Chapter Text
“God, I need a drink.” Dabi groaned to himself as he crushed his cigarette under his boot. It had been another long week. He didn’t know how many odd jobs he had done for Giran these past few days, but it was getting boring. Well, at least he should be thankful he’s got some extra money to throw around in his favorite bar. Hopefully Twice will be there to keep him entertained.
The famous, or infamous bar by some standards, was at the end of a maze of dark and frankly dirty alleyways. No heroes ever patrolled these streets, knowing it was a lost cause. So, without heroes around, criminal activity skyrocketed. Thankfully, Dabi made a name for himself so everyone avoided him like death.
Dabi roughly opened the door to the bar before strolling inside with his hands folded behind his head.
“Dabi!” Toga, resident high-school-dropout-who-definitely-wasn't-allowed-to-drink not-after-what-happened-last-time, cheered from the counter, where she sat across from black haired man behind the bar. Huh. Never seen him before. Dabi thought as he raised a brow but turned away before it became too obvious he wanted to stare at him.
Instead, Dabi turned to the small booth in the corner of the room, shooting quick glances whenever he could.
If he came around before, Dabi would’ve remembered him. The guy’s on the scrawny side. If any other criminal cornered him on the streets, he’d definitely lose his wallet. And, his red eyes are gripping, he had to keep staring at them every chance he got. Dabi couldn’t tell if it was in a good way or not. They were bright and sharp and different. They were exaggerated by his black hair that was somehow messy but shiny.
Dabi was so busy staring while trying to look nonchalant that he almost walked into the table where Twice was nursing his drink.
“Fuck off! Hey Dab man!” The blond greeted amicably. “Can I bum a cigarette?”
“Here, delivery from Giran.” Dabi dug into his pocket and threw a whole new pack at him. “Wanted me to give you a message but I didn’t care enough to remember.” He explained as he sat down on the other side.
“I love him!” Twice praised before he snatched it, like a kid with candy. Dabi’s mismatched lips thinned into a tight line as he thought about the guy again. Twice started rattling off a story about his day and Dabi really started to think about how’d he bring up the black haired guy who now just waved goodbye to Toga as she turned around and started making her way towards them. Fuck it. He was never one to dance around a topic when he wanted to talk about it.
“Who’s that?” Dabi interrupted Twice and nodded to the bar counter.
“Ooooh boy.” Twice practically giggled.
“What’s going on with my old geezer brothers!” Toga greeted.
“Thirty-one is not an old geezer!” Twice yelled and raised his fist. “You’re just a literal baby!”
“What about you Dabi? What do you think?” The blonde girl nudged him.
“Nice try, but I’m not telling you my age.” Dabi grinned.
“Ugh, you’re such an ass. A smartass, but still an ass.” She pouted and crossed her arms. “Twice, cheer me up and tell me why we’re making fun of Dabi this fine evening.”
“He wants to know about Tenko!” Twice couldn’t help but smile widely but then slap both of his hands over his mouth, like he accidently blabbed a huge secret.
Tenko, huh? Dabi’s eyes drifted over to Tenko still at the bar, this time tapping away on his phone while Kurogiri talked with Mister and Magne.
“Really?!” He practically had to drag his eyes back to look at Toga, who had the same wide and annoyingly gleeful smile on her lips. “Sorry Dabi. But that is one person you cannot have.”
“Come on. I’m just wondering who he is. Not like I’m going to seduce him or some shit.” Seriously, as prideful as Dabi is, he doesn’t know where the rumor of him sleeping around came from-- Well, actually nevermind. Still, he was drawn to the guy. His mob of black hair framing his delicate face with those red eyes. Hell, maybe he would try something.
“Well you better not. Dabi, my man, I’m telling ya this ‘cause I love you like a brother. Don’t go near him.” The asshole part of Dabi’s brain started to stir. Now he actually wanted to go up to the pretty boy just because Twice told him not too. “He’s Kurogiri’s kid.” Oh fuck. “So unless you want to be warped to the farthest garbage dump, stay away.” But what Dabi settled on saying was:
“Kurogiri fucks?” He raised his brows in surprise. “Good for him.”
