"She's late." Ai huffed, swirling her drink in hand. She looked up and glanced around the dingy bar. "Maybe her and Todoroki are busy banging."

"Give her a break, she may just be taking a long needed rest!" Ranka inquired.

"I think my idea's more likely. I swear that girl never rests."

"You two share that commonality~" Ranka grinned, hand pressed to his cheek.

"What? The rest thing or the getting dick thing?" Ai retorted. "Cause lemme tell ya, I haven't seen action in ages."

"I thought you met up with someone for a date last week?"

"Yeaaahhhhh but he wanted to put it in my ass so I took his wallet and ducked out ASAP."

"Ai, if you keep stealing everyone's money, no one will meet you for a date." He chuckled, sliding another drink across the bar to her.

"Not my fault people don't lock their wallets."

The two of them shared small talk for a bit longer, soon being disturbed by a small group of bystanders.

"Excuse me." One of the women called over. "Are the two of you close to (y/n)?"

"Yeah, what's it to ya?" Ai scoffed.

"Oh uh, we were just wondering if she was coming out toni-"

Ai slammed her glass against the table, shattering it.

"Oh my..." Ranka sighed. "Not another one..."

"Listen here you scrawny bitch ass, lookin ass woman..." Ai growled. "(Y/n) can be here whenever she damn well chooses." The entirety of the group began to tremble. "And if you looked around and didn't find her, I shit you the fuck not she ain't here. How bout you learn to use those shitty eyes and stop bothering a girl who's just minding her own business. Kay thanks."

"O-Okay, sorry to bother you..." The stranger stammered, quickly retreating to her group and vanishing amount the crowded bar.

"Hnngggggg FOR REAL THOUGH, WHERE IS SHE?!" Ai complained the moment they had disappeared.

"Oh my," Ranka huffed, fixing the girl up another drink in a hurry. "You're quite the hypocrite I see."

"Please, I can't help that I adore (y/n). After all, I am like her big sister."

"I don't recall Kyoko ever approving of that position." A mysterious voice retorted.

"HAH?!" Ai growled, ready to smash her freshly poured drink. She whipped around in her seat in a hurry to meet the adversary. Her jaw dropped the moment she had laid eyes on the man.

"You-?!" Ranka gasped.

Ai's eyes narrowed at the stranger. The air in the bar instantly became tense, and everyone could feel it. It was a complete shift in ambiance from the typical cheery and loud setting. People instinctively backed away from the two. Ai set her drink down and stood from her seat.

"Long time no see, Dabi..."

"Come on now, that's the tone you use with an old friend?" He scoffed.

"Friends?!" She nearly snarled. "I'd hardly call us that."

"Hey now you two, don't cause a scene..." Ranka pleaded from behind the bar.

Ai tensed up further. The room had grown quiet besides a few offhanded whispers.

"Why are you back Dabi? Don't tell me... It's not because of (y/n), is it?!" Her tone escalated.

"What's it to you? I just came here for a drink." He calmly responded.

"DON'T FUCK WITH ME!" Ai had stepped forward, taking hold of Dabi's shirt collar. "DON'T GO NEAR HER! DON'T DRAG HER BACK INTO THIS MESS! DON'T UNDUE WHAT HAD TO BE DONE!"

"I wouldn't put her through that all of a sudden. You should know that better than anyone." Dabi remained completely unfazed, his hand coming up to take hold of hers. "Now let go of me."

Ai glared at the man for a moment, grip only tightening more. But tensions were high and there was no point to pick a fight in the end. She knew this. Reluctantly, she released him.

"Fine. So then, why are you here?"

"Well, you are partially right about one thing." He scoffed. "It is about (y/n)." Dabi walked over and took a seat at the bar next to Ai. He rested his elbows on the countertop, his chin against his fist. "Were you aware that she was attacked yesterday?"

"SHE WAS WHAT?!" Ai yelled. "I SWEAR THAT GIRL DOESN'T TELL ME ANYTHING!"

"Are you really surprised? She doesn't tell anyone anything. The only reason I know this is because I'm the one who saved her."

"I see..." Ai signed.

"You have our thanks." Ranka added.

Dabi ignored the friendly gesture, his eyes glancing to the side, observing the many people who lingered.

"There's more here." He muttered. "People from the same group. They're always waiting for her."

Ai and Ranka peered around also. They were well aware of this.

"Where is she now?" Ai questioned.

"She's at her apartment. She looked upset about something."

"What?! I'm going over here right now-"

"Don't." Dabi inserted. "Antagonizing her will only push her away more. Besides, I'm sure the old man is keeping tabs on her too."

"You didn't try to console her? I guess your face isn't the only thing that changed." She huffed.

"If I casually approach her again, I may look like a stalker."

"THAT'S PRACTICALLY WHAT YOU ARE!"

"I keep an eye on her when she's out in the open alone. That's all." Dabi responded. "And the two of you are partially to blame for this."

"Hah?!" Ai raised an eyebrow. "The fuck is that supposed to mean?! You looking to fight you crispy bastard?!"

"Ai sweetie please!" Ranka chimed in. "Let him speak."

"The two of you aid in keeping (y/n) oblivious. She doesn't even remember half of her power." Dabi scoffed.

"We have our reasons. You know that Dabi." Ai growled.

"Is that so? You'd take away her freedom of choice just for your own security of mind? That's low Aisa. Then again, that is something you've done to her before-"

"GET OUT!" Ai commanded.

"No need to get so worked up over facts." Dabi smirked, standing from his seat and tucking his hands in his pockets. "Well then, I'll be taking off."

Ranka ran around to the other side of the bar, placing his hands on Ai's shoulders in an attempt to comfort her. He rubbed small circles on her back before glancing up at Dabi.

"Listen to me," Ranka's voice deepened to that of a threatening tone. "If you do anything rash, you will be sorry."

"Is that so?" Dabi chuckled. "Perhaps I'll think about it."

With that, he turned towards the exit and walked off. The eyes of the bystanders were glued to him. But he left without any fuss, the door swinging gently closed behind him.

Ranka relaxed the moment he left. He looked back down at his dear friend. Ai was still in a bit of shock.

"Are you alright Ai dear?" Ranka sweetly questioned, voice returning to its typical state.

Yeah, I'm alright." Ai huffed. She lowered herself slowly back to her seat and turned towards the countertop.

"It just brought up some bad memories."