Leave Your Mark | Various!BNHA x Reader

82: Truth Laid Bare

You can only hold out hope for so long. At a certain point, it becomes glaringly obvious that things aren't unfolding the way you want them to.

A sketchy alleyway, Dabi's visible caution earlier when scanning the area, and a villain broker by the name of Giran. The evidence is quite literally staring you in the face. This isn't pure speculation anymore, or even a case of paranoia. And that's not even taking into account the way Dabi's looking at you right now. The way he's reacting, like he's so clearly been caught red-handed.

You thought you were making genuine progress when it came to his future. You thought that at least this time, in this world, he could actually be happy. You truly believed you had the ability to make such a thing possible.

But... you were wrong, weren't you? So, so very wrong.

"You shouldn't be here," Dabi finally responds. It's not even an answer to your question. In fact, it's more incriminating than anything else, and he even furrows his brows, lightly pushing you back. "Go home. It's too late for you to be out all alone anyway. I'll be fine, so don't worry about me."

Go home...?

He can't be serious. He can't honestly expect you to do that, not when you've just stumbled upon him trying to join the League of Villains.

"Answer me," you instead demand, and you even grab onto his wrist, refusing to let go. "What are you doing? Tell me. Tell me the truth."

Dabi's face scrunches in obvious frustration. "Hey. I'm telling you to drop it. This is none of your business, so just trust me and leave—"

"That man's a villain, isn't he? And you were about to follow him. You were about to join him."

Dabi's eyes widen. Perhaps he thought he had a chance of convincing you otherwise, or maybe he wasn't expecting you to be so certain of what kind of person Giran is, but regardless, you said what needed to be said. You spoke firmly, with conviction—and naturally, Giran heard you too.

"That's a bit rude, little lady," he chuckles. "Calling someone a villain out of nowhere. We were just having a quick chat. We're long-time friends, you see."

You stare at him coldly. "No, you're lying. You were going to get him roped into something terrible. I just know it."

"Terrible?" Giran says, arching a brow. "Well, that depends. Opinions are subjective, after all. What one person considers good may not apply to the next, and so on. Anyway, what I'm getting at here is that... I should probably leave. Goodbye!"

He takes off running a split second before he even gets his last word out, and Dabi stares at him, jaw agape, as if he can't believe what's happening right now. Even so, you hold firm. You don't loosen your grip on him, not even for a single moment. Not until Giran has completely disappeared from sight.

It's only then that Dabi finally seems to grasp the situation, and he scowls irritably, yanking his arm away from you.

"I told you to leave," he snaps, glaring daggers at you. "I told you not to get involved, but you refused to listen. You don't even understand what the hell you just did. That was the best opportunity I could have possibly gotten, and you ruined it."

"I didn't ruin anything," you say, glaring right back. "I want to help you. I want to prevent you from destroying your own life. Did you really think I was just going to stand by and watch while you become a villain? I'm a hero. And even if I wasn't, do I seem like the kind of person that would allow someone I care about to jeopardize their entire future?"

For a moment, shock colors Dabi's features. You can't recall if you've ever outright stated you care about him before—even though it should be obvious—but it gives him pause.