Road Without An End

Sneaking out to go clubbing at 2 AM didn't go exactly as planned. He'd dressed up in some of his new clothes; a GRLwood t-shirt, black and blue plaid pleaded skirt, web-patterned thigh-highs with heart sock-garters, and his trinity boots. (And some of the makeup Fuyumi gave him, though he'd never admit it.)

Leaving behind a note in the kitchen for the Todoroki's, he waltzed out the front door like he owned the place.

However, when he got to the Gay Bar the bouncer looked him up, down, then up again, and said, "Nice try, kid, go on home."

This had never been a problem before. He used to look like he'd been in his thirties, so nobody questioned him (that and the fact he never went to respectable establishments), "I'm 24." He reasoned.

The bouncer only raised an eyebrow, "ID?"

Well, shit. "My files recently burned so I don't have one while I'm being re-registered…"

"No ID, no entry." The bouncer responded, "Though, if you can show me your school ID, I might let you pass on a favor…" he attempted with a suggestive smirk.

Dabi tried to hide his physical disgust, "Again, I don't have a student ID because I'm 24."

Their conversation came to a halt as Dabi felt a gust of wind behind him, a strong hand gently placing itself on the small of his back. Looking up startled he saw there the one person he didn't want to see. Keigo.

"Hi! Sorry about him, he's with me, I promise I won't let him drink." The blonde laughed, winking at the bouncer.

The bouncer looked taken aback, "I-I… Hawks, of course, come in."

Hawks went in first, gesturing to a hesitant Dabi to follow. He guided him to an empty seat in the corner.

"So, why were you trying so hard to get into the bar, kid?" Hawks deadpanned, looking him straight in the eyes.

Thoroughly irritated at this point, Dabi snapped back, "Because I'm not a kid. I'm 24, why does nobody listen to me?"

The blonde only smiled, "I'm just messing with you. I know what it's like, you're good."

Dabi inwardly groaned, he was both happy and irked that Hawks came to his rescue. He probably would've smoked the bouncer if it continued much longer, which wouldn't have ended well. Yet at the same time, Hawks was the last person he wanted to see, and especially the last person he wanted to be saved by.

Hawks raised an eyebrow, "You're staring. Not used to saying thank you?"

In turn, Dabi flipped him off, "You're pretty dumb if you think I'm going to thank you."

The blonde smiled almost in a fond sense, "Aww, you think I'm pretty?"

Dabi smirked, "Yeah. Pretty annoying."

Dramatically, the ladder put a fist to his heart and leaned back in his seat with his eyes squinted close, "Ooh, ouch, such an insult."

The former only rolled his eyes, far too used to this childish behavior, "Cry about it."

"Maybe I will." The blonde chuckled softly, "What would you like to drink?"

Dabi quirked his head, "You don't even know if I'm actually 24. Do you want to risk it?"

"Endeavor told me about the young man he was housing during his paid leave. I'm pretty sure I know who you are, Touya- or is that too comfy for you?"

Of course Enji spoke about him. The super secretive and stoic man blabbing to his hero friends about the charity case he was taking on was such a natural picture in his brain he didn't know why it surprised him (this is sarcasm).

Hawks picked up on Dabi's silence, "Sorry, didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. My offer still stands though, if you'd give me an order."

"Oh, yeah, can I get a Tito's Vodka?" Dabi asked in his best innocent voice, though his earlier behavior probably was relatively off-putting.

The blonde smiled, "Sure, I'll be right back, sit tight." he slid out of his chair towards the bar on the far end of the club, leaving Dabi alone.

Was he allowed to get comfortable with Keigo again? Was he bound to heartbreak once more if he tried? His mind told him it was a bad idea but his heart had him gravitating towards the blonde even in simple conversation.

He was a fool. A lovesick fool. He knew it well, as the constant remembrances wouldn't just roll over and let him forget, it seemed.

As he was lost in his thoughts several people had approached him with flirtatious remarks though left just as quickly when he didn't give a response or even slight acknowledgment.

It reminded him of his former relationship, almost. At nightfall, it was quick-witted flirts, fun nights, only to leave each other like nothing happened by daybreak.

