Snared: Part Four (Yandere Tomura ShigarakixReader)
Part One Part Two Part Three Part Five Part Six Part Seven
Biting the inside of your cheek, you stared anxiously at the front door of your apartment. With each second that ticked by you found yourself swinging back and forth between hoping everything would just stay quiet and wishing that you’d just hear the damn knock already. You were like the world’s most terrified pendulum, you thought to yourself, just barely shoving down the stream of hysterical giggles that bubbled within you. Falling apart was not something you could afford right now, no matter how tempting it felt. The idea of just letting go, of no longer being lucid enough to be scared was an enticing one, but your life was not the only one on the line here. The world you lived in was full of heroes, and while you might not have been one of them, you would do your best to try and act like one.
As you made that promise, repeating it over and over in your head until it was just a random collection of sounds, you heard the floorboards creak behind you. Shoved out of your thoughts, you tried unsuccessfully not to flinch as a rough hand settled itself on your head. Chuckling rather smugly at your frightened reaction, Shigaraki began stroking the top of your hair with his thumb. Some childish instinct forced you to freeze where you stood, insisting that so long as you didn’t move, so long as you didn’t look at him, it wouldn’t be real. Even though you knew logically that it wasn’t true, you also knew just how volatile the leader of the League of Villains was said to be, and you didn’t want to do anything that could set him off, not even moving. As it turned out though, your attempt to keep Shigaraki from growing angry had the opposite effect. Shigaraki did not appreciate being ignored.
“Hey,” his hissed petulantly in your ear. “Not having second thoughts, are you?” To emphasize his displeasure, Shigaraki weaved all but one of his fingers into your hair, yanking your head around so that you faced him. Swallowing thickly as you realized your mistake, you glanced quickly at his eyes, the red of them seeming to burn into you. The intensity there, with its lethal mix of emotions, was too much for you to bear, and your gaze fell towards the floor.
“No,” you answered timidly. “I—I’m just nervous, that’s all.” Smirking at your submissive attitude, Shigaraki loosened his grip ever so slightly. He still kept his fingers laced in your hair of course, enjoying the sensation far too much to let go.
“Aw, it’s okay, you’ll be fine,” he rasped patronizingly. “So long as you stick to the script.” The last bit he punctuated with moving his other hand under your chin, tilting your face back up to his. Knowing better than to try to look away again, you let him.
“I—I know.”
“And I’ll be right here in case you forget what you’re supposed to be doing,” he crooned threateningly. You nodded frantically, any words you might have used evaporating in your throat. Red eyes smiling down at you, Shigaraki ran his thumb gently over your lips, relishing the way they softly trembled beneath his touch. Finally releasing your hair from his grasp, he slipped his now free hand into his pocket.
“If you seem like you need a reminder, don’t worry sweetheart, I’ll send you a cheat code,” Shigaraki said with a sickly grin, taking out his phone and waving it almost teasingly before you. Fingers twitching reflexively, you longed to yank the damn thing from his grasp and throw it out the window, but you knew it would be no use. Even if you somehow were able to do so, Shigaraki had made a point of showing you that he sent the list of your friends’ and family members’ addresses to one of his fellow villains. Shigaraki noticed the distress swelling in your eyes, an image that caused his sadistic smile to stretch even further. A fierce hunger growing within him, a craving to give you one last reminder, a need to taste you roaring through his body, Shigaraki began to lean down towards your lips. But before he could meet them, a knock sounded on the door.
Throwing an annoyed glance at the door, Shigaraki let go of you, pressing a single finger to his lips before moving away. Treading silently towards the closet, the one only separated from the next apartment by a paper-thin wall, Shigaraki nudged the door open and stepped inside. The image of a fully-grown man slipping into a closet might have been amusing in normal circumstances, like a funhouse mirror version of hide-and-seek. But this time, no frenzied giggles threatened to escape from you. No, now you were deathly quiet, watching as Shigaraki pulled the door until it was almost completely closed. Once there was but an inch of an opening left and the movement of the closet door ceased, you dragged yourself slowly over to your apartment door.
