Feathers and Flame // Dabi x Reader x Hawks

38: Hatred

To say things had gone dreadfully would be an understatement.

After everything you'd been through, it was almost comical to have discovered you possessed a heart in the company of villains. And worse still, for whatever inane reason you'd decided to follow it. Now, it was a part of you that you wished you could be rid of. A part that was keeping you from completing your goal — your mission.

How could you return to your pitiful former existence? Did you want to? But then again, it didn't really matter. You'd stopped caring what was coming. Failing to kill Dabi might have been the moment you pissed your life away for good. Either the League would kill you, or if by some miracle you escaped their hold with your life, what then? What was left for you?

Some selfish part of your mind flitted to Hawks, but you banished him before your heart dared to hope. He wouldn't want you. Not now that he knew you'd slept your way into his enemy's heart and your own would bear the scars of it for a lifetime to come.

And Dabi. How he hated you now. Every time those beautiful blue eyes swept over you, you felt it. Like a searing brand on your skin. How long had he hated you? How many times had he looked at you that way and you never noticed?

The grip he held your wrist with was just shy of bruising. You'd left your knives behind where you failed to end him, and whatever happened to you now was entirely up to him. You just didn't care.

"Finally out of things to say, are we, princess?"

There was a smirk on his lips, cruel and taunting. You thought of how part of you had adored the wickedness of within him. How it drew you in. Now, it left a bitter taste in your mouth.

"Just kill me and get it over with."

A mere sidelong glance from him was enough to cut you to your core. "What makes you think I want to kill you?"

You looked away, cowed. "Then what do you want?"

"You might not have dealt the blow, but you're just as responsible for Twice's death as he is." His lips twisted into a hauntingly beautiful grin. "I won't spare you from that."

You laughed through the guilt, tears blurring your vision. "So, you're punishing me? Believe me, I can do a better job myself."

Dabi's gaze swept over you again. "I want you to be there when I destroy them." He tugged your wrist harder as you walked. "You wanted all of my secrets, didn't you? Well, you can have your fill."

Whatever question or retort had formed on your lips died the moment you rounded a corner to find Compress standing at a stone railing, staring down at the ongoing battle in the foyer below. He was wearing his mask. Beneath it, you wondered what expression he wore, and how it would change when he knew the truth.

"Dabi," Compress greeted, his eyes sliding to where the villain was gripping your wrist, and then to the blank, broken look you so clearly wore. "What's going on? Twice—"

But you'd tuned the rest of it out. Because right below, despite that she was wearing the form of another, you saw the feline grace in Toga's movements. Not only that, but you saw the vicious sting of vengeance and despair as she clawed and sliced her way through countless heroes. How she raged. Like a reaper gave flesh. And how it was all your fault.

Dabi's words brushed against your ear and you startled, jerking away from him. "I would say all that blood is on your hands, but they've been stained for a long time. Haven't they, princess?"

You glared at him, lip curled. "That's rich coming from someone who's left a trail of crispy corpses in his wake."

The corners of his mouth lifted. "Still got enough fire in you to fight with me? Good."