“No, you dumbass! Adoptive kid, I think? Came home from college for the break.” Twice explained.
“I dunno.” Toga sang out. “You see the way Kurogiri and Mister look at each other.”
“Gross.” Both Dabi and Twice grunted out.
“I could live without that visual in my head.” Twice scratched his head.
“Come on, it was obvious and we were all going to find out sooner or later.” Toga shrugged as she moved to sit down next to Dabi, but she was stopped when Dabi started to get up.
“Well, anyway.” Dabi brushed them off as he stretched.
“Woah, where ya going?” Twice tilted his head.
“I haven’t ordered my drink yet.” Dabi grinned at them before he turned around and started walking up to the counter. He ignored their whoops and whistles as he made his to the front of the bar. It wasn’t like he was doing anything bad, but the cold look Kurogiri shot him from across the bar made him think otherwise. Seriously? Still, the mist man made no move to depart from his conversation with Mister Compress. So Dabi saw that as a sign to continue on his way to slide up into the bar stool directly across from him.
In an instant, his red eyes flashed to look at him from above his phone, and Dabi swore his lips quirked upwards.
Huh.
It was an insanely cute look, and Dabi really wanted to see it again.
Dabi didn’t say anything as he put his elbow on the bar counter and rested his chin on the palm of his hand. This way, he could easily make it seem like he was staring at the wall of liquor instead of inspecting the boy in front of him.
From this distance, he could see how scars skirted around his piercing eyes. It suited him and made him that much more Dabi’s type. Not even mentioning the jagged and long scar on his lips. And, god, did Dabi want to tease it with his tongue before he bit down on those lips.
He wondered what he would say.
Judging from the way Tenko started to fidget under his gaze, he’d be a blushing mess. Maybe Dabi could even get his cheeks as red as his eyes? Now that sounds like a fun little game--
“So are you just going to keep leering at me, or are you going to tell me what you want?” His voice dripped with annoyance. At first Dabi couldn’t tell if he was serious or not, but the playful and somewhat testing light in those red eyes made Dabi chuckle. They seemed to say:
Are you worth my time? Worth my wit?
He was sizing him up, trying to see what he’s made of.
Here, Dabi thought he’d find a blushing, stuttering mess, but instead he was confronted with a cheeky kitten with claws.
God, this is going to be fun.
“‘Leering’? Isn’t that kinda rude to say to a maybe-customer?” Dabi chuckled as he titled his head.
“‘Customer’ means you’d be ordering something by now.”
“Hmm… depends on what’s on the menu.” The black haired boy rolled his eyes. “I don’t know if you could give me what I want, but if you’re offering I guess we can work something out. I didn’t expect you to be so hospitable, because I don’t think I’ve seen you around... ”
“I’ve been around. I’ve never seen you around though.” He finally put away his phone and decided to face Dabi head on. His red eyes flashed to the side before he nodded over to the mist man practically glowering at them from the other side of the bar. “Seeing how Kurogiri is staring at us, I’m curious… You don’t tip him or something?”
“Never met someone Daddy didn’t approve of?” Dabi turned to wave amicably at Kurogiri. “Are you sure you want to know? Curiosity killed the cat.” Lazily, his blue eyes trailed back to him.
“Satisfaction brought it back.” He shrugged as he placed two glasses in front of them.
“Dabi.” The black haired man hummed out as the glasses were filled with whatever was lying around. “You even old enough to drink, pretty boy?”
“Tenko, and fuck off.” He could help the smile that tugged on his lips, but quickly hid it by taking a sip of his drink. “You really think Kurogiri would let me behind the bar if I wasn’t old enough? I know I don’t look that young, so you might have to be creative with your pick up lines for once.” Despite the sharpness of his words, a gentle blush dusted the top of his cheekbones, making the scar on his eye pop out even more. “Besides, I’d say from the way you act, we’re about the same age.”