Leaning over to see through the peephole, you saw Chief Kaneko standing on the other side, an unfamiliar figure beside her. You forced yourself to take a deep breath, plastering on an expression of what you hoped was resignation and guilt, rather than one of abject terror. The guilt at least wasn’t too hard to conjure up, as the sight of the chief had brought to mind everything she had done to help you. She had worked so hard to get you to a place where you felt okay enough to go into witness protection, and now you’d have to throw it all away. You wished you were braver, smarter, stronger, so that you could figure out a way to let her know what was really going on, but the threats Shigaraki had made silenced any possible ideas. So rather than crying out as you longed to do, you swallowed your instincts and opened the door.
Kaneko nodded at you as she and her companion walked inside, their steps not seeming rushed exactly, but definitely brisk with purpose-driven efficiency. Both the man and the chief were dressed casually, in jeans and short-sleeve shirts, looking much more like they were about to go run some errands as opposed to sneak someone away to a secure location. Though, you thought to yourself wryly, how was someone even supposed to look in that situation? But no matter what she wore, there was something about Kaneko that was almost inherently reassuring. The way she stood so tall, hands still at her sides and brown eyes glowing with resolute determination, it was as if she was trying to tell you only through body language that she would make sure you were safe. Guilt now weighing you down even more heavily, you wished she hadn’t decided to waste her time attempting to help you. But you would try to repay her as best you could, making your performance as convincing as possible so that Shigaraki would leave her alone.
“This is Officer Kimura,” the chief explained, the eponymous officer reaching out to shake your hand. “He’s the one who’s going to escort you to where you’re going, I’m just here to make sure you two leave okay.” You made no acknowledgement of this detail, instead staring transfixed at Kimura’s hand, which eventually fell back to his side when you failed to shake it. Noticing your distraction, Kaneko smiled sympathetically.
“He’s been on the force for over ten years,” she continued. “He’s a great police officer; he’ll keep you safe.” You remained silent for another moment, trying frantically to remember what you were supposed to say. Although there was no way for you to know for sure, you could have sworn that you felt Shigaraki’s hand inch closer towards the wall of your apartment, getting ready to disintegrate it and run into the apartment next door, where you happened to know that a family of four lived. Your instincts weren’t far off, as Shigaraki was listening carefully for any sign that you had chosen a dialogue option that he didn’t approve of. Eyes narrowed at the door that separated you from him, Shigaraki hoped that those police officers weren’t giving you any stupid ideas. He wasn’t about to let them take you away from him. So, sensing the aura of growing impatience radiating from the closet where Shigaraki hid, you opened your mouth to speak.
“I—I’m sorry,” you whispered, doing your best to echo Kaneko’s look of determination. “I’m sorry but I just can’t do it.” Officer Kimura flashed the chief a questioning look, but she paid him no mind.
“We talked about this,” Kaneko said with a gentle firmness. “This is the best way for you to stay safe. Shigaraki can’t hurt you if he can’t find you. The best thing for you to do is leave.” Digging your nails into the palms of your hands, you shook your head.
“And what about all of the people who can’t leave?” you asked, voice heavy with guilt. “What about them?”
“Your friends and family—”
“But it’s not just them he might go after! Even if the protection you gave them is somehow enough, what about the rest of them? The people at work, the barista across the street, the people right in this building? If I leave now, I’m leaving them to take the fall.”
As you spoke, you could feel the tears beginning to pool in your eyes, confirming that every word Shigaraki had told you to say was utterly true. You had been ready to risk so many lives just for yourself, and it had turned out to be pointless. Within his hiding place, Shigaraki smirked to himself. It turned out that you weren’t dumb after all.
“You’re just having last minute doubts,” Kimura tried to reassure you.
“They’re doubts I already had, doubts I made myself ignore! But if I keep forcing myself to ignore them and then something happens, I’ll be to blame.”
