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Keigo really does not like some aspects of being a hero.
Don’t get him wrong, the saving people and giving them hope thing? His favorite part by far. He’s always wanted to protect others, so given that opportunity is the only thing keeping him associated with the Hero Commission at this point.
He hates how the Commission runs things, how they are so willing to put civilians in danger if the ends justify the means in their fucked up opinion. He hates how easily they swooped in and trained him to be a soldier at the tender age of eight, how much they push hero schools, especially UA, into being breeding grounds for even more child soldiers needed for a war they never should have to be a part of while still growing. He hates just how easy it is for them to ignore those in pain if their quirk is deemed volatile or seen as something that makes a person less than anyone else.
Mutant discrimination in particular is something Keigo is intimately familiar with, and yet the Commission says and does nothing about it. He hates how they classify hurt individuals as villains because of their quirk. He hates how easy the Commission has made it for these sad, lonely, and hurt people to find solace in living a life of villainy, something they never had a choice over to begin with, because the actions they have to take to protect themselves are seen as dangerous.
He just hates so much of what being a hero means. Where heroes are supposed to be symbols of hope, peace, and of stability for civilians, and deterrents for criminal activity and dangerous villains, heroes are also unintentionally or not upholding a system that actively produces criminals and villains by pushing dangerous biases and supporting harmful public figures.
And speaking of harmful public figures, what Keigo really fucking hates about being a hero is these stupid fucking galas he’s always forced to attend. They’ve never really been that much of an issue before, more of just an inconvenience because of his popularity as both a high-ranking pro and as a model, but standing shoulder to shoulder with his old personal hero after learning what he had done? What he still does? Keigo is having just a little more trouble breathing around his suffocating collar his handler had forced him into and the very touchy hands around him than normal.
It doesn’t help that there’s a TV crew in attendance for this one, cameras stationed in every corner and around the outskirts of the party taking place in the center of the room, putting Keigo in a constant state of rather exhausting hyper vigilance that he should not have to be in while surrounded by so many pros.
Eyes on him at all times + Endeavor literally right next to him, pressed against his shoulder + hands trying to touch where they should not be without his consent + a hot, cramped, stuffy room and collar suffocating him with each half breath he could take = a verging on panicking and very ready to attack at the drop of a hat Keigo.
He doesn’t want to be here.
Keigo would rather his feathers be plucked out one by one than stay in this torture chamber of a ballroom the rest of the night. He wants to be at home.
Home where he shares a room and bed with a very hot yet surprisingly calm and comforting villain. Where he can sit in comfortable silence at a run down bar watching a very parental villain cleaning or mixing drinks depending on who’s joined him at the moment. Where he lets a homicidal teenager play with his wings and run her fingers through his feathered blond hair. Where he fights another mutant’s swords with his own feather-sword. Where he allows a strong woman to embrace him and treat him like a little brother. Where a mysterious man in a mask lets it drop in return for Keigo feeling comfortable enough to drop his own. Where a man struggling with his split personality treats him warmly and like a friend he’s known for years. Where the leader of a dangerous band of villains drops his cold act and will sometimes silently offer Keigo a controller for one of his favorite games.
Home where it can be just as, if not louder than this fucking party, but it’s a good kind of noise. One where Keigo can be not so alone like his empty Commissiom provided apartment makes him feel. Where he can relax and let the sounds wash over him and fade into the background. Where he knows he’s never alone, but not in an invasive, panic-inducing way.
Home where it feels like he has a family.
But instead of being wrapped in a warm embrace by either arms or atmosphere (he wouldn’t complain about either), Keigo is here. In hell. So very far from being alone, but so painfully lonely.
“Hawks, go mingle before it’s deemed odd.”
A voice he really did not want to hear broke through Keigo’s reverie, making a growl bubble low in his throat. “And do what? Let even more people I don’t want near me touch me like they deserve to?” He spat out before he could even bite his tongue. Endeavor’s shocked expression made a sick feeling of satisfaction worm past the small simmering guilt settled in his gut. So fucking what if Endeavor of all people gets a verbal lashing from Keigo tonight? He’s tired, overheated, uncomfortable beyond measure, and just wants to go home.
