achieve because my mate is the fucking best at sticks. The only one I can trust. Keep the game going. Distract the Count while I slip away." She gives him a quick kiss and goes back to false crying. Shigaraki growls. He's torn between putting his manipulative bitch of a mate in her place or basking in her praise. Fuck, he does not like the unknown.

"What kind of a place are thou running, you fuckwad parasite?" Daddy SmithHammer sneers in the Count's face.

"Yesssss, what kind?" Shigaraki interrupts. "Mate injured. Where shake?"

"That is curious. It should respond to any genuine threats between the patrons. Interesting." The Count is eyeing Rebel.

"Never mind that. This excrement hast broken a deal made in the Index!" Daddy shouts melodramatically, pointing an accusatory finger at Shigaraki. The Count is now very interested, "He hath stood here on the sacred ground of the gambling hall and swore no other shall touch my daughter. He let disgusting monsters defile her. As her Father, I request to reclaim my marker."

"Oh, is this true?" The Count can't help looking delighted. Shigaraki hisses in outrage. What the fuck was this? he wonders. And she wants him to play along with this madness.

"Deny," he hisses, but Rebel calls him a liar. Pissing him off and forcing him to change tactics.

"After mate run. Broke deal first. Right to punish," Shigaraki rasps.

"Nay, never mentioned running in the Index, fucko!" Daddy gestures to his crotch crudely. Shigaraki now sees where his butterfly gets her filthy mouth. There's a chance he could lose his mate. This is how they got away with selling Rebel so many times. The Count is licking his fangs in glee.

"Possession is ownership! She run. Break rule. My right!" He is getting itchy. Pretending to speak basic human is exhausting.

"Hmmm, I'm afraid you have to be very precise and careful what is said in the Index. You refused the control ring, which would have extended your possession rights. So, I'm afraid Mr.SmithHammer will be taking back his daughter."

"Hey, vampire bitch! Gin over here! Rusty, get your sister away from that thing. She's been away from her real family long enough." Shigaraki wants to destroy everything. The room is shaking again as he is ready to decay anyone who gets near them. Rebel squeezes his fingers. His eyes are burning with rage when he sees her mouth, yours. He tries to calm down as Rusty pulls Rebel away. The Count is watching them until the Father holds up a control ring. Rebel slips away from the kitchen down a different hallway.

"I want a million gold for my Rebels control ring." Both Shigaraki and The Count hiss. He looks Shigaraki in the eyes. "Then I want a table, a thirty thousand gold buy-in, dead man's toe."

The Count instantly gives into the Father's request. He looks Shigaraki dead in the eyes.

"My daughter is convinced thou art the best. This is your chance to prove it. See if you can win my daughter back." Shigaraki cashes out at his table and moves to the old man's game. The Count places several of his staff at the table, his best sticks players. The Count is drooling at the prospect, his attention glued to the game. Control rings are not total ownership, but one cannot get out of a certain distance from the other wearer. He could make a deal with both of them and keep both close. Shigaraki for Rebel and Rebel will make a deal for her sister. They are within reach. The dealer makes the announcement.

"Dead man's toe, winner must take all and has the choice of pot or the collateral. Buy-in starts at thirty thousand. Jump in must match the progressive pot. All beings, place your marks!"

The game is starting.

Chapter Text

Rebel ran through the castle at top speed.

Her soft feet are almost silent on the stone floor with her shoes off. Most of the staff know her and get out of her way. Those who don't get shoved out of the way stopped when they come across someone who does know her, telling them Rebel has the right of way. Everyone knows the name Rebel in this castle.

She has no idea where the Count would keep Jenny, but she knows someone who does. She slows and pants outside the Count's private quarters. Catching her breath, leaning against the door and puffing. It's cool, especially this deep in the earth. The wrap on the wood made a heavy thunk, composing herself a little before the heavy door swung open. Ezra answers the Count has two pairs of twins in his harem. This was not one of the nice ones.

"Well, looky, looky, if it isn't the beloved Ms. Rebel. What brings you here?" He is a handsome dark man. The kind with the smoldering looks she always melted for.

"The Count told me my sister was here. I was just bought, he told me to change, but you know me." She pants. Giving him her most charmed smile.

"I see." His eyes narrow in disgust. His sister, Ezma, shoves him aside and squeals in delight when she sees Rebel. Ezma is perfect. She remained childlike and foolish for Rebel.

"You're going to be one of our sisters? Finally! Look at you all grown up. Come on, let's tell the others. First Jenny and now you."

"So, she's here?" Rebel asks innocently. Rebel pushes past Ezra, and he grabs his sister. He shakes his head no to her.

"Ezma, don't tell anyone. You stay right their Rebel." Her heart sinks, she doesn't want to do this, but she was taught not to 'hesitate and follow through' long ago. Rebel grabs Ezma and puts a silver dagger to her neck. She hisses in surprise, and Ezra is seething, his body trembling in fear for his sister.

"I knew it. You never cared about anyone but your filthy clan," he growls at Rebel. "Ezma can't get any more negative points; he'll kill her." He sounds angry, but his eyes are pleading. He is trying to appeal to her better nature.

"Thought he did away with that system," Rebel says callously.

"What are you doing?" Ezma whimpers. She looks hurt, and Rebel wants to feel for her, but she can't afford it. Her better nature is pushed deep down.

"Did he tell you that when he was trying to seduce you?" He sneers.

"I loved you like my own child," Ezma says. Her large cow eyes filled with tears. Rebel yanks Ezma's hair so she can direct those sad eyes at her brother.

"I love my sister like my sister. Ezma, I can't. Shut the fuck up right now, or I'll just leave you mute for the rest of your undead life. Touché, Erza. However, you should understand better than anyone why I'm doing this. You never wanted to be a husband. You did it for your sister. I really didn't want it to go this way, but I'm on a time crunch. You can take the point hits. You're an obedient little sex slave just for such an occasion. Either I get my sister, or I kill yours. It's your choice." Ezma whimpers. She knows Rebel will get her hands dirty for the family.

"You won't get away with it. Jenny has a control ring. You have one too. What are you hoping to gain here?" He is agitated and torn about what to do. He has not had to make tough decisions in a long time. For many vampires remembering what it is like to be human is hard. The Count only practices at playing human to feed his disgusting nature at optimal levels.

"We'll see. It won't be that many points for you. Now choose. Quite stalling for time. We know the gambling hall laws don't apply here. Let me worry about the rings. Tick-tock, I'm not fucking around. I just felt another rumble." Rebel wiggles her toes and presses the knife to Ezma's skin producing a sizzle.

The gambling hall has surrounded the Dead man's toe table. The Count's last player had lost the previous hand. He had to jump in and match the pot, which had grown to five million, making the total ten million the largest pot ever in the Index. The crowd is immersed in the game as the Count sweats. The Count rarely plays since he no longer finds it a challenge, and many other things usually need his attention.

He initially thought Daddy SmithHammer was a blessing. With his dementia, this should have been an easy win. Now he is cursing Rebel, who must have gotten him medicine before Daddy pulled this bullshit. This was something he could not pass up. He must try everything. If Master Kai had heard about this, he would be a dead man again. Which means something is happening under his nose.

Daddy SmithHammer is jovial as he degrades the Count and Tomura before every turn. He can use this time however he cares to if he plays prior to the last grain of sand. Most use it to refresh or plot, not Daddy SmithHammer. He loved to fluster his opponents. The Count squirms while Tomura plays ignorant of human speech, making the Count envious. He wishes he had thought of that hundreds of years ago.

"My daughter tells me you have erectile dysfunction, Count. I never had that problem. What's it like?" He asks with false concern. The Count sighs, he likes his mind-fucking one-sided, and his hand is shit. It only added to aggravation.

"Which daughter?" The Count asks. He licks his fangs. He can still taste Rebel and aches for another taste. Tomura scratches his ruff and looks thoroughly bored. The Count's comment didn't get a rise from either.

"It could've been one of my sons, not sure. All I remember is hearing the words' micro' and 'pathetic,' regardless, I'm concerned for thee old friend. I heard there is a warlock that can help with that. I don't know his name, but I can ask around for you. Again, I have never suffered in that way. At times I wish I did, but kids are an absolute joy. Thy pull-out game is weak. You can never produce any of your own, am I right? By the way, I raise six thousand and wish to re-roll my bones." This brings a cascade of whispered theories and techniques from the crowd. A hazardous move. Tomura trades two sticks, matches the raise, and raises fifty thousand. Gasps and murmurs.

Meanwhile, the foul stench of death wafts in the air. Ezma's flawless dead skin is burnt and marred by Rebel. Ezra runs to fetch Jenny, too afraid to push Rebel further. Ezma tries to look at Rebel. Her fingers caress Rebel's leg; they are cold and Rebel shivers.

"I forgive you. I still love you. You have become so strong and dangerous. You do what you have to." She murmurs to Rebel.

"You know I will," She growls.

"I know. I'm proud of you." Rebel jerks her hair. "Stop," Rebel hisses in her ear. Jenny comes running up sobbing at seeing Rebel.

"Jenny, grab the ropes under that room's bed and tie Ezra up." She shoves Ezma to follow.

"Why don't we just kill them?" asks Jenny excited at the idea. Rebel groans; she gets it now. All the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. Her family backstabs, holds secrets, loves, and lies for each other. She hates this part.

"Jenny, do as I say, then come here. Ezra and Ezma, I love you both. I'm sorry." Jenny gives her a sour look and ties them both tighter than necessary.

"What if they get loose?" She huffs. She gets up to stand in front of Rebel, who grabs her and rubs her face on Jenny's. She licks her hand and runs it across her stomach. Then on Jenny's face. Jenny flails and shrieks at her.

"Oh, gods! Why are you rubbing that strange smell on me? It smells like wildflowers, sea salt, and musk." Rebel doesn't bother to answer. She drags Jenny with her. Putting the dagger away, they head to the kitchen where laws apply.

"I have an idea what you did, Jenny. I need you not to be you for a little while and follow directions." Jenny yanks her hand away.

"That's not fair. We all can't be you, Rebel. Why do you get to be the Rebel? Why do I just get to be Jenny? I'm always in your shadow."

"It's not fun! I do it, so you don't have to. I do it because I know my limits. You wanted to kill them just because you could. That would have massive consequences for all of us. You have to think of more than yourself at all times when you carry the SmithHammer name."

"Is it that or because of something else more personal just to you. Do you have any idea what they did to me?" Jenny is pounding her chest and sobbing. So, dramatic Rebel thinks.

"Yes, of course, I fucking do! I know them. They didn't fuck with you like the Count. Ezra probably gave you dirty looks explaining the house rules while Ezma brushed your hair. They are the Count's groomers, preparing you for life with them. They would never hurt you. I have told you before that trust a monster to be a monster, but not all of them are the same. I just did a very scuzzy thing because you're my sister and I love you more. We don't have time to dick around with a rivalry right now. Rusty will explain everything to you if you follow me." Rebel turned and ran. Jenny watched her, pissed off and ashamed. She hated Rebel being right. What choice did Jenny have other than to follow? She runs behind Rebel, in her shadow again.

Rusty comes up behind the old man. Daddy SmithHammer's round has started, and the Count has gone all in. Shigaraki watches as they whisper. He hears a few snips that set him on edge.

"Remember what Rebel s……. you did that to them…...a lot to…...family is …… that matters." Rusty pats the father on the shoulder and shoots Shigaraki a hand gesture he has seen Rebel use. He never bothered to ask what it meant. Rusty makes his way to the kitchen. Shigaraki sees his mate dart in the same door with a girl who looks like them. He can smell Rebel for a thousand miles, and her scent is pushing him further to the edge.

It's a mix of anger, depression, stress, fear, and excitement. To him, it's a coppery taste of blood and lighting. The father calls and exposes his bones hidden under the cup and flips his sticks for everyone to see. The Count looks pleased as he flips his. It's a whole meld, a more substantial hand than the father, one of the strongest in sticks.

"The house always wins," he hisses to Tomura. The Count stands over the pile of gold to see Tomura's hand and gather all the gold when he inevitably wins. Shigaraki chitters and chirps, keeping his eyes on the Count. He wants to enjoy the sight.

Shigaraki flips his sticks and exposes his bones. He has a straight meld, stronger than the Count's hand. The crowd goes wild, congratulating Shigaraki on a fantastic round. The Count's bemused look drops. He grows even paler as he slumps to his chair in shock. He looks as if he had died all over again and Shigaraki laughs and warbles. The Count gives him a dark look, and the castle rumbles. Making Shigaraki laugh harder, he relishes the idea of turning the Count to dust.

His mate wanted him to lose to this man. He would never go along with that absurdity. The Count quickly looks away as the dealer pushes the winnings to Tomura. The Count is thinking, plotting, and scheming. It is now just down to the father and Tomura. Somewhere in the castle is Rebel roaming free along with the SmithHammer clan. That could end up costing him just as much. The Count moves to get up when Daddy SmithHammer announces something that keeps his attention.

"Last hand!" The father announces to the room. Everyone crowds in to get a better look. The tension is high in the air. They have already started watching a legendary game with masters sparing each other. They were not leaving with the last hand in play. The bones are rolled and hidden under the cups. They peek as the dealer deals them sticks. Shigaraki stays while the father takes trades a stick. They both pushed the total pot in the middle. Daddy doesn't bother to look at it. He turns the timer over and looks at Tomura.

"I hope that primitive monster brain can wrap around what I'm about to say," Daddy jeers. Shigrakai hisses at him. Daddy holds up the control ring. "The one, the Count, is wearing; Jenny's ring. It's fundamental only to keep the wearer within a certain distance and prevent the assassination of the wearer. This one that Rebel is wearing is much more advanced. It will compel thee, wearer, to follow basic commands. This does not mean ownership in the normal sense of the definition. The only one who makes these is Master Kai. He is the only one who has anti-magic metal and an expert at enhancement." Shigaraki listens to this rant, idly scratching his neck, wondering why this human is giving him a control ring lesson.

"Think me slow," He hisses to the human.

"I think thou art like thyself. I am a terrible father and an awful husband. I sold my eldest child many times. The Count is always willing to make a deal. I viewed it as a sacrifice for the rest of her family. I refused to listen to my wife, and she became muted because of thy pride. Thou art a monster, but you do not have to be one to my daughter. I may be an awful father and husband, but I am an excellent thief and sticks player. I call," Daddy SmithHammer grins.

Tomura turns his sticks and cup over. He has a straight meld. Only one kind of hand can beat it.

Daddy flips his sticks over, and the room bursts into elation. The Count is bemused, and Shigrakai feels insanely itchy. He is confused. The father didn't even flip over his last stick until now. Yet, he has a Royal straight, the highest hand in the game. The room felt like they just saw history made in front of them. The hate in Shigaraki's gut is swirling, making him want to retch. He lost his mate and all the gold. He can't even bribe the greedy human. Rusty is there, hand on his father.

Daddy is having a shot of gin. Slamming the shot glass down on the table. The loud pounding silences the crowd. The room gives a low rumble. Shigaraki wants to kill everything. The only thing holding him back is what might come next. Maybe his mate will use her cunning to come back to him. The itch is more intense, the sensitive skin under his fur unbearably itchy. Why would she? He won't even let her hold the child she so desperately loves.

The dealer places the control ring on the table and a fancy golden marker representing ten million gold.

The father stands proud for his announcement.

"I trust and love thine daughter. She belongs with her family. I choose the maker." He snatches it as Rusty runs with the old man.

Shigaraki is fast but not as quick as the Count. The castle shakes as the Count puts on the ring with a psychotic expression of glee. The table decays, and the court shakes so hard the patrons run. Something bright is forming in the middle of the room. The Count is shouting something at him. All he can hear is the roar of his rage. The bright thing is a creature in gold armor. It is hefting a spear at him, and he hates it. Shigaraki wants to see it all destroyed. A flap of his wings and he darts in front of the thing.

A quick swiping arch of his talons disintegrates its legs. Its mouth lets out a silent cry of light. Its glowing eyes are wide in surprise as Shigaraki uses his other hand to sweep its annoying head off mid-fall. It turns into an explosion of dust. Now Shigaraki turns to the Count. Only Rebel is there blocking him. His frightened mate is begging something of him. He snatches her in his arms, buzzing and chittering. Forgetting she only speaks human, he screeches, "If I can't have you, no one will! Bad mate, bad, bad mate! Reckless. You're mine! Mine!"

She is roughly grabbing his feelers to get his attention. Causing him to growl in pain and looks at her moving mouth. She is repeating 'yours.'

"Rebel, get him to calm down before he summons something worse!" The Count shouts at her.

"Leave us!" She shouts over her shoulder at him. The Count turns to leave before he stops and looks at his hand in confusion. His face twists into panic as he runs. She smirks in pleasure at the sight before she turns back to Shiggy.

"You did amazing, my mate. You are truly the best. Come, let's celebrate." Shigaraki is confused as she leads him away. The hate is still twisting in his gut as he followers her in a daze. She is smiling at him so pretty. His wingless butterfly he was about to tear apart. He is in the room as she runs her fingers through his fur and hair. Kissing him and panting. Her scent was no longer of fear but of arousal. Her talented tongue calmed him.

"I know you are dangerous, but you just killed Magec, a deity of sun and light. My gods, you did it perfectly. So convincing. Daddy told me how you won ten million and tricked the Count. Brilliant, better than my plan. You trusted me."

His confusion deepens, but he is not about to stop this. He wants to catch up with what has just happened. Rebel is sucking his tongue while moaning in his mouth. She is not his wrathful little minx, one who would try to stab him and was only sweet when she wanted something.

"Of course," he rasps between fervent kisses. "You are my clever mate. Mine. My little butterfly."

He decays her clothes. Her soft, tender body is hot and writhing against him. Lifting her to impale her on his aching cock. He is still angry and frustrated, and he wants to take it out on her tight cunt. He can't remember a time when she was this submissive and willing. She stops him, sliding to her knees. Griping his cock she licks him, making him suck in air and curl his toes.

"Teach me how to take you with my mouth." Eager and greedy for him. He gives her a sinister smile, all fangs, and she begs again. Her eyes gleam with lust and something else she doesn't recognize. He had finally broken her the way he longed for, and all it took was a little lie.

"No, my knot will kill you. Come up here and ride me like a pony," he orders with a grin while caressing her jaw and playing with her soft hair. He feels like she has cast a spell on him. The memory of why he was angry drowning in her wanting hunger. Whining as she kisses the tip of his leaking head, her plump lips glistening with him.

"You made me so happy. I want to return the favor. You trusted me. I trust you. Teach me, pretty please." She pouts. He can't resist her. He licks his chapped lips and flutters his wings for her. She giggles as her plump lips wrap around his head. He groans in pleasure.

"Ok, but when I pull you away, you stop." He instructs, and she nods happily. "Take as much of my cock into your mouth and slowly edge towards the back of your throat." When he reached the back of her throat, she gagged and pulled back. He chittered and cooed, encouraging her to try again.

"That's normal. Try to suppress your gag reflex and hold there. Breath through your nose while at the same time focusing on relaxing your throat. Good little butterfly. Hold steady and adjust before trying to move. Breathe through your nose as you pull away with each stroke." He's panting too hard. Soft, warm, and wet. The way she looks upon him with her beautiful eyes while her mouth is full of him is pure euphoria. Her mouth is hot and moist with a hint of teeth. He feels vulnerable and then wonderfully thankful for her for giving into him. She starts to move, and he groans, resisting the urge to thrust or grab her head. He watches as his large cock slides in and out of her gradually at first until she forms a rhythm.

It feels like heaven to him. The room is filled with the sound of his buzzing wings and moans. Every now and then, she gags and tightens on him. His mate is improvising and twirling her tongue at his head. He can feel the vibrations of her humming. It's not long before the heat and hate in his gut tighten to release in her waiting throat. He growls as he pulls her away by the hair with four fingers.

He barely pulled her away in enough time to miss his knot. He loves the intense sensation of her suckling and swallowing his cum. He's gasping and chirping. He pulls out of her mouth with a wet slurp and pins her to the floor, scenting and licking her. He is dusting her and chirping. She is giggling and kissing him. He has never seen her like this, so kittenish for him as she wipes her mouth and plants little kisses around his eyes. Rebel leaves cool spots on his scars as she pulls away.

"You did great, my butterfly. So good. You're not hurt, are you?"

"Well, throat is a little sore. But with practice, I'm sure I'll be fine. You taste awful, by the way," she rasps.

"Oh, really?"

"Yes, it's a good thing I love you." She bites his shoulder. That is the only time she had ever said that to him. It made him melt. It also doubled his fear and paranoia of losing her.

He now had a secret and would kill to keep it.

Chapter Text

The Count feels dazed.

Sitting on the bed, holding his face to keep from splitting apart. Ezma is crying, and Ezra is avoiding eye contact. He had not bothered to untie them. The stench of their fear is usually an aphrodisiac, but he feels used for the first time in thousands of years. He looks at the control rings and sighs. Standing, he looms over the two and seethes.

"You fools, let my property go. I should kill you both. Your performance over the last three centuries has been unsatisfactory. But I'm not going to punish you as long as the two of you move your asses and find me, Jenny! That little cunt must still be in the castle. Find her and bring her to me!" He roars. They both cower as he unties them, and they scramble like roaches to follow his orders.

The Count goes to his master bedroom. He needs comfort. He moves aside a tapestry. Behind it is a hidden blue door. He sat heavily on the small bed. This is where he had kept her hidden for those first years. For the most part, he kept the room how Rebel left it. A little mussed after a tantrum when he told her she had to live with Master Kai. Her somber compliant demeanor cracked like an eggshell at her temporary loss of control.

