CHAPTER EIGHTEEN - YOU NEED A BREAK

It was 12:35 AM. Shigaraki yawned as he stretched and then went back to staring at the computer. On it was the file of the villain from the agency's latest case, one that Fourth Kind had recently detained and who Shigaraki was supposed to be filling out the report for. But he wasn't really focused. Instead, he played with the pen that was in his hand, tapping it in a rhymical beat against his bent knee, until somehow it escaped his fingers. He looked up and saw that the pen had landed on Fourth Kind's desk.

The Pro-Hero slammed his hand down over the pen and levelled a stern gaze at Shigaraki.

"Sorry."

Fourth Kind grunted and then sat back, steepling his fingers in front of him.

"Is this work not stimulating enough for you, Shigaraki?"

"Oh, no sir. This is great. Really." Shigaraki replied sarcastically, shrinking further down into the couch and bringing the laptop closer to his chest.

The Pro-Hero chuckled deeply.

"You know, Hero work is not always playing outside and catching the bad guys." He pulled open the top drawer of his desk and extracted a small cigar box as he spoke. Cubans. "Sometimes, you have to fill out paperwork." He picked up a gold-plated cigar cutter and snipped off the cap of one of the cigars before placing it between his teeth. "Fortunately for me, I have you to do that." He grinned and then lit up the end with a flick of a match.

Shigaraki looked at him deadpan as a cloud of white smoke rolled upwards before disappearing at the ceiling.

"You asked for the hours, Shigaraki. This is what I need from you."

"To do all your paperwork and fetch you an espresso on command?"

"Watch your mouth, boy." He narrowed his eyes and took another puff from his cigar. On the outside he looked perturbed by Shigaraki's attitude, however, the small curl of his lip suggested Shigaraki amused him, to a small degree anyway. "You are young, you'll have plenty of opportunities to put your life in danger after you graduate."

Shigaraki breathed a quiet sigh and returned his attention to the task at hand, plugging in details of the arrest as Fourth Kind had described earlier.

He knew he shouldn't be complaining, he was grateful for the work and really it was easy money, but after a week of coffee runs, organizing files, and writing up reports he was eager for something more. Something a little more interesting. A patrol even. But Fourth Kind refused to send him out onto the streets. It was Summer break, he wasn't even supposed to be working. That was the same argument that came back at Shigaraki every time he asked for just that bit more responsibility.

Shigaraki worked silently for the next half hour, diligent, completing the report and helping Fourth Kind in planning the next day without so much as a fuss.

It was getting late and they were both preparing to wrap up a long day, when an alarm and motion sensor detected someone coming into the office through the front entrance. It wasn't unusual for people to stop by the agency - concerned civilians, police, heroes - but considering the hour it was somewhat out of the ordinary.

"I think there's someone here to see you."

"Hm?" Shigaraki lifted one brow and closed the lid of the laptop before powering it down. He dropped it carefully onto Fourth Kind's desk. "Why would you think that?"

"Just go." He waved Shigaraki off.

Shigaraki offered him a speculative glance before leaving the office. Down a hall, he entered into the foyer, and turned a corner to where the reception desk was located. Standing at that desk was the last person he ever thought he would see in the Fourth Kind agency.

"Dabi?"

"Hey, Mop Head." It took just a few long strides for Dabi to reach Shigaraki and when he did, instinctually reached out for some affection.

Shigaraki took a step back avoiding the impending hug and glanced up towards the concealed security cameras he knew were watching them. Dabi stopped and the initial enthusiasm left his face, replaced by something more akin to disappointment.

"What are you doing here?"

"You're not happy to see me?" Dabi asked, crossing his arms over his broad chest.

"No… I am. I just…" Another quick glance around and Shigaraki tentatively stepped closer to his boyfriend, wanting to appease him while also simultaneously keeping up an appropriate professional front. He smiled in reassurance, though it was somewhat tense, and took up a lax position beside Dabi, leaning casually back against the reception desk. "I thought you were away with your family. I didn't expect to see you."

The corner of Dabi's mouth curled up into an amused grin and then he leaned forward and kissed Shigaraki's cheek. His lips lingered, and Shigaraki heard him inhale a deep breath before Dabi was nuzzling his jawline. Unbelievably, he managed to keep his hands to himself.

