𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 ⟢ 𝘁. 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗶/𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗶

𝟑𝟏: 𝐢 𝐜𝐚𝐧'𝐭

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𝐲𝐨𝐮

the nights with touya had started to feel more and more real—like the way it used to be when we were young, before everything fell apart. it wasn't just the physical closeness but the simple moments, the quiet routines we had settled into. sometimes we would watch old movies, sprawled out on my couch, or share stories about the past, trying to pretend the world outside didn't exist. there were times when his smile felt genuine, softer, like he was just touya again and not the villain everyone else saw.

tonight was one of those nights. the low hum of music played in the background, filling the living room as we sat on the floor together, a deck of cards spread out between us. he had his back against the couch, his long legs stretched out, while i sat cross-legged across from him. the warmth of the fireplace flickered nearby, casting a soft glow over his features, making the stitches on his cheeks seem less harsh.

"so, have you thought about it?" i asked, breaking the comfortable silence as i shuffled the cards. "about my proposal?"

his gaze flicked up to meet mine, a small, humorless smile tugging at his lips. "you really think a fancy suit is all it takes to make me a hero, huh?" he drawled, leaning back and crossing his arms. "i'm not exactly cut out for that kind of life, y/n."

"that's not what i said," i shot back, setting the deck down and folding my hands in my lap. "i just think you deserve a chance to decide for yourself. you don't have to be a hero for them... you could do it for you."

he huffed a quiet laugh, but there was no real amusement behind it. "you're giving me way too much credit, sweetheart," he murmured, shaking his head. "i've thought about it, yeah. but no matter what you say, there's still blood on my hands. i can't just put on some suit and pretend that makes everything okay, that i didn't suffer because of endeavor."

there was a pause, a tension that hung in the air between us. i could see the conflict in his eyes, the way his gaze shifted as if he was searching for the right words. "besides," he continued, his voice dropping lower, "even if i wanted to, i'm not sure i could give up... everything else i've been fighting for."

"everything else?" i echoed, the question slipping out before i could stop it. i knew better than to pry, knew that there were pieces of his life he wasn't ready to share. but i couldn't help wondering if there was more to his refusal—more than just the weight of his past.

"yeah," he said simply, his eyes darkening as he looked away. "you wouldn't understand."

we let the topic fall, drifting back into the quiet routine that had become almost familiar over the past few weeks. i dealt the cards again, and we resumed our game, the sounds of shuffling and the occasional banter filling the room. it felt so normal, so ordinary, that it was almost easy to forget that touya was still dabi and that our time together existed in a fragile balance.

"what about you?" he asked after a while, his tone casual but laced with an edge of curiosity. "have you thought about what i said? about leaving?"

i glanced at him, setting my cards down slowly. "i've thought about it," i admitted, my voice barely a whisper. "but... i can't. not right now."

his jaw tightened, and i could see the faintest flicker of frustration behind his calm expression. "why not? what's keeping you here?"

"it's just... there are things i need to see through," i replied carefully, not wanting to reveal too much. about what the commission had already decided for me in the war, but i couldn't tell him that. "people who are depending on me. it wouldn't feel right to just walk away."

"so, you're staying for them," he said, his tone clipped. "sounds a lot like putting everyone else above yourself again."

"it's not about putting them above me," i said, frowning slightly. "it's about doing what i think is right. i'm not running away just because things are hard."

his gaze was piercing, holding mine for a beat too long. "no, i suppose you wouldn't," he muttered, almost to himself. "you've always been like that."

the air between us seemed heavier now, the playful mood from earlier fading as we both retreated into our thoughts. it wasn't the first time our conversations had taken this turn—where the reality of our situation would creep back in, reminding us of the inevitability that hung over us like a shadow.

still, there had been good nights. nights where we felt like more than just a pair of broken people clinging to each other for warmth. nights where i could almost convince myself we were just a normal couple—laughing at stupid jokes, sharing quiet moments on the couch, tangled together under the sheets. it was those nights that made it harder to face the truth, harder to remember that we weren't really living in a world where things could just go back to the way they were.

i reached out, my fingers brushing against the back of his hand, drawing his attention back to me. "touya," i said softly, "just because you don't think you can be a hero doesn't mean you don't deserve a chance to start over."

he looked at me then, really looked at me, his expression hardening just a fraction. "maybe," he said, his voice rough, "but i'm not sure i'm interested in starting over."

i didn't know what to say to that. maybe there was nothing i could say. so i just nodded, offering him a small, sad smile. "then, let's just... stay like this a little longer. just you and me. no war, no villains, no heroes. just us."

he didn't reply, but his hand slipped into mine, his thumb brushing over my knuckles in a way that felt almost comforting. for a moment, i let myself believe that it was enough—that these small, stolen moments could somehow make up for all the things we couldn't say.

but deep down, i knew this fragile peace wouldn't last. the war was coming, and soon enough, the choices we had avoided making would catch up to us. and when they did, i wasn't sure if we'd be standing on the same side.