“That’s kinda rude, you get your sass for Kurogiri?” Dabi teased as he focused on remembering the way those scarred lips wrapped around the rim of the glass. “I have to admit, I’ve always admired that about him. The way he can shut you up and stop you from doing anything stupid.”
“He must have a lot of practice with you then.” The words flowed out of Tenko’s mouth like how smoke would blow out of Dabi’s after he had the first drag of a cigarette.
“More than I would be proud to admit.” Dabi chuckled as he finished the rest of his drink and patiently waited for Tenko to fill the glass, which he did. Usually, Dabi didn’t drink this much so early on, but he was hoping to get some more liquid courage in his veins before the night was over. He wanted to be loose and sultry. Who knows if Tenko would be here tomorrow or if Kurogiri will warp him somewhere far away. He needed to atleast get him into bed.
Judging from the way Tenko’s red eyes hesitated on his mismatched lips, maybe he was thinking of something else along the lines.
Dabi felt like he should stop now. After all, he was planning on asking Kurogiri to crash in the spare room for a couple days. But he quickly pushed away any doubts by drinking some more. There was something about Tenko that drew him close and captivated him. Maybe it was because he was perfectly damaged. The way his red eyes gleamed under the bar lights was creepy to anyone else, but it sent shivers of thrill down Dabi’s spine. The way scars cut into his pale skin made Dabi want to run his tongue down the base of his neck. The way he would utter comebacks with a blush on his cheeks left Dabi amused but also desperate to hear more.
Or maybe it was because he was a fucking narcissit and saw himself in Tenko.
The way Tenko screamed ‘damaged goods’ was something Dabi had only seen in himself. It was familiar, comforting… intriguing. It left him wanting more. He wanted to devour Tenko both meltingly metaphorically and painfully physically. And from this observation, sprang a little bit of hope within Dabi’s chest. That there was someone--
“You’re brave for a civilian.” Dabi thought aloud, trying to change the subject before his mind got anymore stupid ideas.
“What do you mean?” Tenko tilted his head cutely as his face scrunched up in confusion.
“Well, just seeing my face sends people scampering on the other side of the street, not to the seat across from me in a bar.” His lips twitched upwards as he watched red eyes widen. “I’m not complaining, you’re good company. But it makes me wonder, how you’re so comfortable around villains. I could’ve been an asshole, you know. Could’ve burned your pretty skin the second you opened your mouth.” Slowly, Dabi moved his hand across the bar counter to tease his. Tenko sucked in his breath as Dabi’s finger tips lazily burned a path on his long pale fingers.
“My skin isn’t pretty.” Tenko muttered as he poured himself a second drink. “And I know you’re trying to scare me.”
“Oh?” Dabi grinned wolfishly and Tenko gulped as his eyes fell back to Dabi’s lips.
“Yes. Because that’s exactly what Toga tried doing to me. If I’m not scared of Toga, then I don’t think you could scare me.”
“Really?” Dabi raised a brow as he moved closer to Tenko, almost leaning over the bar counter to invade his space.
“You’re too busy keeping up that cool I-don’t-care-if-I-live-or-die persona that you’d never hurt me.” Tenko explains as he looks up from their hands, his eyes peeking out from the curtain of black hair and Dabi just wanted to push it out of his face and--
“You think I’m cool?”
“Anyways,” Tenko sighed, “I know first hand that it doesn’t matter if your labeled a hero, civllian, or villain, anyone can be fucking monster… And I’ve had enough experience to know who I should cross the street to get away from.” He muttered the last part, almost like he was talking to himself. “Sorry to disappoint, but you don’t fit the description.” He drew his attention back to Dabi and shrugged.
God did Dabi want him even more now.
“Glad to know not everyone is blinded by this shit society.” Dabi settled with and Tenko practically snorted.
“They’re only blinded because they haven’t bothered looking at the truth.”
