CHAPTER THREE - DAZED AND CONFUSED
A slight breeze roused Shigaraki from a deep, dreamless sleep. Something was tickling his face. His nose twitched in irritation and he tried to turn away, but then it was still tickling his forehead; soft and scratchy.
Lazily, he reached up to swat the offending thing away, clawing frantically at the skin.
"Ow." Dabi mumbled when Shigaraki's elbow bumped his nose.
Shigaraki's eyes immediately popped wide open, shock registering in his still semi-conscious state.
Praying that he was dreaming, he slowly turned his head to the side and upon seeing his rival laying quite contently beside him, jolted into an upright sitting position - which earned him an instant shot of pain, like a knife had been stabbed deep into his side.
"Fuuuuuck!" Nope, not dreaming! That pain was real. He lurched forward, gasping for air before falling back to the bed. His breaths came hard and fast.
"Shigaraki?" Dabi fixed his vibrant blue gaze on his friend, his brow furrowing with concern. He wanted to reach out to the other boy and smooth away the tension in his face but thought twice about it. "You okay?"
"No. I'm not fucking okay." Shigaraki returned with a hiss, wrapping a hand over his waist to nurse his injured body like it would help with the pain.
There was movement on the bed, and seconds later Dabi appeared in Shigaraki's line of sight, a dark silhouette against the moonlight shining in from the window behind him.
"Need some drugs?" Dabi asked and settled onto his side raised up on his elbow, cheek resting in the palm of his hand. "The nurse gave us… I mean, she gave you some pills."
"What are you doing in my room?" Shigaraki grumbled, ignoring his unsolicited sleeping companion. His mind felt like it was clouded by a thick fog, and he was lost in the mist.
He blinked a few times to clear away the mental unclarity and swiped at his right eye with his free hand. He was missing a large chunk of time from his memory. He recalled being in the infirmary. The nurse had released him and Dabi had been there. Then he had been given an injection for the pain. That's where it stopped, after that, his mind was blank.
"Are you still high?" Dabi asked, interrupting his thoughts. He raised a brow and the corner of his mouth kicked up into an amused grin. He thought it was kind of endearing, watching Shigaraki wake up like that, like he didn't remember returning to Dabi's room or that they had fallen asleep together after a pretty intense make-out session.
Shigaraki abruptly turned his head to glare at Dabi, red eyes glowing in the dark, a scowl firmly in place.
"Take a look around, Mop Head." Dabi suggested, watching the other boy intently for a reaction.
At first, Shigaraki only stared back at Dabi, dazed and confused.
Dabi chuckled softly, though he thought it was a bit of a shame really, that Shigaraki didn't remember anything. That brief moment of intimacy they had shared earlier, before Shigaraki had succumbed to the drugs and passed out, had been pretty special. Now that Shigaraki had sobered up, it seemed he had already returned to his usual misanthropic self. Dabi was sure that if he even tried to touch the other boy, he would be subjected to some scratching and bruising. Sharing another kiss was completely out of the question. Probably. He might have to test that theory.
Finally, Shigaraki's eye twitched. A sense of panic seemed to settle over him, slowly, like a wave rolling on the shore. He shifted his gaze a fraction, first to his left and then to his right, without bothering to move his head. Although it was dark, and he couldn't see much further than a foot or two in front of him, he knew that he wasn't in his own room, that he wasn't in his own bed. Nothing felt… right.
"Just fucking perfect." Adding insult to injury, he suddenly realized he was also topless. Topless and laying in bed with the fucking zombie boy.
He tugged on the blankets, dragging them up to his chin and drawing his legs up. The idea was to curl up and hide himself away for a moment, so he could try and think clearly, but his broken body forced him to stop midway into the movement. His muscles tensed up, straightening him back out, and opening him up to scrutiny.
"Don't be mad, nothing happened." Dabi whispered and gathered up enough courage to test the other boys level of agitation. He lifted his hand and framed Shigaraki's jawline with his fingers, the pad of his thumb gently brushed his slack lower lip, "Though, it could if you want it too."
