Feathers and Flame // Dabi x Reader x Hawks

24: Business

You'd kept some distance between you and Hawks in the days after you'd both... disposed of that villain stalker beneath ten feet of concrete in the bowels of a construction site. If you wanted to keep your life, he needed to remain disposed of, though you were almost certain you'd managed to rid yourself of that possibility for good. Even with the pitiful attempt Hawks made at aiding you with the task.

If anything, the time spent with the number two hero had allowed you to put some plans in motion to determine Shigaraki's location, and hence where to strike first before these four months came to a conclusion. Hawks was trusted enough to walk around the headquarters without issue — even if that trust was rather fragile. With the combination of both of your extensive skill sets, you were confident you could gather the necessary information, as long as you kept well away from Dabi while doing it.

You hadn't seen Dabi since that fateful encounter just a few nights ago, and the more time that passed since it happened made it all the more difficult to face him again. Even with your feelings aside, ditching him before he even had the chance to wake up was a shitty move.

You groaned aloud, raking your fingers down your face. Never had you needed to deal with such complicated feelings before, and it was so fucking terrible you had no intention of ever doing it again.

Why are the villains always so attractive?

It was an age-old question and a plague on your existence. Only the heroes were just as alluring, too.

"I sensed some turbulence in you," Compress said, appearing before you with a tray. "I made tea."

You sat up, offering him a weak smile as you made some room for him to share the sofa with you. "Thanks Compress."

Indeed, you had been agonising on the couch in the League's communal area for too long already, given how easily Compress picked up on it. You'd been waiting for Toga, but she was apparently off with Twice somewhere and you were in desperate need of a distraction. Spinner, the only other member in the room, was engrossed in whatever manga he was reading and paid no attention to either of you.

Compress, clad in his balaclava only, settled his warm brown eyes on you as he handed you a steaming porcelain teacup. "Is this about Dabi?"

The abruptness of his question startled you, and you hissed as a drop of scalding tea dripped over your hand. "Why would you think that?"

The showman scrunched his nose. "You both are far less inconspicuous than you think."

You sipped at your tea, studying your companion over the white rim. "It's complicated."

"It rather always is with him," Compress sighed. "Frankly, I don't understand the allure. He is brooding, unrefined and terribly difficult to have a conversation with."

Your lips curved into a smile. "And here I thought you were about to give me a pep-talk on relationships."

The magician snorted. "I would not do you the disservice."

You grinned, then. "Ouch. I guess your opinion of him is clear."

Compress sipped at his tea, his brown eyes sweeping over you. "Alas, there must be some redeeming qualities in him to attract such a magnetic personality as yourself."

You laughed softly. "You certainly know how to flatter a lady, don't you?"

The showman winked. "If you would prefer more civilised company, I am always available to share a pot of tea."

"I appreciate that," you replied, smiling. "Though I'm not sure Dabi would like it very much."

The door had opened at the exact moment you said that name, and the villain-in-question strode in, setting his piercing eyes on you. "What wouldn't I like?"