Initially, everything was pink, but when she told him that her favorite colors were blue and purple, he changed the room and wardrobe. Nothing was too good for his Rebel. He picks up her favorite blue teddy bear and inhales the heady salty scent. It still smells of the tears she shed after many of the Count's lessons. He thinks it's her favorite, but the truth is she hated him, she hated being here, and she never wanted any of the things he had to offer, including this teddy bear.

He never wanted to fuck with children, but Master Kai wanted little girls, and the Count never bothered to ask why. All he wanted was to please his Master and gain more power. Still, he tried to keep her secret. The Count comes in here when he wants to calm down, staring at the pictures he had commissioned after her first-year stay. She grew so quickly that he had an entire staff dedicated to making her clothes and shoes. His favorite painting is the one with a little scowling Rebel in an elaborate blue dress, the Count behind her holding her shoulders, and Lilith behind him.

Her expression was spiteful, and it never failed to please him. He wishes he could have said she was a sweet little innocent thing, but she wasn't. When she came into his possession, she had already been a primary household caretaker, more adult than the parents. A six-year-old adult who loved horses and money.

Those large cunning eyes were always watching for a way to stick a knife in, and he loved the game. He is fine with that he could never groom her to be one of his brides, but the constant rejection hurt. She will never admit it, but he did help raise her, too fucking well. A part of him hates himself; he couldn't be the father she needed. But he prides himself on being the tormentor she needed.

He took the teddy bear with him as he cried to Lilith like a child.

I'm actually quite proud of her.

Lilith echoes in his head as he curls up with the bear. "I wish I never taught her anything! She tricked me. He tricked me!" he wails.

Your hubris and greed blinded you again. I warned you. Now you must pay the price.

He did not like the sound of that. Not one bit.

I care not what you like or dislike. You must pay the price for your little games.

"You're still mad at me! That's why you let me mismanage this!" He accused.

Again, that is your petty greed! All I do is warn and guide, yet you still insist on being a grinning fool! You are the one who gave her to Master Kai for a gambling hall! You gave our only child away! All your actions have consequences!

The pain is unbearable. It is like lighting through his mind and acid boiling his blood. He is begging her to stop, and she is merciful.

"I had to; you know I had to. That's not fair; it's not fair. I tried very hard to keep her hidden. I wanted to keep her too. I love the little brat."

No. It was never about ownership for me. I simply wish to see the end blossom while I water the seed of destruction. Nurture. Patience. Love. All the things you forgot.

He mentally rolls his eyes. Sure Lilith has time to think of these things but she can not physically do anything outside this room. Suddenly he was inspired.

"Master Kai! He made these rings. He can take it off; he will know."

When Rebel leaves, you will go with her, with him, and show them the Nurture. Patience. Love. Both. You will be the Master he has been denied and the family she was deprived of.

"The fuck I will! I had the good sense not to give up and can still function in the world, Lilith. You keep trying to change my nature. I promised to bring Rebel back. I never said anything about sharing her heart. Her body is one thing, but her heart belongs to me; it always belonged to me. The longer she is around him, the more he wheedles his way in. I need them separated immediately. I can still bargain. Once we find that bitch Jenny, Rebel will give anything for her disgusting kin," he snarled, strangling the teddy bear.

He gave Rebel what you couldn't. Make arrangements for the care of the Index while you are away. Adam will be the best choice.

"Are you not listening? I will not. I will get this fucking ring off, we'll find a way to keep them both here, and then you do all the fucking watering you want!"

Send in Adam before you go and leave the bear.

 "Sssstop," Shiggy hisses. With no sincerity, grinning as Rebel plays with his antennae.

"But they are so soft, and I know you like it," Rebel teases, running her fingers over them one last time before moving to his fur collar. Moaning in pleasure, Shigaraki grinds his cock on her hip.

"You have been insatiable all day. We should stop. It's getting harder to pull out," he rasps near his mark. The bit scar he gave her the first night he had won her. Threatening to renew it when she presses his lips to it. She whimpers as she writhes under him. Knowing it's riling his instincts.

"I want you, my mate. Is that so wrong?" She pouts. Growling, he clamps his lips over his old mark. He wraps himself around her with fisted hands, melting into her as he forces her legs open roughly. Rebel gasps, digging her nails into his back between his wings.

"Last time," he grunts. Cramming and pushing his way into her warm waiting center, her trembling legs firmly wrapped around him. She grits her teeth and forces herself to take him into her still sore, stretched pussy. Moaning and crying with each thrust, she knits her fist in his fluffy blue hair and growls at him.

"Do it," she commands. This mark means Rebel is his, mine, always mine. His sharp jagged fangs dig in. She is exhausted and weaker than him, so he holds back, only piercing her enough to raise the scars. So eager as she pushes back on his rolling hips even when her tears are wetting his face. He can feel her slick walls tightening when the fucking door flies open with a bang.

"Where the fuck is she?" The Count roars. "I had my people scour the whole castle except this room, so where the fuck in my property? Where is Jenny?" The scent of blood and sex makes him stagger.

"Technically, all you own is the ring, ugh, which I'm, I'm, oh gods. Ugh, it's over there," she gasps, waving the Count away.

The Count was about to ask what the fuck was going on here. When he decided that was too stupid of a question. He found Jenny's ring and felt nothing. After the fucking night he had, he couldn't feel anything anymore. He slumped down in the chair, watching the two. He looks at Rebel, then looks to the dress in the other room and yearns with self-pity. Shigaraki lifts his head, the smell of blood stronger as it stains his lips. Like a shark, the Count is immediately aroused, his eyes dilating. Rebel is panting and biting his chin. He looks the Count in his eyes, giving him a cruel smile. Not bothering to slow his efforts in pounding Rebel.

"Either join or get the fuck out," Shigaraki snarls.

"No!" Rebel growls. "Not him!"

"Well, now that's just hurtful. I may not be human anymore, but I still have feelings," The Count says, trying to process what the hell he's seeing.

"Then tell him to get out." Shigaraki orders. His bucking hips are becoming feverish in his chase to make her cum in front of the Count.

"Leave Count," she pants. The Count stiffens, he wants to slap her, but the ring tells him he wants to leave.

"No, no, no, when you talk to the slaves, you have to be harsher. Try again." Shiggy scolds her.

"Oh, Gods. Get the fuck out, Cain! And leave Jenny's ring!" She's arching into him, and he growls, his eyes never leaving the Count. The Count is angry. Not only did she use his real name, but she also appeared to be enjoying herself, ordering him about while fucking this lesser. Shigaraki is literally a fucking insect. He can't ignore the order. It hurt too much, so he places the ring on the nightstand next to them and moves to leave.

"Well, I can tell when I'm not wanted," he puffs. Before he reaches the door, he hears something that causes him to wonder.

"Gooood girl, now arch into me more," Shigaraki hisses. He can smell and hear her pulsing orgasm cascading before she does. She's crying out his name.

"Ahhh, Shiggy! I love you!" The Count can smell her juices coat over Shigaraki's hard cock about to cum himself. He closes the door and calms down. Shiggy, what an overly adorable nickname for that thing. The 'I love you' was incredibly vexing; it made his heart pump in fear and hatred.

Why the hell would she say that? She must have meant it, but why? At the table, he and Shiggy went for the ring. He didn't feel any deception. It's part of the way he was duped. He honestly thought this was the Master ring. The Count twists the ring. Not bothering to try to pull it off. It would just take his finger and show up on another finger or until he ran out of limbs. When he was mad, he reeked of rage. That was not an act, yet Rebel jumped in. Rebel stayed even after he threatened to kill her. If he couldn't have her, no one could. It was a death threat if he ever heard one. Rebel is not that brave.

She always takes threats seriously, so why? The Count is finally amused again when he reaches a state of clarity. The flock never trusted Rebel enough to teach her their language, and she believes that everything went according to plan. How delicious, he thinks. He doesn't need the annoying Jenny anymore; he has a secret. He licks his fangs and finally feels normal. It's time to make arrangements to see Master Kai.

Rebel's entire body jerks with each spasm. She misses his cock in her. Orgasming on nothing was not nearly as satisfying as that fat heavy dick. Hell, she would even take the knot pressed on her belly. She can feel the spreading heat of his cum as he pulses, using their heated bodies to create pressure. Rolling over, he is panting and gasping. She gets up to grab a towel for the both of them. She is dripping with his seed. Her entire belly was drenched with him.

"When sunset comes, we'll go home." He rasps. Freezing, Rebel gives him a meek grin.

"About that, I have some news. It's also time to tell you everything." She tosses him a fresh towel as she explains her schemes, how she relocated her family, how they will use them to complete their contract with the sphinx, how they will have to deal with Master Kai, and why. Shigaraki scrunches his face in annoyance. She is very proud of her cons, and this hurts a little.

"I thought you wanted the gold to strengthen the Hive. I see. We will go to see Master Kai together. We will find a way for you to be with our child. But your family is another matter. You should have told me first," he hisses. She sighs in annoyance.

"I did tell you, repeatedly. I told you we could get something to help make it so I could hold Hana. I told you my family wouldn't survive without me. With both, you told me disobedient mates don't get accommodations," she huffs.

"Might have been something I said," He scratches his ruff.

"Might have been? It was exactly what you said. I couldn't risk you saying 'no' anymore. I don't want to argue. What's done is done. I needed this ring to control the Count. He's slippery, and I am desperate to see Master Kai. I was worried you might be a bad actor but how you handled yourself." She kisses him with adoration as she confesses. "I want to be part of a big family again. I want all of us to be a part of the flock. I was so alone when I lived with the Count and Master Kai."

She looks at him with love and hope. Making him weak. He chirps at her as she snuggles against him. Wings covering her, his arms trapping her to him, he coos his response.

"If that will keep my mate at the Hive and obedient, we will make accommodations. I will give you all the children and family you could ever wish for."

"Shiggy?" she asks cautiously. "I don't want to be shared with Dabi. I don't want to share you with another female. I don't want Dabi taking you away from me." He grunts and pauses to choose his words carefully. Having finally had his mate where he wants her, he can't have her trying to run again. Although, he could threaten to tear apart one of her family members. He decides honesty would be okay for now.

"Our species is cursed with a breeding limit. We can only produce two each. That goes for both sexes. If you wish for more than two children, we will have to consider orphans or expand the breeding pool, which should include Dabi. The Hive needs fire to survive, and Dabi has shown a great interest in being a thruple. It will keep him close. I cannot have him wandering back to whatever Hive he came from discontent. He could bring an army of fireflies with him and easily kill us. I can't trust him without something anchoring him to our Hive. But make no mistake, you are mine! Not Dabi's, understand?"

She nods bashfully. It doesn't seem she can avoid Dabi.

"As for sexual pleasure, the two of you are more than enough. You don't have to worry about another female. You are softer and tighter than any of our females. Never repeat this to Dabi, but I do enjoy the feeling of taking you at the same time. I've not had sex with Dabi or any male. It might be fun, but they could never replace you. You're the mother of my brood. You're mine, and I will never let you go."

This is a lot of talking for him, and he is getting drowsy. Fingers are running through his hairs, her digits pulling rumbles in a purr from his chest as he drifts to sleep. Rebel is fine with possessiveness. She feels it herself, which is why she doesn't trust Dabi.

Eyes too heavy, she starts to drift to sleep with him.

Chapter Text

Shigaraki's butterfly is bossing around the vampire staff like royalty. 

While the Count watched, disheveled and despondent. One of the vampire bitches is scrubbing him too hard, and he growled at her.

"You! Don't dare get his wings wet. Unless you want to end up as a pile of dust." Rebel scolds the woman. Rebel is in some strange undergarments he's never seen before, white with straps and flower patterns he can see through. They looked soft and very uncomfortable as they clung to her. The way she fluttered about was setting him on edge.

"Yes, Ms. Rebel, I'm so sorry. It's just…that…well, he's smooth down there, but I can smell it, and we all know how Master Kai is. Is it internal?" The pale woman pleaded. Treating Shigaraki like he's Rebel's pet.

"I normally have my butterfly lick it clean," he rasps.

The woman shrieks at hearing him speak clearly, causing Rebel to turn red with embarrassment. It serves her right for being pushy with him, insisting he gets wet like this. It takes what feels like an eternity for his wings to dry if they get damp. Rebel is always quick to adapt, and she gives him a sultry grin as she gets on her hands and knees.

Crawling to him like a sleek cat stalking her prey, making her shoulders and ass roll perfectly. He chirps and grows hard at the sight. Even the Count shifts at the luscious view. Her eyes ask him for permission, and he grants it with a nod. His sexual predator slithers her hands into the tub stroking his girth with soap.

"I'm sorry, my mate, but my tongue won't do today." She whispers in his ear sweetly.

"Oh please, I think I'm about to be sick," The Count snorts in contrition.

"You can always leave," Rebel says, glaring at him.

"No, thank you. Viv, get Rebel that purple number, the slinky one with the slit up the side. I would consider acquiescing to your every need, dear, if you will tell me how to get this ring off. I am always willing to make a deal."

"I don't need to make a deal. So, why would I do that? You look like shit; we're going to see Master kai today."

"I know what I look like! For old times' sake. For your daddy, because I've always been there for you," He hisses and pouts. Rebel shoots him a dangerous glare as she moves to Shigaraki's hair. Cooing to her as she carefully moved his antenna.

"Rebel, order him to do something he used to make you do," Shigaraki offers. The Count pales and slumps in his chair, mumbling about how it was all to help. Shigaraki is relishing this mild torture. He wonders how much the Count would cry if he decayed his prick. Rebel is careful as she washes between his wings with her this close. He can smell her fear. It makes him want to be cruel. He's irritated that she doesn't fear him like this. This is all for Master Kai.

"What makes Master Kai so special that my little butterfly is afraid?" Both the Count and Rebel hesitate to answer him.

"Let's just say he scares the shit out of me, and my magic is on par with the number one knight in the blood forest." The Count offers as Rebel gently rinses his hair, avoiding the subject. Shigaraki moves to look at him. Rebel tsks as he gets soap in his eyes and hisses at her.

"Really?" he asks. He has not seen the Count's magic when he thinks of it and has not asked his mate.

"Yeah, I didn't get to be the Count by being weak. I became the Count by being the best and willing to do nasty things to get more power," The Count stares back at Shigaraki. The implication is that he wants to do nasty things to him. Shigaraki laughs at the fool. It doesn't matter what his magic is; he will kill him first.

"Shiggy, please, whatever happens, don't leave me there," Rebel whispers.

A female his mate called 'Ezra' burst in the with a purple dress. Twittering at his mate in human speech too fast for him to understand. The sweet female smelled like genuine joy, while his mate now smelled depressed and frightened. The bitter taste makes him want to tear something apart for upsetting his mate. Shigaraki is starting to realize he knew very little about his mate before buying her.

Things now felt very different. She never asked him to protect her. Shiggy chirps at her and plots how he will kill the Count. If Rebel's brother and father kept their mouth shut, he would not have accidents planned for them. He would not go back. He could not lose her. The vampire help started to dry him off while one was measuring him.

"Count, go get ready, dammit," Rebel orders the Count. The Count shuffles off bitching about fairness. More fussing as Shigaraki gets bored. Two hours later, his mate was unrecognizable. She is painted and dressed in curve-hugging purple. Rebel looks like a real butterfly to him. He wants to ravage her and make that face paint run.

They  forced him into pants and then forced him into an extended carriage. Shigaraki hated it. It's cramped, his wings couldn't spread out, and they only let his head hang out into the wind for a little while. He felt sick, like a bumpy flight he wasn't flying. He clung to Rebel's legs, resting his head in her lap, opening the slit up the side to feel and kiss her soft skin.

She played with his hair and antennas. The smell of fear rose the closer they got. He wants to dampen her fear. He nuzzles her crotch, keening and chirping. She looks down at him, her brows knit in confusion. His claws gliding up and down her leg, the light, sharp pricks are raising goosebumps on her tender flesh.

"Little butterfly, why are you so afraid of Master Kai?" He asks.

"He can rearrange things." She says with sad eyes.

"I can decay things. You're not this afraid of me," Shigaraki says, confused.

"Lord, the fact you can't tell the difference in your relationship is nothing short of astounding. I know children that have been hit on the head who can grasp basic social concepts," The Count scoffs. Shigaraki whips his head around his scarlet eyes filled with murder.

"Cain, be quiet," Rebel orders grimly. The Count examines his nails as if that was what he wanted to do all along. Soothing fingers draw Shigaraki's attention back to Rebel. The scent of fear is milder as she gazes at him with tenderness. Pants hurt his straining member. Shigaraki wants her like this for him always.

"We've been together for a while now. You don't remember my constant fear. Over time it was too much, and I ran away when it became overwhelming. You caught me every time. After Hana was born, you didn't want to kill me as much, although you threatened it often. With Master Kai, it is different."

Jerking as if she slapped him. How can he tell her that was before when he thought he could replace her? He may have threatened to kill her and thought of it several times, but he realized quickly he would never be able to find another Rebel. Master taught him human, and he's fluent, but he does not know how to tell her this. He hates it, chittering at her in his language. Unable to bring her closer to him with his words.

"He says he would never hurt you," The Count says idly. Shigaraki stiffens, the Count knowing Mothman is a bigger problem for him. The Count smiles, amused at Shigaraki. "And you're right. You will never be able to find another Rebel in a thousand years. I should know."

Some new scent was coming from his butterfly and is surprised when she smothered him with her flesh and a wave of sweet sounds. The Count has a mixed expression of disgust and inspiration. The vampire makes the ball of hate twist and flares in his gut.

"How do you know my language?" Shigaraki hisses at the Count while Rebel melts against him. The rocking of the carriage added to the embrace he never knew he longed for, possessively clinging to her.

"I run an interspecies gambling hall. It's one of the many reasons I'm the Count. I'm overall remarkable. That and Master All had spent too much time with the Mothmen. He needed someone to translate when he spoke to Master Kai." Shigaraki's antenna twitched. He did not know his Master met with Master Kai. 

"Oh, you didn't know about that. I can tell by that twitch. This nose can smell everything, and it smells change in the air," the Count smiled.

"Are you two talking to each other? What are you saying?" Rebel asks suspiciously. Her eyes are darting between the two.

"Your kind never trusted Rebel enough to learn the language. How amusing. And you wonder why she doesn't view you as an equal worthy of her trust. We'll have to finish this another time; your language is exhausting, and we're here." The Count looks like his old bemused self as the carriage jolts to a stop, playing with his control ring. Rebel smells of fear again as she squeezes him tighter.

Rebel  swats at Shigaraki's hand whenever he reaches into his pants to scratch his groin. They had spent the past twenty minutes traversing a maze. Shigaraki never had to walk so much in his life. No wonder humans wear shoes.

"Stop it," she hisses at him.

"Fucking primitive," The Count shakes his head.

"It's itchy. I hate pants," Shigaraki growls. Rebel sighs and tries to push down the memories of this place. She hates the black forest. It's the most difficult to escape because so many different kinds of monsters are trapped within. Unable to escape, they are stuck in a vicious cycle of eating anything they encounter.

Men dressed in ornate beak-like doctor's masks lead them deep underground. Forcing them to enter a room with sanitation lighting that made Shiggy scream and hiss. He was seething pissed by the time they seated them in a dark room filled with strange devices. Rebel left the Count to calm Shiggy down as she ran around excited, asking Chronos what this thing did or how that thing worked.

"Perfect example of why you should have stayed," A nasally form said from the shadows. The figure that shuffles in the room looks like a man dressed as a hideous vulture. A black feathered cape covered him from head to foot dragged along the ground. His gold-covered mask is at least two feet long. The mask is making his voice sound as hollow as his soul.

"Look at you all grown up and tainted." His words made her shudder in fear. When Rebel had run away long ago, Master Kai was fanatical about germs. Seeing him now, the Count was correct; he had gone mad with his obsession with cleanliness. Rebel gives him a quick bow and then rushes to sit by Shiggy, who didn't bother to address Master Kai or ask permission to sit. Shigs is idly scratching his crotch and looking bored and unimpressed with Master Kai. His wing wraps around her, pulling her close and hiding her slightly behind him.

She has never been more grateful to cling to him. A sad little girl is trailing beside the Master. Rebel feels a deep pity for her. She knows precisely what Master Kai is like. The little girl gives her a curious look with big red eyes that remind her of Hana, long pale hair, and a tiny horn. She could be Shigaraki's little sister if she had wings. When she was living here, the best thing was to be unseen and unheard as much as possible, and that was before whatever this was.

"Chronos see to it that Rebel gets her favorites. My apologies, I don't mean to be rude, but Cain's punishment has to be addressed first. I'm Master Kai. We've met, although I doubt you remember, Shigaraki."

"I'm the same way with my people," Shigaraki rasps. As several vampires came, set teas and treats out for Rebel. Shigaraki could smell the excitement of them seeing Rebel again. Many get her attention. He can feel her desire to respond. She clings to him, refusing to look up.

"Why does the Count have to be punished at all? You wanted Rebel, and here she is," The Count snaps at him.

"I told you years ago to obtain the rights to her, and here she is sullied and owned by another. Persistent failure. I know you probably had plenty of opportunities, but you are greedy as always. In fact, you're wearing a control ring, and Rebel has ownership of you. So, now I must ask, Rebel. What should Cain's punishment be? Anything you want, dear." His eyes land on her, and she stiffens. It's hard to force herself to speak, making the muscle that has been trained to remain still in Master Kai's presence move. Since he has spoken to her, she must reply without her normal vulgarity.

"I feel the Count has been punished enough," she forces out. The Count gives her a curious look. Wondering what she is plotting.

"Really, even after what he's done to you. I know in the time before he brought you here, he had given you to several beasts who tried to rape or eat you. He made you watch as he fouled people, made you watch him turn others, left you in the middle of the forest to fend for yourself for days, let you get close to home only to snatch you back."

