Maybe We'll fix Each Other

Chapter 47

Dabi trailed after Eri as she skipped ahead of him, babbling on about some cartoon spy show she'd been watching.

He clenched and unclenched his hands as they walked. The bandages on his hand pulled tighter with the motion. Somehow he'd kept Aizawa from finding the wall he'd punched, but he'd refused to let Recovery Girl have a look at him when Aizawa had found out about the hand.

Dabi had hoped that hanging out with Eri would serve as a distraction, but his anxiety was ramping up with every passing hour. And, being him, that meant his irritability was ramping up as well. The closer they got to the trial date, the worse he felt.

His appetite was almost completely gone, but Aizawa had kept a firm eye on him and made sure he ate at least two small meals a day.

Dabi was glad he didn't throw them up.

He nearly tripped over Eri, not having realized she'd stopped in the middle of the forest path she'd brought him on.

Pulling up short, he stumbled to keep his balance.

"Woah, kid," Dabi scolded. "I almost ran you over."

Eri pouted. "Well you didn't answer!"

Dabi's irritated face softened.

"Sorry, Er. What was the question?"

She reached up and grabbed his wrist, pulling his hand out of his pocket and stomping down the trail, dragging him along behind her.

"If you were a spyyyyy, what would your codename be?" she asked.

"Can't it just be Dabi?" he replied.

Eri turned and stuck her tongue out at him. "No! Everyone knows your name is Dabi! It has to be a secret name!"

"So why would I tell you if it has to be a secret?" he asked with amusement.

"Becaaaause we're spy partners!"

"Well, what's your spy name?"

Eri slowed slightly as she considered it. Then an almost smug look crossed her face as she peeked back up at Dabi.

"Carmamel!" she chirped happily.

Dabi stared at her with a blank look.

"That's your cat's name."

"So?"

"So your codename can't be your cat's name."

"Says who?"

"What, so I can't be Dabi but you can be named after a cat?"

Eri just stuck her tongue out at him.

Dabi rolled his eyes fondly and muttered, "Can't believe this."

Eri pulled to a stop and let go of Dabi's wrist, moving to wring her hands together in front of her like she always did when she was nervous. She had brought them to a small clearing in the woods, where some old brambles and plants littered the ground.

Dabi lifted an eyebrow and crouched down, resting his forearms on his knees.

"What're we doing out here, anyway, kid?" he asked gently.

Eri hesitated before replying with, "I–I wanted to show you something."

Her voice was quiet. Like she wasn't sure she wanted to do whatever she'd brought him out here for.

Dabi tilted his head slightly and stayed quiet, waiting for her to continue.

"Kirishima and Jirou helped," she continued, casting her eyes down. "And they said I did good so I wanted you to see."