Why do you stay? {Shigadabi}

13

A few days passed since the incident at the bar. Tomura was coping surprisingly well; at least on the surface. Bruises had formed in places where the man was particularly harsh like his hips and arms. He put up a front but had purposefully put some distance between himself and Dabi because he hated the thought of anyone, even his boyfriend, touching him where the marks were. He would often find himself staring at his reflection in the mirror, focused on the deep purple fingerprints all over his body.

Dabi noticed his boyfriend's reluctance to physical affection following that night. He understood it, and he blamed himself for the whole thing.

He had told, no promised, Tomura that he would be right next to him the whole time. He had let him down and the blue haired man suffered the consequences because of it. He hadn't stopped beating himself up about it, especially when they would sleep on opposite sides of the same bed.

Tomura tried his best to put on a brave face for Dabi, he knew he was worried about him. He acted like everything was normal besides the physical affection, and figured that Dabi just wouldn't pick up on it.

Dabi had been insistent on Tomura staying at his apartment with him, wanting to be sure he was okay at all times. The frail artist in turn felt guilty for invading the raven haired man's space for several days in a row.

In short, the incident had caused a lot of tension to build between the two.

On The third day, the two were sitting on the couch in Dabi's apartment playing video games. After they finished a round, Tomura turned to face the taller man.

"I think I'm going to go to the studio today, and go to my dorm to grab some stuff, if you're gonna want me to continue staying here that is".

The raven haired man looked over at his boyfriend "I do. When do you wanna go? I can take you".

"Well actually..." the frail artist averted his gaze, focusing on his fingers instead. "I think I'm gonna ask Toga to take me instead. She's been bothering me to spend time with her and I'm sure you want to see some of your other friends".

"Oh..." Dabi shifted so he was fully facing the other "well I don't mind yknow... I can go with you guys".

Tomura smiled softly "Dabi... I'll be fine. Make some plans with Spinner. We'll meet back up here later".

"Okay," he bit his lip nervously and nodded a little. "Okay yea. You're right. I'll get some groceries while I'm out. What are you hungry for?"

The blue haired man sent a message to Toga telling her to pick him up and stood up, sliding his phone in his back pocket. "I don't care, I'm good with anything".

Dabi rolled his eyes. "You really can't make a decision to save your life can you, creep? Spaghetti it is".

Tomura grinned. "Why would I when I have you?"

______

An hour later Tomura was showered, changed, and sitting in the passenger seat of the car Toga and Magne shared, the blonde next to him in the driver's seat.

She drove him to the art studio on campus and sat on the floor scrolling through her phone as the blue haired man worked on his painting. He failed to notice, however, that his phone died while they were there.

Dabi went to the gym with Spinner, heading to the grocery store afterwards. He got back to the apartment around 5:30 pm and noticed Tomura wasn't back yet. He put the groceries away and decided to call him. It went straight to voicemail.

The raven haired man felt concern bubbling inside him but just decided to try again. He got the voicemail again.

At this point nothing could stop his worry. What had happened to him? Once again Dabi had left him alone against his better judgment and look what happened.