Disdain [Dabi x Reader]

XI

A/N: I'm full of shit, I'm sorry 😥

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My legs dragged themselves across the cool grounds of the hospital. The butterflies painted on the walls of the halls did not spark the usual surge of serotonin as before, now it felt suffocating to stroll by them. I was spoiling their beauty and innocence with my presence, I was dulling out their vibrant colours. 

I passed through the waiting area and paused, gazing over at the parents with their children. Most parents just sat on the chairs with their eyes glued to their phones, while the children sat on the matted ground in front of a TV that was playing a Tom and Jerry episode. The same episode had been playing over and over again for months. I certainly didn't pass by the pediatric department a lot, yet I still had that episode practically memorized.

I stared at the children gaping up at the TV, looking as if they were in a trance, and found myself wanting to sit and watch amongst them.

'No, I need to leave, time's running out.'

I turned my head and resumed walking.

"(Y/n)??" 

I cursed under my breath.

I looked over my shoulder just to be met with the radiant presence of Seijun. My colleague waved at me with a joyous grin across his blissful features. Seijun worked at the pediatrics section, we've known each other since college and I have great respect for him. He's an excelling doctor, and generally a pure soul. We had received countless comments about how alike we were, it was no wonder we had such a close friendship. I bit the inside of my cheek and waved at him.

"You haven't passed by here for a good while now, how's everything?" He chirped, looking more elated than normal.

"I was just heading out... to get something. Everything is going well." I replied, biting back a shameful expression. 

'Stay away, I don't want to contaminate you too'

"Oh, that's great! Also, what's up with the bandage?" He pointed at the side of my forehead. I instinctively lifted my hand up to the cloth and let my fingers slide over it. 

"Something on the upper shelf fell on my head, no need to worry." I briskly explained.

"I told you you placed that cabinet too high," He chuckled, crossing his arms. "I'm heading to Rue's room, I cleared up some time in my schedule so I could hang with her for a bit, I promised her I would." I felt some strain expel from my muscles at the name. My eyes softened.

"Rue... Your little sister. How's her recovery been going, anyway?" 

"She's doing much better now! But on another note, are you ok? You seem a bit out of it." A look of concern flashed across his face, and I blinked.

"Yes, everything's fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Mhm." I nodded absentmindedly. He looked skeptical, as if he didn't believe my claim, but he brushed it off either way.

"How's that hero you were taking care of?" He swiftly switched the topic, his smile returning. I felt my eyes dilate at the mention of the hero, my throat going dry. My hands started to sweat, some kind of overwhelming feeling of guilt washing over me, however, at that very second, another, much powerful, feeling enveloped me. A feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment. The corners of my lips twisted up into a smile.

"He's doing great, actually." My grin stretched as the words comfortably rolled off my tongue, my eyes narrowing with the smile. Seijun's features somehow seemed to brighten more at my happy expression.