"Why didn't you use the new technique on him?" His intense gaze landed on me, crossing his arms as he leaned back into the alley wall. Raven locks fell on top of his aqua stare. He was even beautiful when he was upset. I shifted  in my place. What would I tell him? Oh damn sorry I was just too stunned to do jack shit although I've been working as a villain for about eight and a half years? "I don't know Touya... I just froze" I mumbled, still embarrassed he had to come to save my ass. Images of his intense honey gaze flooded my mind, sending shivers through my body. There were many things about that encounter I didn't understand. Why was he holding a knife to my throat? His hands were shaking. Did he hesitate? And why the hell did he push me away when Touya was about to burn us to a crisp? Why did he save me? I held on to the duffel bag, beginning to walk away from the dark alley. Dabi opened his mouth. "It's D-.. never mind" he quickly dropped his correction.

"They're most likely coming for us for keeping the money." I thought out loud, picking up my pace to the known location we always went to. The dark tones of the night made us blend in with the atmosphere. Nothing could be heard besides our dry footsteps and the city night sounds. They helped to soothe and relief whatever tension I was feeling. Dabi walked next to me in silence. I could tell he was still upset because of the soft crackling noise that was accompanied by warmth next to me. Small curses left his lips, barely inaudible.

"Probably. But I can't bother with that right now" his tone simmered with passive aggressiveness. He pressed his lips together and continued. "At this rate we're going to have to move. If we get chased for keeping the money it won't be a nice showdown. We either make a run or try to find that fucking ginger and I don't think we have the time for that (y/n)"

An annoyed groan came from me. I hated moving. We were always constantly on the run and once things got too heated we moved onto the next district. Finding somewhere new to crash in was always a chore. I despised it with every inch of my being. I kicked a rock away from my way and sighed, evaluating his words. He was right. We either had to make a run for it or pursue the ginger gambler. I still couldn't forget his sly nod, allowing me to use the money as I pleased to gamble away for his amusement. Why was he even there in the first place?

"Where to next then?.." I asked. My tone dropped a bit, disappointed from the failed mission and the news he brought.

He remained silent for a few moments, almost as if he was evaluating something. No, he was most likely debating on something. The look in his eyes was unmistakable for me. I frowned and stepped closer. He was warmer than usual, a sign that he was still upset from the earlier evens. Why did he care so much about it?

"Hey, What's wrong?" I murmured softly.

Dabi glanced at me, aqua eyes flickering at me for a split moment. A storm of commotion drowned his expression. The moment he noticed I was analyzing he turned away from me. You know I can tell when something's wrong Tou.. .Concern riddled my system as we walked. My thoughts turned and chimed in the way, curiosity was slowly eating at me. I knew the evening had taken a wrong turn but it wasn't uncommon to have a few flunked missions. It was all part of the job.

We headed towards a more secluded side of town, crossing to a darker part of the city and across some abandoned tunnels. I followed Dabi into a territory of abandoned houses. We usually invaded the area and scared off whatever homeless laid there, leaving all of the place for ourselves. Nowadays that's how things worked, state dominance to obtain power. The world was truly a sickening place, but oh well.

The house in which we were staying at this time wasn't anything overly classy. Just a mid class budgeted home. Dabi kicked open the door and walked in, waiting for me to enter before closing it. I made my way through all the old furniture and sat down on the nicest looking couch. I then opened the duffel bag. The soft moonlight of the falling night lit up part of the home, Dabi's flame also assisting my vision to be able to count the money.

"Seems like we didn't drop a lot on the run, I'm pretty sure this will be enough for our next move." I held some of the stashes in my hand, glad we got away with keeping the hefty amount of money.

"Seems like the outburst benefitted is in the end" He spoke with a chuckle.  A small smile made its way to my lips yet quickly vanished as I remembered there was still something wrong.

"Touya, you avoided my question earlier" I pushed. If he didn't want to talk about it I preferred he would just say it to my face. He brought his hands into his pockets, piercing aqua gaze now casting down upon me. "There's nothing wrong witchette" I puffed my cheeks at the mention of my annoying nickname. "Don't pull that crap on me. I saw you earlier" I insisted once again, taking a step closer to him. "It's fine if you don't want to talk about it but don't lie to me Touya. I know you better than that" I scoffed. An awkward silence hung in the air for a few eternal feeling moments. Did I push too much? Did I hurt him? Is he annoyed? Negative thoughts began lurking in my mind.

