TWENTY-THREE - REVELATION

"So, are you going to tell me how much I owe you now?" Shigaraki mumbled, unbuckling his seat belt when Dabi came to a full stop at the curb. He killed the engine and shot a brief glance over at Shigaraki, shaking his head.

"I told you not to worry about it."

Shigaraki frowned and tightened his hands into fists as a new wave of guilt washed over him. Their vacation was over, ending prematurely all because of him. And the sour cherry on top of it all was the damages to the room that Dabi had to pay for - in addition to what Shigaraki was sure was already an expensive hotel stay. He couldn't let Dabi cover him like that, not when he was to blame.

"Telling me not to worry doesn't make me feel any less responsible for the bill, Dabi." He explained, scratching anxiously at his neck. "How much? I can wire you the money right now."

"I'm not going to make you pay for anything." Dabi repeated, his fingers flexing over the steering wheel as he scanned the deserted UA Grounds.

Shigaraki was probably the only student staying at the dorms over the summer break and it really drove home how little Shigaraki actually had for Dabi. While Dabi was griping about having to return to his family and a beachside vacation house, his boyfriend was stuck at school. He had no family to visit or free accommodation outside of the dorms, and he definitely didn't have anyone to help him out with his expenses.

How could he possibly accept a reimbursement from Shigaraki knowing all that?

Shigaraki also worked almost every day, even when school was in, saving up for life after graduation. And he really hadn't wanted to go on a vacation in the first place because he claimed he needed the money but Dabi had selfishly forced him to take one anyway.

From his reckoning, Dabi could only conclude that Shigaraki couldn't afford the liability of his quirk. And that was fine. Dabi didn't need him to pay. Of course, he wouldn't come out and explain all the reasons why, because he didn't want to make Shigaraki feel self-conscious about it, but he wasn't going to give in to his boyfriends demands either.

"You're not making me do anything, I am asking you to let me pay for the damages. It's the least I can do. And it would… make me feel better."

"Baby, I've got it covered." Dabi contended. Shigaraki could stubbornly argue with him, until he was blue in the face, but Dabi refused to take a single cent from him. "If you want to pay me back, you can buy me dinner or something."

"That's not an equal fucking trade, Dabi."

"It is. Your time is priceless to me." Dabi proclaimed arrogantly, reaching for one of Shigaraki's hands and grinning smugly.

Shigaraki wrenched his hands away and huffed out a breath. He snatched up the bag that had been stuffed onto the floor at his feet and immediately went to exit the car. A hand landing on his thigh gave him pause.

"Hang on." Dabi appealed, "You're not going to say goodbye?"

Shigaraki sat back in the car seat but didn't dare look at Dabi, afraid that his exhaustion and frustration would make him say something that he would regret later. He wasn't mad at Dabi, not really, he was just disappointed in himself, for several reasons, and he really needed some time alone to reflect and deflate.

"Hey." Dabi's long fingers curled beneath Shigaraki's chin, tipping his boyfriends head up to meet his questioning gaze. Shigaraki stared back, his eyes dark with dejection beneath the shadow of his hood. It made Dabi's heart hurt to see him that way. He was clearly still distraught over the quirk incident and no matter how much Dabi had tried to reassure him, Shigaraki remained anxious.

Without another word, Dabi leaned over the centre console of the sedan and pressed his mouth flush against Shigaraki's lips - a kiss that Dabi felt was a vital tension breaking tenderness, something that had been missing between them since earlier in the day. After they had showered together, Shigaraki had shut down any attempts at affection from Dabi. He had been withdrawn and quiet, keeping his hands and words to himself.

Dabi was thankful now when Shigaraki shared a mutual sigh of what sounded like relief, a heavy weight lifting off his shoulders. Their eyes fluttered closed, lips moving in perfect harmony - familiar with each other's slight inclinations and completely comfortable with the reverent pace. Shigaraki dropped his bag and shifted in his seat while Dabi's arms wound around his narrow waist. The embrace was actually kind of awkward in the tight space of the car's cabin, but Dabi didn't complain about the parking brake digging into his hip and Shigaraki ignored the seat belt latch pressing hard against his thigh. They both needed this kiss, more than they realized, and were too absorbed in each other to pay any small obstructions any mind.

A moment later, Dabi pulled away, his breath catching as he stared straight into Shigaraki's crimson eyes. He didn't think it was possible for him to be more attracted to Shigaraki but when he was like this - softened by Dabi's touch, and warm and compliant - Dabi could not take it! His burgeoning feelings soared and made his stomach turn.

It was then that it hit him. Dabi loved him! He fucking loved Shigaraki and was so astonished at the revelation that he couldn't find a single word to say. He didn't know how to articulate it but he sure as hell felt it, and it was something new, that he had never felt before with anyone. It was an overwhelming desire that went beyond the physical - Shigaraki filled an empty place in his soul, one that he had been missing. And his entire body and mind knew that he was the only that could make Dabi feel so complete.

Jesus. Fuck!

He was sure his heart was going to pound right out of his chest and that Shigaraki could hear it beating loudly in their moment of quiet. How was he going to just drop Shigaraki off and leave him completely alone?

If Dabi didn't think his dad might kill him, for leaving mid-way into their family's Summer holiday, he would've stayed with Shigaraki at the dorms - without question. But he knew he had to return to the vacation house, he didn't have the luxury of choice, not where his father was concerned. And he was trying to come up with a solid way out, lost in his own thoughts, still staring devotedly at Shigaraki.

"Dabi."

"Yeah?"

"You're staring."

"Sorry." He swallowed hard and dropped his forehead down against Shigaraki, closing his eyes. "Are you going to be okay?" He asked, holding onto his boyfriend a little tighter, his fingers curling against Shigaraki's lower back.

"Yeah." Shigaraki whispered in response. "I can look after myself, you know."

Dabi almost whimpered. He wanted to be the one to look after him. "You've probably had enough of me anyway, right?"

"Oh yeah. Definitely." Shigaraki replied. It was a joke.

"Knew it." Dabi chuckled softly, though the sound wasn;t sincere. He wasn't pleased with either of their current plans. Not at all. The jokes made it a little easier, more normal, but he still hated the idea of them separating.

Shigaraki reluctantly pulled back out of Dabi's firm hold, once again retrieving his bag from the floor of the car. "It's getting late. You should go."

"I should, I know." Dabi agreed, nodding his head solemnly. "I'll call you, kay?"

The corner of Shigaraki's lip curled up into a sort of half grin and then he pushed open the car door.

"Tomura?" Dabi said, grabbing Shigaraki's wrist.

"Mm?"

"I-" Dabi stuttered, "I-um-" Was now really the right time to say the big L-word? Right before they had to part ways? Probably not. It was on the tip of Dabi's tongue, but he couldn't bring himself to say it. Not just yet.

Shigaraki raised a brow.

"Never mind." He sighed, "It's nothing."

"Okay."

They shared one last kiss, Dabi desperately trying to prolong their caress in idle hope that Shigaraki would submit to his affections and beg Dabi to stay. Of course, that didn't happen. Shigaraki exited the vehicle and walked away, without looking back. Pretty standard, Shigaraki was very independent.

Dabi was melancholic, and leaned over the vacated passenger seat, watching Shigaraki for as long as he could, until his boyfriend was out of his line of sight. He was dreading the next week without him. God, he was really fucking whipped - a sucker. And he needed a smoke, badly.