"Why are we airing out a ridiculous laundry list of offenses that not only I have made up for, was all to help Rebel. You are just as guilty in helping Rebel the same way." The Count waves off this list as if it were nothing. If looks could kill, The Count would be dead under her gaze. Shigaraki has hate rolling off him for both men, but currently, it's directed at the Count who tortured his Rebel. She takes several deep breaths to calm herself before she says anything.

"What I mean to say is, I have no desire to punish the Count. I leave whatever you wish to do to him in your capable hands as long as it's short of death. As the Master of his control ring, I request that he is to remain intact enough to be useful."

"You can remove the ring or have her remove it? I can pay," the Count pouts.

"I have no idea how she got the ring off. Rebel will you remove Cain's ring," Master Kai asks. Rebel looks to Shigaraki for permission. He doesn't give it.

"No," Rebel says flatly. Master Kai shrugs.

"I tried, Cain. How sweet. You should be grateful, Cain. I would have rearranged you into something more like a dog without your cock if it wasn't for that ring. Without anything to dispel your foul. You would be undead, wandering around while your guts purified and dripped behind you. As it is, I'll have to get creative. Rebel has shown you mercy you certainly don't deserve," Kai says, sounding disinterested and smiling. 

 The little girl next to him timidly asks for a cookie. Master Kai sighs and removes one of his gloves. The reaction in the room is immediate.

Rebel froze and trembled, suppressing a yelp as the Count grabbed her head and smothered it to his chest; she let him.

"I told you repeatedly not to interrupt," Master Kai scolded her with a harsh edge. Shigaraki is too enthralled with what is about to happen to rip the Count's arm off. Master Kai touched the girl, and with a mild scream, she fell apart and reappeared. Shigaraki wrinkled his nose and let his antennae droop. Was that it? Master Kai hands her a cookie. The little girl mumbles how she doesn't like cookies.

"For fuck sake, Master, couldn't you just have given the child a cookie!" The Count shouts, trying to comfort a stiff Rebel. The fear, rage, and intensity in the room are rubbing Shigaraki the wrong way. He gets it now. Master Kai can rearrange anything, including personality. He truly hates this man. No wonder the others were scared, he kills you and brings you back, and you never know if you're different.

"Where was I?" Master Kai wonders aloud. Shigaraki warbles and roughly pulls Rebel to him. She is glassy-eyed and staring at the girl with sympathy, encasing her back under his wing. He turns his attention to Master Kai. She wasn't crying, but she was shaking, silent, and miserable.

"How many times have you done that to my Rebel?" his tone hard. A small part of him is grateful for teaching Rebel how to be obedient, but his mate's fear is causing him to be defensive.

"Is that what we were talking about?" Master Kai considers. "Rebel was much smarter than this last batch. I only had to mentally alter her once, the little thing was slippery, and I couldn't have her trying to escape in this forest. Who knows what would have eaten her? So, smart. I had her trained as an assassin by Stain himself. Of course, he betrayed me. Then twice when she was older, but that was only to alter her physical appearance, just a few tweaks to make her appealing to my enemies. I don't remember making her chest that robust."

"She had my child, so she is mine. Let's talk about this anti-magic metal."

"More corrupting." Master Kai shakes his head at Rebel, who quickly whimpers when his judgment lands on her. "You're Master inspired it. You're Master was a very reasonable human; I'm going to miss him. Did he ever talk to you about our plans?" Rebel stiffens against Shigaraki, hearing this news for the first time. Shiggy plans to make a hive. She never knew he even had a master. They never had that kind of relationship. How much did she not know?

"He never mentioned you," Shigaraki rasps. His butterfly's fingers trail up between his wings and shoulders to nervously fondle his ruff.

"Well then, let's talk about it all. You're Master and I did not share the same philosophy. However, we shared the same goals. All these gadgets are monuments to mankind's achievements, and all of them were created in lands where the Order of the Light could not touch them. You know what the Order values above all else?" Master Kai asked the loaded question.

"Human control. Do you think I'm stupid? Get to the point. This is becoming a long tutorial," Shigaraki places a hand on his leg and disintegrates his pants. The itchy things were distracting, and if he had to move quickly, they would get in his way.

"So messy," Master Kai complains.

"Oh, please. I was raised to share the ideals of destroying the Order. I'm sure that's where we were going to end up. All in front of my mate, too," Shigaraki hisses, furious at this man's arrogance. He could feel Rebel brace against him, but she remained by his side, still stroking between his wings.

"Your 'mate' knows what I'm about to say. It's important to the context of our future relationship. The Order likes to keep all the magic within the Order, forcing humans to rely on them to protect them from monsters. Do you know what happens when humans become reliant on magic? Nothing, absolutely nothing, all progress stalls. It's 2020, and we're still in the dark ages. Humans still die in droves over the plague. Then we look at magic. Without public access, it has also become stagnant. Magical creatures such as yourself never bother to expand what you are already good at. I need talented blacksmiths and more magical humans or halflings to create a permanent solution that is the disease of the Order," He finishes.

"Rebel was never a magical or halfling," Shigaraki is annoyed as Master Kai laughs.

"Your mate has dwarven blood. Granted, it is recessive, but that's why she is so hardy. She didn't break when you spoiled her with your seed. If you want anti-magic metal, I need blacksmiths who are as talented as the dwarves. They refuse to work with me, so I purpose a trade."

"I'm not trading any members of my family. I thought you needed gold," Rebel murmurs to everyone.

"Don't be so difficult, Rebel. You must want the metal too. Otherwise, you wouldn't have come here with this man. You can have Cain, and I'll take the SmithHammer's off your hands."

"That's never happening," Shigaraki growls. Rebel squeezes his arm and jumps into the conversation. Females are such strange creatures. She was a mess a moment ago, and now Rebel is pushing him aside.

"We'll take Cain and Rappa. You can have Uncle Zee and Izmel," Rebel starts negotiating. Shigaraki hates and respects how she bargains. Rebel always comes out on top. He stiffens in surprise because she refused to trade her family members a moment ago.

"That's hardly fair; Uncle Zee is still in prison," Master Kai counters.

"That will not be a problem for my mate," She says, stroking Shiggy's arm and ego. "I'll throw in Rusty and Jenny until Uncle Zee is viable."

"How are we ever going to trust each other with an exchange like that. I'll also need the ones called Toga and Twice. You as well, Rebel." Shigaraki flares, his wings flutter in a threat.

"Absolutely no females. Both have recently given birth. I'll not be parting mothers and children. You are trying to clip our wings and collapse our hive," Shigaraki snarls. He turns to Rebel and whispers in her ear.

"Twice and another Mothman, in exchange for two of your lessers. As well as information about the locations of Master All's golem and doctor. All contingent on no experimentation on any of our people. The bargain is over if you cut into any of them." Rebel crosses her arms, refusing to move further.

"I'm unwilling to complete a deal without you included, Rebel," Master Kai grunts. Tensions rise, and Shigaraki vibrates as Chronos shoves a metal tube in his face. A thing Shigaraki has never seen but knows it's some kind of threat. Rebel grabs the barrel as the Count speaks up.

"Master, you have a smug and juvenile view that anything you want is yours by right, and this possessive clinging to Rebel doesn't elevate anyone. Shigaraki, what will happen to the SmithHammer clan if you were to say, disappear?"

"Eventually, the hive will collapse, and Rebel's clan will either be eaten or parceled for enslavement. If they are blacksmiths, I'm sure the Firefly hive takes the bulk of them and holds onto them ravenously."

"There you have it, Master; you will have Rebel, but she will be even harder to control with her clan gone. Trust me. She's become even more slippery. The last exchange was so reasonable, one where you come out on top, minus of my fine self, of course."

"As far as I'm concerned, Rebel can have you. However, the Countess remains mine. Therefore the Index will be mine again. You convinced me, Cain. I would like to add one amendment, 470 ml of Rebel's blood once a week."

"That's an exact number, fine, we have an amendment too, 5% of the Index's monthly profit as well as 50% of the Anti-Magic end products," Rebel adds. Shigaraki doesn't understand Rebel's need for gold. They already had ten million. Master Kai seemed fine with this and nodded his agreement.

"What do you think, Shiggy?" Her eyes are pleading, and Shigaraki gives in. One of the others, Rebel, had never seen cut Master Kai's palm, Shigaraki used his talon, and they shook hands. It was awkward, as Master Kai had to put his glove back on, and Shigraki had to keep his thump up. Mixing blood was not as binding as a blood contract. However, breaking it was considered an act of war. Master Kai fretted and complained of being sullied as he immediately disinfected his hand.

"Excellent, feel free to wander the right-wing," Master Kai panted and fussed over his hand. Rebel pushes herself from Shigraki while giving him a repulsed look. She moves to talk to the little horned child. Leaving him confused at what the hell just changed.

"Do you still have Pepper and Salt? Can I take the little girl horseback riding?" Rebel grins at the little girl who winces. Rebel catches the child in her arms and lifts her into a hug. The little girl whimpers, stiff until it's clear Rebel isn't going to put her down. Shigaraki bursts into hisses and chitters.

"He's ranting about you are touching magical children," Count interprets.

"Stop it. You're scaring her," Rebel chides as she protectively turns the child away from them.

"We still have the horses, don't worry. Eri should be safe to be around for the time being. If it pleases Rebel and keeps her out of trouble."

"Is that your name Eri? Mine's Rebel. Originally it was Mabel May, but my parents decided I was too much of a rebel. You have pretty hair. Have you ever put it in a French braid? Hey, when you want something from Master Kai, you give him a sad look and point. Ok, sweety? Don't worry. Sissy Rebel will help," Rebel says, carrying away Eri, surrounded by several guards. The Count is making his way to the right-wing. Shigaraki wants to go after his mate but has a bigger ax to grind against the Count. He stalks him until they are alone.

He  grabs the Count by the back of the throat. Pinning him to the wall with a thud. The smell of blood was thick in the air. Shigaraki can feel the snapping of bones under the pressure of his digits, causing him to shudder in satisfaction. A movement at the corner of his eyes makes him jerk back, releasing the Count, who is quick to spin around.

A burst of blood blinds Shigaraki as he feels the wind of something cut through the air, barely missing him. Wiping blood from his eyes, Shigaraki chuckles. The Count has two red blades made from his blood on his cut wrist. He watches Shigaraki for any movement with his head flopping at an unnatural angle. He must have spit at Shigaraki, the dirty dick. What fun, he thinks.

"My magic allows me to control my blood, and your face is covered in it, so let's talk," The Count rasps and bares his fangs.

"Fuck that!" Shigaraki giggles and lunges.

"What?" The Count dodges and weaves sharp talons. He thought Shigaraki would be reasonable, but he was wrong.

"I was just going to choke you a little and take an eye for your disrespectful ways, slave. Now I'm going to rip off your legs!" The Count dodges again.

Until he lets Shigaraki's claws rip his arms open. The timing was everything with this move. The blood on Shigaraki's face wraps his head, blinding him as the blood in the air quickly pulls and twist's until it ties his arms and legs together. Shigaraki's hands clap at once as he falls to the ground. His wings are beating senselessly, knocking things off the walls. Desperate to get lift while the Count threatens to cut them off, begrudgingly Shigaraki stills, panting and growling.

"You didn't tell Rebel I needed to talk to her and explain. Instead, you let her walk away cuddling a little monster," Shigaraki roars. The Count is gasping and wheezing through a broken throat, using his other hand to align his neck for some quick healing. He doesn't need to breathe, but his body reacts as if he is still human, a fact he's proud of, until all the oxygen in his blood makes him dizzy. The bones make a crunching sound as they pop back into place.

"Damn, I need to sit down. This uses a surprising amount of blood. Hold tight a moment. I'll explain myself to your primitive little pea brain in a minute. Fuck I hate it when Lilith is right. Should have taken Rebel's first deal," Shigaraki growls at him for the pea brain remark. He will make him pay for that later.

"My life is tied up with yours since Master Kai has thrown me out of the family. I don't have any place to go, and your mate has made it that way. To be fair, she spared me from a truly nasty punishment, which I'm immensely grateful for. That whole conversation and other things have shown me that you two know very little about each other. Seriously how could you not know by now that Rebel is a speciesist? How could you not notice how she is with her fellow man, even slaves, and how she bosses vampires and other things around?" The Count pauses to let that sink in. Now that Shigaraki thinks of it, Rebel had immediate hate for everything that didn't look human.

"Well, that's just ignorance," Shigaraki mumbles.

"Yes, and I have to edit the stupid shit you say in your language. Really you should listen to yourself. Take a moment before you speak. Threatening to kill her, talking about ripping her apart, human genocide, and killing kids is a real quick way to get your little mate to cut your throat in the middle of the night. I'm sure Rebel can find someone to replace you. There is that fellow, Dabi, was it? Do you think he will look too hard into your disappearance? Stain trained her," The Count waits until Shigaraki is really listening, "It is clear you have no idea what Rebel likes, and she has no idea what you want. Do you know what her favorite pastime is?"

"Running?" Shigaraki says, not convinced himself.

"No, that's purely a survival thing. It's going fast. The faster she goes, whether on horseback or flying, the happier Rebel is. You can't keep her from kids. The clue for that is she provided and raised a passel of little evil brats. I can be of use to you," Shigaraki snorts at this.

"We all have something in common, and our goals don't have to conflict with each other. I am positive I can make Rebel understand the whole destroying the Order thing."

"I don't need you for that! She will come over to my views when I remind her that I have Hana, that those humans were never there for her when she cried at day."

"Well, that would be a good argument if you hadn't added the implied threat of your offspring. See, that right there is why you need me. You two are in desperate need of some serious marriage counseling."

"What is marriage?"

"Oh, boy, what does your species call it? Life bonding?"

"We are not life bound either. Do you think that would please her? Would she be less likely to leave?" The Count must keep from gagging. He cannot bring himself to tell him the second Daddy SmithHammer hears this. There will be blood and shit hitting the fan. He still wants Rebel to himself in some capacity. He moves right along from this subject of these two bonding.

"I've been married for thousands of years and have always been faithful," again Shigaraki snorts at the Count.

"I thought you had several mates?" He questions. 

"I do, but my heart remains faithful to my first wife, the only time it hasn't was when we both agreed to share our hearts." Again, the Count doesn't mention that it is only Rebel. Shigaraki tenses.

"I did not consult her about Dabi. Shit, what do you want?" For the first time since this has started, the Count finally feels he has a chance to come out the other end whole.

"I want to be considered an ally with all the considerations and accommodations that affords me. I am not to be maimed or killed, and some of my mates come with me. I can be ordered around by Rebel but not you or the others."

"Fine," Shigaraki grumbles. The Count recalls his blood and feels a thousand times better. "The second you are no longer an ally, I will do something worse to you than Master Kai could ever dream up," Shigaraki hisses.

The Count believes him too. Fuck, now he does hope he's not talking out of his ass; he does that sometimes to himself.

"Trust me!" The Count smiles bemusedly.

Chapter Text

Master Kai watches as Rebel puts the frigid girl named Eri in front of her on the horse.

Rebel doesn't bother to ride her favorite horse, Pepper, with a saddle or reins. She encourages the girl to hold on tight to the nag's mane. Rebel shouts and spurs the horse into a run. The horse never looked happier. It recognized Rebel and gave her endless kisses. It frothed and chomped to be running with Rebel again. The other named Salt is trotting behind them with a saddle.

Rebel shouted as the wind blew her hair loose. The slit in her dress flies open, her dress gathers above her waist, and bellows like crashing waves behind them. It's a perfect view of her red silk panties and lovely round ass. 

He  doesn't doubt for a second that the Count put her in those panties, red being a color that warms a vampire's blood. He looks over to Chronos to confirm, and yes, even he is watching Rebel while sporting wood. Master Kai has never seen her so feral.  

"Chronos, be sure her mate just happens to choose the observation bedroom. Intercept Rebel and have her brought to me before she sees her mate," He orders. Bringing his opera glasses back up, he admires Rebel's determination to help the child. In his opinion, the ass is nice, but those legs are the real prize. He's sure Cain knew this and put her in the dress for that reason. Several slaves enter and set up another tea set for Rebel. It perturbed him that she didn't eat in front of him. He kept many of the same staff, which would have pleased them to see that she was fed. It didn't have anything to do with the fact he liked watching that lovely neck swallow. Cain was a bad influence if these ideas were corrupting his mind. There is a clatter as one of the servants drops Rebel's teacup. The boy is swift to pick up the pieces.  

"You," he points to the young boy and beckons to him. The boy starts silently weeping as he stands in front of Master Kai. He sets aside his glasses and his mask. Quick when he grabs the boy and tears open the flesh of his neck with his teeth. Greedily drinking, digging his fingers in to open more of the artery. The head tumbles to the ground with an adorable bounce. When he's contented, the staff rush to clean him up and remove the body.

"No, leave it," he says. If Rebel likes savagery, he will play along.

  Rebel  didn't like being cut from the herd and forced to meet Master Kai alone. The little girl Eri is adorable and waved bye to her. Stiff terrified little thing, she can relate. Being around Master Kai, it was best to be unseen. Rebel wanted to disappear when she saw a dead boy at his feet. She swallows audibly and has a seat.

"May I speak, Master?" She asks sheepishly.

"Of course, Rebel," He waves his hand in a way she only saw was meant for special people. Rebel is confused and has been confused since coming here. She's not modest in the sense of the word. She knows she's great, but why was Master Kai treating her with respect? He always called her Mabel May and refused to believe he didn't already own her. He more than once told her she was only good for her blood. She points to the boy on the floor.

"Master, I am curious why you did this?" she asks politely. This was out of character for him. He was always so stringently sanitary, even when he fed. He would always use a needle on her. Refusing to sully himself with her flesh in his mouth.

"He broke your favorite cup," He said simply. Rebel had no idea she had a favorite cup.

"I see. So, you did this for me?" Rebel asks. He then did one of the most spine-tingling things she had ever witnessed. Stepping over the corpse, he sat closer to her, within arm's reach. Rebel has had nightmares that start like this. He notices but continues calmly.

"Of course. In truth, I never bothered to remember such things. Still, many of the staff remember you fondly, and several are seniors now. Many of them love you like their own. When they heard you would be here, they took out all the little things they had made for you or made themselves for you. This entire tea set was customized and made by hand by Mother Martha for you. You would only drink from the blue horse or the purple rabbit. The purple rabbit was your favorite because you said it was 'you.' So, I was told. Mother Martha has passed, and that fool broke your purple rabbit. If I hadn't punished him, it would have put them in an awkward position of either paying the price or punishing him themselves. Speaking of which, the head chef caught wind and is making a feast for you and your mate."

Rebel nods; she is remembering now. Mother Martha would not have wanted the boy killed over a teacup, and neither does she.

"Cain reported that you liked such displays of savagery. I believe his exact words," Master kai reaches into his coat and pulls out a letter. "So, aroused by the death of Magec Rebel sucked him off most of the night expertly like a skilled whore." He watches her closely for her reaction. Rebel shrugs. She knows this would be something the Count would say, if for no other reason than to make Master Kai cringe. She will have a nasty talk with the Count about this. He starts to make a cup of tea for her. Master Kai wants to see her eat and drink now.

"It has occurred to me that I remember very little about you. You were clever enough to never attract my attention; however, you clearly learned something if you could get the control ring off. I'm very impressed and surprised. I watched you ride and didn't know you were such a wild child. I was sure that you were chaste, much like myself. What has changed? I want to know what has changed so much that you refuse to come back," he asks as he pushes the blue cup with a horse on it in front of her.  Fucking vampires , she thinks. After a while, they start to miss the human mark.

Master Kai's eyes linger on her throat as she drinks the tea. The beautiful movements are searing in his mind. They are watching each other. She gives him a show and then places the cup down gently.

"I was chaste because you held a gold value to it. I was hoping to sell myself back if things ever got dire. I never wanted to be here, so I never wanted to return. Master, please forgive me if I am stepping out of line. I am getting a feeling you are trying to seduce me," Rebel says. She wanted to get the hell out of here. Master Kai is behaving stranger than expected to her.

"I am, in a way. I don't engage in physical pleasure the way you do with your mate. I assumed Cain offered you a deal. The man is selfishly foolish, but he is excellent at discovering what people want and exploiting it. I will offer you double of whatever you want in exchange for you be available for the assignation of members of the Order," he says. This is a deal. A deal with one of the worst creatures she ever had the misfortune to come across. One of the richest and offering anything. She's highly torn as she giggles. Master Kai raises an eyebrow at her.

"I'm sorry, Master. I must not have eaten enough because I am still confused," she starts.

"Then please eat. Those servants are there just so they can report to the kitchen staff you ate. I'm not going to tell you what to feel, but they would be ecstatic if you made a show of enjoying it," he interrupts. He leans over and makes her another cup of tea. He must have made an effort to learn how she likes it. Master Kai makes a great cup of tea. Rebel loved the human staff, but she didn't think she made that big of an impression. She does make a big show of eating the cookies and some of the Petites.

"Oh, these are so good. We don't have these at the hive," She moans with sincerity. The staff appears visibly pleased. Master Kai looks like he's about ready to drool around his mask.

"I am very pleased we could make an agreement over the metal. However, I had no idea what Cain offered you, but if I know him, Cain offered you all of him and an escape from your current situation. I figured it was sexual in nature, and I want you to know that I'm a far better choice if that is what you're looking for. I am capable of being whatever you need," he says, leaning forward and brushing a strand of her hair back. His light touch is causing a flare of anger. Rebel hates monsters.

"I remember you once called me a stupid blood bag. Once you decided you didn't like my birthmark. Another time you said my breasts were not perky enough. They have not gotten better now that I've been corrupted. You have only ever called me Mabel May. You know how I feel about the Order. I've never killed anything. You're not interested in having sex with me. So, I'm still left wondering why I'm suddenly special," she exclaims.

