A Dance to Death

Flames

Flames have always haunted me. My father, Dabi, and even myself have physically been hurt by flames. Only I make the choice to hurt myself with them. They didn't... They don't...

"I hate that smell," I muttered to myself.
Toga looked over at me.
"What smell?"
"The smell of burning bodies."
"Why?"
I looked away, going silent.

Screaming drowned my thoughts. His screams drowned my thoughts.
"My daddy's in there!" I yelled at the fireman.
"We know, we're getting him. Let's get you in the ambulance, okay?" The man calmly responded.
I looked back at the burning building, the people rushing out of it, and then looked at the screen.
All Might, where are you when I need you?

"Thank you, Endeavor, for coming," My mother said as I sat in my hospital bed.
"Thank you for having me here," He responded, "This is my son, Touya. We heard about what happened, and on behalf of Rei, we're so sorry about what happened."
I looked at Touya. He had red hair, and passionate blue eyes. In all honesty, I didn't care for anyone at that moment.
"Peyusha, say thank you."
I looked at my hands, minor scarring.
"How come no hero saved my dad? Where was the number one when we needed him? Why should I say thank you when my daddy is gone?"
My mother looked at me with pure shock. Touya didn't give me a shocked look, instead he walked over to my bed, placed a hand on mine, and smiled.
"It may seem dark right now, but I'm sure the heroes will come through! All you need is a friend."
"A friend?"

"Earth to Peyusha."
I snapped out of my thoughts.
"Hm?"
"You didn't answer me."
"Oh! Yeah... The smell reminds me of the day my dad died."
"Oh."
I walked away, not willing to talk to anyone.
You could have stopped that day. No one deserves to bear the burden of your trauma.

I play with the half gone alcohol bottle.
You really are like your mother. You should just end your pathetic life.
I wince, the thought causing physical pain to my head.
"What's wrong?" Dabi asked.
"My thoughts clashing with the voices in my head is what's wrong."
"Praise on that."
He took a swig from his own alcohol bottle.
"Do we have anything stronger?"
"And you say you aren't an alcoholic, Pey."
I chuckled at his comment before I went to check our collection of alcohol.
"Hey, Pey?"
"Hm?"
"Do flames curse you?"
I look over at him.
"What?"
"Does fire curse you? You always seem to be caught up in some type of fire. Physical, emotional, you name it."
"I don't know, Dabi. I'm just getting by."
"Barely."
I looked away, clenching my fists. For the first time, I didn't have a response to his question.