Flufftober

Roommates

Dabi sighed as he slumped onto the couch, flipping lazily through the channels on the TV. He could hear Hawks rummaging around in the kitchen, doing whatever he did before bed. Life as roommates with the winged hero was a mixed bag—on the one hand, it was pretty convenient. Hawks wasn't the worst person to live with; he was surprisingly clean and wasn't in Dabi's face all the time.

But then, there was the problem. A very specific, feathered, shirtless problem.

As if on cue, Hawks strutted out of the kitchen, wearing nothing but a pair of low-hanging sweatpants and his usual cocky grin. His bare chest was on full display, gleaming with that faint sheen of sweat that came with a long day. The problem was Hawks always insisted on wandering around like this—shirtless and carefree, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Dabi hated how much it affected him.

"Why do you always have to be half-naked in this place?" Dabi grumbled, eyes focused on the TV, but his peripheral vision betrayed him. He could see every detail—the flex of Hawks' chest, the way his muscles moved as he stretched, and those damn wings that flared out as he yawned.

Hawks chuckled, clearly not taking Dabi's complaint seriously. "Come on, Dabi. You're not still mad about the whole shirtless thing, are you? It's just how I sleep, man. Plus, it's hot in here." He fanned himself with a wing dramatically, clearly enjoying Dabi's discomfort.

"Maybe if you wore a shirt like a normal person, you wouldn't be hot."

"Or maybe," Hawks smirked, stepping closer to the couch, "you just like complaining. Is my bare chest that distracting?"

Dabi's grip tightened on the remote, heat creeping up his neck. "Shut up, birdbrain," he muttered, trying to ignore the flutter in his chest every time Hawks teased him.

It wasn't just the fact that Hawks didn't wear a shirt. It was that Dabi *wanted* to look. Wanted to run his fingers along those wings, see if they were as soft as they looked. He wanted to touch the toned muscles that Hawks so casually flaunted. But he couldn't. They were just roommates. That's all.

Besides, Hawks was probably just messing with him, right? Hawks liked messing with people. But then again... the way his eyes lingered sometimes, the way he seemed to enjoy provoking Dabi in particular, it made Dabi wonder.

"Don't act all shy now, Dabi. I see the way you look at me," Hawks continued, flopping down beside Dabi on the couch, way too close for comfort. His wing brushed against Dabi's arm, and that small contact made Dabi's heart race. He could smell the scent of Hawks—clean, warm, a little spicy, probably from whatever cologne he used.

Dabi shifted uncomfortably. "I'm not looking at you. Get over yourself."

Hawks grinned; his golden eyes gleaming mischievously. "Liar."

Dabi scowled, but the pink dusting his cheeks gave him away. "You're annoying."

Hawks stretched again, his arms lifting up over his head as his wings flared out. "Guess you'll just have to deal with me like this. Or maybe... you want me to cover up?"

There was a challenge in Hawks' voice, a teasing lilt that sent a wave of frustration through Dabi. Why did Hawks always have to be like this? Dabi couldn't handle it anymore. He was about to snap back with a retort when Hawks suddenly shifted closer, leaning in with a knowing smirk.

"Or maybe you like the view," Hawks whispered, his lips almost brushing against Dabi's ear.

Dabi's breath hitched, his heart racing in his chest. He turned to glare at Hawks, but his face was much closer than expected, so close that Dabi could feel the warmth radiating from him.

For a brief second, neither of them moved. The air between them felt thick, charged with an unspoken tension. Hawks' playful smirk faltered, replaced by something softer, more vulnerable. His eyes flickered down to Dabi's lips and back up, and Dabi knew in that moment that Hawks wasn't just teasing. There was something real in his gaze, something that made Dabi's pulse quicken even more.

But before Dabi could say anything, Hawks pulled away with a nervous laugh, scratching the back of his head. "Uh... anyway, I'm gonna hit the sack," he said, his usual cockiness faltering slightly. He stood up, stretching his wings out before heading toward his room, leaving Dabi sitting there, staring after him.

Dabi watched as Hawks disappeared down the hallway, his heart still pounding. He let out a shaky breath, running a hand through his hair.

That damn bird was going to be the death of him.

But one thing was clear—there was definitely something between them. Maybe, just maybe, Dabi wasn't the only one struggling with feelings.