"Tch." Shigaraki grumbled in response. He reeled back, protesting Dabi's touch, "Idiot." He threw the blankets away from his body and tentatively sat into an upright position again, bearing the pain this time.
"What are you doing?" Dabi asked, genuinely concerned by the sounds of Shigaraki's distress.
"Where's my shirt?"
"In the garbage."
"In the garbage?"
"Yes. It was destroyed, no saving it."
"I see." Shigaraki returned, paying only half attention to what Dabi was telling him. He was glancing towards the door, distracted, searching for an escape route.
"You should get some more sleep, it's not even close to morning yet." Dabi stretched out, yawning and making himself comfortable.
"Give me one of your shirts." Shigaraki demanded, ignoring Dabi once again.
Dabi sighed. He knew this was coming, that Shigaraki would wake up and want to leave as soon as he figured out where he was, but Dabi wasn't ready for their time together to end. He shifted slightly and then the lamp on the nightstand came on with a click, bathing his bedroom in a warm white glow. Shigaraki cringed and held his arm up to block the light from his unprepared vision.
"Why? Where are you going?" Dabi asked.
"I need to take a shower." Shigaraki grumbled, scratching irritably at his neck. His skin felt dirty, still covered in a fine layer of grime - robot dust, sweat and dried blood. "Give me a shirt." He repeated.
Dabi sat up, scrubbing his hands roughly over his face like he was trying to wake himself up. The blankets pooled at his waist, and Shigaraki couldn't help but notice that the other boy was also topless. Immediately, his cheeks flushed with warmth.
"Fine, I'll get you a shirt," Dabi conceded, "I'm coming with you, though."
"I'd rather you not."
"I'm not asking." Dabi asserted, "I need a shower too." He slipped out from the bed and Shigaraki was relieved to finally know, for sure, that Dabi had the decency to keep his pants on while they slept together.
Dabi crossed his room and dug around in a dresser drawer. "You're so scrawny, I don't think I have anything that will fit you." Moments later, a plain black tee was tossed at Shigaraki, hitting him square in the face.
He scowled.
"Sorry." Dabi apologized before quickly pulling a shirt over his head, "Do you… ah, need some... help?"
"I'm not crippled. Idiot." Shigaraki spat back. He tucked his hands into the sleeves and went to raise his arms but stopped, the pain in his side effectively reminding him that his mobility actually was limited due to his injuries.
"Stubborn ass." Dabi mumbled and then returned to the bed to assist Shigaraki with the shirt. "Don't move." He carefully maneuvered Shigaraki into the oversized tee, biting back a grin at the other boy's displeasure.
Shigaraki shrugged one of his shoulders, and tugged at the loose collar, trying to cover as much of his exposed skin as he possibly could. It was no use. The shirt really was way too big, swallowing Shigaraki's much slender frame. Dabi thought he looked kind of… hot. Or maybe he just really liked the idea of Shigaraki wearing his clothes.
They left Dabi's room with Shigaraki in the lead, walking a few feet ahead of Dabi and apparently still annoyed that he couldn't shake his companion. Dabi didn't want to leave Shigaraki alone. His guilt was speaking to him loudly again. Like, what if Shigaraki slipped in the shower and couldn't get up? The drain could get blocked by his fallen body and he would drown! Yeah, okay, so that was an unlikely scenario, Dabi knew it was just his imagination running wild, but it wasn't worth the risk. And, on the other hand, he would also admit that the idea of being alone with the other boy in the showering facilities excited him. The possibilities… His thoughts were becoming increasingly lewd.
Inside the changeroom, Shigaraki moved with determination. He disrobed and immediately picked out a shower stall without a word or even looking back at Dabi. The shower curtain was pulled closed and seconds later the spray of water could be heard.
Shigaraki clenched his eyes shut beneath the cold spray. Usually he would have waited for the water to warm up, but he was so glad to finally be getting a shower that he endured the few moments of punishment willingly. Then the hot water finally kicked in and he sighed. Blessed heat.
