CHAPTER EIGHT - A PERIOD OF LEARNING
The quirk training class at USJ had begun less than a minute ago and Dabi had already abandoned the, practically, free-for-all-period in search of a certain blue-grey haired boy. He was too preoccupied to focus on training; his mind fixated on his crush instead of exercising and fine-tuning his quirk as he should have been.
He just didn't like the way he and Shigaraki had left things off earlier that morning - it was too tense, too angry, and they hadn't spoken at all since the fight. He wanted to make amends. No, he needed to make things right between them before the day ended and the strain potentially ruined all of the progress they had made together.
Everything had been going so well too. Shigaraki had recently begun to accept Dabi's more flagrant advances, without too much reprisal anyway, and Takami just had to come along and ruin things by opening his huge stupid trap - creating a small barrier to appear. Dabi wanted to jump over that hurdle before it became a bigger, more apparent obstacle on the path to a possible relationship with Shigaraki. Because that's what he ultimately wanted. He still wasn't sure what Shigaraki was looking for, if anything at all, but he sure as hell was going to try.
It wasn't usually difficult to locate Shigaraki in the immense USJ facility. Shigaraki liked to train alone, always in the same zone. And if that wasn't enough, all Dabi had to do was listen and watch for a trail of destruction, and that would lead him directly to crush.
Sure enough, Shigaraki was exactly where Dabi had expected, in the city Ruins. Only, Shigaraki wasn't destroying anything as was his usual MO. He was standing at the base of a dilapidated high rise, his posture tense, arms crossed stiffly over his chest. And he was watching something, or someone - absorbed in what he was seeing, his prominent red eyes unnaturally wide.
Hearing Dabi approach, Shigaraki shifted his gaze sideways without moving his head, eyeing the other boy briefly before he looked away once again. Dabi felt slightly envious, that whatever held Shigaraki's attention so firmly was more appealing than Dabi himself. Imagine that. Though upon second thought, it could have just been a gut reaction. Up until recently they hadn't really been all that friendly with each other, so it wasn't all that unusual and Dabi was used to being ignored by Shigaraki.
Either way, it was clear that Shigaraki was on edge. Or maybe he was in a bad mood from his early morning fight with Takami. He could also be mad at Dabi for breaking it up... Whatever it was, Dabi would soon learn the truth and fix whatever this was.
"Hey, Mop Head." Dabi greeted in his smooth, low voice. Unconsciously, he reached out and touched the accessible spot on Shigaraki's waist, just below where his arms were crossed, needing to feel some real contact with his not-just-a-friend. A completely instinctive reaction, he couldn't help himself. He took one step forward and flattened out his palm, sliding his hand further around Shigaraki's slender frame to rest at the boy's lower back before smacking a quick kiss against his warm cheek.
Dabi was astonished when Shigaraki did not oppose the semi-public affection and he was tempted to test the limits of Shigaraki's acquiescence if not for his acute concern by it.
"Are you mad at me?" He asked, dragging the tip of his nose along Shigaraki's jawline and nuzzling against his face.
A moment later, that pissed off, hard look of concentration faded and Shigaraki's usual self-assured scowl resurfaced, almost if Dabi's presence had tempered him a little. He was still the same sour boy Dabi's was used to yet softened somehow, and the idea that Dabi had that kind of effect on him, well it made Dabi feel twenty kinds of good.
Finally, Shigaraki shook his head, recoiling a little at Dabi's continued tenderness, his head tilting away to the side.
"I'm not mad. A little disappointed, yes, but not mad."
"Mm, I see." Dabi grinned and he lifted his free hand to brush a lock of light hair away from Shigaraki's eyes.
"You know I had to stop that fight, right? If you were in the same position… Takami is my…"
"I know." Shigaraki interrupted, gruff.
Dabi sighed, and dropped his forehead gently down against Shigaraki's temple, his voice light against Shigaraki's ear.
"Maybe I am mad at you."
"Well luckily for the both of us, I don't care if you're mad at me." Shigaraki returned, the corner of his mouth kicking up into a slight, yet amused grin.
Dabi chuckled deeply, turning his head to follow Shigaraki's line of sight. He was still distracted and not paying nearly enough attention to Dabi. He wanted Shigaraki's entire concentration, not this half-assed coquetry. What could possibly be more appealing than Dabi's fervid advances? He was not being subtle at all, he was never subtle. He wanted some TLC, plus some.
With a gentle yet assertive pull, Dabi gathered Shigaraki's body closer into his side, his brows drawing tightly together when he spotted the source of Shigaraki's focus. Chisaki.
"Have you two been training together?" Dabi asked, jerking his chin over to Chisaki.
The new kid was a couple of blocks ahead of them, dismantling a brick building with what seemed like a simple touch from his hand. Dabi wasn't sure how he did that exactly, but he was suddenly curious, especially considering Shigaraki seemed so engrossed with him. Takami had mentioned something about his quirk earlier, how Shigaraki had some real competition now and it made Dabi wonder, did Kai and Shigaraki have similar quirks? Was that why Shigaraki was so interested in Kai?
