Of Wings and Flames - Dabi x OC x Hawks

Origin Story [5]

Hey guys, it's just me chillin' here. I got a couple notes so bear with me:

First of all, my turnip prices suck hardcore. I missed yesterdays and I feel like I missed a golden opportunity ;~;

Second of all, this starts off with a little bit of backstory to our firebird, and then whips us back to the main story. Enjoy!

~~~

I was sitting at a vacant table in silence, twiddling my thumbs and sniffling every so often. I was recently sent to the Lost Child Reconciliation Centre, or more commonly known as an orphanage. I didn't like to think about why I was here, even though the answer was obvious. Both of my parents, dead and gone. The casket was closed due to the mutilation of the crash they had endured. One day, I had overheard the doctors explaining to one another the cause of death. It was simple: My father smashed an empty bottle over my mothers head while she was driving, she swerved on the road and the two of them were killed immediately in a horrible wreckage. And that's all there was to it.

"Hey, Josephine!" A young child called out, and I turned around, confused. No one else really bothered with me once my Quirk manifested. I still hadn't managed to figure out how to pull back in my wings, so people were stuck giving me a wide berth as to not be burned by my flames. It quickly became very lonely, and after a while, I detested my powers. Not only because it forcibly ostracized me from the rest of the class, but because it was the main inheritance from my family... From my late father. It boiled my blood every time I thought of him, before a cool wave of grief washed over me.
Either way, the shouting had shocked me. My face noticeably beamed at the thought of finally being recognized, and I stood up. "H-Hey," I said shyly, twiddling my thumbs a bit. A kid with vibrant crimson hair ran up to me with a cocky smile. His hands were stuffed in his pockets and they fiddled around in there, but I wasn't so naive as to think that he was nervous. "How are- er, what's up?" I stumbled over my words, desperate to make a good first impression. He laughed at me boisterously, and I felt myself retreating back into my shell.
"I've got something for you," he pushed on with a cheeky grin, and out from his pockets came a fistful of nuts. My eyes went wide with shock, and I giggled. I loved nuts! "You like nuts huh? Of course you would... 'Cause you're a bird!" He chucked them into the air, and was met with a wild chorus of laughter from the other children. My face flushed with embarrassment as the nuts fell over me like rain, and I hung my head low. It was silly of me to think that I would ever have friends. I sniffled at the thought.
"T-That wasn't *hic* nice," I hiccupped as tears streamed down my face, and it only served to fuel their laughter. The redhead came up to me and put his face right in front of mine, his eyebrows and lips twisted maliciously.
He pulled on my hair and twisted my head to face him, and his smile widened. "A Quirk like that is wasted on pathetic filth like you. Maybe when you die you'll be reborn into something more like your trash father; at least he could wield it properly." My world suddenly went very, very cold. Like a rug was ripped out from under my feet. The rest of the class had laughed once again, and I took in a deep breath.
My wings retracted instantaneously, and my heart burst with a flood of fire, racing down my right arm and building up in my hand. I shoved him aside with my left hand and slowly rose my right, my hand so bright you could barely see it's actual shape. My heart thundered, each pulse sending a new wave of inferno through my body, and from beneath my shirt you could see the veins of flame pulsing from my heart and just barely creeping up to my neck. Everyone paled as they looked at me, their silence the go-ahead I needed.
"One day, I will hold the Sun in my heart, just you watch me!"

I took a long sip of my champagne as Dabi and Hawks delved into conversation. I was relieved, quite frankly. I had no idea how I was supposed to even go about 'changing his mind' or 'converting him.' Every once in a while, icy eyes would turn to me, before switching back to amber eyes. I wondered what he thought about me, a villain sitting in front of a hero. I wonder what was going through his mind. I could tell he was ready to run if he needed, probably had some sort of escape route ready just in case this was an ambush. I knew he was tense when I straightened up and his breathing hitched. I smiled softly at him, and despite his cautious demeanor... He relaxed.


His expression told me that he himself was surprised at the turn of events.


Suddenly, in the middle of dinner, Keigo's phone had begun to buzz. He slipped out his phone and his eyes widened before looking between us apologetically. "Sorry ladies and gents, duty calls." He stood up and my mouth gaped and closed like a fish, unable to string a sentence together. He simply looked at me with his easy smile and winked before walking out the restaurant. I sighed and turned to face the remaining date left at the table. His eyes already bore into me, and to hide my discomfort I sipped at the champagne.


What was I supposed to do now? What did he want to talk about, what were his interests, his goals, how did I even approach the topic? Suddenly I heard him chuckle, and I blinked at him in bewilderment. What was so funny?


When he opened his eyes after laughing, they crinkled softly. My heart skipped a beat in my chest as he looked at me with easy blue eyes. I couldn't decipher if it was to lower my guard, or whether he was actually relaxed. He started the conversation. "I don't believe we got to introduce ourselves yet," he began smoothly, and his hand reached over the table in open invitation. "That bird likes to handle everything, so we'll start fresh; my name is Dabi, and you?"