He stood completely still, savouring the feel of all that grime being washed away before turning away from the spray, letting it pound down against his back, and dampen his hair. Usually, bathing was not something he particularly enjoyed or looked forward to, it was just another necessary part of his daily routine, but in that moment, he felt no sense or urgency or hurry to get clean and leave. He turned the hot water even higher, steam rising around him. It felt good on his injured body, easing some of that persistent throbbing.
Another long sigh, he turned again to feel the heat on his face, and just as he closed his eyes the shower curtain unexpectedly wrenched back, a rush of cooler air hitting him from behind. Shigaraki gasped, head whipping back against his shoulder.
"Get out!" Shigaraki barked. Dabi was standing on the other side with a tense, yet apologetic look. Shigaraki's fingers curled against the tiled wall in front of him, though his eyes couldn't help perusing the other boy as he stood there - naked, unashamed.
"You were being too quiet, Mop Head." Dabi drawled. One foot stepped into the shower, and then the other. Dabi reached back and jerked the shower curtain closed, cocooning them inside.
Shigaraki tensed up, not sure what to do in this situation. He was astounded by Dabi's daring, and wanted to scream at the other boy, but couldn't find his voice. Damn it. Why did he have to be so hot? It made it difficult for Shigaraki to maintain his asperity.
"I was worried." Dabi purred, and brazenly nuzzled the boy's wet hair. Shigaraki lowered his hands and turned slightly to peer over his shoulder.
"Worried about what?"
"That you had blacked out."
"Why would I…" Shigaraki paused mid-sentence, irate when Dabi interrupted him, breath hot against his cheek. He squeezed his eyes shut and Dabi kissed his averted cheek, then back towards his ear. He sucked the water droplets as he passed, then took Shigaraki's tender lobe into his mouth, nibbling on it.
"Let me help you clean up." Dabi murmured, his voice soft and clinging like velvet.
Shigaraki couldn't help the soft moan he breathed in reply. Finding Dabi's long-fingered hand resting at his side, he clasped it, meaning to remove it and push him away, but instead Dabi shifted, linking their fingers together, using both to rub Shigaraki's hip.
"I won't do anything that you don't want me to do." Dabi crooned, his free hand smoothing over Shigaraki's back. Shigaraki tensed again, at the unfamiliar feeling of someone's hand unceremoniously running down his naked back, distracting and while he was trying to shower. Not that he really minded the feeling… he just wasn't prepared, and after a few seconds he sighed, giving in to the gentle touch.
'Stop talking." Shigaraki requested, with a grumble. The talking was really throwing him off, it reminded him of who it was that had his hands on his body.
"Okay." Dabi snickered, reaching for the soap. He glided it across Shigaraki's skin with ease, leaving a film of tickling foam behind. Shigaraki tried to stand still and let Dabi run the soap again across his back and down into his sides, back arching a little - not unlike a cat enjoying a good rub down.
"Shigaraki?" Dabi uttered, nuzzling the other boys shoulder, "Why did you save me?" He asked, fingertips passing down the centre of Shigaraki's back, tracing the ridges of his spine. He really was very thin.
"Tch," Shigaraki snorted his annoyance at the other boys continued chatter. He clenched his own hand, digging his nails into the skin of his hip. "Isn't that what a hero is supposed to do? Save those who need saving?" Shigaraki pointed out.
Dabi broke away, his hands leaving Shigaraki's body. "It is."
Shigaraki stared helplessly at the mist on the tiled wall, immobile - his erratic heartbeat overwhelming the sound of the water. He fixated on where Dabi's fingers were going to travel next, his body tense with anticipation. Yet, at the same time, however, he was afraid that Dabi had gotten what he wanted out of him and wouldn't touch him again.
"Is that it?" Dabi mumbled and Shigaraki jerked in shock when Dabi slid his palm down to cup his ass, kneading with the heel of his hand, his fingers rubbing the soap into his skin.