Endeavor quickly shook himself free from the rare state he found himself in. “Don’t start anything.” He whispered, low and dangerous. “Get control of yourself and go be that stupid happy hero everyone knows and loves. It’s your job.”
Oh now that just pissed Keigo off. He doesn’t need to listen to Endeavor. He may have to listen to the Commission President because she kind of runs his whole career, his handler because she’s an extension of the President’s power, and he may even choose to listen to Shigaraki sometimes because he does kind of run the League of Villains and Keigo has become attached. But none of that means he has to listen to Endeavor. His orders mean jackshit. He and Keigo are practically equals, and while the hero’s raw strength may overtake Keigo by a small amount, Keigo dominates in popularity polls. The people they’re meant to protect and care for prefer Hawks over Endeavor any day.
“That is not my job.” Keigo actually did growl that time. “My job is to protect the people your head is too far up your ass to care about.” He is a hero who saves people, not a destruction machine like some people with that title, nor is he some puppet meant to be used for shits and giggles.
“Hawks,” A threatening voice crackled in his ear, but he could honestly not care any less about his handler right now.
Without breaking eye contact with Endeavor, Keigo ripped the earpiece he’s forced to wear for every public appearance out of his ear and threw it on the ground hard enough to break it.
Without saying anything loud enough for most people to hear, the heroes and civilians with clearance in attendance were already trained on the number two with a heel crunching a piece of technology and a harsh glare like no other pointed up at the number one. Large crimson wings were puffing up, reacting to Keigo’s strong emotions and trying to make him as large as possible.
The room was completely silent as no one was sure if a brawl between their top heroes was going to break out or if Hawks was going to back down would happen first. No one has ever seen the bubbly and personable winged hero so on edge outside of a villain fight and it was making all of them more than nervous.
It was a very tense few moments with a silence so suffocating one could hear the rabbit laced heartbeats of the person standing next to them. Eventually one (stupid) brave civilian calmed down enough to approach the pair in the center of the circle formed around them. “Let’s just take a few deep breaths,” she began, a light anxious edge to her tone being the only thing giving away her nerves. “Parties can be stressful, and you both have very overwhelming jobs, but let’s not let those little details get between a strong partnership.”
Keigo could hear someone talking, some approaching from behind him, but his sense were already starting to darken at the corners as the panic he’s been pushing back was coming back in crushing force. He wants to go home.
The woman didn’t stop moving closer, and the TV cameras were capturing every move she made towards the two heroes. “Hawks, let’s step back from Endeavor, okay?” She reached out a hand and let it fall into Keigo’s wings.
Keigo blacked out as the contact registered in his panicked brain.
“Why the hell do they have to livestream these stupid parties anyways?”
Dabi sighed, running a hand carefully through his hair. “Apparently it’s to show the public that the heroes are on good terms and they interact outside of villain fights or some fucking shit like that.”
“That seems invasive as shit.” Spinner rolled his eyes.
“It is. Keigo fucking hates them.”
Toga squinted at the TV showing multiple angles of the gala. “Is Hawksie okay? He looks super uncomfortable.” She noted with worry edging her tone. She watched the way Keigo was practically folded in on himself. “People keep touching him.” She pointed out, anger now intertwined with her concern as another random person “accidentally” brushed too closely against Keigo as they walked past, a hand lingering too long for casual contact.
“That’s mostly why he hates them so much. No one knows how to keep their goddamn hands to themselves.” Dabi growled, sitting next to Toga on the couch to actually watch the live feed. “Too many people think being a hero and a model means they can do whatever the fuck they want.” Keigo has said so many times how much he hates the spotlight he’s been cast in. He hates the contact forced on him during his job, let alone the unwanted touches forced while he’s in public. Touching his wings without permission is the worst for him. “You may have to groom his wings when he gets back later.” Dabi nudged Toga’s shoulder with his. Only those in the League have ever gotten express permission to touch the soft feathers, Toga and Dabi are the only ones with permission to touch whenever they want.
Toga brightened up at that and nodded quickly. “I will!” She said excitedly.
“How long do these normally last? He really does look uncomfortable.” Magne asked this time, watching as Keigo froze when Endeavor said something to him.