"It should have been clear I thought of you more than just a blood bag. Aside from the fact I invested a considerable amount of money into your training. You survived the surrounding forest. Survived a week as you ran through it. Avoided becoming in debt to me again. Avoided Cain's deals, which I know wasn't easy. Became the mate of possibly one of the most dangerous creatures on the planet and tamed him enough to not be ripped apart. I believe you are a capable person. Perhaps the only person capable of getting close enough to the knights that need to be removed. Cured by you. I'm sure Cain only wanted you to be his fuck toy, and if that is what you desire, I can give you that," he says coldly.

"I'm curious why everyone assumes I don't want to be with my mate?"

"You've tried to run away three times."

"That was before I had Hana. Everyone keeps remembering the negative."

"I've met his Master; I believe you will find my views far more altruistic when it comes to the Order. If you wish to remain with your mate, I would prefer it. I am offering the world on the platter, and all you must do is become a part of the Chisaki family. Do a few jobs, assassinate a few diseased individuals, then choose whichever position you desire. Do you like the little girl? Be her mother. The carrot could work as well on an experiment," he tells her, making another cup of tea and piling different treats she hadn't tried yet.

"Can I think about it? Does this offer have a time limit?"

"I'm immortal but impatient. Discuss it with your mate if you wish and meet back in a week," he says, trying to get her to eat from his hand. A thing she has never seen him do. Rebel's old training kicks in. She leans forward and opens her mouth for him like a good obedient specimen.  Oh gods , she is petrified of those hands, his glove brushes her bottom lip, and she winces. Unlike Shiggy, it only takes one finger to turn a person into a fine red mist. She was relieved when there wasn't the horrific pain of being overhauled. She chews and swallows.

"Those gloves? Is there a way I can get a set for Shigaraki until the metal is made?"

"They will have to be custom made and only temporarily suppress a magic quirk. We can always work something out," He says as Kai pops something else in her mouth. She smiles at him, lost in thought. A thing Kai has never seen her do and doesn't trust it.

"I see you have some scars. I can make you flawless again if you wish it," he offers. Rebel jerks from him and clasps her hand protectively over Shigaraki's mark as she makes an excuse.

"No! I need this mark to go back to the hive."  Shit . Master Kai has always been bad at seduction. He was better at specific recruitment. He's starting to wonder if he should have gotten Chronos to help. "About those gloves? What can I do to get a pair?"

  The  Count is pacing and fretting as Shigaraki curls in a giant fluffy nest filled with stuffed animals and pillows. He's quickly drifting to sleep almost against his will. The Count comes over to kick the nest and wake him up.

"Dammit! Wake up! Rebel should have been back by now. Aren't you worried about your mate? You should fucking be! She could be selling us to Kai right now! He could have Chronos or Rappa fucking her for all we know."

"I'm right here," Chronos says.

"Jason fucking Christ! I didn't see you; you blend in with the background! Creepy little lurker. What is this room anyway? It's a dreadful sky-blue color. Is it some boy's nursery?" Cain seethes.

"No, it was mistresses Rebel's room. We had it refitted for her and her mate, hence the nest and blacked-out windows. The human staff filled it will all the items they had kept as a memento of her. We're in the tower overlooking the front entrance. We had Rebel wail for help and lure in delicious victims," Chronos chuckles at the fond memories. Rebel was good at it too.

"She likes purple too. You could have been more original than this. No wonder she ran away," he jealously snorts at Chronos. He's pissed he never thought of that. Chronos laughs.

"I'll keep that in mind for when she moves back in," Chronos mutters. The Count turns and nudges Shigaraki's slumbering form.

"See, that right there is why you should be awake and helping me, dammit," he hisses at the creature wrapped around a stuffed griffin.

"My Rebel only fucks to strengthen the hive or to manipulate. She mates with me because she loves it, so I'm not threatened by any small dicked parasites. Besides, her family is at the hive. Do you see her fucking over her family in some way?" Shigaraki asks drowsily before drifting to sleep.

"Keep telling yourself that to you fucking primitive beast." The Count shouts at the sleeping form. Shigaraki spreads a wing that knocks the Count back and out of the nest. Huffing and pointing at Shigaraki, he gets in Chrono's masked face. "Why is he like this? What did you do to him? Or give him?"

"Nothing. He's an honored guest, unlike you. He's probably just tired of all your yapping," Chronos chortles. The Master wanted the Mothman well-rested, so Chronos did give him a little poke for encouragement.

"Like I believe a word you say. That giant mirror taking up half the wall is suspicious. I know all about the Master's perversions, so what is that for?" He accuses, pointing to the very ornate mirror.

"Master Kai had that commissioned for Rebel when she was fourteen as a birthday present. Her uncle made it. You can inspect it if you want. There is nothing behind it but the wall. And a little drawing of master Kai being eaten by a giant cat. Rebel was very witty with her imagination." The Count does inspect it, and it is as Chronos says. There is nothing but a wall and a faded image of Master Kai looking like a bird with cross-eyes ripped apart by a gorgeous purple cat with blue stripes and spots.  

"She went a bit excessive on the blood. Take me to Rebel now," The Count insists.

"I don't take orders from you anymore. But I don't see the harm. Follow me." Chronos begins to lead the way when Rappa enters, carrying Rebel and setting her on her feet gently. She gives him a friendly pat on the arm and thanks him. She likes Rappa because he doesn't suck Master Kai's dick like most of his vampire underlings. He is extraordinarily delusional and easy for her to manipulate. Rebel could never escape under his watch, but the efforts helped her memorize the forest. Rappa never reported them because, in his mind, she only ever got lost, and he loved her cheering him on as he beat to death any creature that tried to eat her.

"Oh, good, you're both here," she says wearily, looking from The Count to Shiggy. "One of you needs to help me out of this dress. I don't know why the seamstresses put the clasps in the back.

"Fuck off," The Count hisses at Chronos as they both move to help. "Where are your shoes?"

Rebel shuffles over to the wardrobe and pulls out sensible clothes usually reserved for men. The Count cringes inside.

"I don't know, I took them off to ride Pepper, and I don't know where they are. I need to go into the black forest and kill a Black Annis. Fuck, this jerkin isn't going to fit. Chronos, can I get another one?" Chronos leaves to get her more clothes while the Count looms.

"You're going to what, what now?"

"Kill a Black Annis. It's like a nocturnal witch with steel claws. It's killed two of the last batch of children, and only Eri is left. Left here all alone because of that thing. It has to be hunted during daylight, so I'm going to go and kill the bitch," She mutters. Glancing over at Shiggy with envy. He looks much like a sweet fluffy moth from his back when he's sleeping. Rebel always melts a little at the sight. That looks nice right about now.

"The fuck you will. The three of us need to talk, but that can wait. This insanity must be dealt with first. You are not killing anything alone. I love you too much to let you kill yourself in such a stupid way. Take Shigaraki with you," He growls. She looks at him with sad eyes.

"I care about you too. But you fucked with my family, and you have to pay for that," Rebel says. The Count looks deeply touched regardless of the menacing threat. "I know you love me, the only person other than my brothers and sisters to give me a hug that wasn't perverse. Well, until I got older, at least, degenerate. Never once got a hug from my parents. No, Shiggy is nocturnal, and I'm not talking to him right now."

"Why because of the Order of the light thing? He has an excellent reason for that, and you should hear him out before you reject him and it," he says in his most reasonable voice, holding back the bile threatening to gag him. It makes his flesh crawl at the idea of helping Shigaraki with Rebel. Rebel eyes him with suspicion and then bursts out laughing.

"You must be one desperate son of a bitch to try to convince me to snuggle up to that monster. He wants to kill the only thing keeping you fucking monsters at bay so he can enslave us and use the land as his personal play box. Nope, there is nothing you two could say to convince me that's a good thing. Stain trained me, I can kill this thing, and he's asleep." The Count cups her cheeks and makes her look up at him.

"I deeply regret not being able to teach you thoroughly about some of these creatures. Mothmen are nocturnal, but it won't kill them. You need to use a silver spear coated with basilisk venom to kill a Black Annis. Did you know that?"

"Yeah," she says, batting his hands away. Rebel had no clue, and she is awful with a spear. Stain trained her on knives and the bow. "Fine, I'll take Shiggy, but I'm not fucking talking to him. I could give two shits about his reasons." The Count is inwardly relieved. For him to remain valid to Shigaraki, he needs to play interrupter.

"I'm sure that will be acceptable. Your mate is not a big talker. I'm positive this job was really meant for him anyway. I highly doubt the Master meant this job just for you. It would be so unlike him to risk his investment like this. It's a two-person job. The stronger distracts and takes all the brunt of the danger while the other stabs the Black Annis. What did the Master offer you?" Rebel sighs as she laces her boots.

"Makes sense. Master Kai got me all enthralled with the idea of being equal. A part of me actually thought this was my chance to prove myself. Asshole has a real way of doing that. Also, a pair of quirk magic-resistant gloves for Shiggy. Fuck that. Why should I take a risk like this by myself? I'm human, and I want to live, dammit."

"Why would being treated as an equal be so important to you. I thought you just wanted to be a Mommy," The Count leans down to help her with the laces. He notices she didn't answer his question. It's probably for the best since they might be watched somehow. With an indignant look, Rebel blusters at him.

"Are men always stupid and dense? I would tell you, but I don't see the point if you haven't figured it out yet. You're married to the Countess, and you still can't figure it out? Make yourself useful, and make sure to use that silver tongue to convince him to take me along. I can't convince him of shit most of the time. Typical male," she sneers at him. He prickles at this. He made a considerable effort to know things, particularly in the art of seducing, so how was he missing something so important?

Chronos comes in with a jerkin, and she is all honey with him. Thanking him and asking him to use his powers on her and Shigaraki. Which he gladly does, all love back for her, he noticed. The second his hair poked Shigaraki, the Mothman was up and threatening to kill them in his language, in a series of clicking and growls. Shigaraki looked gruesome and fierce, with his wings spread wide and effervescent. The Count intervened using his language skills.

"Don't kill the help or the messenger, for that matter. Rebel wants to go in the forest and kill a Black Annis for a pair of magic resistant gloves for you," he says quickly.

"Tell her absolutely not," Shigaraki snarls.

"I did, and Rebel pointed out she's the only human that knows this forest," He lies. But it felt it might be true.

"Tell her I will just bind my hands while sleeping."

"Come on. This will only make your argument stronger against the Order. You're lucky that's all she wants to do instead of talking. She doesn't want to do this without you or with anyone else," The Count shudders inwardly at this. This is his real torture. The rage eases out of Shigaraki as he looks at Rebel, who is scowling at him. He scratches at his ruff and chirps at her.

"Really?"

"Basically. If you don't go with her, she will go by herself while you sleep. You know how women are. They never listen to anything," The Count says. He suddenly realizes something, and it's distracting from his current task. Shigaraki nods in agreement.

"Very well, but if anything happens to her, I'm taking it out on you for not talking her out of it," he rasps.

"Then fuck it. Let's order the staff to keep her locked in this tower," The Count says immediately. Shigaraki is already snuggling and cooing at Rebel about this was such a good idea. Rebel looks at him with a slight smile.

"Get her a silver spear with basilisk venom," Shigaraki orders Chronos, who bows and goes to retrieve the item.

What have I done , the Count wonders as he lectures the two about safety.

Chapter Text

Shigaraki has decided he loves Rebel clinging to him.

The wind is racing through her hair, whipping them both, a slight smile that teases at the corner of her mouth, the way she faces the wind head-on as if challenging nature itself. She looks like a sleek, wild cat eager for the prowl, and it's making his being melt. The Count said she liked to go fast, and much to his surprise, the Count, wasn't lying.

He could smell her excitement and arousal. Something that has always been hard for him to receive from his angry little liar. Shigaraki can smell the Black Annis and sets done near the cave with a graceful thump and flapping of his wings. The second they touch down, Rebel is all prickles and sharp edge to him again. The smile has gone and giving him a dirty look. 

 "We are about to kill together. How long are you going to keep this up?" He asks, scratching his collar. She looks back at him and snorts in derision. A look he was hoping was over with by now.

"How long have you been planning to fuck over my species?

"Long before we met, Rebel. Do you wish to argue now before we must protect each other from the Black Annis?"

"No, I don't wish to talk to you at all."

"I don't wish you to risk your life or run away, but wishes are not always granted. Sometimes they must be taken or made. I do not understand how so much has changed yet stays the same with you, fucking fickle female. Why do you spurn me so?" he growls back. Using both hands now to scratch.

"Stop that! You'll thin out your fluff, and it's one of the few things I like about you," she snaps at him. "I don't wish to argue. I don't wish to talk. The more we do, the madder I get at you. You're Hana's father, and she needs you. Focus on the task, and we will discuss our issues later. I can smell the foul creature's den." Her eyes are cold and determined. He sighs in acceptance. I guess I will have to be pleased she at least doesn't want to kill me, he thinks.

"Show me your spear thrust again. Let us practice on this tree. Pretend I have it pinned, and now is the time for the killing blow." He embraced the tree; he wasn't ready for her quick response as the spear sank a few centimeters from his head. It would have been easy for her if she had wanted him dead. Rebel has always been quick and precise but lacks motivation and strength. He hisses in disappointment.

"Your aim is perfect, but your thrust is weak. Too weak. Lower your grip on the other arm at the butt of the spear and shrove with all your might. Let's try again." They practiced until he was satisfied. He was impressed at how, for the first time, Rebel followed directions without deception and the aim to slaughter him for a change. It was a pleasant surprise that gave him some hope for them. Perhaps he doesn't need the Count.

"Rebel, you are my lifemate," he rasps to Rebel. She is cold as she grimaces. His heart is breaking as she turns from him. His center arches as his love twists with his hate. Her body language says she wants to give in and be a sweet mate like before. But Rebel has always been stubborn and filled with rage. It was something they had in common he wished to twist to him, not against him.

"Let's just get this over with," she says. She walks away from him, following the stench of death to the nearby cave opening. Shigaraki sighs, pushing his panic down hard. To him, Rebel sounded like she meant their relationship, not the Black Annis. He grabs her and jerks her to him, entrapping her soft pert body against him, pressing hard enough that the air hisses out of her. Even while holding her, he can feel her slipping from him.

"No little butterfly. I go first. Hana needs you. She doesn't need me," He growls before letting her go and entering the cave. Dry bones crunch under his feet. Bending down, he examines the bones. Kai must have had this problem for many years, not just recently. These are children's bones, and these are the older ones by the smell.

Black Annis tend to dig in deeper the more they eat and decorate their den with the bones and hair of their prey. The fact that Kai has let this issue go for this long means he's trying to use his mate somehow, and Shigaraki hates it. The vampires are officially on his permanent shit list. Shigaraki does appreciate how dark the den is. He loathes the light. He can see in the dark, and with his antennae whiffing the air, he can sense the sleeping Annis. She is a fat one meaning she will be sluggish, which pleases him.

Rebel lights a unique lamp that she can see but won't distract Shigaraki from his task. Attaching it to her belt, she follows closely behind Shiggy. She would be lying if the thought of ramming through with a spear would be so easy, but it was a passing thought. Despite his sweet words, Hana does need him.

She remembers his face right after she had given birth. The whole flock was there, Dabi and Toga holding her hands while Compress delivered the baby. Spinner dealt with Twice, screaming about how it would be ok and how Rebel and the baby would be dead soon. Shigaraki looked annoyed while he clawed at his ruff.

When Hana's screaming, the hissing body was handed to him, all of Shigaraki softened. His eyes watered with tears and love, which he claimed was untrue, but Rebel will never forget it. Shigaraki glowed with and puffed pride as he trilled at her. Later Shiggy had laid her entire tiny body on his face as Shigaraki hummed to her. He played peek-a-boo with her with his wings. She would have been rid of him long ago if he had turned out to be a poor father. His love for her is questionable, but for Hana, it's unfathomable.

There is a dark mass in the center of the room. She had wished she had a better idea of how this would go. Her heart was thumping as she watched the mass rise. The intense rush of her blood pounded in her ears, muffling the scream of the witch mixed with Shig's screech.

He jumped on the hag, chittering. The witch flailed as she tried to rip Shigaraki off her, but he was too quick, crawling over her and decaying layers as he went. Her fangs and claws look like steel. The horrid woman looks human until she opens her mouth. Rows of steel needles ungulate. The hags long gray hair whips unnaturally, keeping Shigaraki from her head. Rebel waits for her opening. Her breathing steadies to a narrow point in her world. Her fear is twisting in the back of her mind. She has rarely used what Stain had taught her. Rebel has always been considered frigid, but the truth is she loves deeply and has many loves.

First is her brother, considered her twin since he was born nine and a half months later than her. Daddy, then the rest of her family. The Countess, Stain, and to a vastly smaller extent, the Count. If it had not been for Stain and his sacrifice on top of his harsh training, she would not have been able to escape and save her family. Now her ultimate love is Hana.

She will destroy anything that threatens her future as Shigaraki manages to force the hag into a corner. Using his soft underbelly as bait before punching and pinning her. The most important lesson she had ever received from a male came from Stain 'don't hesitate, follow through,' her mind screams.

Shigaraki is about to scream for Rebel; it's time when a spear impales the witch through the mouth. Her pitiful noises are falling quiet with a shuddering death rattle, her body going limp. Shigaraki turns to his panting mate. All her wrath focused on the tip of the spear; it swirled off of her. His feelers twitch as they scent it.

She is blazing bright and beautiful with it. He knows that Rebel can be truly ruthless in her bloodlust. For a moment, their eyes meet, and he is concerned he will have to put his mate in a harsh place if she tries to aim that ruthless rage towards him. Shigaraki doesn't have time to admire it as a black mass comes screeching towards Rebel. He throws himself at it head-on.

Rebel follows Shigaraki's bulleting body slashed by a second Annis. It's on top of Shig, screeching as it tries to tear at something vital. Rebel can't get a clear shot. She takes the only one she can manage through its throat. It gurgles as it rolls over to quickly slash at Rebel. Rebel refuses to let go of the spear. She knows it will mean their death if her grip fails. She is yanked off her feet as the hag slashes open the top of her thigh.

Shigaraki draws the hag's attention back to him when he manages to grab flesh. The decay is too slow, but it's enough time for Rebel to regain her footing. Rebel wrenches the spear free, the foul blood shooting everywhere as the hag cries in pain. Rebel stabs her in the chest, a vital blow, but both are too enraged to stop. Shigaraki shreds at her, eager to reach flesh, decaying more and more of her as he goes. Rebel rapidly stabs the hag until her face is mush.

"DIE!" Rebel utters a final scream before her legs begin to give. She rips some of her jerkin to slow the bleeding. Shigaraki snatches her up in his arms. He flies her back to the castle faster than he has ever before. He is going to make the Count suffer for this.

The Count isn't a fool and has already requested a healer. Although Master Kai did not grant it, he insisted he heals them if necessary. Shigaraki has little time to take in the situation when he comes bursting in. Kai already had his gloves off and touched them both. Rebel screams at the searing pain as her flesh is ripped apart. Shigaraki growls and swipes at Kai as it feels his guts are being removed and rearranged. It was only a matter of seconds, but enough to make Shigaraki hate Kai forever.

"Now, now, I healed you both. Not to mention Rebel is flawless again," Kai says, quickly dodging from Shigaraki. His mark is gone. Another step away from him. She is slipping further, and he must make someone pay for it. Rebel curled in on him, shaking and crying, so vulnerable. The Count fuss over her and nags at Master Kai for being so abrupt. Shigaraki is seething these creeps touched his Rebel.

"Leave us. Not you," Shigaraki points to the Count. The Count shudders. Shigaraki meant what he said about punishment. Master Kai is smiling under his mask as he leaves.

"When they are finished with you. Come and see me, Cain." He says as he leaves. It is just the three of them.

"Do not touch my mate unless given permission," He snarls at the Count. He looks to Rebel, who is looking at him lustfully. It was not what he was expecting. She reaches out and caresses his face.

"Thank the Gods he didn't touch your scars. I've always liked this face," she says. Shigaraki whimpers. He does not know if this is Rebel or not, but he wants it to be.

"Do you think he has altered her mind? How long does this last?" He asks the Count.

"Yes, and it depends. The mind alteration is based on will and conviction. If the person has a strong will and conviction on what they believe, they will recover back to their original state within hours, days, or weeks? If the thing he altered is meaningless to the person or they have no will to fight, it could be months, years, perhaps forever. Who knows?" He looks to Rebel, who looks exasperated with both.

"I'm right here. What's done is done, and in the end, Kai spared me suffering. The damage would have crippled me. I would have never been able to run again. As for us, I am still mad at you. But you let me take a risk. Something I miss occasionally. You trusted me. So, few ever trust a liar. You protected me and killed that bitch. Fuck me. Get rid of the Count and take me here," She makes him flutter and chirp. He doesn't know if this is what Rebel wants or false desires. Shigaraki decides he doesn't care if this is Kai or not.

"Do you trust me?" He asks with a touch of sorrow. She nods her head and looks at him with a devotion that stops his heart. He looks to the Count. "I warned you, dog, what would happen if anything befell her. Sit!" He orders. The Count is considering his options. He was not about to be ordered about by this stup... He couldn't finish his thought when Shigaraki tossed Rebel into his arms.

"Rebel, what does the Count do sexually well I cannot?" she doesn't hesitate to answer Shigaraki.

"Fingering. Although if you did not have claws and decay. You would be better; your fingers have always been nimble. That was how you could cheat at the Index," Rebel smirks. Shigaraki chuckles. The Count squirms uncomfortably. He does not like any of this conversation.

"Of course, you noticed. Why didn't you say anything? You would have never been sold to me had you spoken up," he asks, tearing open the crotch of the pants.

