A new life

NINE

You were in the kitchen with Dabi. He was watching you cook dinner when Eri ran into the kitchen.

"____!" She exclaimed.

"Yes?" You hummed.

"So, today in school, my tutor told me about Mother's day! A day to celebrate your mom and show you how much you love her!" Eri exclaimed. "I know you're not my real mom, but you care for me like my mom," she trailed off. "So I made you something!"

"Really?" Your eyes lit up and you looked at her.

"Uh-huh," she nodded. "But, you can't have it yet."

"Why?" You pouted.

"It's a surprise!" She exclaimed. "But, I have a question."

"Which is?"

"Do you have a mom?" She said.

Your entire body paused for a moment, and Dabi looked at you.

You shook your head and smiled sadly at her. "Nope," you said. "I've never had a mom, but I'm glad I get to be a good mother figure for you, Eri."

"What happened to her?" Eri said.

"Ah, I don't know for sure," you said, looking at the ceiling for a moment. "My father told me she died not long after I was born, but he's an expert liar, so who knows." You shrugged.

Dabi leaned against the counter and crossed his arms. "Really?"

"Yeah," you shrugged and looked at him. "I've never had a mom. It was always me and dad, ya know, doing daddy-daughter stuff, I guess."

"Lucky," Dabi said. "Better to have no mom than a shit one."

"Language!" Eri exclaimed.

"Sorry, kid," he chuckled.

"I dunno," you muttered. "I think I'd rather have a bad mom than have no mother," you said. "When I was a kid, I used to wonder what it was like to have a mom. See her warm smile every day, get home-cooked meals, and ya know, the comfort moms give their kids in tv shows. Even if she's a bad person, there would still be those good moments. Well, I assume," you muttered.

"I guess," Dabi shrugged.

"Why don't you visit your mom, Toya?" You said. "She's still alive, right?"

"Yeah," Dabi said. "She was a weak, pathetic excuse of a parent that let my sperm donor abuse me and my siblings. Why would I wanna see her?"

You shrugged. "If I was you, I'd see her," you said. "Even with the bad things, there must've been good times, right? I mean- as your mom, she still cared for you, didn't she?" You shook your head. "You don't have to tell us the answer, I was just," you paused. "Saying. If I had a mom, I'd still see her."

Dabi shrugged. "I guess," he said again. "I've never thought of it that way."

"Back to me!" Eri exclaimed. She looked at Dabi and narrowed her eyes at him. "When is father's day?"

He crouched down to her height and poked her forehead. "I have no idea, squirt."

"Well, find out!" Then, she ran out of the kitchen.

Dabi stood closer to you and put his hands on your hips. "So, how did your mom die?" He said.

"My father told me she was killed," you explained. "That's all I know. Honestly, I used to think he killed her. Still kinda do."

"Why?" Dabi said.

You paused and looked at him. "Dunno, I was just fishing for answers."

Dabi narrowed his eyes at you. "Really?"

"Probably," you said. "Now, back up. You're all in my personal space."

Dabi rolled his eyes. "Weren't you in my personal space the other day~"

"Master, even though you're my employer, I am not above stabbing you," You said, pointing the knife at him.

"You wouldn't stab the one you love," Dabi said.

"My dad might've," you said with a shrug.

Dabi stared at you.

"...I'm gonna go hang with Eri-"