Dabi x Deku

Chapter 12 (Unfinished Business)

Izuku spent most of the evening pacing his room, Dabi's hurried exit still weighing heavily on his mind. Something about the way Dabi had forced that smile told Izuku this wasn't just some minor problem. He knew Dabi could handle himself — the guy was stubborn and tough — but still... Izuku couldn't shake the feeling that Dabi was walking straight into trouble.

By the time Izuku's phone buzzed, he practically lunged for it.

Todoroki: "I asked around. Dabi's been poking around some rough areas lately. Might be meeting some old gang connections. Be careful."

Izuku's heart sank. Old gang connections? Whatever Dabi was tangled in, it wasn't good.

"I can't just sit here," Izuku muttered to himself. Grabbing his shoes and jacket, he bolted out the door.

The air outside was crisp and sharp as Izuku moved quickly down the empty streets. Todoroki had mentioned a spot near an abandoned warehouse in the industrial district. Izuku kept to the shadows, blending in as best he could, until he spotted a familiar figure.

Dabi was leaning against a wall near a dimly lit alley. He was talking to two men — one broad-shouldered with a thick scar across his chin, and another wiry with a mean scowl. The air around them felt tense.

Izuku crept closer, heart pounding. He couldn't hear everything, but enough words reached him to paint a bad picture:

"...Not interested in your deal."

"You think you can just walk away, Dabi?"

"I think you know what'll happen if you try something."

The broad-shouldered man reached into his jacket, and Izuku knew things were about to turn ugly.

"Dabi! Look out!" Izuku yelled, rushing forward without thinking.

In an instant, the man lunged at Dabi, a flash of metal gleaming in his hand. Dabi ducked back, dodging the blade with practiced ease. Blue flames erupted from Dabi's palms, crackling violently in the air. The men stumbled back, cursing.

"Deku, what the hell are you doing here?!" Dabi barked, still holding his flames at the ready.

"I... I was worried about you!" Izuku shot back. "I couldn't just—"

"I had this under control!" Dabi growled, but the tension in his face faltered. "Whatever. Just stay behind me."

The two thugs regrouped, both pulling weapons this time. Dabi's flames flared brighter, illuminating the alley in an eerie blue light. But before the fight could escalate, Izuku charged forward. Green lightning crackled around his arms as he slammed a powerful punch into the scarred man's chest, sending him sprawling.

"Guess you're not completely useless," Dabi muttered with a smirk, hurling a blast of flame at the other thug. The man yelped and ran, dragging his unconscious partner away.

"You okay?" Izuku asked, breathless.

Dabi extinguished his flames with a sharp flick of his wrist. "I'm fine," he muttered. "But you're a damn idiot for following me."

"I was just—"

"I know." Dabi sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Look... thanks. For jumping in."

Izuku grinned sheepishly. "Anytime."

"But if you pull that stunt again," Dabi warned, stepping closer with a pointed finger, "I'm frying you myself."

"Deal," Izuku laughed, relieved that Dabi's usual sarcastic tone had returned.

"C'mon," Dabi said, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "You're buying me dinner."

"What? Why?"

"Because if you're gonna play hero in my business, you might as well pay for it."

They ended up in a quiet corner booth at a late-night ramen shop. Dabi barely touched his food at first, absentmindedly stirring his broth with his chopsticks. Izuku could tell something was still bothering him.

"You know," Izuku started, "If you need help with... whatever this is, you can tell me."

Dabi snorted. "Yeah, because you're just dying to get wrapped up in more of my problems."

"I'm serious," Izuku pressed. "I'm not just some hero-in-training playing backup. You're my friend. If you're in trouble... I want to help."

Dabi stared at him for a long moment before finally sighing. "I used to run with these guys," he muttered. "Before I... figured out who I really wanted to be. I did some bad things, Deku — things I'm not proud of." His gaze hardened. "But I can't just walk away from it. People like that don't just let you leave."

"That's why they were threatening you," Izuku said quietly.

"Yeah," Dabi nodded. "They're still holding something over me... stuff I don't want anyone finding out."

Izuku felt a lump in his throat. "Whatever it is... you don't have to go through it alone."

For a second, Dabi looked like he wanted to argue — but then his shoulders relaxed just a little.

"You're stubborn, you know that?"

"I've been told," Izuku grinned.

"Yeah, well..." Dabi muttered, slurping his ramen. "Don't get cocky."

Izuku just smiled, glad that — for tonight, at least — Dabi wasn't facing his demons alone.