“Around three hours, give or take.” Dabi mumbled, also zeroed in on the interaction between his bird and his sperm donor. “What the hell did he say to him?” He asked, alarm creeping into the back of his mind as he watch an undoubtedly pissed off Keigo say something to Endeavor that only served to anger the man. Come on Birdie, don’t do anything stupid.
”What are those two arguing about?” Mr. Compress asked, almost impressed at the way Keigo obviously said something snarky but more concerned at the panic he could see tight in Keigo’s posture.
“Dabi, maybe we should warp him here?” Magne’s voice was soft and worried as she watched Keigo rip something from his ear and break it on the ground.
Dabi would love to say yes to that, to get his panicking bird wrapped up in their nest and his arms as quickly as possible, but he can’t. “No, no that’s, that’s not smart. It’s too public, and would only put heat on us and him in danger.” Shigaraki isn’t here right now, which means Dabi needs to make sure to protect the League in his stead. The League of Villains kidnapping pro hero Hawks from a heroes gala would make a fun headline, but would only put everyone in danger, Keigo the most because he can’t just stay kidnapped. Dabi has tried to get Keigo to step down from hero work, for his own sanity and safety, but the bird is stubbornly heroic to a fault and can’t bring himself to do it.
They all watched in strained silence as the cameras showed the stifling silence that had taken hold of the ballroom filled with heroes. It was easy to pick up on the civilian that dared to move in the tense situation, but Dabi didn’t like it one bit. She was talking to and walking towards the two heroes in the middle of everything. She’s getting way too close and approaching Keigo from behind and if he wasn’t already reacting to her presence then he was about ten seconds away from blowing a fuse. And maybe biting someone’s hand off. Which would be funny to watch, but not for Keigo to live with.
“Whoa, whoa she is way too close to him right now.” Spinner sat up straight, eyes wide as he watched this stupid woman get closer to a panicking hero that could and very well might slice her head off.
Dabi watched in horrified slow-motion as the idiot’s hand reached up and closer to his bird. No, no this bitch is not- “Kurogiri, open a warp somewhere outside of the camera’s range.” Dabi ordered quickly, his voice tight as he couldn’t look away from the shitshow unfolding in front of him. “Kurogiri, now!” Keigo was in no condition to fly all the way to the League’s base, but he was also in no condition to stop himself from just reacting. Stupid or not, Dabi needed to get Keigo out of there now.
With a warp opened immediately in front of his face, Dabi hurried through and found himself watching in person as Keigo, his bird, snapped back when he registered the unwanted touch and bit the woman’s hand. Hard.
The once deathly silent room was suddenly chaos when the stupid woman screamed, tugging her hand away from Keigo’s jaws but only succeeding in ripping up her flesh and screaming even more. The civilians around started screaming as well and running away from the scene, while the heroes stood by in shocked silence unsure if they should be attacking one of their own or not.
Dabi took advantage of the chaos and whistled a very high pitched sound. Something inhuman that he logically should not have been able to make, but the bird-like qualities of it were taught to him. And boy did they work as Keigo’s head snapped up and his unseeing eyes bore into Dabi’s shadow-hidden face. Luckily no one but Keigo could hear the sound over the screaming, and no one was in the right position to quickly snap out of their shock and take after the fastest man alive as he hurtled through the air towards the whistle.
With arms wide open and Dabi bracing himself for impact, he was swiftly met with an arm full of bird. Without waiting even a second more he passed right back through the warp and dropped onto the couch as soon as it was under his ass. No one moved, no one even breathed as Dabi adjusted his hold on Keigo to get him properly settled on his lap.
“Keigo, can you hear me?” Dabi asked softly, slightly out of breath from the weight just slammed into him. Golden eyes were still cloudy and Keigo’s limbs were twitching so Dabi could tell he wasn’t going to come back for a while. “Guys, I’m taking him to our room.” He announced and stood up. At Toga’s upset look, Dabi gave a small smile. “I’ll let you know when you can play with his wings, okay.”
“Okay.” Toga whispered, almost scared her words would negatively affect Keigo if he could hear them.
“You can warp there, instead of climbing the stairs.” Kurogiri offered, opening a warp into Dabi and Keigo’s room.