God. Dabi was going to pull him over the counter and--
“They’ll only look if they think you'll worth the time.” Dabi raised his glass before he finished the rest of his drink. He couldn’t help but grin at the way Tenko’s eyes watched his Adam's apple bob when he swallowed. “People like us, aren’t so lucky to be saved.”
“‘People like us’?” Tenko’s voice was a little hoarse.
“Mmhmm.” Dabi hummed as he took the bottle from Tenko and poured himself more alcohol, while he was there he topped off the red eyed boy’s drink.
“I didn’t want anymore.” Tenko flushed, but brought the glass to his lips anyway.
“Aw, are you a lightweight?” He teased.
“No.” He was a horrible liar, but that drew Dabi in closer.. “I just don’t need to get drunk to--” He paused, the words dying in his throat.
“To what?” Dabi grinned.
“To do… whatever this is.” There it was again. The cute blush that settled on his cheeks. Dabi wondered if he was always this easy to turn red, or if he was that much of a lightweight that the alcohol was already affecting him.
“‘To do whatever this is’?” Dabi couldn’t help but laugh softly.
“Shut up. You know what I mean.”
“I do.” He admitted. “And I know you don’t need to get drunk either. But… I could think of something else you need.” Dabi’s eyes were half lidded as he stared directly at Tenko. “And I think,” Dabi leaned in, “I could give you what you need.”
“What do you think I need?” Tenko breathed, slowly leaning in.
“I think you need to be--” He was either going to say kissed, or fucked. He honestly hadn’t decided yet by the time the words started leaving his mouth. But the chance never came as when he leaned in closer, only his head was warped outside. He frowned as the smell of the trash in the alley completely ruined his mood. “Real nice, Kurogiri.” Dabi groaned as he pulled his head back from warp gate and was greeted with Tenko’s horrified expression.
“Kurogiri!” He hissed, completely mortified and red in the face.
“Dabi.” Kurogiri eloquently warned as his yellow eyes narrowed dangerously. Dabi groaned at the look and at the sound of Toga and Twice bursting out with laughter in the background.
“Kurogiri!” Tenko pulled on Kurogiri's sleeve. “What was that for?”
“I believe it needs no explanation.”
“We weren’t doing anything…” Yet Dabi wanted to pipe up after Tenko tried to explain away whatever they were doing.
“It’s fine, was gettin’ a little hot.” Dabi shrugged as he turned to move, trying to escape Kurogiri’s insanely murderous gaze. “Alcohol really fucks with my already messed up body temperature.”
“Dabi, stay.” Tenko ordered as he turned back to the mist man. The flame user couldn’t help but feel his gut curl warmly at the tone. “Kurogiri, that was totally uncalled for. We were… we were… uh…”
“Talking.” Dabi piped up but immediately regretted it when Kurogiri’s mist started growing more turbulent.
“Yes!” Tenko added. “You know, like normal people do.”
“Tenko… I’m not sure you knew what was going on.” Kurogiri uttered to the boy.
“Kurogiri, I really do appreciate you looking after me. But I’m not a little kid. And it’s really annoying that you thought I didn’t know what I was doing.” Dabi’s heart soared in his chest, excitement drumming deep within him. Maybe Tenko was too busy talking to Kurogiri to know what he just admitted out in the open. Their little dance around each other was starting to turn into a tango. “Besides… didn’t you say I needed more friends my age?” He crossed his arms.
“Yes but…” The mist man was lost, glancing between Tenko and Dabi. And Dabi had to drink to hide the absolutely victorious smile spreading on his lips.
“Well, I’ve already decided I want Dabi.”
“You won’t regret it.” Dabi quipped and Tenko shot him a frustrated look. “We’ll just take the back booth then. That way we’ll be out of the way.” He didn’t bother waiting for Kurogiri’s response as he slid out of the way, taking the bottle with him, and started walking towards the back of the bar. In the corner of his mind, he couldn’t help but be relieved at the growing distance between him and the misty guardian. Tenko nodded enthusiastically as he slipped out of the bar and made his way to follow Dabi.