“No, you won’t,” Kaneko insisted. “If something happens, Shigaraki will be the one to blame. You’re not responsible for what that maniac does. With someone like him, even if everyone gave him exactly what he wanted and did exactly as he said, it wouldn’t stop him from hurting people. And even if it did, that doesn’t mean it’s right to give in.” Struck silent by the chief’s words, you gazed searchingly at the ground. Maybe it was just because she was unwittingly offering you a way out, but Kaneko’s speech rang true to you. Shigaraki was the leader of League of Villains, after all. He hadn’t even shown reluctance when it came to killing children, so why should you believe him when he said he wouldn’t hurt anyone if you just did as he said? Kaneko and Kimura must be armed, you thought rapidly, so maybe if you were to signal them towards the closet they could stop your tormentor right here and now. Gathering as much courage as you could find, you were about to point to where Shigaraki was hiding, but before you could, you felt your phone vibrate.
Schooling your expression into one of slight confusion, you reached into your hoodie pocket and opened up your phone. You had a new message, and although the number wasn’t one you recognized, you knew who it was from. A picture was waiting for you, and while it was dim, it was easy enough for you to understand. In it, a pale hand was reaching out towards a wall, all but one finger resting on the surface. There might not have been any words to go along with the picture, but they weren’t necessary. Your newfound hope crumbling as quickly as if Shigaraki had touched it, you felt resignation close in on you once more.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I wasted your time, sorry that I’m not braver, but I just can’t do it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure,” you said, hoping that Shigaraki could hear.
Luckily for both you and the family next door, Shigaraki heard your final decision. Relaxing ever so slightly, he let his hand fall from where he had been scratching his neck. He had sensed your temptation to try to run from him, to let the police protect you, and had been near frantic in his rush to send you that little reminder, but thankfully he had kept you from making a truly idiotic mistake. Now that the risk had passed though, Shigaraki couldn’t help but find the whole incident kind of cute. It was like you were a confused little avatar, not knowing which routes to take or which moves to use. You needed him, needed him to guide you with a threatening hand, since it was fairly clear that you couldn’t be trusted on your own. Tongue dashing out and wetting his lips, Shigaraki pictured it: you, completely submissive and docile, obeying every command he gave you. He knew it wouldn’t happen right away, not when you were still so confused, still trying to listen to your own voice as opposed to his, but with time Shigaraki was sure he could fix you. He would have you perfect soon enough, and then he would have you in any way he wanted.
“Well, I can’t force you to go,” Shigaraki heard Kaneko sigh from the other side of the door. “But if you change your mind or need anything, you have my number.” Twitching with excitement, Shigaraki listened as she and her fellow officer walked disappointedly out of your apartment, shutting the door behind them. He waited a minute, and then another, before slipping out of his hiding place. His eyes immediately landing on you, Shigaraki watched for a moment as you simply stared at your apartment door, as if willing for the chief to run back and save you. Savoring just how defeated you looked, Shigaraki chuckled amusedly and moved so that he was right behind you.
“See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” You remained quiet though, a fact that soon had Shigaraki scowling.
“It’s rude to ignore people you know,” he hissed into your ear.
“Shut up,” you mumbled, still staring at the door.
“What did you just say to me?”
“I said shut up,” you repeated, voice stronger this time. “I did what you wanted, so can’t you just leave me alone for one damn minute?”
“That’s not how this works, precious. I told you before, you don’t get to pause this game. You don’t get to do anything that I don’t want you to. I’m the one holding the controls here, not you.”
“So what, I’m no longer a player in my own fucking life?”
“Pretty much,” Shigaraki grinned, pleased that you were beginning to catch on to the rules. The game was finally getting started, and now that Shigaraki had taken care of those annoying first-level bosses, there wouldn’t be any more interruptions. They were lucky he had let them walk away, Shigaraki thought bitterly. They had messed with something that belonged to him, and so the temptation to kill them for it had been extremely strong. But no, holding their lives over you was too much fun to pass up. If anyone tried to take you away from him again though, he wouldn’t be quite so merciful. A cold hand was then laid on your shoulder and an even colder kiss was pressed against your temple.
“Now come on, you need to unpack.”