Follow Me

3. Aftertaste

     It had been over a week and there had been no sign of him. The past week had felt slow and monotonous. Just doctors appointments to see if your head was permanently damaged (it was not), and going back to the same boring jobs. You checked behind you everywhere you went to see if he would make a reappearance, but nothing. His absence was almost more frightening than the actual stalking itself. 

     That day you had gotten home safely after Shigaraki had stormed out of the bar. Kurogiri had opened a swirling warp gate that had teleported you right back into your apartment. You hadn't seen him or Dabi either since then. You didn't expect to see any of them ever again. Now that Shigaraki had all but disappeared, you took your morning walks alone, constantly glancing behind you but seeing nothing but sidewalk and scattered pedestrians who were on the way to their own jobs. No hooded figure, no red sneakers poking out under worn jeans. 

      Now you were back at the shitty bar you worked at making drinks. You weren't a good bartender yet but you had started to enjoy making drinks. Business was slow, only a few customers trickled in and out. It was good to have a quiet night for once. Having nothing much to do you decide to wipe down the bar counter. A particularly stubborn stain held your attention for a minute while you viciously scrubbed it with a soapy rag. You had just about forgotten about your encounter with those weirdos when you heard a familiar voice, not two feet away.

     "What does someone have to do to get a drink around here?" A familiar voice said by your ear. You jumped back and nearly smacked Dabi in the face with the wet cloth.
"Woah! Sorry! I come in peace!"

     "You again!" you said, brandishing the rag like it might douse whatever stinky fire he had been walking through. 

     "Yeah, its me, sweetheart. Don't even remember my name huh? That's kinda rude." 

     "You scared the shit out of me!" You retreated back behind the bar and Dabi sat down at it. "Want anything to drink? Or are you just here to kidnap me again?" 

     "Both actually." He grinned at you and then looked back at the door. "I thought I could throw you in the back of my van and I could tie you up in my room or somethin, how does that sound?" 

       "I would rather die." 

       He snickered and then waved over someone who was still in the doorway letting in the cold air. "Hey stop skulking back there."

     Black hoodie, red sneakers, it was the stalker. I turned away from them but still kept the pair in the corner of my eye. One of the bouncers with a nasty rhinoceros quirk was keeping an eye on them too. They let all kinds in here, but if they made trouble they'd be kicked out. But given that quirk that Shigaraki had, the bouncers wouldn't last long in a tussle. He refused to look in your direction and instead crossed his arms and flopped his head into them and leaned on the counter. He did not want to be here, that was obvious. 

     "Dabi, what do you want?" You said, crossing your arms.

     "In the grand scheme of things? Or to drink?"

     "To drink, I'm not a wish granting factory."

     "Hmm," he pondered for a moment. "Whatever is fine, just give me alcohol."

      "What are you, twelve?"

      "Fuck no, I'm 23, sweetheart." He actually looked offended.

      "Then you should know your drink by now, what is it?" 

      "Scotch, neat." 

      "Prick."