“Kurogiri really thinks a table will stop you guys.” Toga grinned as Dabi passed her on her way towards the bar. She always liked to tease Dabi, like an annoying little sister, but she had his back. He was reminded that when Toga walked up to Kurogiri, distracting him but throwing him into a conversation about god knows what.
Dabi sat in the most secluded booth in the bar. It wasn’t well covered or badly lit or anything, but it was one in the corner where your eyes weren’t immediately drawn too. Dabi sighed as he sat down on the old leather seat. He was too busy waiting to see Tenko slide in the seat across from him that he didn’t notice Tenko gulping down the rest of his drink before he slid into the same booth seat as Dabi, trapping him against the wall.
“You miss me that much?” Dabi teased.
“It’s harder to lie when you’re only a couple inches away from someone.” Tenko shrugged but refused to meet his gaze and busied himself with pouring more alcohol for himself.
Huh, maybe he needs some liquid courage too.
“You think I’m a liar?”
“I know you’re one. I’m pretty good at reading people.” Tenko rolled his eyes. Dabi couldn’t help the way his eyes lit up with curiosity. He turned his body to face Tenko next to him, his arm resting on top of the booth, just a breath away from Tenko’s shoulders. Tenko, in turn, shifted his body to face Dabi too, turning away from where Kurogiri watched them vigilantly.
“You’d still follow a liar to a little corner of a bar?”
“Well, you can try to lie, but I’ll see through it and call you out on it.”
“You’re making me nervous.” Dabi mocked unease, but his burning eyes easily gave him away.
“That’s useful information.” Tenko bit his lips harshly. “You’re my friend now, right? I gotta keep you out of trouble.”
“Am I your friend?” Dabi raised a brow, his attention drawn to Kurogiri glaring at them from over Tenko’s shoulder just for a second.
“I would hope… I kinda just saved you from getting mauled to death from Kurogiri.” Tenko’s eyes left Dabi as he looked away.
“Just friends?” Dabi’s never been so bold before, really. Usually he has to play it safe because he could easily scare away anybody. But Tenko was different. Being around him, it made Dabi feel bolder. No, he needed to be bolder. He needed to hurry up and swoop in and catch Tenko before anyone else realized how lucky they’d be to have him. Softly, his free hand moved to grab Tenko by the chin, turning his attention back on him.
The best part was that Tenko melted into his touch. His eyes fluttering cutely as he leaned in. But Dabi couldn’t focus on that as his eyes were drawn to where his fingers curled around Tenko’s chin. Just above his thumb, was a cute little mole. He was half tempted to stroke it with his thumb or lean in and kiss it.
“I think if you don’t want to die a painful and slow death… you should just keep talking to me…” Tenko breathed, his eyes betraying every word that dripped out of his mouth.
“I dunno… I’ve always been the self destructive type… do you think it’d be worth it…?” The words flowed out of Dabi. He didn’t know if it was the alcohol or Tenko making him open up.
“No.” Tenko turned his face away from Dabi’s burning fingers and brought his lips to the rim of the glass.
“I think you’re wrong. Hmm… let’s make this even more fun, you wanna bet on it?”
“What would I get when I win?”
“You’re so sure, huh? You seem like the type to hate to be proven wrong.”
“Doesn’t everyone?” Tenko’s lips thinned and Dabi just wanted to kiss him already.
“You’re smart.” Dabi couldn’t help but blurted out. Okay, that wasn’t one of his finer moments.
“Glad to know college is doing something.”
“Oh, you’re a college boy?” Dabi titled his head, imagining Tenko spending hours with his nose in a book. “What are you studying?”
“Programming and Game design.”
“You wanna play a game?” Dabi frowned slightly as he tried to think of just what the hell that would look like.
“Well yes, but I also want to make them.” Tenko tucked some of his hair away from his face.
“Really? What kind?”