"What?" Shigaraki bit his lower lip, face teaming with colour. He was… aroused. And he could not think straight, all the blood had left his head and moved south. Having Dabi grope his ass was a lot more potent that he imagined it to be.
"I want you to tell me that you saved me because you actually like me."
"Forget it." Shigaraki replied and he gasped when he felt Dabi's mouth between his shoulder blades, only to experience the brush of his hands trailing down his thighs.
Dabi chuckled softly, and a warm soapy hand slid over Shigaraki's hip, "You didn't want me to get hurt, admit it."
"Shut up." Shigaraki mumbled angrily, his eyes lowering. He wanted to look away, but he couldn't. A fucking train wreck. Dabi's long fingers slipped around him, and Shigaraki jerked forward, his teeth digging into his lip to trap the moan.
"I want to hear you say it." Dabi insisted. He was still trying to carry on a conversation, while Shigaraki found it impossible to reply. Dabi was stroking him, soaping him up, twisting his palm around the slick flesh. How could he talk?
"You like that, huh?" Dabi said, smirking.
"Tch. Never." Shigaraki fumed, and wrapped his hand around Dabi's wrist, nails biting into the other boy's skin.
Dabi chuckled again, lips caressing the warm skin of Shigaraki's neck. "Liar."
"S-Stop." Shigaraki mumbled, though it was half-heartedly. It did feel good. Too good. And as much as he wanted Dabi to stop, he also wanted it to continue.
"Or what?" Dabi taunted, fingers expertly handling the shaft of Shigaraki's arousal. He slid his hand upward, gently squeezing, thumb brushing over the sensitive head, before he came back down.
Shigaraki sucked in a harsh breath, going very still. He was warring with himself, fighting the urge to move, to run, and entranced by the building pressure in his abdomen - a tight knot that was so close to exploding, almost begging for him to give in. Oh boy how he wanted to run. But then Dabi lowered his head. The tip of his nose skimmed the sharp edge of Shigaraki's jaw, and lips touched down against his neck. All thoughts about running away flew right out the window. He shuddered and one of his hands hit the wall in front of him, keeping him upright on shaky legs.
"Nothing?" Dabi whispered, smug, before biting down into Shigaraki's skin. He sucked and chewed at the delicate surface, meaning to create a lasting mark. His mark.
Shigaraki moaned, unable to conceal his sounds of pleasure any longer, then muttered Dabi's name. It was a plea for mercy, even though he was the one in control of their impromptu exploit. Or so it seemed… Sure he was the one allowing it to happen, and theoretically Shigaraki could destroy Dabi at any second, but the reality was the other boy was winning the battle.
"What kind of face will you make when you see this?" Dabi wondered, grinning and admiring the blemish he had created on Shigaraki's neck.
"Please shut up!" Shigaraki repeated. Every time Dabi spoke he wanted to retaliate violently - lash out and push the fucking zombie boy away and show him who really was in control, but he also desperately wanted a release. He just needed to come, and then he could act.
Dabi's fist was gaining confidence along with speed. The friction was glorious, warm and wet. Faster and harder Dabi stroked Shigaraki's hard cock. Encouraged by his response Dabi kept up the torment, enjoying the strangled sounds issuing from the boy's throat, and the way he tightened his fingers around Dabi's wrist as the pleasure built. He sought out Shigaraki's shoulder, leaving wet frenzied kisses from the top of his arm to the base of his neck, words of incitement whispered against his skin, enticing him to surrender.
Shigaraki breathed heavily, almost panting as he climbed towards gratification. The pleasure spiked, taking him up high, and just as if he were standing on the edge of a cliff, he gasped, holding his breath until finally his feet left the ground and he was free-falling into unabashed bliss.
Shigaraki cried out the other boy's name before shooting off. His hot sticky release, coating Dabi's fingers before the spray of the water cleared away any evidence of his orgasm.
"Mmm I like it when you say my name like that." Dabi grinned, two kinds of proud of himself. He continued to rub Shigaraki's cock, though with more reverence - slowly, easing Shigaraki back down to earth.