"Tch. What do you think?" Shigaraki grumbled in return, struggling to put some distance between himself and the clingy zombie boy. Dabi was too close, and it was too public for all the groping that was going on. People might start getting the wrong idea.
"Yes?"
"We have not been training together! Idiot." Shigaraki barked, "He's been following me around all day, like a damn lost puppy. Go tell your stupid bird friend to take him back."
"Yeah, I don't think that's going to happen."
"Great."
There was a moment of silence before Dabi spoke again.
"I know what he said to you." He whispered, brushing a faint kiss against Shigaraki's cheek, his lips lingering in its wake.
"What?"
"Takami. I know what he called you."
Shigaraki's mouth settled into a hard line and he scratched frantically at his neck.
"It was actually Chisaki who told me." Dabi revealed, sly fingers caressing Shigaraki's side and creeping below the hem of his gym shirt to touch the scarred skin beneath, "He deserved the hit."
"No shit." Shigaraki mumbled, heat flooding his cheeks. Dabi's lips were becoming more eager and his hand more brazen as it disappeared beneath his shirt. Shigaraki was unsure as usual, wavering. He wanted to move away from Dabi but it felt like his feet were glued into place. His brain always went offline where Dabi was concerned, and he could never think straight, teetering between anger and acceptance.
"I'm sorry. That was a dick thing to say." Dabi whispered, sweeping his hand slowly up and over Shigaraki's shoulder.
"Why are you apologizing?"
"Because I know he won't."
Shigaraki abruptly turned his head to look at Dabi, his red eyes widening behind his shaggy forelock and being the opportunistic person he was, Dabi quickly captured the other boys mouth in a hard, impulsive kiss, his tongue instantly traversing Shigaraki's pursed lips to play against his. It was a risky move, but they had been so close, just a breath apart, and those lips were more tempting than any thoughts of how Shigaraki might negatively react to a kiss at that moment and in that setting. He immediately pushed all logic aside. He could worry about the repercussions later.
Unfortunately, later came a lot sooner than Dabi predicted, and hoped it would.
Shigaraki gasped, and then incidentally clamped his mouth shut in defence of the waylay kiss, not having any of it at all. His teeth nipped Dabi's lower lip and a second later, Dabi tasted the metallic tang of blood filling his mouth.
"You know, I consider that foreplay." He said, grinning and slowly licking over the cut to clear away the pooling blood. Shigaraki narrowed his gaze and shoved roughly at his chest causing him to stumble a step backwards.
"Are you crazy? Don't fucking do that!"
"Why not?" Dabi questioned, reaching out to his crush, grinning like a lovestruck fool. He lowered his head again only this time he angled away just before their lips touched.
"I like you. And I really like kissing you. I want…"
"Please stop talking." Shigaraki groaned, taking a step backwards, "Just… stop." He held his hand up in front of him, blocking Dabi from both speaking and from coming any closer. He didn't understand why Dabi was doing this. Any of it. Why him? Why was he tormenting him? They were both just going to end up hurt.
"Why?" Dabi replied stubbornly, lifting his arm and gripping Shigaraki's wrist to hold him in place. "Is it me? Or are you opposed to the PDA?"
"PDA?" Shigaraki scowled, though Dabi caught the subtle glance at his mouth. He grinned. That look was almost as good as hearing Shigaraki verbally admit that he liked kissing Dabi too. Almost. He would take it as a positive, Shigaraki wanted to kiss him. Yep. End of story.
"So, can I come see you later then, in the privacy of your room?"
"Let go of me." Shigaraki warned, his fingers curling. "Don't you get it, idiot? I could kill you. Just one slip of a finger. Takami was right, my hands are fuc…"
"There is nothing wrong with your hands!" Dabi threw in before Shigaraki could finish his sentence. Shigaraki laughed maniacally in return.
"You don't get it."
"Get what?"
"How exhausting it is to constantly think about what my hands are doing."
Dabi's brow furrowed.
He never thought about it like that. He assumed that the control Shigaraki had of quirk, and coincidentally his hands, came to him as naturally as breathing did. It was just another part of him like his unique red eyes. But now that Dabi really thought about it, Shigaraki had always used his quirk as an excusable defence to keep people at a distance - for as long as Dabi had known him anyway. Maybe that was reasonable. Maybe Shigaraki wasn't the antagonistic, surly boy everyone knew him to be. Maybe he just didn't want to hurt anyone?
Dabi knew that Shigaraki didn't want to hurt him, albeit it was said when he was not exactly sober, Shigaraki had said those exact words and often people were the most honest under the influence, their inhibitions lowered.
It all made sense why Shigaraki was so standoffish.
"You are always so leery around me." Dabi took a step forward, entering Shigaraki's personal space, "Does that mean I am worth the energy?"
"Tch. Don't flatter yourself." Shigaraki reprimanded.