“Horror.” He replied without skipping a beat.
“You must have a lot of inspiration from freaks like us.” Dabi couldn’t help but chuckle. “I mean, the stuff that comes out of Toga’s mouth would make Junji Ito blush.” Tenko laughed at that. “Is that why you stick around here?”
“I help Kurogiri out sometimes.”
“Why?”
“When I ran away from home, Kurogiri was the one to take me in.” Dabi wanted to laugh and say same, but he held it in. “To be honest, I didn’t know he was a villain… Then I met Toga, who was in the same situation and in another spare room and it kinda just clicked.”
“That must have been a rude awakening.” Dabi grimaced.
“Not really… Thankfully, she sees me as an older brother.”
“Well… fuck.” Dabi frowned. “I thought I just had to worry about Kurogiri.”
“You don’t have to worry about Toga… she won’t do anything unless I tell her too.”
“Guess you have me in your hands.” Dabi’s eyes flickered from Tenko to Kurogiri over his shoulder. It seemed like at least Mr. Compress was on his side as the magician started calling Kurogiri to the back room, throwing his hands up dramatically. Kurogiri shot them one more hesitant glance before he followed Mr. Compress into the back.
Immediately, the blood started pumping in his veins. It was a humming that sparked a fire within him. It was almost like the excitement he got from lighting some kindling.
Tenko must have noticed the change in his demeanor because he started to chew on his lip.
“Guess you shouldn’t do anything to make me mad then…”
Dabi practically lunged at him, smashing their lips together. Tenko nearly toppled out of the booth, falling backwards from the force of it. But Dabi was quick, snaking his arm around Tenko’s slender waist and pulling him close. Tenko groaned into the kiss as he threw his arms around Dabi’s shoulders, clinging onto him.
“Get it, Dabi!” Twice cheered too loudly.
“Oh my god!! Ten-Ten!!!” Toga giggled manically and started clapping her hands.
“Mmmff… Shut…. Up…!” Tenko slipped out between the movements of their lips against each other. Dabi could feel Tenko start to shiver underneath him, but he didn’t know why. If anything, his face was so red that Dabi was scared he’d burn Tenko up from the inside out. Vaguely, from his half lidded eyes, Dabi saw how his cheeks flushed and his scars peaked out from the sea of red. If he thought it was worth it, he would start moving downwards to see if the blush spread to his neck.
He could feel Tenko’s tongue try and play catch up against his. Little huffs of breath and feather soft moans escaping him.
Tenko broke the kiss, his breath wavering as he sighed softly when Dabi kissed the scar on his lips before mouthing his way to Tenko’s chin. Then he was on to his neck, his tongue burning a stripe down the textured skin before his teeth slowly nibbed at it. Dabi was only able to tease him with his teeth for a few more times before rough hands shoved him backwards by his shoulders.
Dabi’s back collided roughly with the booth, knocking the wind out of him. But he couldn’t complain too much because he got to see a dazed, blushing Tenko looking at him absolutely betrayed, like it was his fault he stopped kissing him.
Toga quickly wrapped her arms around Tenko’s shoulders, blabbering about how he shouldn’t let Dabi get too close to him, like it wasn’t too late already. Dabi’s eyes drew away from them to see Kurogiri walk back into the room, his yellow eyes immediately scrutinizing them.
“Toga, I’m tore between thanking you or fucking punching you.” Dabi hissed, trying to hide the fact that he was sulking.
“You wish you could punch me.” Toga giggled as she pulled Tenko in tighter for a hug, completely trying to show off how she could drape herself over him while Dabi couldn’t. “I’d stab you as soon as you got in range. And I’m pretty sure Kurogiri would help me hide your body.”
“Knock it off you two.” Tenko groaned, weakly swatting Toga’s hand away when she kept poking his red cheeks.