"That is a serious claim I would have to prove. To this day, I wasn't sure until you just admitted it," She says, playing with the Count's hair. There are so many mixed sensations and emotions he can feel coming from the two. The Count is having an impossible time following the conversations with Rebel's hot, wet pussy in his lap. Her skin heated with arousal and adrenaline.

"Clever mate," Shigaraki says before turning to the Count. "What are you doing? You heard her. Start doing the one thing you're good at." Rebel leans into him. Parting her legs and licking her lips. She opens her mouth to receive his fingers. They are really going to let him do this. Shigaraki is looming. It is obviously a trap. One he will not refuse to enter in. He removes his glove and shoves his fingering into her waiting mouth. Slicking his fingers with her salvia. He pulls her closer and leans his head against hers. He wishes to taste her breath with each pant.

He gently circles Rebel's clit, and she closes her eyes. Before plunging his two middle fingers in deep. She gasps and moans at him. Rebel clutches at him, twisting his jacket in her grip. He wants to enjoy this. The feeling of her excitement by him on his fingers. Shigaraki is continuing to loom, his antenna vibrating, not enjoying this. The Count must wonder why he is letting him touch her.

He is good at bringing humans to climax, and Rebel is so close it's distracting. He wants it. The Count expertly caresses her g-spot while thumbing her clit forcefully. Rebel is making his mouth water and his fangs grow. It physically hurts not to be able to sink at least one other of himself in her. She is at the tip of the rise in her heat when Shigaraki yanks her from him.

He whines like a lost puppy. Forlorn at the sudden loss of his Rebel.

"Good job getting her warmed up. I'll let you live knowing that Rebel will never let you touch her unless I allow it. She loves me and hates you. I honestly question whether you do have anything to teach me. We'll see. Get out, slave. Rebel order him out."

"No need, I'm going." He gets up with a huff and exits. Shigaraki has just humiliated him. Used his need and nature against him to torture him in a way he did not think that antisocial beast was capable of. His thirst is excruciating. Another time his old human ways work against him as his dick throbs to be buried in anyone alive. Chrono is there waiting.

"Sounds like they are busy. Master Kai told you to visit when they kicked you out."

"Sure. Why not. Fucking asshole," Cain grumbles as he follows Chrono.

The door clicks shut, and Rebel is all over Shigaraki. It is the exact thing he craves, and it has been tainted. She shoves him down in the nest and sucks at him with an eagerness that makes his wings buzz. False or not, he will not stop it at this moment.

Master Kai is watching them through the mirror when the Count enters. He gestures for him to sit and watch the show. The Count understands where he went wrong. He should have listened to his Lilith. She had always sacrificed for him, and the Count had ignored her. He doesn't remember when he went so wrong. There was a time he lived on her every word. Lilith desired power to elevate them.

He had begged her not to. He was not strong enough at the time to sate her thirst for power. She had completely let go when they could no longer afford to transform her back into a more human shape. Centuries in that shape have put her in a position where she no longer desires to live. Being undead is their punishment. They need to kill certain Gods for Lilith to be released from her misery. She had chosen Rebel to take her place, and he wasn't about to give up the one thing Lilith had meant for him. He mulls chewing his lip when master Kai seizes his fingers and starts sucking Rebel off of them.

"What the fuck Kai? I was saving that. Not to mention you don't like carnal fluids. Spying fuck. Is this your handy work?" He asks, pointing to the mirror.

"It has been a long time since I've indulged. I wanted to see what the fuss is about while depriving you. Shigaraki may not be the exact ally I seek, but he is excellent at torturing you. Your misery feeds me more," he says, licking his lips. "Yes and no. You lied to me. Enthusiasm does not equal professional whore. It is quite sweet, though. I only encouraged what was there."

"If you think this will endear you to Shigaraki, you are greatly mistaken. This will have the opposite effect. He wants Rebel to sincerely love him of her own will. The fact you touched her without either of their permission will lead to your doom." The Count wanted to whine as he watched Rebel please Shigaraki.

"Just when I think you have lost all your usefulness to me. Although bringing you in line has been a challenge. So, tell me, Rebel did not like my display but is sucking off Shigaraki; why?"

"The difference is he has killed monsters, in her opinion. You've killed humans and children; I doubt she will ever forgive you."

"I just need one to become a Chisaki, and the other will follow. This is your opportunity to get back in my good graces. Report to me, spy, and let me know any details that will help bring them into the family. Convince either one of them to join and in time put you back in the Index with your previous position." Kai doesn't bother to look at Cain. He is so enthralled with the action in the mirror. Kai usually has Rappa pound some sweet toy into the ground with his fists or his dick. He will have to find a replacement since he lost Rappa.

"No, I don't think I will be taking you up on your poor offer."

"It's an offer to be reunited with Lilith. Considering how horrible you have been with your previous task, you should be grateful I'm even offering it. Look how he is running his claws through her hair, lovely. I haven't seen this kind of care since you and Lilith."

"You watched us? Of course, you did. Why did I even bother asking? The deal is still a poor one regardless. I have my own goals in mind. In the end, I want Rebel." He is watching her slowly undress for Shigaraki. Shigaraki is helping, licking and sucking at the exposed bare flesh. The Count doesn't like how Kai can hear everything in the room.

"So impatient. You can have Rebel once I'm done with her. It will be up to you to skirt around the vicious creature who has dug its way deep into her. He's unnecessary for my plans, but he has potential and might be useful. Think about it. I look forward to reading your reports."

"I never agreed to that," the Count growls. Kai snorts, confident Cain will try anything to not be cut off completely. He waves him off, having Chrono usher him out.

"I'm patient to a point, Cain. Keep that in mind. Now leave. She's climbing on him. I haven't watched a female willingly ride anyone in this castle for centuries. I want to enjoy it in peace."

The Count is thrown out. He is racking his mind. The mirror is a problem. What if they say things that Kai should not know? Kai is right. They don't have to fight with each other to get what they want in the end. It would mean another nasty player in the mix putting them all through a chopping blade. No, this had to be played very carefully. He must get to them before any pillow talk.

Rebel straddled his lap and rubbed herself on Shiggy's heavy cock, slicking them both. Shigaraki is becoming more feral by the second each time he sees his head peek through between her lips. It gets more challenging for him to say no.

"We shouldn't. We need to strengthen the hive. We need new flock members. We need Dabi. I'm too weak with you on top."

"Such a whiner. Are you trying to piss me off? Either let me, or we stop now. If we stop, I promise I will use the Count as a pillow and ignore you until we are home."

Shigaraki writhes and growls underneath her.

"Don't make such stupid threats. I can punish you in ways you haven't imagined," Shigaraki grunts when he grabs her waist and forces her to grind harder on him.

"I have a question. What the hell was that about with the Count?" She asks.

"They both must suffer. They had turned you against me before we ever met. I don't believe your threat," he snarls.

"It wasn't a threat! It was a promise. Now, do you want it or not." She knots her fist in his hair, painfully gripping his antenna simultaneously. She yanks his head back; he grunts and smiles. Bearing his fangs in pain and pleasure. It has been made clear that she can play rough, and it won't stop him.

“Yeeeeeeesssss,” he hisses. "I give. Ride me hard." Rebel groans in pain as she sinks onto his cock. He is constantly stretching her to her limits, she is trying to go slow, but Shiggy is bucking up into her. Finally, he grabs her hips and shoves her down. He lets her take a moment panting until she starts rolling and rocking her hips. He loves this view. He catches perfect glimpses of himself bulging in her when she is on top.

The outline of his fat head as she grinds nearly tips him over the edge alone. The soft walls of her pussy crushing and milking him. Rebel is aggressive while she humps him. He Pushes past the pain of her grip to feel her soft breast bounce against his face. They are heavy with milk, and it must ache. He wraps a fisted arm around her middle to encourage her to keep up her pace.

"Creep," she pants, pulling him to her chest. He captures a nipple in his mouth and sucks greedily. Rebel sighs in relief and grinds harder. Shigaraki sexy moans fill her ears. She lets go of his head to grab his wings. Encouraging them to spread out. They are not like regular insect wings. They are supported by a rigid bone and feel like stiff feathers. Rebel and pull on them; they will not break. Eager to please, he whimpers like a puppy, spreads his wings wide, and shakes them. He can smell her becoming more aroused by his display and makes a note to do more of it in the future.

"Other side," she growls, guiding him to the other leaking breast.

"Fuck, you feel so good. So, so, good. I trained you well. You know how to ride a dick like a good little butterfly. You're about to make me knot too quickly. Slow down and warn me," he mumbles around her delicious hard nipple.

Rebel is too busy bucking against him to respond. She needs everything to breathe and chase her orgasm. His cock perfectly hits all her walls making her drool. She cums on him without warning, throwing her head back and moaning with pleasure as she forces herself down. Shigaraki growls. Struggling to pull her squeezing cunt off his overly responsive cock. He barely made it in enough time. Cumming all over the both of them, Rebel laughs.

"You bratty mate. You rode me hard and tried to kill me. Strangling my cock with that tight slutty pussy. Are you trying to get knotted?" His hand is nowhere as good as her spasming cunt, and he hates that she is tempting him at every turn.

"You told me a good mate takes the knot," she gives him a playful grin as she looks down at him. She impulsively kisses him. He chirps in her mouth, his feelers crawling over her skin. He pulls away, sighing in happiness.

"I want another one with you. The curse only allows me two offspring. I want both with you. The danger is doubled with your heritage. I need you; Hana needs you, Rebel. I understand if you don't want Dabi. But it's not unpleasant, and He can strengthen the hive. We could make a life bond, just you and me. All three of us if you wish it. If he were to ask you, would that make a difference? If it becomes your choice, will you stay?" Rebel looks sad and then angry as she touches where her mark used to be.

"It's not that. I don't mind, Dabi… it's" they are interrupted as The Count bursts in and jerks the mirror down. Rebel wails in despair. "Not Uncle Zee's mirror!"

The mirror shatters and tinkles as the shards spread over the floor. Rebel cries while Shigaraki tries to comfort her. He shoots murderous glares at the Count. The Count is panting with a strong scent of fear rolling off him. The scene is setting his killing instincts on edge.

"For the love of everything you hold dear, shut up!" He yells at them.

Chapter Text

The mirror crunches under the Count's feet as he rushes to fuss over Rebel.

Rebel is pissed and jabbering about her Uncle’s mirror. Shigaraki is looking back and forth between the two of them.

“That was my Uncle's mirror! It was a masterpiece. I wanted to take it home,” she rages.

“That would’ve been perfect for him. Then he wouldn’t need me to spy on you,” the Count huffs.

“What is going on, Count?” Shigaraki asks. The Count and looks to Shigaraki in surprise.

“That mirror was being used to spy on you. Rebel, you are acting odd. Do you feel a need to join Kia’s family?” The Count asks, trying to look her over. As if that will do any good.

“Yes, but not because of anything Kia did.” She says, batting his hand away. Trying to cover her nudity. Shigaraki has no sense of modesty, so he stays exactly where he’s at.

“Oh really? He basically told me that you are fucking him,” He points to Shigaraki. “Because Kai was curious. Do you have an urge to stay here instead of going home to your little brat?” he asks, looking in her eyes. Rebel’s mouth drops open.

“Oh fuck, he changed more than my skin,” Rebel breaths. “We have to go. I-I-I don’t want to be here anymore. I want to go home. Shiggy, take me home,” she cries. Suddenly panicking.

“After I kill Kai,” Shigaraki says, standing and wiping himself off. Both shriek no at him.

“I cut his spying off before you two said anything vital. Rebel, pull your shit together and think. You usually have a scheme. I don’t know what your disgusting big picture is, but you must have an idea, come on and tell us.” The Count pleads.

“I have nothing! I can’t remember. I was so angry, and now I just want to be taken care of,” she moans.

“That does not sound like my Rebel. I want to kill,” Shigaraki hisses. Shigaraki buzzes in rage and moves to kill Kai. The Count is blocking him with raised hands of surrender. The Mothman's feet must be like steel.

“I understand. I would love to see that happen, but I’m sure the plans she has set up include Master Kai being alive long enough to see it through. Think of the steel.”

“How are we to know when she’s like this?” He snarls.

“Quit talking about me like I’m not here. He couldn’t have. The normal pain at the back of the skull wasn’t there. You must be mistaken,” Rebel blubbers.

“Rebel baby, he has had time to perfect his methods, and most of your pain was in the leg. How would you have known, dear?” The Count says to her gently, and it makes her weepy. The Count turns back to Shigaraki. “Get her the fuck out of here before she makes a shitty deal with the devil. I cut off Master Kai’s eye. He will send goons here any minute. View this as an opportunity. It will give you time to work on your relationship before she snaps out of it.”

“What are you implying. She loves me,” Shigaraki rasps. Rebel was so eager; he was hoping this would be the thing to turn it back in his favor. He wants her real love. It felt real.

“I’m implying when she’s back into her right mind, she will fucking loath you again. Maybe you can make headway before then. I will buy you time.” The Count rushes to find Rebel clothes.

“As if I trust you,” He snarls. The Count snarls back in frustration. As he works, Rebel into pants. He can’t even enjoy her tits rubbing on him.

“You don’t have to. Rebel already has a working deal and an invention to return in a week. She has the master ring, have her order me to stay to oversee the already finished deals. Here are the gloves. I stole them. Take her home now. I’m not doing any of this out of the kindness of my heart. It’s self-preservation. We still have a deal, and I don’t want to see my Rebel hurt anymore. If you gave a shit, you wouldn’t want it either.” The Count is opening more drawers and helping Rebel get in warm clothes. He moves to replace a brown sweater he put on her. He doesn’t like the way it looks.

“I’m right here. Why can’t I think? Wait. Master Kai said he had to have those special made,” she pouts, pointing at the gloves that Shigaraki hasn’t decayed.

“By the Gods, he must have really fucked with your head if you believed such an obvious lie. My poor baby girl,” The Count looks at her with genuine pity. Caressing her cheeks. She smacks him away, weaker this time.

“She’s not yours,” He hisses. Putting on the gloves and touched a few things to test them out.   

“No, she’s yours and needs your protection for a change. I noticed she is always coddling you like a touch-starved child. Help her. You got your cock wet now; get her out of here. I would, but she won’t let me,” Shigaraki shoves him aside to look at his dazed Rebel, who was letting the Count dress and touch her.

“Rebel, my butterfly, it will be ok. When you see Hana, you will go back to normal, ok. Order the Count to oversee the rest. The metal and the new slaves then join us at the hive. You have to mean it for the ring to work.”

“I-I…” she starts and then falls apart.

“Rebel, look at me. Look, I’m touching you with all my fingers. I never thought this would be possible or value it. But here I am. Come Rebel. Your family needs you. You have never been weak when your family is in need,” he rasps. Rebels lip trembles, and her eyes threaten to spill more tears. She looks to the Count. The shadow of Rebel self-struggling behind those eyes.

“My gods. If the ring was reversed. I would have you slit your father's throat,” The Count says.

“Cain, oversee the transport of the metal and then join us at the hive.” The second she gave the order Shigaraki lifted her and streaked out of the castle. Usually, a spell would have made it impossible, but the Count put a counterspell in the sweater. He decided to listen to his wife. He’s not giving up on Rebel, he has time, but his Lilith is still alive. He loves her so much.

The door is kicked off the hinges. Master Kai enters and has a look around. The Count fines this show ridiculous; the man only needed to open the door. Tutting the mess, Master Kai leans down to fix the mirror.

“Why would you do something as stupid as betraying me?” Kai asks as the mirror is hung back up.   

“Survival. If you had offered them a shit deal, then you could be rid of me and break our deal,” he says. He hopes this will save him.

“It’s a shame they left to the west. There is a chance they will be shot down. If they die, you die. If they survive, then I’m going to take a piece of you and experiment. Whenever you feel a jolt of pain in the wound, think of me.” Kai is annoyed. The Count looks bemused.

“That’s Rebel SmithHammer and Tomura Shigaraki. They will be fine. Ah, I smell change in the air,” he smiles.

“Why are you smiling. You’re still going to lose an eye. Yes, an eye,” Master Kai states. Cain keeps grinning. Lilith has given up so much for him. What is one part in comparison? Maybe his Lilith will get to water.

Rebel groans. Her vision can’t seem to stay in focus. She sees Shiggy standing over her hissing and growling. The heavy scent of his decay in the air mixed with blood. It hurt to move. Shiggy is protecting her from a drider. A nasty spider creature that would eat her alive. She reaches in the waistband of her pants where the Count had given her a parting gift.

She fires a shot at the spider, and everyone screeches. She was not expecting it to be so loud. The drider scuttles away. Great now her ears are ringing. Shiggy turns to look at her, relief spread over his mangled face. Oh, Gods, he looked a battered bleeding mess. One of his wings was shredded and bleeding. She didn’t know they bled. It would explain why they are so warm.    

“Shiggy, your hurt,” she groans in pain. She thinks one of her ribs may have broken because it hurt to breathe. “What happened?”

“You don’t remember?” he asks.

“No.”

“Several harpies came out of nowhere and forced me to fly too low to the forest. We got shot down with arrows. Took off the gloves and killed most of them until that drider showed up. We’re still in the black forest,” he explains, bending down in pain. He cradles her in his arms, Rebel cries out as he lifts her. Carrying her towards the direction he believes is the forest edge. Once out of the black forest, she will be safe; she will be her old self. “We need to get you out of here. You need to get back to Hana,” he gasps through gritted teeth.

“Stop,” she shouts.

“No. Even if I don’t make it build the hive strong. I know you can do it,” he rasps.

“No, we’re not going to survive in the shape we’re in. Follow the drider. It was a red one, so it lives alone. That shot will be fatal. Look at the ground. See the foam. I hit its lung. Let’s finish her off. Take her cave. She’s an apex predator in this area, so we should be safe for at least a week,” she is exhausted from the conversation. Rebel cocks the pistol and aims in front of them as Shigaraki shuffles along. Following the trail of blood.

The drider is dying when they enter its den. It was gasping and struggling for every breath. Dried corpses of different creatures decorated the trees outside. But inside, past the intense webbing, is a warm, clean den.

“Can you kill her? Make it quick? I hate seeing her suffer,” she wheezes. He nods and sets Rebel down tenderly. The drider feebly struggles as Shigaraki wraps an arm around her neck. Its six eyes white roll in fear when Shigaraki twists her head. A loud popping sound filled the den. Shigaraki stumbles towards Rebel.

“I’m sorry, Rebel. Lost a lot of blood. Kept you as safe as I could in the fall. Failed with Annis. I love you,” he gasps as he slumps to the ground. Rebel starts to panic. She crawls to him.

“Shiggy! Shiggy! No! No! Not like this,” she screams. She looks around for anything to stop the bleeding. A gash on his inner thigh is the biggest bleeder. Grabbing drider silk, she quickly stops the bleeding. It’s not going to be enough, though. “Gods damn you. The only person allowed to kill you is me. You hear me?”

She struggles to stand. Her ankle is sprained, but she’ll make it. The drider had a nice cozy den set for itself. She’s most thankful for the fireplace. A flint and wood pile were there conveniently. She makes it out front with a sharp rock and some fire to find what she is looking for. A dried-out husk of a unicorn. She must be careful not to set the forest on fire, but she manages to get it down. With the sharp rock, she cuts a splinter off its horn. She pulls off what’s left of its hair.

Back in the cave by the firelight, she fashions needle and thread. She must stop several times to cry. The pain made her want to curl up and give up. 

"Don't hesitate, follow through," she heaves to herself. She wished her hands weren’t so shaky. But she managed to get her Shigs stitched up, including his torn wing. She would have to find something to set up the bone of the costal margin. She had learned all the wing terminology from Compress. He never mentioned this. Typical insects don’t have blood and veins in their wings.

This does lead her to believe he will heal. She needed to rest. Just a little rest. Her eyelids are so heavy, and the pain is making her groggy. She curls up next the Shigaraki’s comatose body. She is not big on praying, but she will take help from anywhere at this time. She prays the unicorn heals him, that they both make it through the day and wake up.

Shigaraki  is annoyed Rebel is dripping water in his mouth. He starts coughing and pushing her away.

“Shiggy! Are you awake? Shiggy!” he groans when her feeble human arms wrap around him. Crushing his lungs. She feels stronger than she should be.

“What are you still doing here? I told you to leave me.” He rasps, sitting up. His throat to dry and gratefully takes the water she has to offer. Gulping greedily.

“Slow down and sip it. You’ll get sick. And you thought I would listen to that nonsense?” Rebel snorted. Checking all his stitches. “That unicorn did not have the same kick as a fresh one, but at least there is no sign of infection, and you survived.” She smiles, pleased. Shigaraki also looks over his wounds and hisses. Rebel had patched and stitched him together very well. His wing was healing nicely, but she had stitched the drider exoskeleton leg with unicorn hair. The look of it made him sick.

“What the fuck is this?” he seethes, pointing to his wing. She shrugs.

“It will heal faster that way.”

“And this,” he snarls, looking down to see she had wrapped his groin in some moldy cape.

“It’s a diaper,” she says quietly.

“I rather you had let me die. Why are you still here?” he buzzes. It feels like someone had been tap dancing on his chest.

“Are you serious? I’m here to save you. You stopped breathing at one point! What the fuck is your problem?”

“You! The one time you don’t run away! I can’t fly like this. I’m not going to have you trapped in the black forest with me until I heal. Hana needs you. Your horrid family is there. Go!”

“What the hell? Don’t be such a child,” Rebel huffs.

“Don’t know if you noticed, but in this relationship, it is you that is always running away like a child. Not once have I left. You are always abandoning Hana and me for your family.”

“Well, that’s true,” she says, looking guilty for a change. “My family needs me. You never needed me.”

