Drip. Drip. Drip.

The sky was a never-ending grey abyss, dropping shattered fragments onto the city.

The rain pelted his coat. His black spikey hair defied gravity, swaying with the misty breeze. He was standing on a sidewalk, staring at the café across the street. He gripped his fist shut and released. His tired dopey eyes glared past the window. He ignored the warm sensation in his chest seeing her act as her usual ditsy airhead self.

"Tch." He clicked his teeth. He put his hands in his pockets and walked away.

Uraraka set down a tray of food. She felt a shiver, she perked up, "huh?" She glanced to the window. Her eyes widened seeing him disappear from view. Her eyes softened with a liquid surface. "Dabi..." She bit her lip, deciding. "Cover for me, I'll be back soon!" She off-handed to her co-worker.

The doorbell chimed as she ran outside. "W-Wait!" Running across the street. She kept running until she reached the spot he left from view. She impatiently clicked her boots on the ground. "Geez, don't run off like that."

A blue spark caught her peripheral vision. She turned to the alley. She knew it had to be him. She flared her nostrils with a confident huff before walking ahead. Her steps began to stutter as she grew closer to the darkness.

" Yo."

Her eyes widened. Before she could react, his hand clamped around her mouth, pushing her against the wall. He put his index finger to his lips.

"Ssh, Ssh..." He had that laid back sadistic stare. Her eyes softened, she nodded. He decided for a few seconds before, sliding his grip down to her neck, still keeping her in a threatening embrace.

"How... How h-have you been..?" She struggled out in gasps.

That threw him for a loop, but then again that's why he came, he didn't understand her. He bit the side of his lip, glaring out the alley. "I'm alive..."

He pretended not to care for the small giggle she threw his way. She calmly placed her hand on the wrist gripping her. "I missed that... Your sarcasm, I mean." Her lips lifted as his hand grew weaker. "Did... Did you miss-..." She couldn't finish. He was staring down, his hair shadowing his eyes, and his fingers were twitching around her neck.

"Oi... What is this? You know I'm a villain, right? Why are you still acting like that, like we're still on good terms?"

She squirmed on her tippy-toes. "Oh, s-sorry I slapped you." She looked off, guilty.

He accidentally sucked in his breath, growing slight wide eyes. "That's not, that's not what I meant..."

"...I had a long talk with Deku a while back. He told me about the lives you guys have lived. I know you're a villain... But, but," she held his hand warmly, her voice was cracking earnestly. "B-But you're... You're still my friend, ne?"

The rain echoed on the city crackling pebbles. The wind scattered the droplets violently around them... And yet, in the eye contact they shared, there was a serene whirlwind of gravity-defying liquid orbs shared timelessly between them.

He couldn't hold back his gasp and his eyes fully growing wide, again because of her. His hand let go of her neck, dropping to the side. "I'm sorry." He whispered as the moment passed.

The wind and rain slowed down. She played with her feet, staring down, her hands behind her back. "My shift is almost over but tomorrow, okay?"

He kept quiet, his hands in his pockets.

She took that as a yes and smiled. "See ya tomorrow, Dabi!" She waved, happily skipping away. At the sidewalk, she spun on the heels of her boots. She lifted her shoulders with a welcoming toothy grin and giggle.

And walked away.

All Dabi could do was follow with his eyes, dumbfounded by her nature. He scoffed a smirk. "I don't understand you at all."

He turned back into the alley. He had somewhere to be.

Toga shook his shoulder as they arrived at the rendezvous. "I'm so excited, ne, ne! You are too, right Dabi?"

He ignored it, like usual. As they entered the shady back street hangout, they were greeted and asked to sit while they waited for the rest.

Tomura scratched his neck, seeing Dabi and Toga. "This involves him, doesn't it." Rashing his skin. "It always does." Agitated.

Chisaki took note of frustration. Although he calculated the benefits, he was still taking precautions. He knew the Heroes were onto him. 'But it doesn't look like he is after me. He just wanted to save Eri. If that's the case I'll string him along like a horse and a carrot.'

The cold dangling steps struck the hollow notes again. A crisp whisper chilled their skin as he entered. He was in his signature red boots, but with iron soles. His eyepatch. Black slacks tucked into the boots, his belt hung loose, he wore compact gloves, his mask guard, and a black turtleneck sweater.

Toga instantly had a bloody gush and bounced with anticipation.