The rest of the night was painfully uneventful. Kurogiri wouldn’t leave the bar for anything. Dabi’s pretty sure Toga even tried to say she started a fire in the bathroom, but the mist man didn’t budge. Everytime Dabi shifted in his seat, or got a certain glint in his eyes, Kurogiri would start to glower at them. He and Tenko practically stared at each other’s lips the whole night, trying to close the distance any way they could. Dabi wasn’t even thirsty, but he would brush past Tenko’s fingers to fill up his glass with alcohol every time he could.
The night wasn’t completely lost, though.
Dabi couldn’t remember the last time he literally spent the whole night talking to someone, or if he ever did. The ever dim lights of the bar made time ooze to a halt. They didn’t even pay attention to who left or who came in the bar. They had spent long enough whispering in the corner amongst themselves to have both Toga and Twice leave.
And the conversation just… flowed between them. Their little jabs and playful teases at each other made the night so much more interesting. Tenko seemed to match and parry against Dabi’s dark sense of humor.
Even though they had just met, Dabi felt like he and Tenko had some weird tether between them. It made the red eyed boy feel so warmly familiar… but also excitingly new. He wanted to know everything about him. Where he’s been, what he likes, why they haven’t met before. He wanted to fill up his mind and thoughts with nothing but Tenko Tenko Tenko.
Tenko was easy to open up, much more than Dabi was willing to be. Still, whenever the conversation drifted into more personal or sultry tones, he would start to fidget cutely. Dabi was torn between teasing him more to see the cute reaction or laying off him because he genuinely wanted Tenko to be comfortable around him.
Dabi’s thoughts were pulled back to Tenko, who laughed loudly at a particular joke before it was cut off by a yawn.
“Ugh, sorry…” He muttered before he yawned again.
“Nah you’re good.” Dabi hummed, his own eye lids trying to slide down for some rest.
“Tenko… it is time for you to go home.” Kurogiri suddenly appeared in front of their table.
“What? No…” He softly protested.
“I am saying this because we have to close.” Kurogiri added.
“Wait… what time is it?”
“It’s nearing 3 AM.”
“Oh shit.” Dabi couldn’t help but mutter out.
“Oh god, sorry Kurogiri. Did you really stay open for us?” Tenko asked, his lips tugged downwards.
“It was no issue.”
“I… I should get going.” Tenko muttered as he turned his attention back to Dabi, his eyes watering with hesitation. Fuck. Now Dabi was between a rock and a hard place. There was nothing else he could do to delay the act of asking Kurogiri to spend the night here… but…
“How far are you?” Dabi asked.
“I’m off 4th.” Huh, that wasn’t that far away. Maybe about 30 minutes walking.
“I’ll walk you.” Dabi shrugged.
“Really?” Tenko’s voice was filled with hope.
“Dabi… I believe you should head upstairs. You need a place to spend the night, correct? We have a room open. I will simply warp Tenko home.”
“No Kurogiri, we’ve already overstayed our welcome.” Tenko quickly gathered himself and scooted out of the booth. “Really. We’ll be fine. I’ll text you when I get home, okay? Let’s go Dabi.” He motioned for him and continued to walk out the door.
“I’ll be back.” Dabi grinned proudly. If you even let me step foot inside.
So there they were, making their way through the city. Tenko guided Dabi towards the not-so-bad parts of the city. Not that Tenko lived in a particularly safe neighborhood, but it was cheap and probably the one place a broke college student could afford. Dabi had seen better and worse because of his odd jobs working with Giran.
They walked slowly, brushing their sides against each other and practically bumping off each other with every step. Still, neither one of them cared enough didn’t pull away. Dabi tried not to think too hard on it. His quirk made him a walking heater and it was cold at night so maybe that’s why they walked like they couldn’t escape each other’s orbit.
“Got any roommates?” Dabi asked casually, or tried too.
“Why? Looking for a place to crash?” Tenko laughed softly, almost breathlessly.
“Just wondering if you live all alone. Must be scary for a tiny thing like you to walk home at night.”
“You wanna be my guard dog?” Tenko snorted. “Besides, we’re almost the same height.”
