Atsuhiro sits at the counter of the bar they're made their new hideout one night. He's staring blankly at some wine he doesn't really want to drink and sighing occasionally. The stump where his arm used to be aches.
He's been feeling a little lost lately. Maybe this whole villainy thing was a mistake, he loves the drama and the flare but he's starting to really feel the downsides. Kurogiri's been arrested, Magne's dead, he's down one of his favorite arms and the league is in a state of limbo. The most exciting villainy they've done recently is take revenge for Magne and his arm, which isn't really villainy so much as infighting.
He's not even sure Toga stealing that little kid counts as villainy, she was obviously being abused and Toga treats her more like a little sister than a kidnapping victim. The heroes might disagree but Atsuhiro doesn't really think that counts.
Ever since Kamino things have been in constant state of change. First they lost Muscular and Moonfish, not great losses, they were both a little too child murder happy for Atsuhiro's tastes. Mustard too, but he was a last minute addition no one really knew much about. Then they lost Shigaraki's creepy boss, also likely for the best and now they're at a bit of a low point.
It's not all bad, Shigaraki really seems to be stepping into his responsibility as leader of the league. Toga's been thinking things through more now that they have Eri. Twice seems ever so slightly more stable. Spinner seems at a loss on how to act around her and Dabi is staying out more than ever before but Atsuhiro thinks things might still be salvageable. He's definitely feeling the pressure though.
Mr. Compress is a performer! A gentleman thief with a flare for the dramatic! He is not meant to be the adult in the room. But now he's feeling some of the reality of the situation. He's 31 and baring Twice, by far the oldest and most responsible person here. Atsuhiro, the man who joined a villain organization because of an early midlife crisis and his terrible impulse control! He can pretend it was all about his moral code and desire to improve society but deep down he knows that not all it was.
Worse, Atsuhiro can't even up and leave at the first sign of difficulty like he has before, somehow he's found himself getting attached to these people. The League isn't just an impersonal villain organization anymore, it's a weird almost-family. They have weekly game nights for goodness sakes! He can't miss those!
He runs a hand thru his hair, he'll be better in the morning, he always gets a little melancholy around this hour of the night.
He sighs, long and heavy, and pours the untouched wine back in it's bottle.
He's considering going back to bed and staring at the ceiling for awhile when the door to the back of the bar creaks open.
A little head of white hair peaks out from behind the door, pushing it carefully and slowly in an effort to keep quiet, her whole face screwed up in concentration. Atsuhiro watches silently as she carefully closes it behind her and makes her way to the fridge behind the bar. She hops over the board that always creaks and opens the fridge. It's adorable and he can't quite stifle the laugh threatening to surface.
Eri jumps and spins around with huge eyes. Atsuhiro grins at her and tips an invisible top hat.
"Good evening Eri, what has you wandering around at this hour?"
"I... I had a bad dream and Himiko says I should chase bad dreams away with something that makes me happy so I'm getting a juice box. Would you like a juice box too Mr. Compress?"
"Certainly, Eri, you are a very kind child."
Atsuhiro takes the offered juice box with a small smile and helps her up onto one of the stools so they can sit together.
"Did you have a bad dream too?"
Atsuhiro hums and thinks a little bit before replying.
"No, it's just that sometimes, even though my arm is gone, it still hurts."
"Oh," she kicks her legs a little bit before quietly continuing, "sometimes I get scared that Chisaki's going to come back and take me back and hurt me again."
"Is that why you're awake?"
"Yeah, I know Himiko says he can't but I'm still scared."
"Our fears are not often completely rational, he has hurt you before even if he can't now. My arm is gone yet I can still feel it sometimes."
They both take a moment to sip on their juice boxes.
"Eri, would you like to see some magic?"
Atsuhiro loves having an audience and children are often the best a magician can find, so filled with natural wonder. He goes to retrieve his prosthetic arm and returns with it and some cards. Eri watches curiously, sipping on her apple juice and following his every movement.
He makes a show of dramatically shuffling the deck, her eyes getting wider all the while.
Then he presents the cards to her.
"Now, my dear audience member, pick a card, any card." She timidly takes one. "Don't let me see it, it will ruin the magic! Now, memorize the card... have you done it?" She nods very seriously. "Put it back in the deck face down."
She leans forward watching with rapt attention as he shuffles the card using every trick he knows and finally presents the deck to her again. "Now, I shall take your card from the deck!" He flips the top card with all the finesse he can muster and is pleased to see her mouth and eyes open with wonder.
"That's really mine, how did you do that?"
"Ah, a magician never reveals his secrets!" He waggles his finger and reshuffles the deck as she pouts a little, she definitely got that from Toga.
Glancing at the clock Atsuhiro cringes at the late hour, neither of them should be up, Eri especially. Now that the excitement is over and her juice box is empty she's clearly flagging, he chuckles and helps her down off the stool. Holding her hand he guides her slowly back to Toga's room. She waves as he leaves with a quiet "goodnight Mr. Compress, I liked your magic."
He gives her a full bow and heads to his room with a small smile on his face. The league may be going through some difficult times but they're helping one little girl experience the wonders of a family as weird and messy and difficult as can be. That's enough for now, they'll get through these trials together.