“I always need you. Hana will always need you. The one fucking time I want you to abandon me. Why the hell are you still here? You hate me, remember?”

“Things have changed. We’re family, and I’m not going to just abandon you. I am still mad; I don’t know if I can ever forgive the abuse. Just because I’m mad and we have our issues doesn’t mean I don’t love you,” she snaps at him.

“You love me?” he asks warily.

“Sure, not that you have ever said it back, not until you thought you were dying. I honestly wonder if you said it to make me feel bad.”

“‘Sure,’ is about the most unromantic reassurance I can think of. And I have plenty of times. Just not in a human way.”

“I have stopped running away. Now have something to run towards. I love you,” Rebel says as she caresses and hugs his face. Pulling a pained chirp from him.

“I love you too. Don’t die here with me. Get back to the hive,” Shigaraki insists as he leans into her warmth.

“You are always so dramatic. Granted, I love the idea of you being self-sacrificing. I will insist on it in the future, but it’s unnecessary. We are going back to Hana together,” she declares, running her fingers through his greasy locks. “Master Kai thinks I ran straight through. The truth is I survived a month, studying the black forest, then I ran. Running straight through would have been a death sentence. I know the forest like the back of my hand. There are things in here that can heal you right up. Now that your awake, I can go get them.” She leans him against the wall with her sweater supporting his back. A motherly act of nurture he had never seen her do. Another shortcoming of his he wishes to not dwell on.

“Are you mad?” He feebly protests as she goes about arranging things around him to easily reach.

“Yes! Yes, I am at you. I always want to let you close, and you fuck it up by being you. I can do this. Trust me. I will be back. I always come back to my family,” she huffs, giving him a quick hard peck, and leaves. Shigaraki wants to argue that it is her that is constantly fucking it up by pushing him away. He wants her to be safe and back at the hive. The reality is he is in no position to force her. A part of him wants to elate that she wants to stay with him. Rebel said she loved him. He still can’t be sure it’s not that bastard Kai’s doing.

He remembers what it was like killing Magec, pure bliss. He understands it’s because his little mate has massive prejudices against non-humans. A thing he finds ironic considering evidently, she has dwarven blood. He will need to talk to her about all of this. He wasn’t a complete idiot. He had watched the Count and noticed how he spoke to Rebel differently than others. He will try to do the same. As far as he is concerned, the Count has earned a little less torture. Not too much, though.

How long had they been here? He ripped the diaper off and threw it in the fire. Mortified at the thought, she had changed him like a weak infant. Quickly he moved on to better imaginations. Had she also fed him from her breasts like an infant? That thought pleased him. She usually reversed her milk for the actual babies back at the hive. The few times she had let him suckle, she tasted like cream and musk melon. A flavor he wishes he could savor every day if those greedy babies didn’t drink it all.

Rebel has left him a skin of water and an exoskeleton of drider meat. Once he took a bite, he ate it all and hoped she wasn’t saving some of it for herself. He hears a shot in the distance and struggles to stand. Fuck, his Rebel needed his protection, and he can barely move. He had failed when it came to Kai; he couldn’t let her down again. His legs wobble and screech like a raptor as he claws his way out.

Rebel watches him for a few moments before she drops down in front of him. Like the little assassin, he did not believe she was capable of being until recently.

“Whatcha doing?” she asked with an amused grin that reminds him too much of the Count.

“I’m doing my best imitation of a snake. What the fuck do you think I’m doing?” he hisses, and she bursts out laughing. Even pissed off, he chirps at her while his feelers droop. She’s so pretty when she smiles at him. “It’s not funny. I heard a shot.”

“It is. I never thought you could make a joke. Don’t worry, I knew you would be hungry, so I killed a vampire hugger while getting more water. This drider was busy. I found so much great stuff on these bodies. Waterskins, sacks, capes and jerkins, knives, I even found pots. Come on, baby, let me help you back to the cave.”

“I don’t need it,” he growls.

“Of course not. A sexy beast like you doesn’t need help from a weak human female,” she smiles while playing with his feeler, drawing another chirp from him. “I just wanted you to hold me. Pathetic, I know.” Shigaraki rolls his crimson eyes. He knows she is trying to save his wounded pride, pulling a sweet smile from her. He gestures for her, grunting and struggling back to the cave together. Rebel drops everything, including Shigaraki, and gasps for air while making sweet little pained whimpers. Shigaraki drags her to him and envelops her in his wings with rumbling purrs.

“This is nice. I’m going to just take a little rest here before I get to work,” Rebel mutters as she melts in his arms. “Teach me about you. Tell me about your wings.”

“We have to talk about that. Family heritage is important when breeding. You should have told me you have dwarven blood,” he mumbles, nuzzling into her hair. It is musky and dirty, he doesn’t mind.

“Why? It’s not like it’s that strong in me. Look at me. Do I look like a dwarf to you? I’m taller than average. My Uncle and cousins got that talent. My cousin Izmel is amazing with a hammer. I’m pretty good with it but not like him.”

“You swing a hammer.”

“My surname is SmithHammer. It would hurt my family’s honor if even one of us couldn’t swing a hammer. Fuck I believe Abbey can swing a hammer.”

“You are distracting. The reason why my wings can heal, that it’s dangerous for our daughter, and I want to destroy the Oder of the Light are all connected.”

“Wait,” she barks. “Let me pull this corpse to the front and finish the thousands of other things first. I am concerned you will say something that will make me want to kill you, and then I will be too busy with your murder to focus on the rest, which is dangerous. The black forest is brutal.” He snickers and nips at her ear. He always finds her death threats arousing. This is Rebel. He was worried it would be a permanent change. That he wouldn't have her back until she saw Hana. He shouldn't have underestimated her will. 

“Which corpse?" he sighs.

“The spider one. Anything that sees it should either attack it first or flee.”

“Clever. I will help.”

“I dare not refuse. I am exhausted already looking at it,” She groans as she helps Shiggy up. They struggle and must take three breaks before they arrange it at the entrance. Rebel works hard to make the medicine while Shigaraki prepares the vampire hugger. He feeds her bites while she watches the bubbling mixture. Shigaraki hissed when she applied the horrid-smelling goop. She lifted her sweater and jerkin, and Shigraki hissed again. Her flesh is molten with red, black, and blue. The bruise radiated from her rib and appeared to cover half her chest. He delicately spread the goop on her and helped wrap it. She lays back with a whimper.

“That feels a little better. I didn’t want to come off as weak, but that hurt like hell. Alright. Convince me that you’re not a horrible monster out to destroy the order to enslave humanity.”

He sighs deeply. Pulling her to him and embracing Rebel. She lets him with a pained expression twisting her features momentarily.

“I don’t want to enslave humanity personally. I just want to destroy the order. Our entire race was originally created by humans. The original wizards that created us formed the order of the light. We are humans that have been used by the order to create a boogeyman to control other humans.”

“That can’t be true,” she says sadly.

“If I was really insect with no human genetics, we couldn’t have a child, Rebel. We are magically created. Same with dwarves. When two magically created species interbreed, the magical properties of the offspring mutate. We have a very high chance Hana’s will mutate and be immensely strong.”

“Wait!” she shouts, painfully twisting to look at him. “Is there even the slightest chance that Hana will not have wings? Because I’m thinking about all the lessons the Count gave on breeding, and I remember him once telling me centaurs have a chance of giving birth to a full human or a full foul.”

“There is a chance. We call them wingless butterflies. There was a famous one in my hive we tortured and called Deku. Then some almost look entirely Moth. We will not know until later; females’ nubs come in late.”

“No! Goddammit! I was really looking forward to seeing her with little wings. I’m sorry, please go on. I will brood in silence.” She frets, taking comfort in his soft ruff.

“I know because I’m the product of a similar union. So is the rest of the flock. When my Master was killed, and I lost his golem, I really put in no effort of any kind towards the Order. I just wanted to hang around and play sticks. But they found me a threat and had all the mutation magic thrown out. Without a hive and a firefly, my species struggle to survive. I shouldn’t have bought you like a slave, but I don’t know if I could have made it without you, and I know it would've been harder without you.”

“That was just about the sweetest thing you said about me. I will have to ask somebody that knows more about medical stuff. So, petty revenge?”  

“It’s true I should have told you sooner. The Order never protected humans from monsters. They create them, curse, keep their numbers just right, and then let them loose to control you. If I was not magical, my wings would not heal. The blood is my proof alone. My revenge is not petty. Look how they have kept you in ignorance. They turned you against me before we ever met. Then the fucking vampires reinforced it.”

“Is that why you torture the Count so? Well, I guess he was telling the truth.”

“What, when did the Count tell you about my motives?”

“In a letter along with the gun. Cain was concerned you would try to cut him out of some kind of deal you two had made. Don’t fret; he did you justice.”

“And you let me prattle on. You know how I hate talking,” he huffs.

“You think I’m foolish enough to trust his word? Besides, I should hear from you. He did not mention the baby issue. He also says you threatened to kill me in the gambling hall,” she smiles at him.

“I agree, not all truth. Fucker,” he growls.

“Indeed. Like I didn’t already know.” He looks at her in surprise and disgrace. It made her giggle. “You’ve chittered that phrase at me several times before. I asked Dabi what it meant, he gleefully told me. It has always been in anger, and you have never followed through, so I risked it. Glad I did. I would take you in my mouth now if I had the strength.” He keens and rumbles, purrs at her words.

“When you talk like that, I want to knot you until you are a puddle under me. Breed you and fill you with my seed.”

“Oh no, I would hate that,” she says, kissing him. He coos as he moves to her chest.

“Come here, little mommy, let me relieve you of some of that milk."

“I fed you some of it. You wouldn’t latch. I had to manually extract it like a cow. That sucked. Gentle, half of my breast is bruised,” she whines as he nurses like a fiend. “I’m glad you’re in a good mood because I don’t give a shit what excuse you have about the Order.” 

He growls as he pops her tit out of his mouth long enough to yell at her.

“They are the fucking monsters! Where were they when you were sold? Have they ever saved any humans? Think about it. If they created the monsters have, they ever saved anyone?” He goes back to her chest.  

“Do you know how the Oder recruits?” she asked. This made him stop

“They come and steal the wingless ones in our hive,” he mumbles around her nipple.

“They come and steal the firstborn in Forestdale. It’s one of the reasons Rusty is cruel to Daddy.” Shigaraki pulls away.

“They fucked with our family in so many ways. How can you stand that?” he snarls, his red eyes burning holes in her.

“Don’t!” She warns.

“Don’t what? Point out how they fucked with us? With our family?”

“Goddammit! Get off. I’m all pissed off now. More at Kai. That fucking cunt touched me before, brushed my hair back, and that was about when I got a hair up my ass about nearly getting myself killed. I really can’t tell if it was him or me. He offered me a voice, and I'm wondering if all he did was push what has been there. Please do not give me that look. None of it is your fault. You protected me and when I begged you to leave you did it and protected me then too. I am grateful. I'm sure it's Kai's fault.”

“Do I get to kill him now?” Shigaraki asks, excited.

“No. We will use this and twist it to our strength. I know you hate the Count.”

“So, do you,” he interrupts. 

“Not as much as I like him to think. As he has said, often, our goals do not have to oppose each other. My twin was taken and is in the Order. So aside from the fact that you are cruel creatures that would enslave us, eat us, or fuck us to death. I will not revolt against my own twin. Without the say of my family. So, I must ask. You say your intentions are not to enslave them. So, it is the rest of the flock’s choice? I wonder what the flock desires more.”

“Are you scheming? If you are, tell me.”

“I am, and I will. We have to talk to my family and the flock together. If you and the rest of the flock only wish to destroy the order but leave the humans to their own devices, I will help you. With my help, I can bring the order toppling down. It will mean a little compromise, and I'm not willing to tell you my plan until we are all gathered. We could win, and no one will fuck with our family again,” she grins deviously.

“My mate is clever and delicious. My little hammer from hell. I am feeling better, now spread your legs and take your mate while you tell him how to twist Kai to our strength,” he whispers. Licking each nipple before crawling above her.   

“No! I am dying here and haven’t bathed in days,” she whines.

“I can lick you clean,” he suggests licking his lips and fluttering his wings.

“You are such a pain. Wait, and I’ll take both you and Dabi." She looks away.

“You’re finally going to give in on that? I can make Dabi ask. Having another firefly will be invaluable to the hive."

“I want more babies. If we really need Dabi to keep the hive from collapsing, then sure, I will give in. I really don’t know how you are not jealous. I am every time you smile at him,” she shoots him a dirty look.

“It’s not like that. It’s business. these are how things are done in the flock."

“Then why did he kill those women? why not ask to begin with?" 

“As an excuse to breed with you. He is preparing his legacy with half-siblings with the current leader. The curse doesn’t kick in until after a child is born."

"And you let him."

"I said no for a long as possible. I didn't have your heart Rebel. Your heart was worth those lives to me. In the end I gave in, things have changed, we can be together in a way that allows you a voice." Rebel gives him a strange look and kisses him. His heart flutters like his wings.  

"I liked you. I thought you were handsome and clever. By being the best sticks player in the Index, I was thrilled at the prospect of stealing from you. You have been the funniest challenge of my life. You can not be replaced in my heart for that alone. Come here and let me whisper sweet plots in your ear, my love."

She pulls more chirps and coos from him.

Chapter Text

The Count is getting nervous.

It has been too long, in his opinion. He is tempted to find the little cunts, save Rebel. He hopes Shigaraki is dead, but if Shigaraki is injured, stomp his head in. His missing eye feels like it has a spike being driven into his brain. A thing he would not do for anyone else other than his Rebel or Lilith. Fucking Mothmen. They are at the height of odd, and his Rebel is into it? 

Like Lilith has said, all he has to do is wait. He's immortal. Shigaraki is a bug, a blip compared to what he will have. He is about ready to escape when the front door bursts open. Shigaraki carries Rebel in snarling and chittering.

“What the hell happened to my stupid slave?” Rebel shouts, hopping down and fussing over the Count. He’s not hating it, but he is deeply confused. 

“Rebel, sweetness, you smell like you have been living in the forest. How the fuck is that is even possible?” Cain asks. She smacks him, and he is even more confused. What the hell are they doing here? That is what he wanted to shout, but he didn't dare with her in his face.

“This entire time, you were supposed to be getting the metal and other shit together. You can just shut the fuck up about what we smell or look like. I would take your damn eye, but it looks like someone has beaten me to it,” she says, looking under his patch that oozed with puss. Rebels words were harsh, but he could see it didn’t have a real bite. In fact, she looked sad, which made his heart sing. Master Kai shuffles in, it's amazing seeing him this close to the entrance. A thing Cain once heard him refer to as the port of disease. He must really want Rebel.

“Sorry. You said I could punish him how I saw fit. I am pleased to see you are alive,” Master Kai shouts from the top of the stairs, "If you like, I can touch you both and make you perfect again.”

“Oh, I would like that. Before you do, Shigaraki and I have some exciting news. On this little impromptu honeymoon of sorts. We decided it would be beneficial to join the family,” Rebel says, coming near but not too much to make the Master uncomfortable.

“Oh, really?” He doesn’t care about the obvious lie. He wants those words bound in blood and Rebel was there dangling it like a carrot in front of him.

“Yes, please give the contract to Cain, and I will be signing. Shigaraki wishes to remain separate in case something were to happen. He can maintain full rights to our offspring. You know how some species are about children,” Rebel says with a smile and holding out her hand. Master Kai is quick. Grabbing her hand can cause momentary searing pain. He altered a little more than he should have.

"I am so pleased. There now you are sanitary and perfect again. Come. You must be hungry."

“Wow, that is amazing. You have such talented hands," she says, sultry walking alongside him, "We are starving."

Shigaraki shoves the Count towards them. Chattering at him in his own language.

“Make a fuss but not enough to prevent her from working. Be sure she gets that mirror and is near the top of the session line in this family.”

“What the fuck is going on?” the Count seethes.

“You’ll know when we want you to know, slave. You are lucky she has some unexplained fondness for you.”

“I was thinking the same about you,” he huffs as he trails Rebel. Shigaraki turns to the man named Chronos.

“I want all our assets gathered and ready to leave for my hive within the hour. No more stalling,” he hisses. Chronos bows and goes to make that happen. Chronos wants this predator out of the castle as soon as possible. He can feel the danger radiating off this one.

Shigaraki sits and waits for his mate. Lying his head back and resting his eyes. He wont let that freak touch him. He'll heal with magic far away fro here. His insane mate, who he can’t help but listen to. Her ideas are lengthy. They hurt his mind thinking of them. What doesn’t hurt is how she takes him in her mouth nearly every morning. It turns him into a pathetic mess, convinces him to go along with her insanity.

She had helped him bask in the moonlight. Nurtured him, let him suckle at her breasts like a babe, let him use her lap as a pillow. She braided and played with his hair.

“It’s gotten longer and paler. I love it like this. Let it grow out, please,” she begged. He said he would think about it, but the truth is he would give her anything if it would make her stay. She found moonlight flowers and created a crown for him to wear. Kissing his scars and sucking his lower lip. Rebel was downright kittenish when she was caring for him. She whispered sweet nothings and held him throughout the night.

He woke up to her sucking his cock.

"What are you doing," he hissed in pleasure. 

"Getting a warm dinner," she said with large innocent eyes. He watches as she takes as much of him into her mouth. Her warm, inviting mouth sucked and licked at his head, like a tentacle twisting, pulling chirps and whines from him. Creating sensations he had never felt before. His flesh was being painfully coaxed into giving his mate all his seed. He wanted to grab the back of her head but resisted. Her eyes were loving and trusting. They sank deep into his soul. He would not think it possible for them to be that large and dark. Two pools of cold bliss that he drank from, his heart raced for her. 

She used both her hands and slicked them with her spit. Rebel worked him until his head was thrown back and pleading pathetically.

"Ah-ah-ah, please more. Right there....no....wait...too sensitive...ah-ah-nngh," he panted. Toes curling, wings vibrating. All of him still hurt, and here she was loudly slurping and swallowing down his throbbing length. He had to yank her away from his knot, but she fought back to make lewd gulping sounds. Her tongue played with his tip, causing him to writhe and flop his wings on the dirt floor. She seized his knot and squeezed. He froze like a weak larva as he shot his pulsing load down her throat. He was only done when she said he was. Rebel sat up with a smacking of lips and an ahhh of satisfaction. 

"You have gotten sweeter, still salty. Tangy like a lemonade with a touch of salt. I wonder if all men taste like you. I will have to ask around," she giggled like a nasty little vixen. She accused him of blushing and teased him until he pulled her to him and nuzzled.  

Rebel told him how much she trusted him, and he didn’t need to bind his hands while they slept in the wild. She wanted him ready in case a predator attacked, but she had no idea how much what she was saying or how much it meant to him. He wasn't ready to tell her yet. He didn't want to remember anyhow.

This last run has shown him that he could not force his Rebel to stay if she didn’t want to. She was too well connected, and there were too many males from all sides unwilling to unhook themselves from her. She laughs because apparently there are more, some women too, she snorted. All the SmithHammers are very well connected. Her family had built many of the foundations of the human cities for an oath. He could not get her to elaborate, saying she was tired, and it came to that they were exempt from certain things. 

She was right when she whispered in his ear.

“Use it. They are fools and don’t understand my desires. You do. You are mine and will help me,” she had said, and Shigaraki did. Yes, he understood it. He could not drag himself from the sweet little liar. The way she deceived and manipulated those around her was an art he was coming to understand was easier than force.

He thinks this is how he can convince the SmithHammer clan. Not with cock sucking, of course. It was simple, really. Yes, all others are to be used, and if they don’t want to fall in line, then he will crush them. He feels Rebel is turning him into a more mature predator. On the way to the hive, no one spoke. The mirror was right there, and a couple of the new hive members were clearly there to spy. Which is fine. Rebel saw so many ways to use that it made her wet, and that’s all he really cared about at this moment.

“Ow! Fuck, you’re being too rough,” Cain whined. Rebel was cleaning out his eye socket with some stringent foul-smelling ointment. Shigaraki felt a tinge of jealously as she seemed genuinely worried for the Count. He had just learned that he liked to be pampered and sucked, and here Rebel was being kind to the biggest whore he’s ever had the misfortune to set eyes on.

“Such a baby. Hold still. You don’t want to be seeping puss all over the place when you see your husbands and wives,” she said, and Cain laughed.

“I’m going with you. I don’t trust I will get a nice living arrangement if I don’t. Plus, I’m not missing the introduction of Daddy SmithHammer to Tomura Shigaraki! That is a drama I will never get to witness again,” He laughed. Rebel was purposefully rough, and he winced but kept laughing.

“What is your father's name?” Shigaraki asked. From the back of the wagon jostling wagon that carried the covered mirror and a huge vampire named Rappa. Shigaraki looked up at the two of them and resisted yanking his mate straight down with him. Rebel looked at him and blushed.

“It’s Daddy,” she says quickly. Shigaraki is still injured, refusing to let Kai touch him. Rebel looks flawless, though. He is beyond aggravated that his mark is gone. This time he will make them life-bonded and ask in a way she won’t say no to. He is not good with what the humans call romance, but perhaps some of his new human family members can help. He hasn’t figured that part out yet, but he can make it happen.

“I understand that is what you call him, but what is his name?” Shigaraki asks.

“You didn’t tell him!” Cain laughs harder, and she smacks him.

“Shut up Cain,” She places his eye patch on and whispers to the Count.

“Tell me what?” Shigaraki growls. Cain’s laughter was rankling him. He should rip him apart, but Rebel is being maternal to him. He grabs her and yanks her down to him. She squeals as he holds her to him.

“It’s not that big of a deal,” she snarks at him. He wraps four of his fingers around her neck. She freezes and narrows her eyes at him.