Dabi wanted to thank him, but a soft whine from the bundle in his arms kept him from doing so as he just hurried through instead. He’ll have to remember to express his gratitude to the warp villain when next he gets the chance.
With Kurogiri’s help, Dabi was able to get Keigo into their room swiftly and settle the two of them on the bed. Dabi was not planning on letting go anytime soon unless Keigo wanted him too, so he just held the bird tight in his arms and propped against his chest. The events of that stupid party flashed through Dabi’s mind as he sat there; he never should’ve told Keigo about Endeavor so close to the gala. He should’ve pushed harder for Keigo to stay at home instead when he picked up on the apprehension that’d been growing in his bird for days leading up to it. There are so many things he should’ve done when it comes to Keigo.
He can’t make the hero do anything he doesn’t want to do, but Keigo seems to value his opinion so maybe if Dabi had explained more or pushed a bit further then things would be different. Maybe if he explained he’d talk to Shigaraki about allowing Keigo to save innocents on their missions then he wouldn’t feel compelled to stay with that god awful Hero Commission. Maybe he should’ve let Keigo go after Endeavor the night he found out like he had wanted to. Hell, maybe he should’ve just let Keigo bite through that idiot woman’s hand so then she and every other person alive would realize that Hawks may be a brand, but Keigo is still a person and deserves respect.
…No…
He couldn’t do that to Keigo. He’d never forgive himself. There’s no telling if he’ll be able to ever get over just biting the woman even if it was a panic response.
Dabi couldn’t help tightening his arms around Keigo’s curled form. “Kei, you’re okay now. It’s okay.” He whispered into soft golden hair. “You didn’t do anything wrong. You’re safe now.” Because isn’t that a fucking knee-slapper? A pro hero feeling safer in the presence of dangerous villains he’s supposed to be taking down rather than a room full of colleagues and harmless civilians. Dabi will make for fucking sure that none of them betray what feeble trust Keigo has placed in them.
It was still silent in the room for a few more seconds after Dabi spoke, but eventually a high-pitched whine filled the space.
"No, no, hey," Dabi brushed back tufts of hair from a sweaty forehead. "Hey, birdie, you're alright."
Keigo was too far gone in his panic and instincts for him to speak coherently, but he whined again and leaned away from Dabi's body. It hurt more than it should've to be pushed away, but Keigo needed his space and Dabi swore to respect that decision if it was made. So he gently set his bird down on the bed.
Being in the middle of the nest Keigo made for the two of them was always so comforting for Dabi. He thought he'd be annoyed by the extra pile of blankets and pillows and clothing items from the rest of the League overtaking his bed, but then he lied down in the center of everything after Keigo had organized it all and he almost immediately felt at peace. A type of peace he hasn't felt since he was a young child who hadn't even developed his quirk yet. It was even better when Keigo was there with him to curl up with, but even being in the nest alone was just so good for Dabi. It seemed to regulate his emotions on a bad day, and simply fill his senses with Keigo on good ones. He found himself really fucking hoping that same sense of peace and comfort could help Keigo right now.
Keigo didn't stay still though; instead once a small amount of clarity brightened his dull gold eyes, he was moving. Shoving his way past Dabi's outstretched arms and tripping out of the nest, bringing down one side of it in the process.
"Kei-" Dabi tried to ask what was wrong, what was going on, where he was going. But all questions died in his throat when he saw his bird race for the ensuite bathroom, slamming the door shut behind him when he reached it.
The door didn't lock, in fact the only door in the whole bar that did was Shigaraki's room, and Keigo knew this, but Dabi couldn't bring himself to violate the privacy Keigo clearly needed right now.
Or, he couldn't.
When he heard gagging and retching from the other side of the door, Dabi didn't even think before entering the bathroom.
"Keigo..." He muttered sadly at the state he found his bird in. Keigo was hunched over the toilet throwing up, tears streaming down his face from his now present eyes. The situation had caught up with him, and he didn't like what he could remember...
