Part of what might have drawn Dabi in right off the bat place was just the contrasts.

Soft, yet hard in other places was the best his mind could scratch up to describe Chizue as a whole; her body was gifted with solid muscles, but other parts held traces of plumpness that made her look oddly child like. Her face was that of a woman's but her stare and smile were innocent and bright, almost uncomprehending; yet the fact remained Chizue was able to kill other living things in one of the most stomach churning ways someone could do. The worst part of it was how she did it without cruel intent; Chizue genuinely saw nothing really wrong with the act. Perhaps deep down there was some bit of her that simply wasn't human.

And then there was the eyes; in theory they wasn't anything remarkable about them in shape or color. They were brown, albeit a more rusted kind of shade of brown in a certain light. Dabi supposed it was more his own perspective that made them pop; every time he caught them in his own gaze, he was reminded of dried blood.

Right now those eyes were closed shut and had been so for a few hours; Chizue seemed to have fallen back asleep just after freshening up, but unlike before, this period of rest was devoid of twitching, moaning, and general, light expressions of discomfort. Dabi didn't know how she could stand to sleep so peacefully, even if she was feeling a bit better; the air in his apartment was muggy and musty, the only source of ventilation being a half open window, stuck that way for who knows how long, and the night air was still and humid outside. If not used to the feeling of intense heat, Dabi himself would be a lot more uncomfortable, but as it were, he only needed to shed his jacket.

His extra shirt fit Chizue too well; before it would have been somewhat tight around her middle and her arms, but there was only a slight strain. The collar was swooping and dipping dangerously low as she shifted on her right side, but it would have likely done that even without Chizue's sudden weight loss.

Dabi cursed inwardly; this whole time he had not noticed just how much her illness, or whatever it had been, was effecting Chizue's body. He figured she definitely lost some of her muscle and fat, but this was too much too fast. Dabi blamed it on her clothes; the outfits she normally wore on her down time were already somewhat baggy and it was hard to tell her exact shape underneath. But now clad in only his own ratty t shirt and a pair of boxers, Dabi could see the extreme change and had to keep himself from shaking her awake to eat the food he had just purchased.

In truth, he hadn't meant to buy all that much on his excursion, especially considering the only place open at the hour was a convenience store. Dabi ended up walking home with a bag full of disposable bowls, plates, cups, and utensils, and a few other bags filled to the point of bursting with snacks, bottles and cans of assorted drinks, instant meals, and even a few frozen meals he figured he could pop into the oven if he needed.

As an afterthought, Dabi grabbed peace scented shampoo and soap just before hustiling to the cashier counter; the employee in attendance hadn't given him an odd look exactly, but knew better than to say anything other than what Dabi's bill came to and 'have a nice night'. That, or he just really didn't care, no doubt seeing some strange sights on his graveyard shift.

Chizue had already of course used the products Dabi used for himself; these cost significantly less than the stuff he had gotten for her, and they smelled like a cheap chemical mix dyed blue for some visual appeal, but they got the job done. As Chizue sweated lightly in her sleep, Dabi could smell his own scent on her if he inhaled the stagnant air deeply enough. He wanted to wake her up as soon as possible, but something was stalling his hand from making contact with her arm.

"What if she screams?"

Dabi was saved the trouble of making a decision when Chizue's eyes slowly pried open, dazed, but lucid. Almost immediately they met his, but she didn't go into hysterics; she blinked once in confusion and as if realizing something, her eyes traveled away from him and onto the half open window.

"Dabi, how long was I asleep?"

"A few hours. I got back a while ago, but you looked like you could use more rest."

"How long were you watching me?"

Dabi didn't answer right away; her voice was mild, not accusing or fearful, but that didn't make the question any less awkward to answer.

"Not long."

"Thanks." Chizue smiled as well as she could despite the stiffness in her cheeks. "I hope I didn't worry you. Can I help put away that stuff?"

Dabi looked at the foot of the mattress where Chizue was pointing; all the bags were still gathered up in a pile. He had forgotten to put them away.

