𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 ⟢ 𝘁. 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗶/𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗶

𝟏𝟎

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𝐲𝐨𝐮

three weeks had passed, and my life had settled into a semblance of normalcy. days in the lab blurred together—endless hours of designing, testing, and perfecting gear for heroes. the familiarity of the routine was a comfort, a distraction from the thoughts that kept gnawing at the edges of my mind. i wore the promise necklace touya had given me all those years ago, the small pendant resting just above my heart like a tether to a past i couldn't fully let go of.

hawks had become a regular presence in the lab, whether it was to request new gear for his agency or just to hang out. our conversations flowed easily, mixing professional talk with the lighthearted banter we'd become so good at. there was an unspoken understanding between us—hawks no longer asked about dabi's sample after our tense encounter, knowing some things were better left unsaid.

one afternoon, as hawks leaned against my desk, he noticed the necklace, his keen golden eyes catching the glint of the pendant. "you still wear that necklace?" he asked, tilting his head slightly. "isn't that the one you had on when we first met?"

i smiled, my fingers instinctively reaching up to touch the pendant. "yeah, it is. i've had it for a long time."

hawks' expression softened as he took a seat, clearly interested. "that was at that fancy award gala, right? for the hero support division? you were being recognized for your innovations, and i remember thinking you looked way too young to be so accomplished."

i chuckled, shaking my head. "you know, we were actually the same age back then. you even won an award too, remember? for being the youngest pro hero to open an agency. and, by the way, i'm technically older than you by a few months."

hawks smirked, leaning in slightly. "oh, i remember. i was hitting on you that whole night, thinking i was being so smooth."

a flashback of that night filled my mind, the memory still vivid. it was one of those glittering events, the kind where everyone was dressed to the nines, mingling and exchanging pleasantries. i'd been nervous, standing in a sea of pro heroes, trying to blend in despite the award that had just been handed to me.

hawks had approached me, dressed in a sharp suit, his beautiful red wings being the first thing that caught my eye, his signature grin in place. "so, you're the genius behind all that gear? gotta say, i'm impressed. it's not every day you see someone so young making waves like this."

i'd smiled shyly, not quite used to the attention. "i just... like helping people. if my work can make a difference, then it's worth it."

he'd leaned in closer, clearly flirting. "you've definitely got a talent for it. but don't forget to enjoy the moment too. this is your night."

i couldn't help but laugh, amused by his attempts. "are you always this forward?"

"only when i'm trying to impress someone," he'd replied with a wink.

then, with a playful glint in his eye, hawks extended his hand. "care to dance? i promise not to step on your expensive heels."

caught off guard but charmed, i'd accepted. "sure, why not?"

we spent the rest of the night dancing and talking, getting to know each other better. hawks had this way of making me feel at ease, his carefree demeanor a stark contrast to the intense world we both operated in. for a moment that night i thought about giving him a chance, but in the end seeing endeavor at the ceremony stopped me. and by the end of the night, we'd become fast friends, laughing and sharing stories as if we'd known each other for years.

as we danced, i noticed a few of the other guests whispering, their eyes on us. rumors of a budding romance between us quickly spread, fueled by the fact that we spent so much time together at the event.

back in the present, hawks laughed as he recalled the rumors that had sparked from that night. "remember how everyone thought we were dating after that gala? we were just two kids trying to have a good time, and suddenly, it's all over the hero tabloids."

i laughed too, shaking my head at the memory. "yeah, i remember. it was pretty ridiculous. but at least we gave them a show."

"i guess we were just that convincing," hawks said with a grin, though there was a hint of something deeper in his tone. deep down, he still had a thing for me, but right now i was oblivious to it. despite that, he respected our friendship and cared about me too much to let his feelings complicate things.

his gaze flicked back to the necklace, curiosity glinting in his eyes. "so, where'd you get it? the necklace, i mean. looks like it means a lot to you."

i hesitated for a moment, the weight of the past pressing down on me. "it's from someone special in my past," i finally said, my voice soft but steady.

hawks nodded, sensing that it wasn't a topic i really wanted to dive into. "i get it. we all have things we hold onto." he gave me a reassuring smile, one that told me he was there if i ever wanted to talk, but he wouldn't push.

despite the busy days, i always made time for the todorokis. i often joined them for whatever fuyumi and natsuo had planned aside from dinner, i even met natsuo's girlfriend, enjoying the warmth and camaraderie of their souls. they all appreciated my presence, valuing me often as part of their extended family.

but there was one place i hadn't visited in these past three weeks: touya's grave.

i kept telling myself it wasn't necessary anymore, that the person i used to grieve was still alive, still out there somewhere.

but by not visiting his grave, i felt as though i was preparing myself for the inevitable—coming face to face with dabi, the man who was once my touya. maybe it was my way of holding on, of convincing myself that i could still try to help him, even though i knew deep down that dabi wasn't going to allow it.

𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐢

one evening, while the league of villains gathered to discuss their next steps, my mind wandered. i thought about y/n, the way she used to care for my grave, the way she used to read to me, the flowers she often brought along with her. i clenched my fists, feeling a mix of anger and sadness.

"she's forgotten me," i muttered to myself, staring into the flickering flames in my hand. "moved on with her life like i never existed. acting like if i hadn't appeared in her life once again a little more than a month ago. but i'll make her remember. she'll see that i'm still here, still burning and playing no games."

i decided that once i had a free night from my villainous activities, i would give her a visit.

i needed to see her, to remind her of who i was, and perhaps, to understand why she had stopped visiting the grave.

my blue eyes glinted with determination. "enji will pay, and she'll understand why i had to become dabi. why touya was weak and had to die. i won't let her forget me."

as the days passed, my mind was set. i would confront y/n again, but this time, i would make sure she remembered who i truly was and what i stood for.

my simmering rage was ready to ignite.