Everything filtered back in slowly; sound was first but all he could hear was the heartbeat of whoever was muttering to him in a low voice. Then came touch, and Keigo couldn't help the whine he let out against his better judgement when he registered that someone was touching him. He didn’t want to be touched right now. He couldn't be held, it was too tight, too much. So he pushed away. The person holding him seemed to agree easily enough to let him go because almost as soon as he was leaning away from them, they were setting him down. It was nice, for his decisions regarding touch to finally be respected for once, but that gratitude didn’t last because the next thing to register was the taste in his mouth. The metallic, undoubtedly human taste settled on his tongue and coating his entire mouth and throat. With the awful taste came the memories associated with them and then he was up.
He made it to the bathroom, in what he now assumed was the League base, by pure instinct alone as his eyes were still blurry and rather unseeing. It didn't take him long at all after closing the door for him to be leaning over the toilet, knuckles turning white with the sheer force he held the bowl with.
He gagged at the taste and the smell of blood everywhere in his body. He barely got any warning before he was spewing the vile taste from his mouth. His throat burned with the bile that was forced out, but he'd rather deal with that than the memories that were being poured out of him with the force of his retching.
And pour out they did.
The memories of the gala flooded Keigo's mind as he continued to clutch onto the toilet for dear life. The confrontation with Endeavor, the touchy hands that wouldn't leave him alone no matter how much he moved away from them, the panic induced stare down he held with the number one hero, and then the woman. He could remember feeling someone coming up from behind him, but he also remembered that he couldn't move. There's no telling how long he just stood there, but when he felt the hand of someone neither his mate nor sister in his feathers he just, he reacted.
Violently.
Oh god, he bit her!
He bit her hard enough for blood to coat his mouth and tongue. He could remember vaguely hearing her screams and feeling the skin in his jaws being roughly yanked away from him only effectively chewing it up even more. And then, and then some sort of whistle that invaded his clouded mind, and then nothing. Everything after the touch was a blur, but after the whistle everything went dark.
He was crying now. The force of his sobs causing even more gagging which just made him cry more. It was a vicious cycle that he couldn't escape from. One that he deserved.
He bit a civilian.
Oh god, he could never go back now. He had hurt a civilian on live TV, enough for her to most definitely need stitches at best. What if he caused nerve damage?!!
"Keigo."
A voice broke through his panic. It was low, close enough to hear but far away enough to not cause anymore panic, and oh so gentle.
"Kei, it's okay now. You're safe."
No! No, it's not okay! He hurt someone! He doesn't need to be safe, everyone needs to be safe from him!
"Kei, you didn't mean to. It was a reaction."
That's not the point! He wanted to cry out, but opening his mouth only made him retch again.
"You were pushed too far, and you panicked. You didn't mean to."
The gentle voice was still not coming any closer, but Keigo found himself suddenly desperate for it to be right next to him. He was craving a comfort he knows he doesn't deserve because damn right he was pushed too far!
"I-I w- th,they were touch,they were all touching me!" He cried, his tongue finally working enough to form words.
A heartbeat of silence passed before a scarred hand was lightly running through Keigo's hair, pulling it away from his slick face filled with tears and snot.
"Shh, I know, birdie. I know they were. And they had no right to be."
Despite sweating, Dabi's warmth was comforting rather than overwhelming. Because honestly, who else could it possibly be? Who else calls him Birdie? Or talks so sweetly when Keigo is upset? Or would willingly sit with him on a bathroom floor when he was looking way less than presentable or any kind of attractive?
"Can you look here, pretty bird?" Dabi asked.
Keigo almost whined again at the pet name because he is most definitely not pretty right now, but instead he nodded and turned to face Dabi. They never met each other's eye because Keigo refused to look up further than Dabi's chest, but that didn't seem to deter the villain as he slowly reached out. Dabi made sure both of his hands were in Keigo's line of sight, and that he wasn't moving away from the wet rag one of the hands was holding before he gently started to wipe away the grime on Kiego's face.
Dabi wiped away every last trace of the panic attack, gently thumbing away the last of the tears sticking to Keigo's cheeks, before pulling away.
"There's your beautiful face." He said softly, poking Keigo's nose with his index finger. "And there's your beautiful eyes, hey birdie." He greeted with a small smile when Keigo finally gathered the courage to look up and meet Dabi's gaze. When he didn’t say anything, Dabi continued on. "There's some toothpaste and a toothbrush by the sink, are you okay by yourself for a few minutes?" At Keigo's questioning glance, Dabi only lightly chuckled. "I'm gonna grab you some better clothes to wear."
