Hello!

Here's the second chapter, how will Dabi react?

Enjoy!

And that was clearly not what Dabi expected to hear.

An impassioned speech about him capturing a highly dangerous hero? Sure. A declaration of his hatred after what happened in the training camp and with the High End Nomu? Why not.

But absolutely not that. That was not what he expected when he'd decided to go out to buy some medicine and stuff for the others. Of course, he had noticed the teenager following him on his way back to the manor the PLF used. You don't live on the street for years without picking up that kind of skill. It had saved his life uncountable times. Well, what remained of him at least.

Honestly, after so many years, he didn't think this situation would happen. Like, what's the probability? He had left his past behind him. His death as Touya was a new beginning. The start of his new life as Dabi. Touya was dead. Shouto's brother died nine years ago. He probably didn't remember him that well. Shouto was only six years old when Touya died after all. He had a goal to fulfil and getting recognized wasn't part of his plan. He could hoodwink him, it's not like the kid had solid proof after all.

"No, I'm not."

Clear, straight to the point. Perfect.

Shouto frowned, thinking about it once more. His mouth curved into a little pout. It could be adorable if this situation wasn't so shitty.

"I'm pretty sure you are though."

Well, it made sense for him not to trust him, but it was still frustrating as hell. It's like talking to a wall.

"Listen brat, I don't know what kind of crap you smoke to think such a thing, but I'm not your brother," Dabi replied.

He looked briefly at the fire on his hand before deciding to put it out. He was not feeling like starting a fight after hearing that.

"You should go back home, it's getting dark."

Shouto smiled.

"I'm pretty sure that's what a big brother would say. My older brother does sometimes."

Dabi couldn't help but snort at that. Natsuo had always been pretty reckless when they were kids. Saying that since their father wasn't training him, he could do whatever he wanted. To tell the truth, he just wanted to catch the attention of his father. Never really worked.

"Damn ironic coming from him."

"I know, right? Though only Touya could know that," Shouto pointed out.

The teenager smirked, knowing he had him.

Shit.

"That was just an assumption." Dabi rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Don't get carried away."

That was getting ridiculous. He needed to end this conversation before it went too far. Well, farther than it already had. Really this day was a joke. First Shigaraki "accidentally" crushed the doorknob to the toilets, then he found out Toga had put make-up on him when he was napping on the couch, supposedly to train herself before doing it on her, but he wasn't a fool. He was pretty sure Spinner and Hawks took photos. Twice tried to cover for them but he snitched on them at the same time. The side effects of his quirk could be pretty useful sometimes. Not for him though. He'd spend the rest of the afternoon complaining about his failed rescue.

Anyway, he needed to get away quickly before it got worse. Well, it's not like it could really get worse than th-

"Dabi?"

Sometimes he should just shut up to save himself some time.

Suddenly, Dabi leaped on Shouto and put his brother's hood on before he could react. The hood covered most of his face so that no one would be able to see Shouto's face. Perfect. Luckily for them, Shouto was in casual clothes and not in his UA uniform.

"What-"

Dabi turned around and scowled at the new arrival. As if he needed him here.

"What do you want? Aren't you supposed to be guarding your so precious boss?"

Geten seemed to hesitate. Dabi couldn't see his face, hidden by the hood of his heavy coat. He had no idea why he would seek him out. Since their fight, they haven't got any closer, just partaking in reunions and meetings together because of their joint vanguard and nothing else. Their radically different views on quirks and society certainly didn't help.

"You were taking too much time. They were starting to worry."

"And they sent you?"

"Well, they were in the middle of a game called Mario Kart so…" Geten shrugged, not bothered at all by the behaviour of his colleagues.

Dabi rolled his eyes. Of course. They were worried, but not enough to stop their game. Anyway, it was better like this. Geten wasn't very up-to-date with things outside of the Liberation Front and recently the Paranormal Liberation Front. If there was someone who didn't know Shouto, it was him. At least, that's what Dabi was counting on. He had covered his brother's face and if he was clever enough, Shouto would find a way to slip away from the two villains. Dabi had to cut this conversation short before Shouto heard too much compromising information. Geten wasn't known by the Hero coalition as far he knew and he would like to keep as many things as possible hidden from his hero of a brother. Speaking of the devil, he had kept silent since the start of this conversation. Dabi wondered what he was thinking about. Geten, curious about the masked person, drew his attention to him.

"Who are you?"

That's the one million yen question right now. Dabi turned to Shouto. He had hoped that Geten would mind his own business but apparently that was asking too much from the Iceman. Thinking hard to come up with a lie, he didn't notice Shouto stepping forward and trying to appear bulkier than he is.

"I am the Hand Crusher."

What the fuck?

"I am Dabi's partner. We did several jobs together some time ago," Shouto lied through his teeth.

Dabi was now looking at his brother as if a third eye had popped on his forehead. What kind of nonsense was he spouting now? The Hand Crusher? Where did he find that?

"The Hand Crusher? I don't know that name," Geten enquired, interested.

"I got that name after I was involved in some unfortunate incidents… Turns out people break their hands rather quickly in my presence. Like a curse some would say…"

Now Geten was looking downright impressed. For a reason unknown to Dabi, Geten seemed to think that was the perfect time to remove his hood, letting his white hair fall on his shoulders. Nothing more trustworthy than a chat about crushing hands apparently. Shouto took a look at him for a bit before he carried on.