I smiled warmly and placed my hand in his, which easily enveloped mine. I tried not to think too hard on that. "Sun Keeper," I answered politely, and he smirked, still holding my hand in place.


"I'm well aware of you're hero name, to be placed 14th is no easy feat. But what is your name?" He placed emphasis on the last two words, his raspy voice lowering into a deep rumble. I could feel it in my chest, which desperately wanted to expell the well of flame that resided in my heart. And, to be fair, he was taking a great risk in meeting us here, surely it wouldn't hurt to share a name.


"Alright, you've made your point. My name is Josephine," I purred and slipped my hand from his. I found myself wanting the warmth of his hand, and shook off the feeling before I placed my hands back on the table. "I'm just going to get this off the table now; I really admire the courage it took for you to come out and meet me. You have my respect, Dabi," I complimented, and he chuckled lowly before leaning back in his chair. His eyes never left mine, and although I knew I was entranced with his cerulean hue, by his mannerisms I knew he was lost in my eyes as well. His mouth quirked to the side a little, almost amused.


"Thank you," he said, and brought his wine to his lips. At this moment I looked down and brushed my thumb against my hand. Dates, I had decided, were definitely not my forte. Especially forced dates. His voice brought back my attention, which immediately caused my head to whip back up to face him. "So, Sun Keeper, hmm? What caused that name?" He pondered openly, and I watched as his long fingers tapped his jaw and chin in thought. It made it hard to think when my counterpart was so damn hot.


I blinked a few times to bring my focus back to the table. The origin of my name, eh? "One day, when I was a child, I vowed that I would have the sun in my heart. I guess those words stuck with me, so when I chose my name it just felt... right." I smiled softly at that, my eyes drifting away as I remembered my first days as a hero. Even now, I still feel close to my name, like it belongs to me. Like I created something for myself out of the ashes of my tragedy.


Inner high five for a phoenix pun. Unfortunately at my own expense.


Dabi blinked as he looked at me, watching my expression melt away into something comfortable and warm. Happy. It was the first hero he'd met that made a face quite like that, as though they knew without a doubt that this was where they were meant to be.


"And... Why are you a hero, Josephine?" My eyes slid back to his, which were, for the first time in the whole night, completely unguarded. I decided that, if only for a brief moment, I would be unguarded too.


"To fight against evil, to purge the insincere and the malicious with every last ember I have in my heart until I am reduced to ashes." I conceded, and his eyes widened at the truth I had spilled. I didn't know if that was what he needed to hear, if that was the push he needed to decide to become a hero. In any case, it was my reason. It was my reason, and my truth. He could do with it what he wanted.


For the rest of the evening, we chatted easily and comfortably. It was actually incredible how openminded he was about certain topics, although broaching the subject of Endeavor had left him in a scowl. I cautiously avoided mentioning his name again, and our night was pleasant. He walked me out of the building, his hands languidly in his pockets. Now that we were outside in the cool breeze, it was easier for me to relax. And now that we were standing, I noted the difference in height. I flushed slightly and he grinned.


"Thank you for the evening, Dabi. I had a good time," I beamed up at him, and he chuckled before placing his hand on my head and ruffling my hair. "Gah! Hey, stop that!" I smacked his hand away and he huffed jokingly, putting his hand back in his pocket.


"I should be thanking you, you were very pleasant tonight." He breezily replied, and my heart pulsed with heat at his words. I smiled bashfully at that, tucking my hair behind my ear. With a half thought I pulled out my wings, and they brightened up the street considerably in the night. His eyes were enamored with the flames that stretched out. I winked at him as I began to walk away.


"Don't follow me," I cheekily warned, prepping my wings for flight.


"I wouldn't dream of it," he reassured, and I sighed in faux relief.


"Good, because even if you did, you wouldn't be able to find me anyways." With that, I manipulated the light around me from the moon and once again rendered myself invisible. His eyes widened and I laughed at his reaction before I flew away, leaving him with the echo of my voice.


When I arrived in my house, I moaned loudly. This was probably the busiest day I had had in a long ass time. "I'm grateful it got me to do different things, but man am I beat." I slipped out of my dress and threw on an oversided t-shirt, and waddled over to the bed. I turned off the lamp and I collapsed on top of the sheets, and within seconds I was out cold.


10:09 PM

Dabi: Meet me tomorrow at 12:00 PM by the docks, bring Sun Keeper with you.

Keigo's screen flashed on the counter, and he fumbled with it and read the message. A smile cracked on his face at the words he saw written on his phone. He put down his yakitori and began to hastily type his response.

10:10 PM

Roger Roger! btw, how was dinner with her? :Hawks

10:10 PM

Dabi: ...You made a good choice. See you tomorrow.

Keigo whooped for joy and downed another lump. He chewed it with gusto, his future becoming just a little bit brighter.

~~~

Brighter perhaps because of the new Sun in his life, hmm?