Kaere was still feeling weak from patching up Twice. Her quirk was able to stop her bleeding, but she had donated quite a bit of blood to her friend and the area she had cut from was still tender. She did her best not to let Compress notice how it affected her.

Guilt gnawed at her stomach as she chewed at her lower lip. Twice got hurt because he wanted to protect me. And Sako-san…he was so worried when he showed up. I know he didn't want me to notice, but…

"Is everything alright, my dear?"

She blushed pink and nervously picked at the skin around her left thumbnail. "Um…y-yeah. I'm sorry."

Compress was about to say something, but saw his phone screen light up. He had taken Kaere for dinner and then up to what he affectionately called their "rooftop rendezvous spot". By then it was dark enough that he could take off both of his masks and lie next to Kaere on their blanket to look at the stars.

Pushing himself to sit up, he grabbed his phone. Even in the dim light from the lantern, it was obvious he was frowning. "You'll have to forgive me, darling. I lost track of time. I have some business that I need to attend to. Of course, I'll walk you home; I wouldn't dream of letting you travel at night without an escort."

"Ah…okay. It is getting late." Kaere sat up, but she wished that they had more time. Being with Compress was comforting. Lying on the rooftop next to him, looking up at the stars projected on the canopy, she felt so relaxed.

What is he going to do? I shouldn't bother him about it. But…is it related to the League? Shouldn't I go with him, if it is? If he gets hurt…She subconsciously pressed a hand over her still healing self-inflicted wound. If he gets hurt…and he needs help…would I be able to heal him?

He was standing now, pulling on his balaclava. The man put on his hat and began to adjust it, but paused. "Darling? Are you sure that everything is alright? I don't like to see such a troubled look on your face."

"I'm alright." Kaere pushed herself to stand, her pulse skipping when his warm right hand caressed her cheek. "Sako-san…?"

"Were you bothered by what Dabi…insinuated…earlier? There's no need to dwell on it, beloved. It's in the past now. Let me just say that the brute who attacked you will never trouble you again," he assured her. Compress put on that dazzling smile that always made her heart race and it only grew when he felt her soft, cool hand settle over his.

She knew what he meant and it made her feel even guiltier. It settled heavily on her mind as they walked to her apartment. It was clear that Compress knew that she was still upset. When they reached her door, he removed his black and white mask to look down at her, wearing a worried frown.

"You know that I hate to leave your side," he started as he lifted his right hand. His now gloved fingers ran through her dark hair and he leaned down, hesitating with his face inches from hers. "I wish that I could spend the night with you. Nothing would make me happier than to fall asleep beside you, Kae. Unfortunately, this business that I'm attending to is something very important. I can't divulge any details at this time, but when I'm able to…" Compress's smile returned with a sheepishness. "I need to keep it a surprise for now."

Kaere closed her eyes as he drew closer. His lips gently met hers; warm and soft. His arm wrapped around her and he pressed her close against him. Kaere felt his hips against hers and a rush of fluttery exhilaration ran through her. The girl's hands lifted and delicately gripped his vest, beginning to feel a little lightheaded.

He started to step back, but lingered for a moment. Stealing another kiss and another before finally forcing himself to part from her. "Why don't we pick this up again tomorrow?" he suggested.

"A-alright." She reluctantly released his vest and looked away, embarrassed. Pushing up her glasses and hoping he would fail to notice the vibrant pink hue that was crossing her face.

Compress gave her a showy bow as he settled his black and white mask on over his balaclava. "Well, my dear. Be sure to get plenty of rest tonight."

The pink tint became red and she bit her lip at the suggestive way he had worded his farewell. She watched him walk down the alley until he disappeared around the corner, her pulse still pounding. Turning to look at her apartment door, she chewed at her lip. Afraid of going inside and having to face her roommate.

Kaere unlocked the door and as soon as she was in, she tried to hurry to her bedroom. If I just don't look at him…if I just don't draw attention to myself, I can probably get to my room. I'll just jam the door closed and-! She winced as a patchwork hand slammed against the doorframe to her left, just as she was about to enter her room.

"Where do you think you're going, Kae?" Warm breath skimmed along the side of her ear as Dabi leaned down, his right hand gripping her upper arm when she tried to move away from him.

Her stomach twisted in knots and she squirmed, trying to pull free. His hold tightened until she hissed in pain. "Just…just let me go. I just want to get into my room." She spoke in a whisper; too afraid to speak any louder and let even more fear into her voice.

Dabi released her arm and effortlessly lifted her. Putting the girl over his shoulder and locking an arm across the back of her knees to keep her from kicking him. His left hand pressed at her back to hold her down when she tried to push herself away from him. "Took you forever to get home," he started.

The girl's heart raced as she struggled in his hold, her glasses slipping down a little. Her hands curled into fists and pounding against his back, but to no avail. "Wh-what are you going to do?!"

Completely unfazed by her attempts to get free, he crossed the apartment. "You know…I'm getting pretty sick of you shutting me out. All the stuff I keep doing for you. I thought you would've warmed up to me by now."

Kaere's eyes widened as she remembered the nightmare she had had earlier. When she fainted while donating some of her blood to Twice. A ring of blue fire closing in around her, her right hand completely missing, and Dabi coming toward her through the flames. He's…going to kill me! He's going to burn me alive!

"Just not your type, right? Too close to your age," he taunted. Dabi let go of her back for a moment so he could open the apartment door and then closed it behind him. "Or maybe I'm not needy enough."

