The Commission's Secrets

Chapter 19: The Reunion

Dabi's POV

Interu had told me everyone involved with the case was outside and that the kids we rescued would be fine... physically. I had seen what the Commission would do to kids to turn them into "perfect heroes." No way the kids wouldn't need intense therapy after everything. When she left, I asked her to send in Keigo and Kanzen. After everything, I wanted them to know who I was, and I trusted they wouldn't tell anyone about my identity. I also asked her to get me a hat. It had been over a month since I last dyed my hair, and some of it probably came out when the hospital cleaned me up. I was ready to tell Kanzen and Keigo, but not the rest from the project. I would tell them soon, but not know, and I definitely wasn't going to tell the kids! That would be an actual nightmare. Interu laughed good naturedly and said she would get one at the gift shop.

Kanzen and Keigo took seats on either side of me.

"Hey Dabi," said Kanzen in a soft voice, "How do you feel?"

"I won't lie, I feel like I just got stabbed."

"Yeah, getting shot in the heart will do that. Thank you, for saving me. by the way..." said Keigo. "Why? Why did you take that bullet for me? For a hero?"

"Because your my brother Keigo." At my use of Keigo's name, they both fell dead silent. "Yes I know your name Keigo. I know yours too Kanzen."

"Who are you?" Kanzen asked cautiously, but curiously.

"My name is Touya."

"No. No, no, no, no, NO! I watched him die! You can't be Touya! Stop lying Dabi!"

"Keigo calm down. Dabi. If you really are Touya, how did we meet?"

"I caught you spying through my bushes like a creep." She froze again. That was how I met Kanzen, and found out I wasn't actually Endeavor's first born. Keigo however was still in denial.

"You can't be him! Just because he knows how you met Touya, doesn't mean it's actually him Kanzen! He's smart! He could have found out some other way!" Kanzen however, took a step closer to me. She raised her hand like she was going to slap me, but lowered her hand.

"The only reason I'm not slapping you is because the doctor said we have to be careful with you, but tell us why. Why didn't you tell us sooner? Do you not trust us anymore?" And that question felt like being shot all over again, because of course I trust them! I trust them more than anyone, and it hurts to think that they think I don't. 

"Of course, I trust both of you. I just wasn't ready. You are both pro heroes, and I knew you wouldn't turn me in, but I was scared you would be disappointed in me. To tell you the truth, I'm disappointed in myself somedays. I don't know when it happened, but somewhere along the lines, I became a different person. I am not the same Touya I was in 2139, and somedays, that fact scares me." All of that was true. Growing up, I wanted to be a hero. Even after Endeavor sent me to 744 I wanted to be a hero. I didn't like Endeavor before he sent me to 744, but I thought that he did care about me in his own messed up way. It wasn't until after I realized that he couldn't care less I was gone that I started to hate him, and started letting my anger and hatred of him fuel my flames. And sometimes the sheer amount of hate and anger I have for him terrifies me. If I changed this much in twenty years, what kind of person will I be when I die? Will I be like him? Consumed by a singular goal, to the point that nothing else matters? I felt a hand on my shoulder, and glanced up to see Keigo.

"If you're really Touya, what did you want you code name to be."

"I wanted to be Archaic. It's a synonym of Endeavor, and in my opinion much better than Pheonix. I mean, phoenixes are cool, but it feels more feminine to me." I guess that was the straw that broke the camel's back, because Keigo lifted his hands to cover his face. I have never seen him cry, but that is the closest he has ever gotten to teers in front of me. Naturally, Interu chose that time to come back with a bright blue beanie.

"I'm guessing you told them?"

"You knew?!" exclaimed a shocked Kanzen!

"You told Interu before us?!"

"Hawks!" snapped Interu at the use of her name. "And of course, I knew. The night I arrived I used my quirk on him."

"Isn't that an invasion of privacy?" asked Kanzen, her eyes narrowing. To be honest, I completely agree with her. I didn't get to tell Interu on my own time. She looked me the eyes, and knew.

"In my defense, he was acting sus."

"I'm still mad at you." I mumbled as I put on the beanie. "You can't see any white hair, right?"

"You're good," Kanzen confirmed, still glaring daggers at Interu, "and by the way Interu, I won't tell anyone your name, if that's what you're worried about."

"You'd better not," she said pointedly, as she walked towards the door. Once she was gone, Keigo was back to asking questions, not that I blame him. He's like a brother to me. If I thought he died, but turned out was secretly alive for over 20 years, I'd have questions too.

"Ok, how are you alive? I was there for your quirk malfunction. Glacier went to the med bay with you. You should be dead!"

I told them everything I had told Interu. About how AFO had found me, how his doctor had treated my injuries, how the other villain had taken care of me, and how I made the choice to become a villain.

"So, All For One helped you out of the goodness of is dead, decaying heart?" asked Kanzen.

"Not exactly. I think he always knew I would stay a villain."

We talked for a few more minutes that felt too short before Interu came back in.

"I hate to break this up, but you've been here for fifteen minutes, and the League really wants to see Touya."

I wished I could hug them before they left, but the doctor had said they had to be careful with me, so hugs were off the table.

Toga is going to kill me...