Dabi grinned wider, tugging on Shigaraki's wrist to force him closer, but a new presence interrupted their play time.
"Hey!" A voice shouted from behind Shigaraki.
Concurrently, both boys transferred their eyes over to the newcomer.
It was Kai, and he looked overly alert, excited even, ready to intervene in what he thought was a fight. But when he realized Dabi was not actually a threat to either Shigaraki or himself he deflated, his long dark lashes fluttering downwards as he loosened his mask, settling it on his chin. He bounced his lazy gaze between the two boys.
"I thought you two were fighting. Guess I was wrong?" He eyed Dabi and the secure hold he had on Shigaraki's wrist, seemingly still uncertain about their actions.
"We're fine." Shigaraki assured, pulling his arm back. Dabi reluctantly complied, releasing him.
"Well, you can't blame me for thinking that." Kai added, and then motioned over to Dabi with an indifferent wave of his gloved hand, "Isn't he buddies with that idiot bird boy? I didn't think you were friends."
"We're not." Shigaraki sneered.
"Oh. I see."
"He's joking. We're friends." Dabi quipped, not wanting Chisaki to think otherwise.
"I'm not joking." Shigaraki countered, austere.
"Oh, right. Yeah. We're more..." Dabi began to disclose, deadpan, but Shigaraki interjected before Dabi could finish his sentence and his entire body tensed up, hands balling into fists at his side.
"Shut up, Dabi!" He yelled. "Jesus." He turned on his heels and began to storm away. Two pairs of footsteps followed.
"Don't follow me!" He fumed.
"But you didn't answer my question." Dabi said, trying to keep up. "I want to talk to you about something."
"No!"
"No, you're not going to answer the question or is no the answer?"
"Tch." Shigaraki snorted, "If I say yes, will you leave me alone?"
"If that's what you want."
"Fine." Shigaraki replied, picking up his pace.
"Fine?"
"Yeah. Now, go away."
With the answer he wanted, Dabi stopped immediately and snagged Chisaki's forearm to prevent him from going after Shigaraki too. He knew when enough was enough and Shigaraki had reached his social limit. He was becoming increasingly annoyed and it was very likely that he would fly off the handle if either of them continued after him.
"I suggest you remove your hand or you'll lose it." Kai threatened.
"Sure, but you're going to let him go." Dabi warned, the rise of his blue flames dancing hot in his palm and warming Kai's skin where he was held; a cautionary gesture that illustrated Dabi's intent - he was not above getting violent if it was necessary.
Kai shrugged out of Dabi's hold but wisely did not pursue Shigaraki.
"Whatever. I will be spending the rest of the day with him anyway."
"Excuse me?"
"We have work study together later." Kai disclosed before repositioning his mask to cover his mouth and nose.
"You got into the Fourth Kind Agency? Does he know that?" Dabi asked.
"I don't know. I was going to tell him now, hence why I was following him."
Dabi tilted his head, wondering why Shigaraki hadn't mentioned that he and Kai would be doing their work study together. Though, to be fair, he hadn't asked. He only asked if they were training together so the answer he received wasn't exactly a lie. What were the chances that Shigaraki didn't know that Kai was going to be working alongside him?
Either way, it really shouldn't have come as a surprise to Dabi anyway. Shigaraki wasn't particularly open about his life, he didn't solicit questions or make idle chatter, he only answered questions when prompted and he never started a conversation. This was no different, whether he had known about Chisaki or not.
"Well, good luck." Dabi offered before he began to walk. The period was almost over, it was time to head back.
"So, where are you doing your work study?" Kai asked, like he was genuinely interested, and he followed Dabi towards the main entrance of the facility, though keeping a wary distance behind.
"I don't think you need me to tell you that, do I? I'm sure you already know." Dabi ventured.
"Mm. I do, yes." Kai admitted then paused for dramatic effect, like he knew it would strike an ugly chord with Dabi. "Todoroki."
"Don't ever call me that!" Dabi directed, teeth grinding.
"But isn't that your name? Or maybe you prefer Toya."
Dabi whipped his head back over his shoulder, shooting daggers at Chisaki. The new kid was really starting to get on his nerves and he seemed to be doing it on purpose. What was his deal? Who was Kai Chisaki?
"It's Dabi." He enunciated. "Just Dabi."
"Pfft. Okay, Dabi." Kai shook his head, "Can't see what the big problem is, I was just trying to make conversation so chill."
"Whatever."
Dabi was relieved when Kai finally went quiet. Hopefully the dauntless smart ass had run out of impudent things to say. Though, he knew he wouldn't be so lucky. He knew something else was coming and waited with bated breath.
"Must be nice though." Kai surmised, "Being the son of a pro hero. Endeavour. The renowned number two." He taunted, whistling low.
"Oh, fuck off. You don't know shit."
"Hmm. No, I think I get it now. It's a simple calculation really." Kai continued, "And your old man, he does seem like a bit of an asshole. No offence, but I'm not a fan."
"Yeah? Well that makes two of us."