“Almost.” Dabi rolled his eyes. “Do you want me to be? Your guard dog, I mean. Would you want me to wait for you outside your door? Or would I be allowed inside?” He couldn’t help but turn his head and whisper hotly into Tenko’s ears. They had been walking for quite sometime and Dabi had a feeling they were close to his apartment. He wondered if Tenko would let him in tonight. He didn’t seem like the type and Dabi didn’t mind either way.
He just wanted to spend as much time as he could with him.
“Depends on how good you are…” Tenko’s voice was soft, barely above a whisper. It was like he didn’t mean to say it. Well, judging from how red his face got, he really didn’t.
Cute.
“Well… that’s gonna be a little hard. Besides, I figured you’d like the bad boy type.”
“You see yourself as a bad boy?”
“So I am your type.”
“I’m not inflating your ego anymore.” Tenko turned his head away, but Dabi could still see his red ears peeking out from the curtain of black hair. Dabi only smirked as tucked some of his hair behind his ears. “... You’re not a bad boy…”
“How can you be so sure?” Dabi grinned as he stepped in front of Tenko blocking his path.
“Because you’re walking me home.” Tenko had to tilt his head to meet his challenging blue eyes. Then, all at once, his red eyes got soft, like they were flickering with something tender. Something Dabi never thought he’d see. To be honest, it left him kinda stunned. What he would do to see more of him. “Why do you keep staring at me like that?”
“Like what?” Dabi muttered as he stepped closer, his fingers tracing up Tenko’s neck towards his chin.
“Like you wanna burn me alive.” It was the first night that Tenko sounded so… scared… so… unsure of himself.
I do. But not in the way I’m used to.
“Who did this to you?” Dabi settled on saying, his thumb tracing over the scar over his lip. “Who would hurt you?” He whispered to himself. Tenko’s eyes widened as his lips parted. But just as he inhaled to speak, he quickly exhaled. Dabi could just barely see his tongue peak out, like he wanted to lick his lips only to remember Dabi’s finger would be directly in his path.
“My father.” Tenko muttered after a long pause. Dabi felt Tenko’s shaky finger tips dance up from his chin to settle on his cheek, touching the line wear his purple scars were stapled to his healthy skin. The feeling was weird to say the least. It’s been years since he let anyone touch his staples. But Tenko’s cool digits sliding against his seams was a welcomed feeling. “How did you get your scars…?”
“My father.” Dabi smirked back a little unhinged.
“Shitty Fathers club?” Tenko offered with a shrug, trying to lighten the mood.
“Shitty Fathers Club.” Dabi confirmed. “We’re a very elite club. And you know, I happen to be the president. So, it’s only natural that I buy you dinner or something…?”
“‘Dinner or something’?” Tenko couldn’t help but laugh.
“Yeah, whaddya say?”
“Yeah… okay. I’ll be helping Kurogiri with the bar again tomorrow and all this week.”
“Tomorrow then.” It was unconscious, but Dabi felt himself lean into Tenko’s hand as it cupped the side of his face.
“Okay.” Tenko repeated before he looked behind Dabi. “I’m right here.” He nodded to the apartment across the street from them. Dabi turned around to see his home, making a mental note of what it looked like for when he visited the next time.
“Alright then. Was I good enough for a kiss goodnight?” Dabi teased.
He didn’t expect Tenko to lunge at him, his warm lips kissing the corner of his mouth, directly on top of his staples. That had to be the biggest surprise of the night. Dabi never thought anyone would kiss his staples.
“Goodnight, Dabi. I hope Kurogiri goes easy on you.” Tenko couldn’t even look him in the eyes as he fucking ruined Dabi. Instead, he pulled away from Dabi and ran across the street towards his house. Dabi had no choice but to watch him, standing there dumbly as his thoughts evaporated in his head.
“Oh fuck.” Dabi sighed out as he watched Tenko shyly wave before closing the door to the apartment. “Oh fuck.” Dabi repeated, even softer.