Everything Shinsou knew about Dabi before hiring him was on his resume and from his own uncle's mouth. Aizawa had been pretty upfront about Dabi's temperament and had made it clear that Shinsou was under no obligation to hire Dabi or keep him on board if he didn't work out. But Dabi had extensive second hand knowledge on what they did, was a hard worker, wouldn't steal from the register, and was willing to do anything asked of him. His rap sheet mainly highlighted his drug offenses and other petty crime charges, but Shinsou honestly didn't know if he should inquire whether Aizawa knew if some details had been left out.

Not that Dabi hadn't proven himself a decent employee or done anything to test Shinsou's trust; if anything he himself was more guilty of the latter. But since day one Shinsou had found Dabi off putting and it had nothing to do with his look or the prison time.

Shinsou can see what unnerves him the most when he catches the way Dabi's eyes seem to be hollow and all but empty most times. The main instances where Shinsou had seen any emotion come to his gaze was when Miu was involved. Whenever she had come into the shop to bring lunch or just say hello, Dabi all but bounded over to her and wouldn't leave her side unless he had to finish a task or get back to work on something else. It was actually pretty sweet.

Then Dabi found out what Shinsou had done and his laid back, borderline apathetic demeanor did a complete 180 in the workplace.

If looks could kill, Shinsou figured his intestines would have been gouged from his insides and force fed back into his remaining guts.

It wasn't the first time Shinsou had pondered whether Dabi had been guilty of something more serious than a few drug offenses. Dabi didn't look like a killer; he appeared intimidating with his extreme look and physically imposing stature, but it was the eyes that made it all come together to cause Shinsou some anxiety. A thug was one problem but a psycho was a whole other thing Shinsou doubted he was equipped to handle, let alone a jealous, possessive stalker who looked ready to bite the head off anyone who so much as looked in Miu's general direction.

It's why it made Shinsou all the more disconcerted seeing how Dabi was in front of him inquiring about his former position.
"I heard you were still looking. I can't find work anywhere right now. Miu is working two jobs to pay the bills."

"I heard that."

"I know."
Shinsou raised an eyebrow. "You do?"

Dabi looked away. "I know she talks to you."
"She doesn't say anything bad about you."
"She has every right to bitch about me."

Shinsou is stiff, shifts from one foot to the other; the coffee maker is dripping steadily and they're both holding stale donuts in their hands, but neither one has taken more than a nibble. To say the atmosphere in the room is awkward would be an understatement.

"What did you think would happen anyway?"
Shinsou averts his own eyes. "I don't know. I hadn't planned on anything. She was just looking at me and...she was sad...and crying..."

"Sad?"

Shinsou scratched his neck. "We were talking about the past...how I felt bad for not talking to her when we were in school. I knew what was going on with her dad. I wanted to help, but I couldn't…"

"Man up? Grow some balls?"
"You know, this really isn't the best way to ask for a job."

Dabi grunts. "Says the guy who made a pass at his employees girlfriend. Don't act like you're better than me."
"I'm just telling you what happened. At any rate, she turned me down." Shinsou told him; he tossed his uneaten donut in the trash. "And trust me, Aizawa gave me hell over this. I know it was wrong. I never meant to put you or Miu in an awkward spot."

Dabi stared at Shinsou for some moments, contemplative and seemingly calm.

"You don't love her like I do."
Shinsou can't find words; he just gaps at Dabi, who continues with an even but cold voice.

"If Miu wants to be your friend, fine. If you want to hang out, talk, whatever. But you don't love her like I do. You don't know her like I do and she already chose me. Keep that in mind when you're jacking off about your crush." Dabi tosses out his own donut and wipes his hands on his jeans. "We're gonna get married eventually you know. We'll send you and invite as long as you promise not to pull any of that wedding crasher bullshit."

"Is that all you wanted to say?"

"Yeah. I needed to get it off my chest before I asked you this."

If Shinsou doubted his morning could get any more insane, that impression was shattered once Dabi knelt to the ground, placing his hands on either side of his head, and pressed his forehead a few centimeters to the floor.

"Please let me work here again." Dabi's voice is slightly muffled but audible for Shinsou to hear where he stands. "I won't give you any more shit as long as you keep it professional. I can't make Miu pay for my screw ups. I don't care if you cut my pay or take away the benefits. Bottom line is, I need a job."
"Dude…" Shinsou sighs heavily. "Look, I never wanted you to quit. Personal feelings aside, you were fine. And I was your supervisor. I crossed a line; you don't owe me a thing."

Dabi raises himself up and Shinsou sits down on the uneven chair in the corner. He feel twice as awkward now; he honestly doesn't understand how Dabi's mind works. One minute he feels like the other man is ready to slit his throat and now he's begging for another chance to work there.

"So I got the job back?"
"Yeah. And we keep personal lives separate. I won't mess things up with Miu or put you in an uncomfortable position." Shinsou tells him soberly as Dabi stands back up and brushes off his pants. "You can start at the end of the week. I still have all your info on file."

"Okay."

Shinsou doesn't expect a vocal thank you but he doesn't really feel he deserves it.