Chizue scooted over the the edge and tried to stand, but fell right back down like a sack of potatoes, making the floor under the thin excuse of a bed creak and his furniture tremble with the impact. Dabi blamed it on the near suffocating humidity that made him conjure up the image of tossing her on her back and ripping off her clothes so they could really make the room shake.

"Whoa, I just got real dizzy." Chizue brought a hand to run fingers through her half matted hair, unsure if it was from the slight perspiration or the shower. Her stomach growled and her face pinched at the ache it produced.

"You shouldn't get up unless you have to. Unless you want to break something."

Chizue shook her head, as if not processing the jibe under Dabi's stern words. "Dabi, can I get some more water?"

"I got something you might like better." Dabi made sure to hand the bottle of flavored water to her carefully. "You like melon don't ya?"

"I do!" Chizue's face lit up as if in recognition as she took the drink; she uncapped it and drank in slow, generous gulps before Dabi took the bottle away. "Hey!"

"Don't just chug it down, you'll throw it right back up."

"Oh right." Chizue took only half gulps and Dabi let out a heavy breath; she wiped her mouth and smiled. "Thanks."

Dabi shrugged. "If you're so grateful, don't keep looking over my shoulder."

It didn't take long to put away the food, though it was a bit of a stretch; Dabi never saw his broken down cabinet so full, and the rest of the packages of noodles and soup cans were shoved in one corner of the counter due to the limited space. The miniature refrigerator was just able to hold the rest; it almost felt homey if the rest of the place didn't look like a shit hole.

Chizue lifted the hem of her borrowed shirt and fanned it to circulate air to her torso; Dabi's narrowed gaze took in the sunken in quality of her stomach.

"Chizu, what can you eat now?"

Chizue stopped her vain attempts to cool off. "Chizu?"

Dabi swallowed. "What? You want me to call you Chi-sweetie?"

"No. How long have you been calling me that?"

"Dammit, will you just tell me what you can eat right now? I know you're out of it, but before you pass out again, you need to get something in your stomach."

"Um...I think crackers would be okay."

Dabi looked over the snacks he had perched on the shelves. "I got rice crackers."

"Hey, those are my favorite kind!"

Dabi held up a hand to halt Chizue as she began to move forward. "Just keep sitting down. I'm right here, I'll just hand you whatever you need. And eat slow."

"Alright, alright." Chizue sighed as he gave her one packet of the crackers and another bottle of melon flavored water. "This sucks. Oh hey, where am I going to sleep?"

"You're staying here."

"Yeah, but we only have this one bed."

"I'll sleep on the floor."

"What floor?"

Chizue looked around; the mattress itself took up the majority of the space in the single room and the rest of it was blocked up by the oven, refrigerator, and small dresser.

"I'll go in the other room." Dabi frowned slightly at Chizue's laugh, punctuated by slamming her fists to her chest as cracker crumbs spewed out on her front.

"What, are you going to sleep standing up like a horse?!" Chizue sputtered. "I mean, it's a tight fit, but I think we can share the bed. Which side do you usually sleep on?"

Dabi managed to reply. "I don't care."

It was long past midnight, but not so late the sun was ready to rise and outshine the stars. The window lacked curtains or blinds, and the overall neighborhood was poorly lit and a bit secluded from the city lights. The last thing Chizue saw before falling back into another hopefully dreamless sleep was the dark sky. A tiny breeze picking up and sneaking into the room; there were wisps of clouds beginning to move in and she guessed rain would be coming before she woke up once again; with her stomach a bit less empty and her mind a bit more at ease, Chizue seemed to have no problem at all resting, even with in the company of a man who was still something of a stranger to her. Today was the most either had spoken to each other.

Dabi guessed she was used to sharing a bed with men she didn't know too personally, but it was just a guess. Chizue had fallen asleep facing him, another sincere thank you on her lips before she closed her eyes and settled in; the last thing she saw was his face. Maybe it was easier looking at him when Chizue knew she wouldn't have to again for a while.