"I told you I wanted to see you."

"Yeah, you did but…"

Dabi snickered, "But you didn't think i'd be able to get away from dear old dad?"

"Obviously."

Dabi pulled away and straightened up. "Well, luckily for me, Endeavour prefers to spend his precious free time with his favoured child. Getting out of there really wasn't that difficult. He probably won't even notice that I left."

Shigaraki snorted a laugh and watched as Dabi strolled around the reception area, looking at the various photos, and framed articles and accolades hanging on the walls.

"Don't hate me, but I kind of called ahead."

"Huh?" Shigaraki said, his nose scrunching a little.

"Here."

Shigaraki's mouth formed an understanding, "Oh." Fourth Kind knew their late-night visitor was Dabi, that's why it hadn't disturbed him to hear someone calling on the agency so late.

"You need a real Summer vacation."

"No, I need money."

"Well, tough shit. I'm taking you away for a few days."

"I have to work."

"No, you don't. It's all sorted out. You're good." Dabi grinned, quite proud of himself. Shigaraki didn't look half as impressed. "Actually, funny story. Fourth Kind seemed pretty keen on the whole idea of kicking you out of here for a bit."

"Tch."

"Shigaraki needs to relax and have some fun." Dabi said, mimicking Fourth Kind's deep voice. "Those were his words, not mine. Though, I completely agree."

"Yeah, yeah. That's great and all but don't I get any say in this?"

"Nope. We're leaving now."

"No, we're not."

"I'm not asking. You need a break. Come on."

"Dabi." Shigaraki sighed and scrubbed a hand roughly over his face. "Can we please just be serious for a moment. It's almost two in the morning."

"I am being serious." Dabi said, his brow pinching together. "I want to spend some time with you. What's so bad about that?"

Shigaraki searched Dabi's vibrant blue gaze for a moment, looking for a hint of dishonesty or humor but couldn't find any. He really was being serious about this. "Okay." He started, resigned to the fact that he was probably going on a little vacation with Dabi somewhere. "Where are we going?"

"Don't worry, you'll like it."

"So, you're not going to tell me?"

"No." Dabi grinned, "You'll just have to trust me."

"How will I know what to pack then?"

"Well the thing is… I kind of already did that for you." Dabi said quickly, ending it with a cleverly timed cough.

"You went into my room? By yourself?"

"Yes."

"And went through all my things so you could pack a bag for me?"

"Yes. And I only checked, like, all of your drawers so..." He chuckled when Shigaraki pulled a face. "Honestly, you're really not that hard to pack for. And where we are going you won't need too many clothes." Another devilish grin and a wink, he ambled back over to Shigaraki and stepped right into his personal space.

"That's not funny." Shigaraki grumbled.

Dabi lifted his hand to frame the side of Shigaraki's face and his fingers slowly swept his jaw. "It's not what you think. I wouldn't purposely put you in a situation you would be uncomfortable with."

"I know."

Dabi leaned in, and this time Shigaraki didn't move away. Dabi brushed his warm lips over Shigaraki and their breaths mingled as they exhaled soft matching sounds of pleasure from a long-awaited kiss. Dabi licked Shigaraki's lower lip and the lighter haired boy groaned, parting his mouth to allow Dabi to touch the tip of his tongue down against his. Dabi withdrew a fraction, teasing, encouraging Shigaraki to lean forward in search of a deeper kiss and when he did, Dabi delved deeper, exploding with a sudden urgency. His mouth was restless, lips moving over Shigaraki and drawing him closer with ambitious hands that slipped around his boyfriend's waist. But it wasn't enough, he wanted more. They had only been separated for a week but for Dabi, who was in an almost constant state of yearning for Shigaraki, it felt like a lifetime.

They broke away seconds later, in desperate need of some oxygen, and Shigaraki pressed the palm of his hand to Dabi's chest to prevent them from getting carried away by another ardent kiss.

"So, should we go?" Dabi whispered, his voice low and laced with lust.

Shigaraki cleared his throat and nodded his head. "Let me get my... things."