My thoughts were interrupted as a strong pair of arms pulled me in and wrapped around my waist. His blemished chin rested lightly on my head, the crinkled skin of his scars brushing against my forehead. "Look, it's nothing witchette. I'm just.." he trailed off. There was something edging about the way he spoke. His words carried sorrow and spite, yet there was an odd serenity to them. He was trying to coax me for something. I peered up at him. "You're?" I encouraged him to go on. He stared down at me for a few decisive moments and sighed, giving into my persistence. "I'm upset I wasn't there earlier to help you out. I left you alone with that fucking ass reject when I could have made it if I was faster. You can't handle everything on your own (y/n). I should have melted his face off when I got the damn chance. I only held back when.."

"When he pushed me out of the way" I finished. It was weird the enemy saved me like that. Was he some sort of antihero? "I don't know what the fuck was going through his mind but I can definitely say that he used his quirk on me. I just have no idea what it did" I buried my face deeper into his chest. What if it was taking an effect on me right now? What was that glow? I inwardly groaned. His large hands ran through my (h/c) locks, pulling on the knots in an attempt to be gentle. Although it hurt I  couldn't help but feel the anxiety melting off my system, allowing myself to relax in his embrace. This was an odd occurrence so I made the best out of it. I didn't like calling myself clingy, but I would love  this type of attention more often. As cold and different as he grew, he had a soft spot for me.

I allowed myself to calm down and rely on his company. Dabi pressed a warm palm to my cheek, a delicate gesture he didn't do unless I was agitated. It always served me as some sort of tranquilizer. Beat after beat my hart rate picked up as if I was running a marathon. As much as I found the odd affection calming , I knew this meant there was something big coming. I didn't like that, I truly didn't like it at all. "What are the news?" I spoke suddenly. He was being gentle for a reason.

Dabi pulled his hand away from my cheek, the lack of warmth disappointed me. His jaw twitched at my accusation. "Nothing you probably already haven't guessed" his tone remained oddly serene under his gruff words. Moving. "Of course" I whispered, clearly upset. "Moving" also meant he would be going out and around to follow the usual routine to lay low. He'll go missing again.

We pulled away from each other soon enough. I crossed my arms, glancing back at the recently gained money. "How long are you planning to disappear this time?" I muttered bitterly. Dabi leaned back against the wall, increasing the distance between us. "Who knows? You know I don't do it for nothing whitchette. I've been looking into ways for us not to have to move around so much" Something inside me went off that second. It was always this way. He would go missing for weeks, sometimes maybe even months and he'd always say the same crap. "How long do you expect me to believe that one?" I spat. Dabi raised a brow at me. "I wouldn't lie to you (y/n)" God damnit. Don't use my name like that. It's not fair. "Would you?" I muttered under my breath. I realized I was getting agitated for something that wouldn't go anywhere so I decided to change the subject. Poking around topics that had no resolve was useless.

"Well, it's getting late. We should put this shit away and start scheduling our next move." Way to go (y/n). I thought, already heading towards the money and weapons on the floor. I began picking them up and organizing them. Dabi nodded and walked over to a worn down bookshelf in the living room, running his fingers through the several books that were in the shelves. He easily dismissed the pooling argument, after all I just allowed him to dodge a bullet. More like a poison spilling trauma inducing bullet. He pulled out a single worn out black book. It was what we used as a map. An old recording of the city and the underground tunnels with ways to move around. Even though it was somewhat outdated it still helped.

He placed the book on the table and sat down, pulling out a worn out pen from inside of the said book. He opened it and flipped through the tinted pages until his gaze met a specific page. "Here it is" He murmured, tracing his finger along the paper. I raised an eyebrow and put down the gun I was loading at the moment and went to the table. I sat down aside him and leaned close. "Did you find something?" I asked curiously. My head poked closer to him as I leaned forward to get a better look.

Dabi nodded, turning the book towards me. A location was circled in red ink with small annotations next to it. I examined the notes, nodding. "You think this is a good place to go?" I asked. Skepticism was drawn all over my features. The location was a rather busy area in an urban district. Hero activity wasn't so prominent due to it being marked as a peaceful city. I crossed my arms, waiting for his response. It was an odd location to choose.

"I do. Think about it (Y/N). If we move there we'll be hidden in plain sight. Pretty fucking simple" He deadpanned, moving onto another chapter in the book that provided more information about the district in question. I rested my hand on my cheek. If we hid in plain sight maybe it would be a good idea. The people we were running away from weren't the smartest people we've worked with. Actually no, they're complete fucking morons. I hummed. His plan wasn't bad after all.

"Alright. It sounds like a plan. I'll handle the route and prepare the weapons. You go get some rest. It's my turn to stand watch anyways." I got up and walked back to the weapon stash, leaning down to grab my cleaning kit to load and fix whatever weapons were already running down or dirty. My hands searched for my gas mask also. Might as well clean this too.

I traced my thumb over the cool metal. The mask was rather old and beaten, yet it still worked like a charm. It's been 8 years ever since Dabi got it for me. I've taken care of it as if it was my own child. I chuckled at my own thoughts and grabbed my tools.

