Maybe We'll fix Each Other

Chapter 21

Keigo was a smart guy. It was one of his many winning qualities. Something the Commission valued. He was good at analyzing different situations and knowing how to pull out ahead.

But now?

He was just confused as hell.

After leaving the debrief, a quick glance at his phone had gotten him to UA in a flash. While he and Dabi hadn't really talked since their argument, the last thing he wanted was for the guy to face Endeavor again. The tension in the air...whatever they had was personal.

Not to mention his feathers bristling in irritation at the footage of Fuyumi Todoroki snapping at Dabi.

But why was Shoto Todoroki here? And his brother?

And why did Dabi seem to momentarily freeze up when Natsuo arrived?

All valid questions, in Keigo's opinion.

But, Dabi being Dabi, the momentary silence was quickly filled with scalding anger.

"What the fuck is wrong with you, kid?" Dabi snapped viciously at Shoto.

The acid in his voice made Aizawa's eyes narrow, and he stepped forward to put himself part way between Dabi and his student.

Keigo frowned and flicked his eyes to the three Todoroki kids. Fuyumi's face scowled angrily, and Natsuo's initial surprise fell into steeled offense. Shoto looked...well...like he always did. Unphased.

"Don't talk to him like that," Fuyumi snipped.

"You need to calm down, man," Natsuo said calmly but with a frown.

Dabi snorted and took a half-step forward, halting his movement at the warning look Aizawa gave him. He stepped back. Instead of pressing forward as was his apparent instinct, Dabi settled into looking as pissed as possible.

'He was able to subdue the villain, Dabi, correct?' rang the Commission president's voice in Keigo's head. He shifted uncomfortably as he glanced at Aizawa.

It was true. Even now, when Dabi was radiating anger, the man still seemed to respect Aizawa's input. Whatever bond they'd built meant that Aizawa could influence Dabi. And considering that he was a powerful villain, it was no wonder the Commission would see it as a threat.

But where the Commission likely saw a danger to how society viewed heroes and villains, or a danger to their hold on the unique and powerful quirks of their own heroes, Keigo just saw two men who had begrudgingly decided to trust each other.

Keigo forced the thoughts away. He still didn't know what he was going to do with his new assignment, and he didn't want to think about it just yet. Deflect, Keigo, he told himself. You're good at that.

"Don't fucking tell me what to do," Dabi snarled, one hand twitching at his side while the other reached up to idly tug at the—

Hold the fuck up, Keigo thought, a frown instantly darkening his face. Is that a fucking collar?!

Dabi's sharp eyes snapped to Aizawa. "As little Fuyumi said," he growled through gritted teeth, speaking her name like a curse word. "This is a family matter. I'm not part of their precious little family. Let. Me. Leave."

Hawks could tell the vicious rasp made Fuyumi nervous, as she shifted in her seat. But why was Natsuo's frown bigger? Why had Dabi's words made him scrutinize the man more closely?

Aizawa's expression, though still firm, did at least look somewhat apologetic. "Dabi, you know I can't do that. Not when you obviously know more about this...sensitive topic than any of us knew."