Boku No Hero Academia One Shots [Book 2]

Touya Todoroki ღ Dabi

Requested by: Fluxwrss and skywalkette

[A/N]: They were basically the same request, so I combined them. I hope this is alright!

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Carnage.

It was the first thought that, upon your return, plunged a thousand knives deep into his chest. The mission you had demanded he allow you to execute alone was never supposed to entail such bloodshed - not on your end. In his mind's eye, he had borne witness to your insane battle prowess, and you came out unscathed.

...It was little more than wishful thinking.

"See? That's what happens when you try to do something without me." These words didn't betray his concern, although it nigh-drowned him.

Don't show that you care. It's disgusting. She'll leave.

To you, that statement was unreasonable - abhorrent, even. "Are you suggesting that I'm incompetent? I don't need you to control me, Dabi! I'm perfectly fine without your sorry ass!"

"Yeah? Then how come you're bleeding so badly?" He wasn't proficient at veiling his criticisms, though...you were doubtful it bothered him.

"It's just a flesh wound."

He scoffed. "Do your own bandages, then, if you're really so capable."

"I can't move my arms properly, you shit!" A rather transparent attempt at deception - in actuality, you craved even a tiny ounce of compassion from this man who had promised to you his love and loyalty. A healthy relationship shouldn't be so tumultuous...right?

"Sounds like a you problem." Your grave wounds were the catalyst for this particular fight, but...there should have been comfort, a warm embrace in which to nestle. Not...whatever this was becoming.

Screw it. "ARGHH! This is why I don't ask you to do stuff! You always complain! It's like you don't even love me!"

"Maybe I don't." Why was he avoiding your gaze? "Oi, if you're always planning to get that injured, you won't go on any more missions until I say so."

"Oh my god, stop treating me like an object that's about to break! I'm not a replacement for your younger brother!"

The remark was induced by rage and fatigue. It was senseless. The threat of abuse or abandonment had always plagued this relationship (thus, both parties were initially hesitant to commit), but it hadn't ever seemed so tangible. There was typically a balance, although perhaps a little skewed. Your retort may have finally tipped that beyond comfort or stability...far beyond redemption. It was taboo. It had been, since the day he poured all his faith, all his love into you. It was such an important factor in his life - it moulded him, scorched his skin and lured him closer to villainy. It was a secret...one you shouldn't have even known.

But you did. You harboured his deepest fears and insecurities. And you just used them against him. It was an action of spite, maybe even cowardice - why own up to your own mistakes, when flaunting someone else's simultaneously furnished you with a protective blanket, and destroyed any semblance of trust? It was deplorable. Dabi had every right to express his frustration.

A hushed voice tempted you to yell, to release the floodgates - lay out everything on your mind, amid a flurry of tears. It wouldn't be helpful. It certainly wouldn't alleviate the tension. It wouldn't restore the bond you shared. It would do nothing...absolutely nothing. But that voice...it persisted, growing louder and louder, until you could scarcely hear over it. Dabi, despite his immobility, was an imposing figure. You prayed he wouldn't cause more damage, to either yourself or the room. But prayers wouldn't save you, not if violence was his intention.

You swallowed down the blame, but terror had sliced your tongue.

Your throat constricted.

I'm dying. I'm dying! I need to leave...right now!

A silent apology lingered in the air, as you bolted down the hallway. Tonight, your walls would provide both security and shelter. Hopefully Dabi wouldn't resort to...burning them. But, well...you made a lapse in your judgement. So...it would be understandable for him to lash out. Rolling around in your sheets, you anticipated an fury-fuelled attack. Dabi hadn't responded to your words of malice, but the pain glimmering in his eyes filled you with regret. It was instant. It wasn't the type of wound that a simple plaster could repair. 

Your idiocy transcended all boundaries.

A verbal apology would surely be of little consequence now. The injury had been sustained, and neither side had won the battle. You contemplated for hours, mustering up the courage to confront him once more, but almost immediately settling back down. After all, your pride had remained intact, and he too was guilty of offence. There hadn't been a sole flame-fanner. You were both at fault. If that was obvious, then...why were you wallowing in such an unpleasant feeling? If the blame could be bestowed on to both parties...why weren't you recognising this together? Why weren't you figuring out a solution...together?

Together, you commanded a nearly unrivalled amount of power. You couldn't function properly without the other! So why had you allowed yourselves to part?

Why were you hiding? That was a man whom you adored like no other, and yet you had stabbed his heart over and over with your insensitivity. Now it needed mending. And while you probably weren't his ideal guest, for the meantime, you hoped he would surrender to your needle, as you stitched up the cracks in his soul.

Your remorse was genuine.

You flung your weary self around his shoulders, careful not to disturb the patches of burnt flesh. You weren't looking for forgiveness, but he gave it anyway. And those taboo subjects...they would never resurface. You vowed it - a vow destined to last until your dying breaths.

Dabi cracked a smile. "How about we watch a film? Horror or Thriller?"

"You ass, you know I hate scary films!!"

A just punishment, indeed. 

[Word Count: 954]