“I could never kill you; it would be killing myself. I can endure a lot of pain and suffering. I can not endure you lying and keeping secrets from me any longer. I thought we had built more between us,” his lip is trembling. He feels very emotional, and the thought she would still be moving away from him after all they had been through drives him mad. He can feel Cain tensing behind him.

Rebel didn’t look angry at him. She softened and caressed his jaw. She gently loosened his grip and gave him what he needed. Pulling the strains of hair away from his eyes.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you everything. I just …. My nature is to be a liar. I still have some issues too. Please, trust me, I will. Not here in front of the mirror,” she whimpers. Rebel snuggles into him and gives him the attention he needs. Stroking his fur until he rumbles with purrs.

“Needy,” Cain mumbles.

When they arrived, it was pure hell on earth. Shigaraki was considering decaying the whole hive and starting over again. He laid low in the wagon while Rebel dealt with the complaints. It was the least she could do, considering she had created this mess. 

“Cousin Izmel is going crazy. The moth people keep flying at the forge. If we move it further, Technically, we won’t be in this territory anymore,” Rusty shouts as the cousins empty the wagon. Five burley stout men, one as tall as Rappa. 

“If they didn’t smell like Shigaraki and have some note…hey, that one is not your baby!” Toga shouts at Mama SmithHammer, who immediately hands her a screeching hissing Akuma, who latches on to Rebel's chest like a vampire. 

“Ow! Fuck, did you really miss me,” Rebel coos to him. Ignoring the adults screaming. She rubs his back. Akuma kneads her breast purring. Cain is delighted.

“He doesn’t like any of the wet nurses! She threatens to stab them if they don’t look more like you. Do you have any idea how absurd that is?” Jenny shouted, pointing to Toga.

“They keep judging us!  And they don’t put out afterwards!”  Twice snarled.  

“That sounds like them,” Rebel sighs. Cain and Shigaraki are enthralled by breastfeeding and the shouting. It’s hard to focus.

“The one called Daddy has insisted I marry Toga,” Mr. Compress shouts, and Rebel finally responds.

“Are you the father? Really, Mister, you dirty dog!” Rebel giggles, and Toga turns bright red.

"You're not married?" Rusty asked and winked at her. Causing Twice and Compress to hiss at him.

“They want us to wear clothes,” Dabi adds. Rebel didn’t even notice he was there. She has so many questions for him. So much news for him.

“They eat everything and have been trying to enslave us,” Rusty rages.

“That one tried to kill me!” Spinner points at Jenny. The roar increased.

“Everyone shut the fuck up!” Shigaraki snarls. The crowd falls silent except for Daddy, who is humming and holding Hana.

“Reminds me so much of my Rebel,” he says with love in his eyes for Hana, “I’m ashamed of all of you. SmithHammers, Rebel is home, and this is not how we treat Rebel coming home.” He says sternly.

“I have the gin!” David shouts. Shigaraki ducks behind Rebel, buzzing with annoyance. She moved greedy Akuma to the other breast.

“What the hell is happening?” He hisses at the back of her head.

“Trust me, they are a lot easier to get along with when they are lit. Plus, look, everyone is getting along for the moment," David, a little one, was plying everyone gin. Everyone but the vampires that hung back quietly in the shadows. Children were drinking, and there were several of them. At least ten in all. Rebel sniffles. He nudges her with his head. 

"I am so happy right now. Look at them. It wasn't too long ago they had dirty faces and were on the brink of starvation. Come on, Dabi, help me down, please.” Dabi helps her, then helps Shigaraki, who is still battered, and hisses at Dabi in anger. It is unnatural to allow any part of his small flock to see weakness.

"I would like to thank my flock for watching out for my family and taking such good care of them. I am eternally grateful," Rebel announced. The flock buzzed with appreciation. They feed off of Rebel's praise.  

The female humans and other members fretted over him. Mr. Compress carried most of them to the hive. The blacksmith cousins stayed behind. 

"Set up the forge over in shadow under that lip of the hive. The flock won't be able to see it," she ordered the cousins. The families separated themselves to make things extra fun around the large table, and Shigaraki noticed Rebel’s family all carried hammers. He noticed because they had them out and staring at the vampires with intense hate. They were at least still willing to share the gin with the flock. 

Rebel seemed to be ignoring all of this and continued feeding the babies. She had his gloves on, and he allowed her to hold and feed Hana. Akuma had to be taken away because he wanted to kill the red baby. He seems to have become quite attached to Rebel. Daddy is holding the red baby, eyeing Shigaraki and Dabi with a hefty hammer within reach.

Dabi was low-key wooing Rebel, so he didn’t mind the man eyeing him. However, this could not stand.

“Mr.SmithHammer,” Shigaraki began. But Daddy interrupted him

“Call me Daddy,” He said.

“None of us want to do that. What the hell is his name?” Toga hissed.

“It is Daddy. All the firstborn males are named Daddy. Rusty is Daddy, Rusty is his nickname,” the Count guffawed. Dabi and Shigaraki looked at Rebel.

“It’s true. If I have a male, its name will be Daddy. It's tradition and a desired occupation for the firstborn male," Rebel says sternly.

“The fuck he will be,” Shigaraki hissed.

“Fine with me, precious," Dabi nudges. 

“Why the fuck does thou care?" Daddy asked, pointing his hammer at Dabi.

“Daddy," Rebel started.

“No! I will accept this one," he points his hammer at Shigaraki, "only because you foolishly gave birth out of wedlock. But you shall be wed by him, and we will lie about when that was to Hana."

“You’re not making my Rebel do shit," Shigaraki flared. Rebel placed a hand on his arm and shook her head.

“She’s our Rebel fuckwit!" one of the cousins shouted. There was a sudden outcry of grievances and racism Shigaraki was not prepared for. 

“You stirred shit on purpose, Count. This is pure silver, Monster!" Jenny threatens with her hammer. "Why the hell are the vampires here?" Jenny piped up louder than the rest.

“Because I don’t trust them to wander around alone and because Cain earned it," Rebel said. Shigaraki stiffened in concern at those words. What did Cain do that earned him anything but a lifetime of torture? 

“Oh, it’s Cain now? I wonder if you're fit to be the head of this family. Look at what you’ve surrounded us with," Jenny seethed, disgusted agreements followed her statement.

“Do you want to challenge me, Jenny?" Rebel asked with an edge of danger.

“Why the fuck are thee challenging her? Thou art still the head here," Daddy said.

“No, she isn’t because I’ll bash her fucking head in. Then yours, old man," Rusty said, placing his hammer on the table. Staring his younger sister down.

“No, I don’t. Just saying," Jenny says meekly. Casting her eyes away, and took another shot of gin.

“Shut the fuck up then. Your new big brother was speaking. Your new Master Cain. My mate. Daddy, please just listen," Rebel said gently to Daddy. 

“Daddy,” Shigaraki cringed, “New flock and old, we have brokered a deal with the Vampire that will be beneficial to all of us. They will provide metal and wood, so the humans can arm and house themselves. Rebel has been spreading the word that we feed our slaves and allow them to earn their freedom. Something I did not know until recently. We are about to have an army show up at our doorstep. Hardened men and women who were abandoned by the people who swore to protect them. This will help us as we go to war with the Order. We must remove the Queen vampire hugger to build the canal. However, once it is built, we will have fulfilled our contract with the sphinx and allow the vampire huggers to multiply again. They are damn delicious, an endless food source, while protecting our massive freshwater supply.

“What hast thou done? Your twin?" Daddy said low to Rebel. Rebel stiffens and looks as if she is about to cry. Shigaraki starts to erupt, but it's not needed. 

“I’m her twin! That is your fault, old man,” Rusty berates. Shigaraki is starting to like his new brother. 

“They are cursed, you know, that right? How is our legacy to live on?" A cousin says. Waving her hand towards the flock and vampires. 

“I had Cain help me broker a side deal. I have Master Kai working on a way to end that curse," Rebel says. Avoiding Shigaraki's harsh gaze. 

“Really! That is fantastic!" Twice shouts. There are chitters and warbles of excitement from the flock. 

“What did that cost us?" Shigaraki asks ominously. 

“More than I want to admit,” Rebel looks sorrowed, “The SmithHammer clan will be separated for a short time. Trust, when I say what we are doing, will leave our legacy much higher than any we could have had in Forestdale or any other land run by the Order," Rebel reassures. 

“But what of the human race?" The matriarch of the cousins asked.

“They lied to us! I didn’t want to believe it, but the more I thought about it, the more sense it made. Come on, I have lived and dealt with monsters all my life, and I am still here. Our fear is what is holding humanity back. Humans will always be here. We will prevail. Cain, tell them. Tell them about the order and monsters," Rebel orders. Shigaraki assumed he would have to be convincing, but it turns out his little Rebel has always meant to be a queen. He plays with her hair. 

Cain tells them how Monsters the order is supposed to be protecting them from are being made for them. Rebel's family lost their mind. Calling them liars. 

"I can believe it. Most of my wet work was for the order. The whole damn religion is a lie! I've been saying our family has been sucking their cocks for too long already!" Rusty shouts over them. Rebel hands Shigaraki Hana and stands.

"But more importantly, they have been fucking with us. No one can fuck with us! They have taken my sister from me and warped her into something that is no longer a SmithHammer. We are SmithHammers! We built their fucking cities, and they spit on us. They have the nerve to go back on their word first. The oath was clear, we are exempt from the offering and prison. Yet our sister was taken, and our uncle sits in prison. With the help of the flock, the first thing we should do is break out Uncle Zee. Let me be clear, as Eldest of the eldest, it is a family decree. You are either with me or you are against me." The matriarch of the cousins hands her baby off to one of her other broods.

“Must be that dwarven blood. Things are about to get fun. Grab your child. In fact, you all should back up in case this gets bloody. You know their last name originates from a clan called the BoneBreakers," The Count chortles. Shigarkai knows one thing about the vampire, he always chooses the safest spot in the room. Rusty has yanked Daddy with red by Shigaraki. 

“You have shit to say, Cousin Sara?" Rebel invites while Rusty flips the handle of his hammer to Rebel and places his small shield next to it.

“You’re Uncle would be the first to tell you this is evil, wrong, and he will have no part of it," Sara says.

“You are married into us, but you never acted like a SmithHammer. You acted like a lackey of the Order," Rusty hissed at her. A few of the cousins ran off while the woman grabbed her shield and hammer.

“Shiggy, please don’t get involved. This has to be settled our way,” Rebel is so quick he barely has time to register what was happening. Rebel and the woman jumped on the table. Meeting in the middle with the clang and sparks of hammers. Rusty is quick as he places himself at an angle to protect the infants. His flock is confused, but the rest of them are treating this almost like a party.

Hana yawns and lazily looks to her mommy with bright red eyes, reaching out to catch the sparks.

“Fuck yeah! Clan rumble! Welcome to the family, big bro Shigs!” Rusty beamed at him.

Shigaraki laughed; he could get used to this.

Chapter Text

The reason she named herself Rebel is because she is not weak.

You don't go against the flow if you are weak. You can't afford to be vulnerable when you have mouths to feed and debt to pay. Nothing in this world is free, not even love. Adrenaline is pumping through Rebel's veins so fiercely that the rest of the world is blocked out. Sparks flew, the sharp tang of lighting and iron coating her tongue. The ring of metal set her nerves on fire. She loved it!

It has been forever since she had a good old fashion hammer fight. The last was with Rusty. It must have been the fourth time she had run away from the Counts. Rusty was angry with her. Rebel took too long to come home. She had left him as far as he was concerned. He is very good with a hammer and brought her to her knees. But never again after that.   

Aunt Sara is sprier than she thought. With a back-swing, Auntie aimed for the side of her head. How annoying. She should just curl up and die already. Ducking, Rebel thrusts the hammer into her Aunt's soft gut. Gasping, Sara doubles over with a weak overhand hit of her hammer. Weak or not, it made Rebel stumble and falls to her knees.

Shigaraki growls and moves to interfere. He doesn't care what Rebel told him. She has too many secrets. If she died today, he would be mad. Hana would be too much for him to handle alone. Even with the hive helping, he wouldn't want to raise her alone. What does he know about raising children? He steps towards the fight when a sharp point of a knife is under his chin. He growls and looks at the source.

"Don't be basic. Trust my sister. It must be this way. If you don't listen to reason, I will slice your neck open right now. By the way, you are very articulate in the human tongue. Damn impressive pretending not to be," Rusty smirks. His brother-in-law is vicious. Shigaraki looks around. It appears all his new family are on the low-brow spectrum. He is not about to tell him that he uses a translator spell to fill in the gaps, which breaks when he gets worked up into a rage. He got one from Cain for the whole hive with a little extra encouragement.

Aunt Sara is overhand pummeling the shield, not allowing Rebel to gain purchase back to her feet. Feet sound like a good idea. The strike on the shield cracked bone. She heard and felt the pain rocket up her arm with a burning sizzling sensation. Rebel flips her hammer over to stamp Sara's toes, missing, it makes Auntie squeal and dance away.

That gives Rebel enough time to thrust herself up into Auntie's face with the shield. Rebel screams at the searing pain in her arm. Gripping the leather strap, she spins the hammer. It's a dangerous form of fighting and not recommended. Rebel swing the hammer towards Sara's head, barely missing as the woman dodges back.

The dangerous part, the momentum of the hammer can make it smash your own body unless you snap it just right to bring it back down. Sara's lower half exposed by her dodge. Rebel steps forward, and the high arch of the hammer comes down on Sara's leg. A wet crack followed by a scream fills the room. Shouts of triumph. Rebel grits her teeth.

If you are not with her, you are against her, ran through her mind as she gripped the handle. She is about to bring her hammer down on her Aunt's head. When an old callused hand grabs her upper arm. Rebel snapped back to reality. She wanted to win. Wanted to kill her Aunt. Big Daddy is there, and her other cousin, who is also named Daddy, he is called Big Dee.

"That's enough now, babygirl. Auntie yields. Isn't that right, Big Dee?" Daddy tells Rebel. Big Dee has pulled Aunt Sara away. Her knee was a bloated mess. Since her other cousins are slow, Big Dee speaks for that side of the family.

"Yes. With a knee like this, she won't be challenging anyone, much less you, Rebel. Hail to the family head!" All the cousins hailed. Rebel narrowed your eyes. She can't be weak, even with family. A piece of her died. Her Aunts knee is a mess. Rebel doubts she will ever be able to use it again. All the family is drinking and partying now that their differences have been resolved. Daddy helps Rebel down, shaking his head.

"What was that about? Never mind, now that you are home, let's drink!" he shouts. Daddy's mind has gone to mush. But he's not giving up an opportunity to drink. Shigaraki lifts her without warning, with Dabi and Rusty following. In the middle of blood lust and adrenaline, she had not felt how broken her arm was. Looking at it, it's swollen black, blue, and red, the skin shiny and distended.

"Shiggy, how far back does this screw with our plans?" She asked with a whine.

"Do not concern yourself with that right now," Shigaraki hissed at her. He decayed the shield from her arm. She screamed as Rusty worked the medication salve and wrapped it tightly with a cloth and a leather brace. Rebel drank heavily until she passed out. Not sure if it was from the pain or the liquor.

Dabi cooed over her unconscious body as he carried her and laid her in the nest because Shigaraki had to put Hana down to sleep. Infuriating Shigaraki. His ire was already flared by the insanity he had just witnessed. He did not know these people were like this. He liked Rusty. He was having a good time until his mate got severally hurt and was threatened if he tried to interfere. Cain and Dabi laughed their asses off at his expense. Shigaraki knows this is his lack of foresight. He didn't know anything about his mate.

He took her because she was pretty, smelled good, and was too clever. He loves his little human. A new emotion was blooming. Jealously? With Cain, he felt angry because Rebel should be angrier. He doesn't like Cain or trusts him. He can tolerate Dabi and trusts him a hell of a lot more. Then why? Why does he hate seeing Dabi woo Rebel? It's not anything new. Dabi always remains within the boundaries set. A low growl is building in him.

Dabi kisses her. Coming over in too much joy. More than he has ever seen on Dabi.

"I got us over six hundred new members for the hive," he bragged. Shigaraki's heart sank. He must fulfill his part of the bargain. He must share his mate.  

Jenny  watched Hana sleep. Somehow the golden child crawled into her crib. Not that Jenny cared. Toga probably put them together. She wants them to marry like a sick nut. She starts to reach in the crib when she hears a familiar laugh.

"Jenny, Jenny, Jenny, trying to kill the baby," the Count tsks. He looks down to see the mangled nursey slaves. Bleeding from their throats. He chuckles at the sight, "And attempting to blame it on us vampires, I see. Sloppy. You are such a shit show."

Jenny's face contorted into an angry pout. She grips her silver hammer with white knuckles.

"I don't know why she let you live," Jenny gritted.

"Your sister will see right through this. Real experts trained her. The Mothmen have an amazing sense of smell. Your father, mentally unstable or not, won't stop Rebel and Shigaraki from tearing you from limb to limb over you, killing a baby. What exactly are you trying to accomplish?" the Count asks.

Jenny's grit turns to a pathetic sob. She points at the crib.

"This fucking tit sucker parasite is the only thing keeping Rebel here. If it wasn't around, Rebel would go home. We could all go home. Rebel…Rebel…she could fix it. She just needs the time and to be away from these fucking monsters," Jenny snivels. The Count looks over the corpses.

"Fix what exactly?" The Count glides closer and regards the sleeping babies. Jenny steps away from him, not answering, "I do have an idea. I bet Rebel already has an idea, and I agree with you. If this baby disappeared, Rebel would be back at home. Which is why I can't let you do this."

Jenny tensed, getting ready to fight. She reeked of fear. Her eyes are wide as she backs away from him.  All that bluster,  he thinks. He investigates the crib with disgust. He wants his Rebel, and this thing is the anchor to Shigaraki. Sure, they are lovey-dovey for other reasons these days. But the loss of a child will rip them apart quickly.

"Not yet anyway. We have to bide our time and wait. Make it look like an accident. Make sure we don't get caught," Cain says.

"We? There's no we. There will never be we disgusting vampire," Jenny seethes.   

"You want to be head of the family someday, correct? Then there is we, Jenny dear," he says. He might have felt something if the baby looked more like his Rebel. But it looks too much like Shigaraki for Cain to care, "I will take care of these bodies. You go back to the party."

"I…how will I become head of the family? Theirs still Rusty," Jenny mumbled. The Count started draining the bodies. No sense in wasting perfectly good food. He chuckles, showing her his blood-stained smile.

"Awwww, Jenny, you really have to stop trying to think. It's not your wheelhouse. I will take care of these. Get going," he sneered. Jenny skirted around him and went back to the party.

"The  blanket is quirk proof?" Dabi asks. Shigaraki is holding Hana out for breastfeeding with his gloves on. A few weeks have passed since their return from the vampires. Dabi is starting to lose his patience. Shigaraki has told him it has to be Rebel's decision. He is allowed to pursue and sleep in the same nest. But Rebel has been unreceptive. It seemed like she was giving in when Shigaraki interfered.  

"Yeah, but it's hot. Shigs. Tsk. This is just not going to work. Hana doesn't like being held like a smelly fish," Rebel frets. Her arm still hurts, so holding the baby herself was out of the question.

"Let me. Shigaraki fans us with your wings," Dabi says, reaching out for Hana. Shigaraki is tentative, pulling Hana close to him first, unwilling to hand her over. But the grub is crying. She was hungry, two of the wet nurses had disappeared, and Rebel was losing her temper. Shigaraki hands her off and takes Dabi's position, fanning his family.

Dabi held the grub with experience, wrapping his arms around Rebel, cradling Hana to her chest. The baby suckled eagerly. In this position, he can nuzzle her neck and hair and whisper sweet things. Maybe a few kisses along that smooth neck. Rebel is thrilled to be feeding her baby. So emotional about it, she started crying, ignoring who was kissing her. It is so rare to see his hard mate cry.

Shigaraki is watching, his jealousy boiling and rising. He hates seeing  his  mate with  his  child looking like a happy sweet family. Why? This is how they did things. Dabi is whispering sweet words about how Rebel is a good mommy. So, caring. He respects her and admires her. She is so capable and clever. His lips trailed closer to the crook of her neck. Rebel was happy to be close to Hana despite shuddering in disgust at Dabi. She looked like she wanted to cut Dabi open. But Shigaraki still felt threatened. Dabi licks closer to where his mark used to be. Suddenly it was so clear. Rebel looked repulsed, ready to say something foul that would disrupt their ways and his vow.

"Dabi, break the language spell," Shigaraki insists suddenly. 

"Excuse you? What are you going to say I can't hear?" Rebel Asks. Dabi gives a curious look, then one that says he will indulge Shigaraki. As if he is not the leader. Shigaraki mentally rolls his eyes while Rebel gives him a real one while they disregard her.

"It's going to be a bitch putting that spell back up. Don't expect me to help after this," Dabi said coldly. Shigaraki was nonplused. This is understandable. If it was him, he would have been less reasonable. Once it is broken, Shigaraki flicks his antennae to Rebel.

"She is about to reject you," Shigaraki states flatly. Dabi's stony exterior is about to break. Shigaraki raises his palm to stop him before he acts rashly. He was about to admit something disgusting and embarrassing, "Rebel is softer than we thought. She did not warm up to me until she nursed me back from death. It was .... intimate. I cannot share her until my mark is on her."

Dabi's eyes narrowed glaring daggers.

"I have fulfilled my part. I brought enough females to end the conflict over mating rights. I have seen hives collapse without enough of them. I want what I am owed. I have seen leaders slaughtered for less," Dabi rumbled deeply. Shigaraki nods. He has seen the same too. Whole hives collapsed over a female not able to satisfy enough males. In some hives, the males outnumbered the females ten to one. He knew one that had twenty husbands. The woman looked utterly miserable.