Dabi imagined Chizue lazily slipping on a faceless man's shirts to sleep in while she spent the night, though it was more likely she left right after. Something told him she love anyone. Chizue was too stunted emotionally. And besides, admitting it was a possibility would send his mind reeling and his temper flaring over nothing but musings, something Dabi felt a bit ridiculous for. He was the level headed one out of the two of them and he intended to play it close to the vest; it wouldn't do to get worked up about imaginary lovers.

"Why did she ask if I had a girlfriend anyway? Maybe she just figured I'd have one if I had two toothbrushes; she would jump to that since she knows I'm not all that buddy buddy with anyone in the League, so a woman might be the next best guess. If she thought that, maybe she doesn't think I'm that hard to look at. She did assume I was seeing someone. I mean, she could have just thought-"

Dabi stared at the trail of drool seeping out of the corner of Chizue's lips; she was muttering in her sleep.

"Extra sauce….set the bacon trap."

"Or I'm giving her too much credit."

It was possible Chizue might have felt some jealousy at the idea of another woman in his apartment, but Dabi thought that was a being a bit full of himself.

"Okay, so what's her deal? Isn't she bothered by this at all?"

The room was already far too warm despite the merciful breeze blowing in with the deep grey clouds; Dabi didn't own any blankets or pillows. He decided tomorrow he would go get a couple; Chizue would do better propping her head up in case she felt the urge to get sick in the middle of her naps. Dabi wondered how much longer it would take to get her back to full strength and how long could he keep playing the part of caregiver.

It hadn't even been more than a few days, but the apartment was quickly becoming something of a world in and of itself in Dabi's mind; secluded, quiet, away from all the chaos and complexities of the outside. Ever since he had brought Chizue there, the only thing Dabi could think of was the tasks that needed to be done to aid her, about her health, about how she must feel being there with him as her temporary provider.

A hazy blanket was enveloping his mind as he laid on his side and used his thumb to wipe off her spit. Her lips gave under his light touch as he brushed it over them. Dabi watched her face closely for any signs of returning to the world of the living; his ear was pressed into the dingy mattress and the sound of blood pumping through his muddled mind was amplified by it. He chanced shifting closer to Chizue to try to block out the noise with her steady breathing, puffs of hot air hitting his nose. She'd need to brush her teeth again soon.

"I bet I could smell blood on them if I got closer."

"Dabi?"

Rust, blinking back at him. Chizue licked her chapped lips and yawned like a kitten.

"Is it morning yet?"

"No." Dabi didn't even notice her eyes opening.

Her still sleepy gaze flitted down to his chest and Dabi had to keep his hand from grabbing her face and forcing her to look up. Her cheeks weren't squishy enough yet anyway; if he touched them now, he'd just be reminded of her condition and how little he could do to speed up the healing process.

"Chizu, why'd you get upset over that Yuudai guy?"

Dabi was taken aback by his own bold inquiry, but Chizue didn't bat an eyelash.

"He died."

"So?"

Chizue frowned. "I didn't want him to die, especially not like...like that."

Dabi tried not to keep focus on how close their faces were. "Guess he was really special to you."

"Not really. I just liked him. It's hard thinking that I'll never see him again."

Chizue seemed to be in a pleasant enough mood from her nap; her words were slightly slurred, but Dabi chalked it up to grogginess. He decided to throw caution to the wind and do a little more prying; he could pass it off as concern at this point.

"Have you ever been...that way with anyone you really liked?"

"Really liked? Like, like-like?"

"What are you, ten?"

"No."

Dabi peered into her eyes that were fixed on the side of his face; it was an improvement. She probably couldn't see him as well in the dark.

"Where'd you pick him up from anyway? A website?"

"Yeah, he had an ad online; after that, I met others through Yuudai. Why do you ask? Do you want me to introduce you to someone?"

"Yeah, no."

Chizue was taken off guard by how quick his response was. "Why not? It feels good."

A wave of understanding swept over Dabi's growing frustration at what he assumed was Chizue playing dumb or teasing him; she would jump to finding the most direct route to sate her urges. No fuss or thoughts about what it would mean. To Chizue it was as simple as eating when she was hungry. It really didn't mean a thing to her, but even this only offered a bare minimum of assurance.

