Smile For The Camera ~ Dabi x Hawks💙🧡

Dependence

POV DABI

Three days later, Keigo is discharged from the hospital. Fuyumi, Natsuo, and I help him back to his apartment, but I'm the only one that stays with him. I say goodbye to my siblings, and we exchange numbers for the future. Keigo has been clinging to me since he was discharged, and he hasn't been talking much. He can't really do anything by himself, and it is a bit of a hassle to take care of him, but if I didn't, I know he'd crumble into pieces. He needs me, and I promised not to leave his side.

"How're you feeling, birdie?" I ask him, stroking my fingers through his hair. Keigo lays with his head in my lap, staring off into space. He hasn't moved a muscle in an hour, and I can only imagine what kind of horrid things his mind is conjuring up. "Want something to eat?"

"Not hungry," he whispers. I frown, tracing his facial features lightly with my fingertips. Shit, he's so pretty...

"You haven't eaten today," I remind him. "How about we get you some chicken nuggets? I can hurry over to the place down the street–"

"Don't," Keigo gasps, digging his nails into my arm. "Don't leave me."

"I won't," I say, tracing his bottom lip with my thumb. "But you need to eat something. How about we go together?"

"We can't go outside," Keigo whispers. "He might see us. We have to stay where he can't get to me."

"Birdie..." His words make me feel sick to my stomach, but I don't know how to help him. He's scared, and there's nothing I can do.

"Tylenol," he whispers. "Let's get some Tylenol." I nod, picking Keigo up gently. I take him to the bathroom, shutting the door behind us. Keigo freezes, burying his head into my chest. His grip on my shoulders could snap a neck. I place Keigo down on the Toilet seat, grabbing the bottle of Tylenol with my free hand. As soon as I spin the top off, he swallows four pills dry. I take the bottle from him and close it, putting it up on the highest shelf.

"Here," I say hesitantly, taking a step away from him. Keigo freezes, squeezing his fingers into my wrist. "I'm gonna start a bath for you, Birdie," I say gently. "You're alright. Here, come here." Keigo stands cautiously, clinging to my side. I run the bath water, making it a little bit colder to soothe Keigo's burns. I guide his hand to the spout, and he nods. I help him out of his clothes, but he's adamant about keeping his boxers on. "That's okay," I tell him. "Here, go ahead and get in."

"Come with me," he says. "I don't want to be alone."

I sit down on the bathroom floor right beside the bath. "I'll stay right here, okay?" Keigo nods, pulling his knees up to his chest in the water. I grab the soap and pour some onto his orange loofah. I start by washing his arms, then his shoulders, and his chest. I don't even dare to go below his belly button in case it triggers him. And his back is off limits, too.

"Touya?" Keigo says gently.

"Yeah?" I answer, using a cup to rinse the suds off him.

"I don't feel like a real person." He looks at me, blinking a few tears out of his eyes. "Am I dead?" Tears fall down his face like a steady stream, making my organs twist together in my stomach. I feel so powerless, and I hate it. I fucking hate it.

"No, birdie," I say, kissing him on the forehead. "You're okay, I promise. You're just fine."

"I don't feel fine," Keigo chokes out between sobs. "I feel like I'm dying."