Dabi hid his honest smile with a sarcastic smirk. He genuinely missed him. Deku was his only friend after all.

Tomura clawed faster, peeling his skin.

Chisaki merely observed him, like a piece in the game of chess they were all in.

And Izuku Midoriya was the pawn.

Eri happily hummed, adding a childish swing to holding Deku's hand. He smiled down at her.

"Hm, abandon me so quick, do you." Dabi lectured.

Eri giggled at his monotone voice. "But I barely get to see Uncle Deku! I always spend time with you."

Dabi tucked his hands in pockets, looking away. "Sorry for boring you."

"But you'll always be my favorite! Uncle Dabi!"

He grumbled with stiff shoulders. "You too kid, you too."

"C'mon Eri, someone's waiting for you." Deku softly spoke to her.

She blinked in curiosity. "Really? Who?"

Izuku just chuckled and shook his head.

Dabi glared with the same curiosity at Deku. Eri and Dabi had a shared expression causing Deku to laugh louder, although he tried to muffle it.

They were walking incognito as they always did. Taking the back alleys, walking among the crowded streets, secret gateways. Never being noticed by anyone. It was a skill they taught Eri as she began to live with them. Even though he was a high profile hero when he didn't want to be noticed he wasn't noticed.

Dabi began to grow uneasy. They had taken a garden path bridge over a ditch. It led them to this secluded two-story building hidden by the forest of skyscrapers. It was a wreck, plants were growing through the brick walls, a corner on the second floor was chipped off.

Dabi cussed at Deku for roping him in this way. He sheepishly apologized. Eri innocently gazed at Dabi then at Deku, still confused.

Dabi began to drag his feet as they entered the building. He followed behind as Izuku led them up the stair, to the room with the missing corner.

"Aunt Uraraka!" Eri beamed, running into the room and hugging her. Izuku greeted her, like he normally does, with a freckled smile.

"Hey, Eri! It's good to see you too! Has he been behaving?" Nodding her head to Dabi, he was trying to be aloof. Eri giggled and nodded. Uraraka giggled back.

Deku clumsily came up with a quick excuse to get out of there with Eri. "Eri, you haven't seen the sky from this building. It's pretty amazing. I'll show you."

"Okay." She asked if Uraraka and Dabi were joining them, Izuku smiled and said they would join them later.

"HI, Dabi." She gently twinkled her fingers to him. She knew this had a chance of backfiring on her.

He let out a breath of amusement."You used Eri and Deku to lure me here."

She had an uneasy laugh. "I know... Are you mad?"

He had closed the distance between them in such a nonchalant manner. He rubbed his hair. His dopey eyes had a hint of emotion. "I want to be."

She shifted the weight off the balls of her feet, rocking back and forth in delight. "Really?! I guess I was kinda right. Fifty, fifty chance you'd be upset."

"That so?"

"Mhm! Ne, guess what today is?"

"Our one year anniversary."

"... Eh?! You actually guessed right!"

"I didn't get you anything though."

"I figured as much. I'm just happily surprised you remembered that. Ehehehe!"

She finished her chirpy laugh, stepping up to him. She closed her eyes, standing on her tip-toes, to press her forehead against his.

"I've missed you."

I've missed you too."

It happened after Uraraka moved out of her parents' home. She was still working part-time at the café but instead of school, she had a freelance job as a hero. She finished her shift at the café late at night. She was confused about how to get back to her new apartment. Dabi was in the café, also heading out. She gulped then reached out to him. She clasped the sleeve of his coat, before asking. "Can you walk me home?" He grunted but nodded his head forward. She hesitated to follow until she noticed him waiting for her. "Thank you."

They couldn't find her place. Instead, Dabi led her to the abandoned two-story building. It was one of their safe houses.

It was cold. Her body shivered. His was warm. They shared an intimate stare, radiating the moonlight creeping through the missing corner. Their breaths came out condensed, heating the atmosphere. She traced her fingers over his burns. He asked her if she was scared. She said she trusted him.

They laid on the bed, breathing heavily. Her hand was aimlessly roaming around his hair. He was resting his head in the crook of her neck.

Deku had told her that he thought Dabi was an insomniac. She didn't know if he was sleeping or not, but she decided to hum a simple glimmer of affection against his ear.

She quietly giggled, hearing him snoring.

"Sweet dreams."