The sound of the drywall splintering open under Dabi's fist made Aizawa wince. Not only for Dabi's hand but also his wall. That'd be a pain to repair.
But to be honest, the conversation was going better than Aizawa hoped.
"Fuck you and those precious heroes!" Dabi yelled, face filled with anger. He pulled his fist out of the wall and stalked right up to Eraser, face inches from his.
His voice dropped to a dangerous growl. "I'm already wearing these fucking cuffs and a fucking anklet. I am not wearing that fucking collar."
Aizawa sighed and held Dabi's glare with tired eyes.
He held a military-grade quirk suppressing collar in his hands that Nighteye had had delivered to him a few days after their debrief.
"Dabi," Aizawa said calmly. "I'm only asking that you wear this for now. I'm–"
Dabi snorted and cut him off. "For now?! Like I've never heard that before," he sneered.
Eri poked her head up from her spot on the couch, peering over the back of it at their argument.
"'Zawa?" she asked. "Why does he have to wear it? His quirk is really special! It helps keep us safe, and he uses it to help with cooking!"
Aizawa raised an eyebrow. "Cooking?" he asked with a hint of disbelief.
Eri perked up with a smile. "Yeah! He heats the soba pot!"
"That's not the point!" Dabi snapped in irritation and taking a step back, drawing Eraser's attention back to him. The man crossed his arms and glared, one of his hands absently picking at the fabric of his sleeve.
Looking at him, all Aizawa could see was the tension laced in every fiber of his being. And the thing was that Aizawa could understand why: Dabi was once again being forced further into a corner and no doubt felt even further loss of control over his situation.
Aizawa raised his hands placatingly, almost wincing when the motion made Dabi's eyes snap back to the collar.
"I know, Dabi. We keep pushing more and more on you without giving you anything in return," Aizawa said sincerely. Dabi's lip twitched, but he said nothing. Aizawa took it as a sign that he was letting him continue.
"As I'm sure you've figured out, I've uncovered more information on your criminal activities. And frankly, with what I've found you'd qualify as a vigilante rather than a villain," Aizawa explained.
Dabi huffed in disdain. "What, so I'm a saint now?" he mocked.
"No," Aizawa deadpanned. "But that does fundamentally change how we are allowed to proceed with your custody."
Dabi didn't reply, simply eyeing Eraser warily.
"I've shared my findings with my investigation team, who has agreed to review it without involving the Commission. I'm planning on using this information to negotiate removal of many of the restrictions we've placed on you, starting with this collar," Aizawa finished explaining.
"Do you think they'll listen?" Dabi asked with narrowed eyes.
Aizawa gave a firm nod. "These precautions resulted from you attacking Endeavor unprovoked," he reported. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the satisfied smirk that settled onto Dabi's face. "However, the team is reasonable, and I believe they will come around."
Dabi hesitated, expression falling from anger to an irritated resignation. "Fine," he ground out, holding out his hand expectantly.
Aizawa placed the open collar in his hands and watched as Dabi inspected it. After a moment, he seemed to zone out and stare at it.
YOU ARE READING
Maybe We'll fix Each Other
General Fiction"So," he said. "Do you want me to get you out of here?" She hesitated. "But...Overhaul..." "Is a bitch," Dabi finished. "I'll make sure he never lays a hand on you again." And that admission is what surprised Dabi the most. That he wasn't lying. Tha...