"Give me a few nights alone if I cannot convince her to do the right thing. We will break her together. I would rather break my word to a human than to my brother," Shigaraki said gracefully. He didn't feel this way entirely. His Rebel is a master of cruelty, and he loves it, but his mate has taught him sweet talk and to be a better liar.

Slowly plunge the knife in before the twist.  She had said that in her sleep with a sick grin. Rebel looked like she wished she could sink a knife in his eye now. A thing she has tried. Dabi looked dubious, but he snorted, 'whatever.' With Dabi, it is not what he says. He is not saying that as long as Shigaraki remembers he is the leader and must deliver on his vow, he will go along for a few moments longer. No more if Shigarkai breaks his word. He will burn the hive to the ground and take what he's owed.

"Why are you talking about me like I am not here?" Rebel growled.

"You had to break the spell for that?" he snorted. Secretly pleased that Shigaraki was attempting to be a leader.

"I'm jealous," Shigaraki hisses in shame.

"Why?" Dabi asks. He sounds more like he is scolding a child. They are made and bred to be monsters. Things like jealously were petty grub feelings, especially since she is marked.  

"Rebel needs to be remarked. You don't love her, do you?" Shigaraki questioned. Dabi looked annoyed as she searched for her mark. Then confusion when it was not there. A smirk tugged at the corner. Dabi would like to claim Rebel. But that would be admitting he loves and therefore needs Rebel, that he has emotions. He wasn't big on feeling. He submits, indicating he will comply for a little longer.  

The process of enacting the spell again was tedious. Shigaraki didn't need it, but the others did. Sure, enough, there were knocks on his door. He opens it to several bitching Hive members. He told them he was working on it and to fuck off. Dabi burped Hana. Oh, how Shigaraki hated Dabi at that moment. He was good. He knows he shouldn't. If something was to happen to him, it would be Dabi who raised Hana like his own. It was the vow between their kind.

Shigaraki  gave his thrill junky mate a night flight. She liked speed; he could show her actual speed. Rebel whooped and screamed for him to go faster. Higher, faster, higher, drop, drop, please drop! She begged. At one point, she wriggled from his grip and plummeted to the earth. He panicked while she howled in delight.

"Are you insane?" he snarled when he caught her in time.

"Maybe!" Rebel laughed. He wanted to admonish her for being too reckless, but he had never seen her so happy. So happy with him. He took her to the top of the hive. A place he loved to watch the moon. Rebel sat heavily on her bottom as she giggled and stared at the sky.

Dabi is a fool. Had Dabi marked her after admitting his mark had disappeared, he could claim Rebel for his exclusive pleasure. But he hadn't. Shigaraki would have. Making Shigaraki feel closer to him despite his false indifference. Shigaraki goes off to grab something. He had hidden something special up here.

"Rebel, over here," he rasped. She looked over to see a blanket and a picnic basket. She squealed as she ran over to sit on the blanket. She can smell it now. Fried chicken combined with the scent of her favorite sides. Shigaraki trilled at the sight of her happiness. It was rare, having only seen it when she first held Hana.

He  asked Rusty what it was Rebel liked. The first thing he said was money. Barring that, their mother's fried chicken. Shigaraki had to pry the information from him with advice on wooing Toga, which disgusted Shigaraki.

"Why would you want to stick your dick in crazy is beyond me. Besides, your family has been hostile to us and the vampires," He stated. Rusty laughed.

"Pussy is pussy, bro. I'm a modern man, and what woman isn't crazy? I don't share the same feelings as the rest of my family about you guys. However, I hate vampires for what they have done to my sisters. I hate Dad for allowing it. Ask my mom to make some fried chicken, that will get my sister wet," Rusty said before he spotted Toga and ran off. Rusty was an interesting one.

"What  are you thinking about?" Rebel asked, interrupting his memory. When his crimson eyes meet her eyes, she giggles. He cocks his head, wondering what amuses her, "This is clearly your attempt at romance. Why?"

"You are obviously avoiding Dabi. Still, after I warned you that this could not be averted if he brought more members to the hive. We cannot lose him. Fire is life when you are starting a hive. What are you scheming?" He throws back her accusation. Rebel had pulled out the bread, putting coleslaw and chicken on it, turning the meal into a sandwich monstrosity that made him cringe when she took a bite. Rebel chews while she considers her argument.

"What need is there of this bargain? I have Kai working on breaking the curse. He can have babies with other people. We have other fire flys in the hive now," She scoffed. Shigaraki eyes widened, and he buzzed with frustration. He wanted to smack his defiant, strong-willed brat of a mate.

"None that have proven to trustworthy like Dabi. He wants to cement his status and future status at this hive. That is not unreasonable considering what he has done. The queen at a normal hive might have a grub with every male of the high court. It's not just about how many we can have," He informs. Rebel pales, swallowing audibly.

"I thought you said that was dangerous with my dwarven ancestry. Are you saying I might have to have sex with Spinner? He has two…no. No. I don't want the job. I don't know if I want that many kids. I love them, but I already have many to take care of. You've met my family. That's overwhelming….," he silences her with a look.

"Rebel, you are part of the hive. We won't leave you to raise any of the children alone. You don't have to worry about hunger or someone trying to take advantage of your younger siblings here. You are safe. Quite running so hard. Always running towards your family. Well, they are here, so stop. This is not how I wanted this to go," Shigaraki hisses.

"Hey," she says, getting his attention from his brooding, "You are trying. I haven't. We both don't know what romance or a healthy relationship looks like. It's not that Dabi is bad. I didn't want to break my father's heart. He had to use his family to pay his debt. It's why some of the kids look different. I mean, I don't like being used to paying off debt. But I don't hold that against either of my parents. I don't want to break my father's heart with poly wedlock bullshit. I want to love. I want what we had in that disgusting forest," Rebel says with sadness. He pulls her close. What they had was beautiful, and he wants that again as well. 

"Your father insists on marriage. We can perform a ceremony to please him. I love you. You have taught me love is vast by giving me Hana," he says, setting her sandwich down. He makes her look at him, "I can share my heart if I am number one in your love, next to your blood family. It is your decision. If you wish to stay with me, let me mark you. A king has to think of his people, too, though. You have taught me that as well. You are always thinking of your people first."

His kiss is deep and passionate. She has taught him this also, and he doesn't understand why his flock has never tried before. He can taste her past the sandwich.

"Your choice," he panted between breathless kisses. Rebel held her hand up to stop him.

"If I choose you, does that mean I might end up with a dozen babies with different hive members?" She asks.

"Yes, or you can leave in peace with your family. We will not darken your door. I will not hunt you down. Stay with me. You will be loved and never have to carry your burdens alone. We need your calculating mind. You, as one of us, there is nothing we can't destroy," He rumbles deeply with a rasp. His claws played with her hair. Watching the starlight dance on the strands. She looked at him and snorted.

"You are such a liar!" she laughed. Pulling his face to her. He smiled against her kiss because he was a liar, and she caught him. They pressed foreheads together, his feelers tasting her emotions, "I chose back in that cave. I was hoping to get away with not being a broodmare. Maybe next time. I love you." Pulling him down, with her laying on top of him with open arms. Guiding his mouth to where she wants her mark put back.

Shigaraki roared with pleasure against her flesh. Rebel's hot blood shot down his throat. He could never let Rebel go. He knows she is the only woman he could never get bored with. Rebel whimpers but grits her teeth, keeping him pressed to her as his teeth sink deeper, fingers clutching his hair. Rebel screams when she can't take anymore.

Shigaraki pulls away and lathes the wound. His saliva will help heal it quicker. He rises and pulls her back into his lap. Rebel reached for her sandwich again, but he took a huge bite. Before it could reach her lips, it wasn't bad.

"This is nice," she says. He nods, staring at the moon and taking bites of the offered food. She is watching him watch the moon. This is undoubtedly his favorite spot. And he is sharing it with me. A wicked idea occurred to her, "I know where we can get a wedding dress, and Cain will hate it." She whispers it to him, and he loves the idea. He pours her a little gin but monitors her liquor consumption. Rebel quirks her eyebrow questioning him.

"I want you to be nice to Dabi when we get back," he says, stroking her hair. She whined about her mark, "Quit lying. When it comes to marking, our salvia makes up for the pain."

"How is this going to work? Is it going to hurt like the other times?" Rebel shudders at the memories. They are part of why she does not want a relationship with Dabi. She liked his personality, but he was cruel in the bedroom.

"I keep forgetting you were a virgin. We didn't make it pleasant. No, this will be different. I promise it will feel good. I will be your first always. Dabi will come second in your heart. You will be first in my heart, while Dabi will be second. To Dabi, you will be first, and I will come second. See, you are already twice as loved," he reassures. Rebel takes another swig, unconvinced of the arrangement. Dabi has been a sadist to her. Shigaraki has never raised a hand to her. He is too worried he will decay her. So, he had been using Dabi as her punisher.

Rebel  poked Dabi. He opened his eyes to Rebel, offering him a sandwich. Shigaraki is behind her, and he nods that it's ok. Dabi takes a bite; Rebel is initiating intimacy. She was instructed what to do. When Rebel is obedient, she is a quick study. Shigaraki lays down in the nest by Dabi while he eats. Watching as Dab slowly sucked at each finger. His long tongue wrapping around her tender flesh. Enjoying himself.

He grabs her wrist and pulls her to him. For a moment, Rebel's heart raced in a panic. Shigaraki was ready to admonish Dabi to be kind. But it was unnecessary. He had pulled her into a long sensual kiss.

"It's been too long. I've missed this. I am pleased you have chosen us. I will be nice, my little princess," he grins. Giving her over to Shigaraki, he encouraged them to kiss, watching his lovers in delight.

Dabi kisses them both on the side of their lips to entwine his tongues with there's. Shigaraki has said he is indifferent to Dabi, but he is annoyed when Dabi takes too much of a lead or tries to touch him too much. He lets it pass; this is Dabi's night, so he will let him indulge. Dabi puts her fingers in his ruff and Shigaraki's simultaneously.

"Mmmm, that is a pretty sight. Rebel, you pick up where we left off quickly. Shigaraki get into position," Dabi says lightly. Shigaraki snorts in annoyance but does as asked. Rebel is shaking in fear. He says he'll be nice. Rebel has no idea what that looks like. Dabi brushes her hair aside to whisper in her ear, "Kiss him down his front, get on all fours, and suck him. I'll be gentle. Go on, then lift your ass for me."

Rebel does as she is told, Shigaraki reassuring her she is safe. She runs her tongue down the middle of him. Enjoying his hard-toned muscles. Running her digits down his plush groan. His large cock was erect and waiting for Rebel. Her hand delicately stroked over his cock, pressing his hot length against her face. A sweet, eager smile as she kissed up to the tip, she stiffened when she felt Dabi touching her. Dabi kissed her shoulders, lightly kneading her breasts.

"So, sweet. What a good little butterfly you are of late," Dabi mumbles, licking down her spine.

Shigaraki moans when her lips part, and she takes as much of his cock in her mouth. Slowly edging the head towards the back of her throat. She gagged a little but has improved over their time. Shigaraki chittered and cooed, encouraging Rebel since she seemed to always enjoy them. Dabi has glided down to the top of her ass, kissing and groping her cheeks.

Rebel's eyes widen, and she whimpers on Shigaraki's length. He is careful, with loving crimson eyes, and keens he promises her she will be fine. Dabi is slicking himself with her wet folds before pushing himself in. An expression of relief graces his face the moment he has entered. Rebel freezes in her attention to Shiggy while she is panting and trying to adjust to Dabi's cock slowly entering her.

Dabi's breath is hitching with intermediate chirps. Soft, warm, and wet. Dabi isn't picky about which holes or who's he's fucking. But Rebel is unique to him. She is his sharp-tongued brat that is unbroken. Even on her hands and knees, he can feel her resisting him. One day she will love him and thank him for the times he has had to punish her. The way she complied with his demands with eyes filled with malice makes him drive a little too fast.

Bottoming out roughly. Rebel squeals with her mouth full of Shiggy. She looks up at him with a plea in her eyes, and Shigaraki growls a warning to Dabi. Dabi smirks, then nuzzles Rebel's hair. Letting her adjust to him for a change. She relaxes and continues to suck with gratitude. The way she looks at him with her beautiful eyes while her mouth is full of him is pure euphoria. Her mouth is hot and moist with a hint of teeth.

He feels vulnerable. She has gotten quite good at manipulating his pleasure, coaxing lewd pleads from him. He groans, resisting the urge to thrust or grab her head and swallow all of him. He watches as his large cock slides in and out of her gradually at first until she forms a rhythm. Once she looks comfortable with her task. Dabi rose, gripping her hips he starts slowly bucking to Rebel's protests.

"Come on now. This is not the first time. You are not a little virgin anymore. I already promised to be nice. Relax a little and try to enjoy it. I'm not going to hurt you tonight," Dabi says. He meant it, much to his disappointment. But Shigaraki is the first and sets the rules. It was simple tonight. Shigaraki said once he marked her, Dabi could have them any way he liked as long as he was gentle with Rebel. If he wanted her impregnated and a good girl, he must work on her wanting to be fucked by him more than once. Show her he has a kind side too.  

"And without me occasionally. Be discreet, I don't want to know about it, and we don't want her father catching wind of it on a good day. I know how exciting a mating frenzy can be, but seeing your cum drip from her pussy will push me to my limits of tolerance. Her father seems to have ultimate control over her. If she can't do what he asks, she will be miserable and make our lives miserable if he finds out," Shigaraki had bellyached.

Dabi doubts that Rebel would ever fall for it. Dabi has played the bad officer because that is who he is. He must admit, he likes it when she's a good girl for a change. He can enjoy her hot tight cunt without being on guard of her trying to stab or claw at him. It feels like heaven. The room is filled with the sound of buzzing wings and moans.

Shigaraki watches Rebel with full attention. He pushes her too hard on his cock every now and then, and she gags and tightens on him. But doesn't try to kick him to stop. Rebel twirls her tongue at his head. Dabi's cock stretched as he pumped in and out, glistening with Rebel's juices. She can feel the vibrations of Dabi's wings in her core. Her clit throbbed to be touched. Shigaraki can feel the vibrations of her humming.

"Your pussy is clenching on me. Here I will reward you," Dabi says. Leaning down, his fingers circle her clit. Rebel shivers in pleasure. All of them quickly climbed to the crest of ecstasy. It's not long before the heat and hate in Shigaraki's gut tighten to release in her waiting throat. The tempo is increasing.

Dabi is gliding the head of his cock over the sweet spot in her. It was much hotter than she expected. His fingers are pressing and demanding. The tension and need in the room growing. The smell of sex makes them dizzy. Shigaraki felt himself come undone, his toes curling and head thrown back. He growls, pulling her mouth from him by her hair. Barely pulling her away in enough time to miss his knot, her lips still wrapped around his head.

He loves the intense sensation of her suckling and swallowing his cum. He pulls it out of her mouth with a wet slurp, a string of drool still attached. Shigaraki is gasping and chirping, chest rising and falling as he stares at his sweet mate, looking dazed. Rebel screams in abrupt surprise when overwhelming pleasure washes over her.

Dabi slows his pace to grind deep with shallow thrust in her wet, stretched pussy. Loving the sensation of her squeezing pussy. She flutters on his cock. She screams his name as she rubs and wiggles underneath him, begging him to stop. Dabi can't. He needs this to last longer. He grabs Shigaraki by the hair, pulling him into a breathless kiss, making him lightheaded.

Shigaraki is startled and growls. He is about to yank back when he remembers he vowed to let Dabi have his day. So he closes his eyes and pretends it's Rebel, which is problematic because her mouth is back on him, licking him clean as she whines. Dabi growls and pants as he feels her spasm again, her juices soaking his groin. She is squeezing his head just the way he loves. Her body is milking him. They reached the height together as a trio. The wave of euphoria crashes through them. Dabi breaks the kiss to roar in pleasure as his knot expands. He spurts hot ropes of cum on her writhing body, her tight pussy making him tear up. It's so good. His white-hot seed filled her to the brim. It's much hotter than anticipated each time. Rebel often worries his burn will burn her.

His eyes are rolling to the back of his head, his wings creating a buzzing sound as they flap with tension and joy. Jaws clenched as Dabi finished; he chirps at her. Dabi has never seen her like this, so kittenish as Shigaraki wipes her mouth and plants little kisses around his eyes. Praising her for being a good butterfly. His good girl.

Shigaraki lifts her so Dabi can hold her while his knot softens. Shigaraki helps them both lie-down. He wipes them both down with moist, cool towels. Fanning their heated body with his wings. Dabi can see Shigaraki is bitter about sharing his mate's womb, but he is acting more like a leader. It's not just his aftercare. Shigaraki and Rebel have changed. It doesn't seem like a bad change, but time will tell.

"Rebel, grab your knees. It increases the chances," Shigaraki instructs. Rebel does as told. Dabi is in shock and in overwhelming ecstasy because she had just tightened on him more in this position. Dabi is a bit frustrated that she looks at Shigaraki with adoration and him with pure hate. But he can work with that too.

Dabi groans. This is fun, and he can't wait for more.

The  three of them lay in the nest together. Shigaraki gently held her close.

"Dabi, are you awake?" Rebel asked timidly. He cracked his eyes; he gave her a faint smile as he reached out with his hand and ran his fingers along her jaw. It always surprised her when he was gentle.

"Do you need something, little runner?" he asked, rubbing his thumb over her lower lip.

"Do you care about Shiggy or me?" he leaned in a kissed her sweetly.

"I remember you saying, 'I can make us a happy family, if not a happy one, then a dysfunctional one together at least.' I'm not big on feeling anymore. But I think if anyone could teach me, it would be you. Come here. I want to go again, be sure I'm a part of that family you want to make happy," he moans pulling her under him. Deftly replacing her body with a pillow.

"Won't Shiggy be mad?" Rebel squealed quietly. Her eyes darted nervously to his sleeping form.

"Silly girl. You don't know the rules yet? Of course, he won't be mad. This is how we share and stay together. We'll be quiet not to wake him. Pretend you love me, just for this night at least," he breathes, lining up his hardening cock.

"Dabi, are you in pain? I don't want to hurt you," Rebel asked, spreading herself wide for him. He paused and stared at her. She still didn't like him at all. He was wondering if this was a part of the act. It was unexpected when he saw she did care. She is still unbroken, but she is softening to him.

"I remember when you tried to stab me and yank at my stitches. You have become so sweet and docile. Stick to the smooth skin, and you will be fine," he stated. Rebel wrapped her arms around his middle and kissed him like she loved him most of the day while Shigaraki slept soundly. Shocked, Dabi managed to be considerate. Silencing her moans with his mouth.

Five  months later, Lemillion was instructing Deku how to patrol for curfew violators near the prison when a pregnant woman rounded the corner and clung to Deku.

"Please, help me. Night creatures are chasing me. He wants to hurt my baby," she wailed.

"Rebel, don't be foolish. Step away from the knights. It's time to go home," Cain said with his stupid grin, stepping out of the shadows and flashing his fangs. Rebel clutched at the green knight. The other knight put his visor down.

"This lady seems afraid of you," Deku says lowly.

"Deku, that's a vampire. Let me handle this," Lemillion said.

"Handle me? Do you really want to handle me, little boy? I could always use another husband," Cain chuckled. Rebel can feel the knight she is hugging tense, but the other one seemed nonplused. Good.

"Vampires are not allowed in this sector without their license clearly displayed," Lemillion said sternly. Cain ignored him.

"You there, plain green boy. That is my bride. She is confused. The pregnancy has made her moody and paranoid of late. As for you, handsome knight. The license is only when I am hunting. I am not hunting; I'm retrieving my wife. She doesn't have a bite on her. I saved her from Mothmen and have applied for permission to turn her after birth," Cain sneered. Coming closer and cutting his wrists.

"He uses blood magic. Please. He is not my husband. Please! Be careful," Rebel cries, letting the small knight push her behind him. Cain stops and snarls.

"If that is the truth, you can send your familiar to fetch her in the morning when you show the proper paperwork," Lemillion said, standing his ground. Cain saw something behind the knights and backed down with a growl.

"Very well. Take good care of her for the interim," he says, walking away. Rebel breaks down and cries. Thank the young knights.

"He won't come for me with paperwork. I am so scared. He slaughtered my family," Rebel sobs.

"Then we should go after him," Deku says. Rebel grips his arm tightly.

"Are you insane? That is The Count of the Index, one of the fathers of Vampires. He is extremely powerful. I don't know what chased him off, but it certainly wasn't you two. You are courageous, though. Thank you again," Rebel sniffles.

"It is because I AM HERE! In that case, I should go after him. If what she says is true, he might try to attack the prison. Instead, take her t the headquarters and put her in a spare room," All Might said. Taking off after Cain. The two boys guided her to their place. All Might arrived empty-handed and talking to a man. Mumbling something about a time limit and letting her stay here.

She is put in a spare room near the green knight's barracks.

"I'm sorry about this, but I have to lock you in for the night," Deku said, exiting.

"I don't mind. I am just grateful to be away from that monster," tears staining her cheeks. She looks at him with beautiful glossy eyes. He began to fidget, "Can I ask my hero's name?"

“Deku, and it’s no big deal. I promise we will try to keep you safe," He says.

"I'm Rebel SmithHammer. Thanks again, Deku," she says with a trembling lip. She slumps on the bed and weeps. Deku leaves her after arguing with himself if he should stay and try to comfort her. He finally landed that it would be rude and unwise since they didn't know her.

Rebel lies in the dark for a few beats before jumping up and stripping layers. Dressed in black in the style of a ninja. Rebel wipes her face and smiles. She pulls out her lockpick kit and gets to work like a black.

"Knights are so gullible, huh, little grubby?" Rebel asks her belly.