Looking back it was laughable that he'd allowed himself to actually think it would become more than that. Sure, they'd gotten close and cuddly. Hawks told him his first name, even. One that hadn't been made public ever. Was he that desperate to wiggle his way into the League that giving away what seemed like valuable information was nothing to him? Was it really that worth it? Was Dabi's affections really only a fractured pebble down the road without an end?

He would've allowed himself to traverse that wormhole if Hawks hadn't returned looking at him with a very concerned expression.

"You good, Hot Stuff?" He asked, setting the Tito's Vodka down and sliding it towards Dabi tentatively.

"Never better, Pretty Bird." Dabi retorted, sipping his slightly-sweet fire drink.

Maybe he'd allow himself this one night of weakness. A tight wrapup to a break up baring so many things unsaid. Perhaps it may provide much-needed closure. With a bright yet easy smile on his face, he decided to risk it.

"Hey, do you happen to be busy after this?"

The blonde smirked, "I'm free if you're free."

Dabi took a long sip of his vodka, "'Course I'm free. Do I look like somebody busy to you?" he laughed.

He could only pray he wasn't screwing himself over.

___________________________________

Shota didn't believe people could change. When given the chance, people were people, and they couldn't prove themselves.

Yet he couldn't for the life of him explain what he just heard.

Night shifts were always something special, though he didn't complain. However, he stumbled upon something he hadn't expected when traversing one of his usual alleys.

He heard a very familiar, smoke-strained voice. Dabi.

"Do I look alright to you, kid?" He heard Dabi say, voice teetering on menacing though not quite there.

"N-no… not really." A young female voice replied to which he heard Dabi chuckle, "Um… I'm Amano Poruka… you?"

Shota readied his capture weapon, willing to jump in at a moments notice. For now, he waited, not wanting to make this situation troublesome.

Dabi shot back, "Didn't your parents ever tell you not to talk to strangers? Specifically, ones that look like me?"

He didn't want to admit it, but Dabi had a point. Why was she talking to him?

A slight shuffle of feet could be heard, "I-I don't– I don't have parents…" The little girl, Poruka, replied.

That made more sense. He'd have to see to getting this girl in a foster system after this.

"I wish I didn't have parents," Dabi replied nonchalantly.

He could understand that. Most villains were born from bad home lives. Why would Dabi be any different?

Poruka replied, "Why not?"

He heard Dabi huff dramatically, "Papa's a bad man. He hurts people. He hurts me. And Mama hurt my little brother, so Papa sent her away. That was a long time ago, though."

Why did this story sound awfully familiar to Shota? It also surprised him that Dabi had siblings… and that he was divulging all this information to a little girl.

"Oh."

They sat in silence once more before she spoke again, "You never told me your name."

Shota listened intently, wondering what name Dabi would give the girl. He certainly wouldn't tell her his villain name, right? If she hadn't known who he was before, this would most definitely be a dead give away.

"Touya."

The long-haired man took note of the name before listening again.

"Touya…?"

"Yep. You can call me Touya." He heard the male respond softly in a way that surprised him once more.

After a brief silence, the girl persisted, "Well, Touya… what's wrong?"

"People."

"They call you a filthy rat, too?"

"Something along those lines, yeah."

Shota tried to imagine all of the colorful expletives the villain had been called, trying not to pity him for the mean things people have been known to say.

"Don't you wish they'd go away sometimes?" She asked, followed by the sound of more scuffles.

"I wish I lived in a world where I'd never existed." He replied flippantly.

Surprising answer for a villain, though it made sense as he connected the dots.

"I can grant your wish if you'd like."

Shota narrowed his eyebrows. The longer this conversation went on, the less concerned he was for the child and more for the overall situation.

Dabi only scoffed, "Sure, kid. Go ahead."

"Okay."

Shota turned the corner to see Dabi completely absent and a little blonde girl picking up a blue glass phoenix figurine, gently placing it in her pocket.

She turned to him with a smile, "Good night, sir!" she waved before then walking off with a slight skip in her step.

He could only wave back in shock, glancing to where she'd picked up the figurine. He noticed the slight dribble of blood. Curious, he took a sample.

Perhaps he could figure this out through good old detective work and forensic science.