𝕍𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕚𝕟 ℝ𝕠𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕖 |𝔻𝕒𝕓𝕚 𝕩 ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕖𝕣|

𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕣𝕥𝕪 𝔽𝕚𝕧𝕖

After that night, Maria thought it would be best if you tried to move on from Dabi. She thought that if you were going to get depressed every time you thought about him, you'd never get over him or get any better. It wasn't healthy, and you couldn't help but agree. However, you agreed less with the idea of her setting you up with someone. At first it was with a couple of her friends. There was this really nice guy, but you two had little to nothing in common. So there wasn't much to talk about. Then there was this really smart and pretty woman, she had some things in common with you. But she was way too shy, it was like she didn't even want to be there.

When they didn't work out, she made a profile for you on a dating app. You talked to a few people, but quickly lost interest. But you weren't going to tell Maria that. She was working so hard to make you happy. So you made up a lie about meeting a really cool person who you thought you'd really like to meet. But, you made it clear you just wanted to talk for a while longer before actually meeting them. But in your free time, you would always fall back to texting Dabi.

Which, by the way, his texts have gone from nearly every day to, every few days, to every week, and eventually almost never. It was like it was all coming to a slow grinding stop. And you could for the life of you figure out why.

(Y/n)
"Hey Dabi, you doing alright?"

It was hours before you got a reply.

(Dabi)
"Fine. Thanks."

You had changed his name again. Though you liked his old one, you didn't want to upset him if he ever saw his own contact. Though, that never ended up happening.

You just stared at his reply for a while. Why was he being so dry with you lately?

(Y/n)
"Are you sure? You haven't texted me in a few weeks, you barely respond to me too. If there's something wrong, you can tell me."

He didn't respond at all that night. Finally having enough of it, you called him. You waited as the phone rang, and rang, and rang, until it stopped. You sat your phone aside and exhaled deeply. There was something wrong. You couldn't help but feel like there was. Why would Dabi do this all of a sudden out of nowhere?

The worst ran through your mind, you tried desperately to try and stop thinking about it, but you just couldn't. Why would Dabi do this? What reason did he have to do something like this? Was he finally bored of you? Did he move on, like you should have been doing? That had to have been it, he moved on. And here you were, still hung up on him. You should have known better, you two were an ocean apart, you'd never see each other again. Why did you ever hold onto hope in the first place?

"I'm an idiot." You mutter. Maria was right, this wasn't healthy. You needed to move on too.

• • •

You checked your hair for the hundredth time since you arrived at the cafe. Today, you were meeting someone, someone you've been talking to for a week or so. He was a nice guy, and pretty handsome too. With a sigh you rest your head on your hand, your nerves were starting to get the best of you. You had to remind yourself, this is what was best. Constantly hanging onto the chance of seeing Dabi again was not healthy. Dabi was gone. That was it, end of story. 'Maria better have good taste in guys.' You think. She was the reason you were even going on this date.

Your heart skipped a beat when you saw the man walk into the cafe. He smiled when he noticed you, then he walked over. You smile as he sat across from you. "Hi, Mark." You say shyly. "Hey, how you've been?" Mark asks gently. You shrug. "Fairly well. How about you?" Mark smiled. "I've been good. So, anything in the menu catch your eye? Whatever you want, it's on me."

"Oh um..." You picked up the menu and took a quick look. "I'll have the caramel macchiato." You say. Mark raised an eyebrow. "That's all? You don't want anything to go along with it?" You smile slightly. "Um, I've been wanting to try this place's tiramisu." Mark nods. "Got you." Mark placed his and yours order before starting up a conversation. "So, I noticed on your profile that you're not from this country. Where are you from?"

"Japan." You answer before taking a sip of your coffee. "I moved here because of work reasons." Mark nods as he listens. "You like your work?"

"Yeah, my coworkers are pretty nice, so is my boss, and it pays well. I don't have that many complaints." You tell him. "What about you? What do you do?" You ask. "I'm a vet. I like animals, and tending to them is pretty much second nature for me."

"Oh, that's nice." You nod. Mark tilts his head. "You nervous?" He asks suddenly. You give him a look. "No? Why do you ask?" You lied. You were more than nervous. "Your leg hasn't stopped bouncing ever since I walked in." You stopped your leg as soon as he said that. You didn't even notice. "Sorry."

"Don't be sorry. I know this kind of thing can be a scary. But I assure you, I'm not a murderer or whatever. I'm just a vet." He chuckled. "And hey, let's just see where this goes. We don't have to rush into anything if you're not ready. And if things work out in the end, then great." You relaxed a little at hearing that. Maybe, this would work out. Maybe this wasn't a bad idea after all.

• • •

By the end of the date, Mark wished you a goodbye. "I had a lot of fun. Hopefully we can do this again sometime." You couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, maybe we will." Mark smiled as well. "I'll see you around." He waved before walking off. You stood there for a second before turning and walking home.

You called Maria as soon as you got home.

"Hey Maria."

"Hey girl! How did your date go?" Maria asks. "Pretty good. Mark was really nice. We had a good time." You could hear Maria squealing from excitement. "Yes! See, I knew you would come around and find someone you like!"

"Now, I'm not sure I can go as far as to say I like him. I mean, I like him, but I don't like him, you know?"

"Girl please. I know you two are going to work out." You wanted to doubt her, but after all she's done for you, you couldn't. "Maybe." Was all you could say. "Well, I'm going to head to bed. Thanks for everything Maria."

"Of course! Anything for you. Nighty night!"

"Night." You say before you hung up. Just as you were about to go to your room, you heard a knock at your door. "Coming!" You called before hurrying to the front door. You silently question who would be at your door at this hour. You opened the door.