"Don't…don't talk about-!" Kaere jolted, feeling his hand return to her back, but lower than before. Fingers pressing around the back of her hips, over the waist of her pants, but his palm resting against an area that made her face turn red.

"Funny. You knew I was talking about Twice without me even saying it. You only get this worked up when I say something about him. You really have a weakness for the damaged ones, don't you?"

She struggled to push up her glasses before they could fall onto the ground behind him. "Where are you taking me?" Her voice was breaking and there was no hiding it. The terror as she imagined him burning her to ashes. The embarrassment of being carried over his shoulder with his hand settled where it was.

Dabi paused in his steps to adjust his hold on her. "I've gotta take care of something. I figured I might as well have some company. You might even warm up to me a little after tonight." He smirked, but Kaere was unable to see it. "I've heard that fear brings people together sometimes."

Her heart sank as she heard this and she gripped the back of his coat with both hands. Staring back toward the apartment door and wishing she was faster. Wishing she had a quirk that would help her defend herself. Wherever he was taking her, whatever he was planning to do, it was not good.

"P-put me down," she spoke up. Her thoughts filled with multiple escape plans as she felt his hand lift press down harder. If he let her stand on her own, she would at least stand a chance at escaping. As long as he was carrying her, Kaere knew that she had no hope.

"Fine." He set her down, but immediately grabbed her wrist. His skin was burning hot against the coolness of hers and his eyes were half-lidded as he leaned down close to her. "Did you think I'd just let you bolt? You're too easy to read. How about this? I need you for something tonight. I need you to cooperate. If you can do that, I'll owe you a favor."

What does he want me to do? Her pulse raced faster when his free hand went beneath her chin to hold her face. The narrowed turquoise eyes of the other villain burned into her soft hazel ones as he leaned down closer. But if I refuse…I really might not survive. I would never see Sako-san again…never see Twice or the others. But what does he want me to do?

"You look cute when you're scared," he taunted. "Come on. Give me your answer, Kae."

"A-alright. I'll…cooperate," she conceded. She picked at the skin around her nails, her lips twisted into a frown that only got deeper when he got closer to her. Kaere could feel the heat radiating off of his body, smell the lingering scent of burned flesh and hair.

"Good girl. I just need you to play along. I'll try to make it painless, but I can't make any promises." Dabi tilted her head back and his two-toned lips brushed against hers. "Tonight, you're gonna play a role for me. I don't want you to ask any questions. Just follow my lead. You're good at that kind of thing, right?"

Kaere's stomach twisted in anxiety. The warmth coming off of his skin was intense enough to make her flinch. Fear made her start to sweat, but when he leaned back to look down at her, she managed a small nod. "Wh-when we're done-?"

"I'll owe you a favor. But we can talk about that later. We don't wanna make him wait for too long."

"What…?" She was grateful when he backed off, but soon she was being pulled alongside him down the alley. Kaere lifted her free hand to push up her glasses, glancing from Dabi to the street up ahead. What does he mean? What did he mean by that? Who is "he"? Where is he taking me?!

Dabi led her down various desolate streets and back alleys. Taking her further and further away from the apartment building. Making the girl feel gradually more anxious until she felt like her heart might explode.

When they reached an area that was particularly void of people, Dabi's hold on her wrist tightened. He turned a corner and seemed to already know how Kaere was going to react to what was waiting for them. As soon as the winged hero came into view, Dabi preemptively tugged her closer to him and slipped an arm around her waist to prevent her from running away.

"You really like to keep people waiting-" The red-winged hero raised an eyebrow as his feathers seemed to puff up a little. "You didn't say you were bringing someone with you. Not that I'm complaining." He started toward them, wearing a casual smile as his eyes locked onto the medic. "Naoru, right? Nice to see you again."

"H…hello," she forced out. Why? Why did Dabi bring me here? Am I going to be arrested? Is he planning to frame me for something?

"So, not that I don't appreciate seeing this cutie again," Hawks started, turning his head so he looked up at Dabi. "What's the occasion? Thought we were keeping this just between us for now."

Am I…am I supposed to be a bribe?! Is Dabi trying to use me…? No! No way! No, no, no! Kaere subtly tried to slip away, but tensed when she felt his fingertips dig into her hip. What-?!

"My little medic didn't want me to leave her alone tonight. She's not gonna repeat anything she hears. Right?"

She nodded and shivered when she felt the staples along his cheek scrape against the side of her ear. He pulled her closer to him, but kept her in full view of the hero. I'm a distraction, she realized with relief. He's using me to redirect that hero's attention…in case he needs to do something.

"A medic, huh? Must be nice to have your own personal healer." Hawks flashed her a half-grin, not realizing that it only made her more terrified of him. The dim light from the streetlight cast shadows across his face and made what was supposed to be friendly expression look absolutely menacing.

Bird…of prey, she thought as she swallowed the lump in her throat. Dabi. This was what he meant when he said "fear brings people together". I have to rely on him if this hero decides that he wants to take me.

"Better than going home to an empty nest," Dabi countered. "So are we gonna talk about the League?" When he felt Kaere's cold, delicate hand grip his jacket, he smirked and relaxed his hold on her hip.

"Is she in the League? Seems a little too shy to be one of you."

"You really wanna know? She's a contract medic," the villain lied.

As soon as Dabi said this, there was a shift in the hero's posture. It was faint and Dabi might not have noticed, but Kaere could see it. A tensing in his shoulders and a slight twitch in the muscles of his neck. His wings moved back a little more.

"You don't say. Shigaraki's not afraid someone will swoop in and take her?"