Keigo looked down at his ruined suit, the oppressive collar suddenly becoming a bit too much again now that he was aware of it. "A-are you just trying to, to get me naked?" He asked with a lifted eyebrow and teasing eyes.
Dabi's laugh right then was so much fuller than his normal chuckles. It was so pretty and full of relief. "Always, pretty bird, but I'm thinking tonight we just get you out of this penguin suit at least." Dabi kissed one of Keigo's knuckles. "I'll get you in my clothes, that'll be enough for me right now."
A spark of delight spread through Keigo's chest at that. He loves wearing Dabi's clothes! They're slightly bigger, are always soft and comfortable, and better yet they smell like his mate. "You can go then." He finally acquiesced.
"Don't rush." Dabi told him before exiting the bathroom.
Keigo swallowed roughly, grimacing when the taste of bile and blood exploded in his senses. Oh he will definitely be rushing. The bathroom is suddenly too cold, and he needs the taste gone yesterday. So without wasting anymore time, Keigo quickly brushed his teeth. He enjoyed the way the mint flavor diluted, and eventually overpowered the sticky blood against his tongue. It was hard to not think about everything that happened over the course of the evening, but Keigo is so tired of panicking by now so he pushed back the memories and thoughts; they can be tomorrow Keigo’s problem. As the evidence of his loss of control left his mouth, Keigo let it go from his mind as well. He’d rather go cuddle with Dabi for the night.
So that’s what he did.
Keigo left the bathroom only a few minutes after he was left in there alone. He was greeted by the sight of a very concentrated Dabi messing with a bunch of pillows and blankets.
“Dabs?”
Dabi’s head shot up at the voice, he had an almost guilty expression on his face like he’d been caught doing something he shouldn’t be.
“What’re you doi-oh…” Keigo’s question died in his throat when he saw what it was Dabi was so invested in messing with. “When did-?”
“It’s fine! I’m fixing it.” Dabi assured him with a forced smile. “I have no fucking clue how you get everything to stay like that, or how only the one side fell, but I’ll figure it out.”
“Did I-?”
“It’s not like you tried to.”
Keigo frowned. “I destroyed our nest…”
“It was an accident, Birdie.” Dabi assured him quickly, moving away from the bed to join Keigo in the middle of the room. “Here, let’s get you changed, yeah?” Was all the warning he gave before Dabi was loosening the tie and way too tight collar from around Keigo’s neck, letting him breathe fully for the first time that entire evening. “And it’s not destroyed, by the way. I can fix it in no time.”
The disbelieving look Keigo sent his way at that made Dabi sigh. “I can figure out how to fix it. You built that thing in like, 30 minutes, surely I can fix it in that time.”
“I can do it. I am the one who ruined it.”
”Nuh uh, no way, you didn’t “ruin” shit. It was an accident, you dumbass.”
Keigo’s wings flattened against his back at that. “I’ve made a lot of accidents tonight, haven’t I?” He muttered, looking away from the wrecked nest and down at the half-ripped up carpeting.
Dabi faltered at the sudden shift in atmosphere. "Kei..." He never should've even entertained the idea of letting Keigo bite through that idiot's hand. Of fucking course Keigo would be taking it hard. He snapped out of a dissociated state and immediately threw up all of the fancy food from that goddamn gala, and then some. He cried so much. He probably still has tears just waiting for the right moment to spill over.
What the actual fuck could he even say though? It's okay. She's fine. It was kind of funny in a fucked up way. She deserved it. You couldn't have stopped yourself. You weren't in control. It was a defense mechanism.
Dabi might get his hand bitten off if he said any of that.
God fucking dammit, he's gonna have to feed into Keigo's self depreciation a little bit, isn't he?
Fuck.
"Kei," Dabi started, gently taking smaller sun-kissed hands into his own pale scarred ones. "You fucked up, sure. You really probably never should've confronted Endeavor, or raised to his bait, or whatever actually happened between you two, the cameras couldn't pick up your conversation. And destroying your Commission earpiece was, admittedly, not your best move ever. But you weren't in your right mind at the time."
