𝕍𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕚𝕟 ℝ𝕠𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕖 |𝔻𝕒𝕓𝕚 𝕩 ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕣|

𝕋𝕨𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕪 𝔽𝕚𝕧𝕖

Dabi lowly opened his eyes, groaning as he sat up in the now empty bed. He began to question where you were, until he smelled the scent of cooked food coming from the kitchen. His mind raced with thoughts of last night. He confessed to you, and you gently let him down. He expected it, so it's not like he was hurt at all by it. But, then he thought about how vulnerable he was in that moment after hearing your kind words. 

'No one is born into this world to be alone. Not even you Dabi.'

In a way, she was right. He was alone for a long time, and then he came across the league. The league wasn't his friends, he tolerated most of them. And if needed, he'd defend them too. It's what he signed up for after all. He didn't really have a choice. 

Then he found you. He made the choice to stay with you, to protect you, to actually care about you. At first, you were just someone to use for his own gain. You healed and housed him for no pay or any kind of favors in return. And all he had to do was keep you in line with a few threats now and then. But soon, the threats would stop. Some trust was formed. And then, the urge to keep you safe and to himself grew stronger with every day. 

And it scared him. What was he suppose to do with these urges, these feelings? If he had continued to keep them to himself, he'd explode or just end up ditching you altogether. But now that you were involved with the league, ditching you wasn't an option anymore.

 An deep exhale left him as he got out of the bed, and walked out of the room. 

Maybe it was inevitable, you finding out. He wasn't good at emotions, whether it was from other people or from himself. He doesn't know how to read people, not like he wanted to. People were confusing, he didn't need that in his life. But when it came to you, it was like his perception changed. He wanted to know how you were feeling, if you were ok or not. It was easy, thankfully. You didn't hide your feelings very well. If you were mad at him, you'd let him know. 

Dabi chuckled, yeah, you'd let him know alright. He would never hear the end of it from you. 

He walked into the kitchen, you had your back to him as you cooked. It smelled delightful. Dabi's stomach growled. When was the last time he ate again? The noise alerted you, turning around to face him. "Morning." You greeted him. Man, he could really get use to this. Waking up to you every morning. Then he remembered, he couldn't let that happen. He couldn't let his feelings get in the way anymore. You didn't like him, he was at peace with that. He needed to be. 

"Morning." Dabi yawned. "You could have slept in a little longer." You say as you begin to plate the food. "I would have saved you a plate." Dabi hummed in response before sitting down at the table. He rested his head on his hand, eyes wondering, staring off into nothing. You bring the food over and sat a plate in front of him. "Hey, we're good right?" 

Dabi looked up at you with a confuse stare. "What?" You set down across from him. "I mean, last night. I didn't exactly return the feeling, I just want to make sure we're all good. Like, things won't be awkward now will they?" 

Dabi grinned. "I knew you didn't feel the same way. Trust me, I'm fine with it." You take a sigh of a relief. "Well that's good. I mean, this has happened to me before back in high school and it totally ruined a friendship of mine." You laugh weakly. 

"Oh yeah? Did they make a big deal out of you rejecting them or something?" Dabi asked. You rub the back of your neck awkwardly. "Um...I was the one who got rejected." You tell him. "Oh. Sorry." 

"Eh, it's fine. Now that I think back, they weren't all that great. I was just blinded by a dumb crush." You wave it off as if it were nothing. But back then, you were heartbroken. "Well, they would have lucked out in my opinion."

You laugh. "How so?" Dabi gave you a look. "You kidding? You're hot. Were they blind?" Your face turned red at his words. "Oh um, thanks..." You took a bite of your food. "And you're just pleasant to be around. So...yeah, their loss." A small smile found it's way onto your face. Dabi really could be genuinely nice when he wanted to be.

The two of you then enjoyed the breakfast you made before it was time for you to head to work. 

• • •

Later that day, a meeting would be held with the league. Dabi barely listened to what Shigaraki was going on about, his mind was on other things. Mostly on you, as much as he hated it. He was eventually snapped out of his thoughts by Shigaraki calling his name. 

"Are you listening at all? This is pretty fucking important." Dabi looked at him then shrugged. "Something about a rival villain gang and taking them down and what not. Yeah I was listening."

"Oh yeah? Then I guess you're fine with your bitch coming along." 

"Excuse me?" Dabi said lowly. "You can fucking forget it." 

"I don't think you understand. This rival gang is one of the largest drug rings in my turf." He starts. "Their leader is getting a little too cocky. Rumor has it he's wanting to become the 'new league of villains'. They've gone too far. I want them eradicated, wiped out entirely. And I need someone to infiltrate. A face they wouldn't recognize, a young, pretty face." 

"I said forget it." Dabi tells him. 

"I think you forgot how things work. I am your leader, you do what I say. And if you don't, there will be serious consequences." Dabi didn't falter at the threat. "Is that suppose to scare me?" Shigaraki smirked. "You know..." He removed the hand on his face and looked at it. "I was thinking, I could use a new hand for my collection. Though, her hand would look so out of place. Her's is so soft, fragile...Wouldn't you agree?" 

Dabi still didn't back down. "The answer is no." 

Shigaraki's grin fell. "Oh Dabi, who said you ever had a choice? You're going to bring her here, or I'll take matters into my own hands." 

Dabi said nothing. He turned and made for the exit, as he walked he heard Shigaraki yell after him. "I expect her back here tomorrow night!" Dabi slammed the door behind him. He knew this was a dangerous gamble. Shigaraki never bluffed when it came to his threats. But Dabi would make sure none of them came to light. 

He'll keep you safe, or he'll die trying.