"You still don't want to let go of it do you?" He asked me, his aqua blue eyes gazing over the mask. "It's about time we should get you a new one witchette" I rolled my eyes and sighed, shaking my head. "No.. I like this one. I don't want to replace it till it breaks." My (E/C) orbs met with his, almost in a silent plead. He clicked his tongue and sat down next to me, taking a weapon as well. "I'll stay here today.." he stated.

I pressed my lips together "Are you sure? You should rest." I insisted. I was quickly shut down by a no from him. He fiddled with the said weapon as he spoke. "Look (Y/N) , once we move I'll have to go again to do my own missions and I'll probably be gone for some time. So just let me enjoy times like this" He was blunt and to the point. I blushed a soft shade of pink and nodded. Even though he said it in harsh ways, he cared. I fell for his request and sighed "Fine.. but resting is still important. You know I'll be fine. I don't need rest. I can't rest" I replied, looking up at the stars.

His eyes flickered back to me, a thin line drawn on his lips. "It's still going isn't it?" He scooted closer and traced his slender fingers on my cheek. My body instinctively flinched. "tsk.. I'm only checking Witchette" he murmured, leaning closer to inspect me better. His face stood inches away from mine. Soft breaths hit against the side of my cheek, a subtle shiver crawling down my back. "Your bags seem to get worse everyday.." It was true. I could never get a blink of sleep without jolting up five minutes later. "It's just a side effect.. usually sleeping pills do the trick" Dabi cocked his head to the side and frowned. A mocking chuckle escaped from his lips. "I know it's not just a side effect (y/n)" His voice carried bitterness, matching my earlier words. "I know you better than that (y/n)" I pouted and brought my fists to his chest to give him a playful push. "Don't use my own words against me like that!" I played off with a laugh.

He didn't seem to budge though. He remained as close as he was before. His lips curved into an exaggerated pout to match mine. "Then don't set yourself up like that" he growled with a smirk, flicking my nose. I huffed, holding in the urge to just crawl into his embrace and express my frustration about the topic. "Yeah I can't sleep a day without having horrific nightmares about my past or my own fears. Just your everyday trauma" Sarcasm oozed off my words. Dabi's smirk faded, being replaced by a more solemn expression. "Part of the job" he simply mused. Although it upset me how simple he painted it he was right. We chose this life after all. I was about to scoot away before he caught my wrist in his blemished grip. "But.. that doesn't mean we won't find a solution for it witchette" His voice lowered into a soft whisper. "Don't get my hopes up like that. You and I both know I haven't slept well in years" he seemed to want to say something but he dropped my wrist and fell silent.

"C'mere" he muttered. I didn't understand his request yet complied anyways. I yelped as two arms lifted me upwards. I opened my eyes to find myself sitting in between his legs, arms wrapped around my lower waist. Comfortable heat irradiated from him. His cheeks burned a bright pink from the corner of my vision. "Touya? Being affectionate? Touya T–" his hand quickly slapped on top of my lips. "Shut the fuck up" he threatened. Muffled giggles came from me as I comforted myself in his embrace. Soon enough he removed his hand, small chuckles coming from him as well. "You bring out the unexpected witchette. You should know this by now" I could feel his smirk behind me. "I know, I know. Touya is nothing but a big softie" I cooed teasingly. An Arsenal of curses flew off his mouth yet there was no words of denial. I rested my head on his back and admired the night sky, waiting for his comedic rage to cease. "Ya done yet?" I giggled. A frustrated sigh was met as my response. "For now, yes"

"Just.. try to sleep. I know the warmth helps" I nodded. Warmth was something I always craved, but not just any warmth. I craved T..

The night went by in a haze. We were able to talk about the stars and our plans for the near future.It reminded me of the times we did the same as children, except our dreams were now much different. Darkness prickled the corners of my vision. My eyelids felt heavier than my emotional baggage.

We used to be hopeful and have faith in heroes. We dreamed to become like them.

Now we sit under the stars , hoping to end them.

_______________________

Hello lovelies! This chapter is dedicated to @Suicidal_mess , @laufey_sin , @GreyTeaGreenTea , @YukinaFrost , @Charismatic-Sammi , @CrustedTinCan24 ,   @JocelynRodriguez , @YumekoJabamiStan and many others for commenting and supporting this book! Believe it or not all your comments get me going every single time and they make my days! I'm so grateful to all of you that chose to follow this journey.

(Note: this chapter is hella unedited so I'll go check it later lol)

ON A SEPARATE NOTE

A H U G E  THANK YOU TO @Suicidal_mess BECAUSE THEY ACTUALLY MADE FUCKING FANART YALL . THIS IS STUNNING!!

They should make an art book smh. I absolutely love this and I'm beyond grateful ! Thank you all

-Takutea