"Don't, don't do that. Please don't give me excuses." Keigo squeezed Dabi's hands in an almost painful vice grip.
"They're not excuses, birdie. They're reasons, and pretty damn good ones." Dabi squeezed back, not as tightly, but enough for Keigo to feel it reciprocated. "You were already on edge cause you hate those fucking things, and then they stuck you in this god awful penguin suit that cut off your airflow." Speaking of, Dabi let go of Keigo's hands only to go back to taking off the aforementioned offensive piece of clothing.
"And then you were around that flaming asshole for way longer than any one person can stand. Not to mention I fucked that up for you by telling you despite knowing he'd be there too." Dabi will forever kick himself in the balls for telling Keigo what that flaming garbage pile is hiding behind closed doors so close to a party that Keigo already hates and would then be stuck in the same enclosed space as Endeavor for hours on end. Not his smartest decision.
"You were already in a heightened state of panic from the moment you set foot in that room, and no one was giving you room to breathe or center yourself at all. I imagine your handler was bitching in your ear the entire time, which explains the destroyed earpiece."
Not to mention so many people were touching Keigo, making the already delicate situation so much worse. "And your reaction to unwanted touches is not your fault." Dabi has had to explain this specific sentiment so many times to his partner. Had to explain that he has a right to feel uncomfortable, and that he's not being respected, and that he's allowed to snap if it goes too far. Toga and Magne, as the women of the League and very aware of unwanted advances, have also tried to pound it into Keigo's head that he's not in the wrong for how he reacts in those instances.
"I bit someone, Dabi. I attacked a person. A civilian!" Keigo choked out, tears springing back to the forefront.
"An idiot who wouldn't know boundaries if they slapped her in the face." Dabi corrected, cupping Keigo's face and wiping away the stray tears with his thumbs as they rolled down freckled cheeks. "And she'll be fine, anyways. Maybe a little shaken up, but this experience may just help her in her career."
Keigo tilted his head in confusion, a very cute gesture that only made Dabi's heart itch because of the red rimmed and glossy eyes paired with it.
"She's a fucking abuse counselor. Deals with PTSD and shit like that. She should've known better than to approach you from behind like that and touch your fucking wings." Dabi growled, anger spiking, but he quickly got it under control with a few quick breaths. "Doubt she'll be making that mistake again." His scowl was replaced by a wolfish grin, and his heart leapt in his chest when Keigo let out a watery chuckle.
“She’ll really be okay?” Keigo asked, his voice soft and hesitant as he worked on pulling one of Dabi’s t-shirts (pre-cut for his wings because it’s his usual borrowed one) over his head.
Dabi nodded, handing a pair of his sweatpants over too. “She will be,” unfortunately. “We can always have Toga go check to make sure, if you want.”
Keigo stepped out of his dress pants in favor of the soft worn fabric of the sweatpants. “No, no, I don’t know exactly what happened but I know you got me out of that ballroom in some way and I don’t wanna risk you guys’ cover by sending her somewhere probably crawling with pros.” The entire top 10 are probably on guard waiting for Hawks to show back up. “Oh god,” he looked back up at Dabi as the realization struck him. “I can never go back.” The entire top 10 are probably on guard waiting for Hawks to show back up. Not to mention the fucking Commission who are probably livid and placing a bounty on his head at this very moment.
“No, hey, Kei, breathe. It’ll be okay.” Dabi put his hands on Keigo’s shoulders and heat up his palms enough to make the heat grounding instead of overwhelming. Keigo cannot panic again right now, he just got him back. “It will be okay. I’ll talk to Tomura and get him to agree to letting you prioritize innocents during our missions. He’ll agree or he’ll wish he fucking did.” He brushed some feathery blond hair behind Keigo’s ear, cupping his face with one of his warmed hands. “And we can officially move you in here. Trust me, Toga will fucking love it.” He swiped his thumb across Keigo’s defined cheekbone. “And Sako can be our delivery service and get any of your shit you want out of your apartment for you.”
Keigo’s panic had subsided by this point, Dabi’s soft touch and his words working out the remaining tension from his shoulders. “What about the Commission?”