"Dabi."

"What's up?" Dabi was just starting for the door.

"I didn't do what I did to piss you off or make things hard for Miu. I'm not lying when I say I hadn't even planned to say anything...inappropriate."
"Inappropriate?" Dabi bristled.

"I mean something 'just a friend' wouldn't say. And I do think of Miu as a friend. I've always liked her." Shinsou wants to bite off his own tongue. "Look, the point is I'm not playing some game. I hope from here on out there won't be any hard feelings."

Dabi's hand is still resting on the doorknob. "Did she cry?"

"Yeah, a little."

In all the years they had known each other it had been the first time Shinsou had seen Miu cry. There were at least a hundred things Shinsou had either yet to see Miu do or hear her say. The past half year had drilled that fact home more times than Shinsou cared to count.

Dabi has seen Miu lost and scared and angry and sad. They've had late night talks and early morning greetings. They've fought but obviously they've found ways to overcome their issues, at least enough to try to keep making it work.

He's seen her naked. He's touched her in a way no one else ever had. He's kissed her lips and lost himself in her warmth and her scent and drowned in it.

Shinsou guesses he has anyway. He knows it's what he would have done.

"Hey Dabi? Does Miu know your name yet?"

It was on the resume, the background check, but Shinsou isn't one to pry. He respects Dabi's privacy and his preferred way to be addressed. It's no skin off his bones if the man wants to leave his birth name behind.

"No. She doesn't need to. It doesn't matter."

"Maybe not. But do you think it does to her?"
"Miu knows me better than anyone else ever has." Dabi chuckled humorlessly. "What? Don't tell me you're getting all puffed up 'cause she calls you by your given name?"

"Not at all. I just thought you might have told her. But if that wasn't the case, I won't let it slip. Your business is your business."

"You sound like Aizawa."

"It's the truth. A criminal record is one thing, but whatever your reasons for going by this name...you don't owe anyone an explanation."

Dabi almost looks caught off guard before his stone like glare slips back into place. Shinsou swears he almost looked approachable for a second.

"Almost." Shinsou reminds himself. "Talking to this guy is impossible. How does Miu do it? Even before all this mess he's been antisocial at best. Okay, so Miu doesn't think of me that way. But this nut job? I just don't get it. What's the appeal?"

"I'd appreciate it."

"What?"

"I said...I appreciate it."

Dabi sighs and turns around to look Shinsou in the eyes. It's probably the first time he's looked at him straight, aside from the days he spent burning holes into him. Normally Dabi looks through people like they're not even really there. Like he's somewhere else entirely in his own head. Maybe he is. Maybe it's why he's discarded his old name for this person. Shinsou has to admit, he is a bit curious how Dabi went from point A to point B, but it really isn't his place to ask and it's not in his nature when info isn't on a need to know basis. So despite wondering how such vibrant eyes grew so chillingly cold, Shinsou resigns himself to keeping his mouth shut and counting himself lucky he won't be part of Dabi's criminal background under the category of attempted murder.

"It's no problem. Really."

"And you won't tell Miu?"

"That's between you two." Shinsou says without hesitation. "I don't have anything to do with that."

Dabi gaze pierces him once more, clearly skeptical, but he finally nods stiffly and looks back down at his shoes. "Thank you."

"And Dabi?"

"Yeah?"

Shinsou gives him half of a smile. "Do me a favor and never get on your knees in front of me like that again; especially not with Toga in the other room."

"You don't have to tell me twice. Seeing your ugly mug from the floor didn't do your looks any favors." Dabi's lips stayed put in a thin line, but there wasn't quite as much hostility in his voice this time.

"Gotta say, you're not really my type either."

"Why don't you go drink some more coffee? You look like shit. Is insomnia hereditary in your family or what?"

"Not sure. Maybe weighing my face down with paperclips will make me worn out enough to go to bed on time."

"Those 'paper clips' are in more places than my face. And for your information, Miu thinks it's hot." Dabi smirks, smug as can be and rightfully so. "By the way, I still get the employee discount, right? I was thinking of adding a couple more barbells to my frenum ladder at some point."

"Sure about that? You have to keep it in your pants for a week at least afterward."
"I know. It'll be worth it though."
Shinsou scoffs lightly at Dabi's feral grin. "He sure is talkative all of a sudden. Is he trying to get under my skin? What, does he plan to make his dick like one of those ribbed toys?"

"On second thought, maybe Miu can come in for something. I can think of a few places that would look good with one of my 'paper clips'." Dabi drawls, expression deceitfully innocent. "Well, see you bright and early Friday, boss."

"Later."

Shinsou manages to not slam the door after him and deflects Toga's attempts to hear all the details of their conversation by escaping to the bathroom. He figured Dabi wouldn't be able to resist one last ribbing before their fresh start.

"Guess I kind of deserved that….but he's just so infuriating! Is this how it's gonna be from now on? Whatever, I'll let him go for good if things get out of hand. I owe him this chance at least...I owe it to Miu for putting her in a tight spot."

Shinsou sighs heavily and splashes some water on his face; he really, really, hopes he won't regret this later.