Dabi reluctantly stepped away and Shigaraki quickly moved aside, though he motioned for Dabi to walk with him.

Back inside the agency, Shigaraki found Fourth Kind still in his office, though it looked like he was getting ready to call it a night too.

"Ah. There you are." He placed a gentle hand down on Shigaraki's shoulder and handed him his cellphone, which he had left behind on the desk. "So, I won't see you for a few days. Correct?" He grinned, a smile full of large perfect white teeth, and then nodded his head in greeting to Dabi. "Toya Todoroki. All grown up. Wow."

"Sir."

"Thanks for taking this one off my hands for a few days. Not that I don't appreciate having him around, but he needs a break. You're a good friend."

"I am." Dabi grinned. "A great friend." He said with a huge emphasis on the word friend.

Shigaraki huffed, his face flooding with heat. "You're not that great. Don't flatter yourself."

Dabi snickered.

Thankfully, Fourth Kind didn't pick up on anything beyond their being a friendship. Though, all he had to do was check the security camera footage and he would quickly find out just how friendly they were. Shigaraki internally scolded himself for the impromptu make out session in the reception area.

"And for the record, I didn't need either of you to decide that I needed a break." Shigaraki interjected, grumbling.

Fourth Kind laughed, loudly, completely amused. "Get out of here."

Shigaraki huffed again but nodded.

"Oh, and Toya, if you ever feel like a change in… scenery, the Fourth Kind Agency is always open."

"It's Dabi, actually." He amended, "And yeah, i'll keep that in mind."

"Dabi. Give my regards to Endeavour would you."

Dabi narrowed his eyes and then turned away. He was the first out of the office, with Shigaraki following closely behind. They walked silently and when they cleared the entrance and were out on the sidewalk, Dabi immediately took Shigaraki's hand, carefully linking their fingers together. Shigaraki did not fight it.

"I'm parked just down here." Dabi motioned with a jerk of his head.

"We're driving?"

"Yeah. Car courtesy of Endeavour." Dabi grinned, and then lifted a key fob. He pushed a button and the sound of a car unlocking with a double beep could be heard just a few yards ahead.

"When you must tell him the story about why his car has a few extra miles on the gauge and an empty gas tank, leave me out of it."

Dabi laughed and propped open the passenger side door of a blacked-out luxury sedan, inviting Shigaraki to get inside. "I don't know what you are talking about Old Man. Forgetting things. Must be your age. It'll go something like that."

Shigaraki shook his head. All joking aside, he was concerned about what would happen to Dabi if Endeavour found out. First, leaving their family summer vacation, and then hijacking his car to go on a vacation of his own, and with his boyfriend who Shigaraki was sure Endeavour did not know about him or their relationship. That was three strikes.

Dabi closed Shigaraki up inside the car before joining him on the driver's side. "Look, don't worry. Really. It'll be fine. Fuck him." He pressed the auto start and the engine hummed to life. He then fiddled with the GPS until a map showing the route they would be taking popped up on the display screen.

The back of Shigaraki's head hit the headrest and he slowly rolled his cheek to the side to face Dabi. He hadn't noticed it until then, but on Dabi's face, right by his ear where there was already extensive scarring, was a new wound - a small cut, surrounded by some purple bruising.

Shigaraki's brow furrowed and Dabi jerked his head over to him. Shigaraki wanted to ask about the injury but thought it best to maybe wait until later - after they had finished their roadtrip.

"What?"

"Nothing. Just… wondering what you actually packed for me."

Dabi grinned and then returned his gaze forward so he could pull the car out from the curb and get them or their way. "You know, all the essentials. Socks, shampoo… lube." He joked.

"Right. The essentials." Shigaraki scowled and looked over his shoulder to the backseat where two packed bags were sitting. They seemed full enough. "Sounds like your plan is to jerk off into a sock later. Fun vacation."

Dabi snickered. "I did forget your toothbrush though. Unimportant. You can use mine."

"What?" Shigaraki drawled, unamused. "So, you remembered to pack lube but no toothbrush?"

Dabi laughed again, "We'll stop somewhere on the way. You know, we might need more lube."

"I hope you packed enough socks."