Dabi hummed softly. “They’re not stupid, they’ll probably catch on that you’ve joined us. Actually joined us. But you’ve done a good job of keeping them oblivious where it matters, Birdie. They haven’t found us yet, and I’ll make sure they can’t get their claws in you again.”
“You’ve thought this through…”
“Of course I have. I was gonna get you away from that life you clearly hated one way or another. I’d take you kicking and screaming if it meant you’d finally be away from the limelight that has ruined your life.”
Keigo closed his eyes to keep the new forming tears at bay and leaned into Dabi’s hand that was still cradling his cheek. “Dabs, I don’t know who I’d be if I never met you.” He whispered, throat clogged with emotion. Falling in love with a villain was never part of his job description, it was an accident. But this is one accident he would willingly choose to repeat over and over for as long as he lives.
Villains and heroes alike are fucked up in similar ways, and maybe that’s what Keigo has always hated the most about heroics: acting like he’s better than those on the opposite side of the coin only because he gets praised for his actions. A child fathered by a villain who was raised to be a hero and yet would be sent on villainous missions in order to be a hero everyone could rely on. He’d rather not be one or the other when the two “sides” are so intrinsically twined together. It’s hypocritical for Keigo to define himself as one or the other when he has always been both by nature and nurture alike.
And honestly, spending his life in the gray area with the only person who has ever noticed that’s where he resides sounds perfectly fine to him.
“Keigo, how in the actual fuck did you manage to build this thing in only half an hour and make it so structurally sound despite being made of blankets and clothes?!”
“Dabi!” Keigo wheezed. “Dabi, where even are you?!”
”I don’t know!”
Keigo doubled over, laughing hysterically when he noticed a moving lump in the middle of the pile of soft blankets and clothes stolen from the League members. They decided to just tear down the entire nest after Keigo discovered the ruined side couldn’t be repaired on its own. Dabi, still stupidly stubborn about this for some reason, demanded he still help build them a new nest. And now here they are, halfway through, and Dabi somehow ended up under the remaining supplies.
“Stop fucking laughing at me!”
Dabi tried to sound intimidating, but he only achieved making Keigo laugh even harder as the lump went up and down as Dabi huffed dramatically. “Dabiii!” He cried. “You need to get out here already, oh my god!” They need to go to bed sometime tonight!
”Shut it! I’m trying!” Dabi thrashed through the blankets, eventually finding his way to the surface again with another huff. “Fucking there! Jesus.”
Keigo surged forward to meet Dabi halfway, his lips pressing softly against Dabi’s chapped ones. “Welcome back.” He chuckled into Dabi’s mouth.
“You asshole.” Dabi grumbled, but didn’t hesitate to reciprocate the kiss, pressing harder against Keigo’s plush lips. “Let’s just finish this tomorrow, and go to bed now.” He offered, murmuring against the inviting mouth.
“Dabs, I thought getting me in your clothes tonight was enough for you.”
“Hmm,” Dabi resumed the kiss, delighted in the way Keigo easily followed his lead despite the half-hearted attempts at stopping him. “You do look good in them.” He whispered, reveling in Keigo mindlessly chasing his lips when he pulled away abruptly. “I suppose that can be enough for me tonight. The pretty bird should already be asleep.” He gently brushed some loose hanging hair away from Keigo’s forehead before leaning in and pressing a lingering kiss there.
Keigo sighed happily as he leaned into the warmth of lips against his skin. “Ya know, I really do love you.” Dabi’s breath hitched in his throat, but Keigo kept going. “Thank you for being here with me, and saving me from that shitshow earlier, and talking to Tomura, and understanding me, and for letting me love you.” He’s always wanted to love someone and be loved in return; his parents never gave an example of what that was like and then the Commission definitely never let him near love in case it triggered his nurturing instincts. Loving someone always felt like an impossible dream for Keigo, until he met Dabi and was suddenly allowed to. “Thank you.” Because no matter how much those simple words pale in comparison to how much gratitude and love Keigo holds for Dabi, they are the only ones that will leave his mouth.
“You’re welcome.” Are the only words Dabi can bring himself to offer in return. He would kill for Keigo to find happiness and freedom, would destroy everything that dares stand in the way of that, but if all Keigo wants is care and understanding, then Dabi has the easiest job ever.