"I work mostly alone and underground. That's probably why you've never heard of me before," Shouto shrugged.

"I see. And you've never thought about joining an organisation?"

Okay, now that needed to stop for the sake of what remained of Dabi's sanity.

"Nope, he never did and he never will," he declared.

Shouto glanced at him before adding, "Yes, he's right. I like having my own business too much for that." Dabi snorted at that. Had their dear old dad heard his precious Shouto saying that, he'd have had a heart attack. In fact, it's a pity he wasn't here, really.

"We were here to catch up. It's been some time since we last saw each other after all, hasn't it? And Dabi has changed his phone so he needed to give me his new number anyway."

The little shit.

Now that he's said it in front of Geten, he couldn't not do it. That would blow their cover. And if the proud smile Dabi could make out from under his brother's hood was any indication, Shouto knew it too.

He looked a little like mom.

We don't have the same mother.

Or father.

We aren't brothers dammit!

Yes, we are.

I have proof. Do you want to see my file?

What the-

No, I don't want to, leave me alone.

Don't ever send me messages again.

No.

You didn't answer.

Is he our cousin?

No.

Wait, we're not from the same family.

Sure.

You're insufferable.

Dabi and Geten were back at the manor five minutes ago. Since then, he had played his encounter with Shouto in his head multiple times. In what kind of mess did he put himself? He'd just wanted to go out to buy some things for the pain and now… now what? His brother had recognized him and like the responsible adult he was, Dabi had decided to deny it until his death. A wise decision really. Shouto will surely give up at one point. He sighed. He was pretty sure his day couldn't get worse now. At least, he hoped so.

Dabi put his phone back in his pocket and turned his attention to the group in front of him. The former members of the League of Villains were sprawled on the couch, watching with more or less enthusiasm a TV show.

"Dabi was meeting with a friend," Geten reported. "Someone called the Hand Crusher."

"Tomura, is he your natural enemy?" Mr. Compress remarked, causing Toga and Twice to burst in laughter.

Shigaraki looked up from his console, apparently genuinely concerned for the safety of his hands.

Dabi sighed. How was he supposed to explain this?

'' He's not a friend. Just… a work partner.''

'' Is he a recruit? ''

'' No! '' Dabi denied. '' I had just… A side job for him that needed to be done. He gave me his report. That's all. I don't plan on seeing him again soon.''

'' Be careful Hawks, or that Hand Crusher guy is going to steal your boyfriend! '' Toga hollered.

'' I wouldn't want that for anything in the world, right dear? '' Hawks winked.

'' Oh, you shut up. '' Dabi rolled his eyes.

Why were they like this?

When he had left his brother, Shouto was so deep in his thoughts that he didn't notice his phone frenetically buzzing in his pocket which was why he was so surprised when his friends jumped on him when he got back to the mall.

"Todoroki!" Midoriya yelled.

"We were so worried!" Uraraka expressed, checking from every angle that he was safe.

"You said you'd update us, but you didn't send any messages after that!" Iida reproached him, his arms making sharp movements.

Shouto shook his head.

"I mistook a person for a villain and went after him for nothing," he confessed, sheepishly. "I apologized to him after I realised it."

"Next time, wait for us before rushing to a conclusion, "Asui advised.

"I will, don't worry."

After that, they went back to their dorms in UA. However, Shouto didn't notice Midoriya's concerned look. Indeed, the green-haired teenager didn't really believe his friend's explanation. Todoroki was usually rational so that sudden rashness didn't sit well with him. Something wasn't right. He'd wait before asking him again for now, but he will pay more attention to his friend's actions in the coming days. Well… more than he usually did, Izuku thought, blushing.

The dinner had gone well. At least, what he remembered of it. He had lost track of what was happening after Kaminari had provoked Bakugou and Kirishima into a marshmallow-eating competition and most of the class had enthusiastically cheered the two opponents while the other part was looking at them with disgust. The attention of his classmates on them helped him to slip away as soon as dinner was over. Once in his room, he had let himself fall onto his futon.

Thinking about what happened earlier, Shouto didn't really understand why Dabi denied being his brother that much. Really, when you think about it, it's pretty obvious that he's Touya. No matter if he wanted to keep acting the part of a villain, he could have at least confirmed it.

He didn't remember him well. Shouto was only six when his brother died. He remembered the things Fuyumi and Natsuo agreed to tell him. The rest was only snippets of his memory. Touya helping (healing) him after the trainings. Giving him snacks in secret. Smiling at him. Singing lullabies when Shouto was so upset he couldn't sleep.

Then, he was gone.

A ghost in the family house. A hole in their heart. One more. Their mother had already been taken away from them and then Touya… Fuyumi and Natsuo were devastated. Shouto was too small to really understand his brother's death at first but later… it had been a hard blow to say the least.

But now that he'd found him again, he wouldn't let him go. They had suffered too much to let his brother ignore them when Shouto knew he was still alive. This was a chance to get his family back and he wasn't about to let it pass him by.

Soooo... What do you think?

Bye and take care of yourself!