"How many others?"

"I don't get why I'm thinking of my folks and that girl though. I can't even remember her name." Chizue sunk her cheek deeper into the bed with a heavy sigh. "I mean, it made sense to eat them, so why am I feeling so bad about it now? I...I can't even really remember what they looked like before the fire. All I can see is their burns-"

Dabi wasn't prepared when Chizue's lost stare locked onto his; she looked guilty, like a little kid who got caught using a swear word.

"What happened after?"

"After?"

Dabi nodded slowly. "Who saved you?"

Chizue looked disconcerted. "I ate bits of them so I could get enough strength to escape."

"So no one came to help?"

"I remember sirens. I think a couple of pros probably helped cause the fire went out pretty quick once people came.

Dabi sneered. "Some pro heroes. Can't even take care of a house fire."

Chizue shrugged. "I just don't get why people always got so upset when they heard what I did. I'm alive, isn't that what matters? They were already dead anyhow. They didn't even taste good."

Her teeth caught on her bottom lip; they were dull and straight. It must have been tough to chew half raw, half burnt meat without enough canines. Chizue had once joked that Dabi's flesh would taste like over charred meat; she would know. Apparently she was at least be able to stand the taste of similarly warped flesh.

A wild thought crossed Dabi's mind; if Chizue was still in her delirious, starving, stress induced state, she might have tried to take a bite out of him. He involuntarily imagined the agonizing pain of those blunt teeth sinking in over and over again, tearing at his skin and muscles until they snapped against bone. Dabi's already ruined skin would be in bloody tatters when Chizue was through; instead of the faint smell of morning breath, her teeth would smell like copper and the stink of meat.

"They wanted me to live. I want to live." Chizue's hand curled up in front of her face, as though she were surveying the state of her body to reassure herself she was indeed still alive. "I guess Big sis and Yuudai dying made me remember, but they wouldn't want me sick." she sighed through her nose and her mouth formed a thin line of disapproval at her own conflicted thoughts. "What can I do to feel good again?"

Her eyes were shining and alive in the half darkness, the color of fresh, warm blood.

"Look at me."

Chizue didn't seem to have heard him; Dabi wasn't going to back down. Not now when she looked so alive.

"Look at me. I'm not one of those corpses."

"I know that." Grudgingly, Chizue raised her face; her body was trembling slightly as Dabi put his hand to her cheek, the cold metal of his stitches just grazing her heated skin.

"That wasn't too hard, was it?"

Chizue flinched and closed her eyes tightly. "I can't."

"Can't what?"

"It's weird."

Dabi wasn't expecting that. "Weird how?"

"It's just weird. You've been so nice to me lately."

"You're no use to us if you're half dead."

"You got me all my favorites."

Chizue ate a variety of foods, but there were some consistencies, especially when it came to the snacks she chose to much on absently throughout the day. The flavors she preferred to drink, the brands of sweets she favored: it was all easy to notice if someone was paying enough attention.

"Everything is your favorite."

"Your hands still on my cheek."

"Gotta check that your temperature is back to normal."

Chizue's lips formed the beginnings of a smile. "I feel really dumb now."

Dabi didn't speak as a bashful sort of half grin wormed its way onto Chizue's pale, exhausted face. The circles around her eyes were still dark; the cheek under his palm didn't feel as soft, but it was warm.

"I was kinda scared of you for no reason. I'm sorry."

"It's fine. Focus on feeling better."

"I need you to be okay."

Chizue nodded earnestly. "Sure thing. I think my appetite is coming back."

"Just don't go thinking you can snack on me, alright? I got you enough to eat, so eat it."

"Or I might just give you something to stuff that pretty mouth with."

"I wouldn't kill you, just so you know. I don't eat people I like." Chizue said. "Well, not unless I have to."

Dabi pulled away and settled back into a somewhat comfortable position. "Don't worry about it. You can fry your brain thinking about all that other stuff later."

"I do like fried things."

"I can tell."

Dabi cracked a smile as her eyes locked on his.

"Chizu, I think I know a way I can make you feel good again."