CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE - THE GIFT

"I have a surprise for you." Dabi divulged, slinging his arm around Shigaraki's shoulders as they exited the classroom for the day.

"Oh really?" Shigaraki arched his brow and Dabi grinned before dropping a chaste kiss against his boyfriends' temple.

"Yep."

"What is it?" Shigaraki added, scratching irritably at his neck.

Dabi snorted a laugh, unable to control his amusement. He knew Shigaraki didn't like surprises and had been vocal about such things in the past but Dabi didn't mind the backlash from his surly boyfriend, he could take it, and on a more sadistic level he thoroughly enjoyed it when Shigaraki got all worked up - he found his angry, pouty face exceptionally adorable.

"If I tell you it won't be a surprise."

"Exactly." Shigaraki protested, scowling.

"I think you will like it."

Shigaraki huffed.

Dab's grin grew wider as he thought about the custom-made gloves that Saito in the Development Class had created for Shigaraki. They were perfect, exactly what Dabi had asked for and they had also been delivered right on time as promised. He couldn't have been happier with the end-result and only hoped his boyfriend would be as equally thrilled with them - and what they represented for not just Shigaraki but for Dabi too.

He had been holding on to them for a few days now. Firstly, because he needed to have them wrapped properly - so he could offer them to his boyfriend as a gift - and secondly, because Shigaraki had just returned to school after being sick for a week and Dabi wanted him to get settled back into his normal routine before he surprised him. The timing was just right.

"So, when do I get to see this surprise?"

"Right now." Dabi gushed, nuzzling into his boyfriend once again. "It's in my room."

"Oh."

"Don't look so worried."

"I'm not worried." Shigaraki grumbled, tugging at his school tie and loosening it.

Dabi chuckled softly and leaned in to kiss his cheek quickly, not breaking their stride as they walked. He shouldn't expect Shigaraki to be excited just because he couldn't contain his own enthusiasm. But maybe some of it would rub off on his boyfriend and by the time they made it back to his room Shigaraki would feel a little less anxious.

"You don't have to go to the agency tonight, right?" Dabi asked.

Shigaraki shook his head. "No."

"Good.'

When they entered Dabi's room, he released Shigaraki's shoulders and pulled the door closed behind him. Habitually, he shed his school blazer, tossing it haphazardly to a chair piled with other unfolded clothes, and then unknotted his tie, pulling it from the collar of his shirt. Shigaraki watched him with his arms crossed tensely over his chest, almost as if he were waiting for Dabi to immediately reveal his surprise instead of getting comfortable after a long school day. He was eager to get this over with.

Dabi grinned and rolled his shirt sleeves up his arms, bent on teasing his boyfriend for a little bit longer.

"Is this the surprise?" Shigaraki asked, unimpressed by Dabi's nonchalance. Though, there was a hint of humour in his voice as he added, "You wanted to give me a striptease?"

"Mm, no." Dabi laughed. "Though, I am willing if it's what you want."

"Tch." Shigaraki scoffed and then plopped down onto the edge of Dabi's bed. "Maybe later."

"Okay, later." Dabi chuckled again and then crossed his room to his desk where the neatly wrapped gloves were sitting. He didn't want to keep his boyfriend waiting any longer, Shigaraki would continue to feel restless until he found out what Dabi was keeping from him.

Shigaraki sat up a little straighter as he spotted the box in Dabi's hands and his head tilted slightly with inquisitiveness. Dabi didn't say anything as he offered him the package, instead he leaned forward and brushed a kiss against his boyfriend's forehead as he placed it in Shigaraki's hands.

"What is this for?" Shigaraki questioned, his nose scrunching. He wasn't sure what to make of it. It wasn't his birthday or a holiday or even a significant day in their relationship. And if it were any of those things, Shigaraki never expected to be gifted anything anyways. Presents were an anomaly for him.

"No particular reason." Dabi said, sitting down beside his boyfriend. He lifted his arm and tucked Shigaraki's light hair behind his ear and away from his face, so Dabi could see him properly. "I just wanted to get you something."

Shigaraki's face flooded with heat and he turned a small, unsure smile over to Dabi.

"You don't have to buy me things."

"I know. But this is very practical."

"I see."

Shigaraki was very prudent about money, Dabi knew he probably wouldn't accept a nonsensical or indulgent present - not that it would necessarily stop Dabi from doing so in the future. But this was just not one of those things. The other gifts would come in time. Baby steps.

"Open it." Dabi urged, grinning and dropping his face down into Shigaraki's neck, softly kissing and nuzzling against the warm skin.

Shigaraki shifted the present around in his hands. He was curious as to what it could be. The box was very light for its size - it almost felt empty - but there was definitely something moving around inside. A single ribbon held the lid closed and he slid his finger beneath it until it came undone. The lid popped off easily afterwards and he set aside.

The first thing he pulled out was a small single sided card with some extremely neat handwriting sprawled across its surface - definitely not Dabi's. It simply read - Call me if you need any adjustments. Saito. Support Class, 3-G. A phone number followed it.

Shigaraki's brow furrowed. Dabi pulled back from his affections and swept his hand over the top of Shigaraki's head, feeling suddenly apprehensive about the gloves. Was this really a good idea? Shigaraki was being too quiet, he hadn't made a sound, whether it be a happy one or a disgruntled one. He just looked confused.

"Baby?"

"Are these gloves?"

"Yeah." Dabi said with a little nod.

Shigaraki didn't respond. He picked up one of the custom-made gloves and eyed them with what Dabi hoped was interest and not upset. Or worse, anger.

"I know how exhausting it is for you to be constantly thinking about your hands, so I wanted to get you something to help with that." He looked at his boyfriend fondly before leaning in and pressing slow kisses along his jawline, "And I know you don't like wearing anything on your hands, but these aren't just any old gloves. Saito said you won't even feel like you are wearing them."

"Oh?" Shigaraki uttered, distracted as he began trying them on his hand for size.

They fit perfectly of course, made to accommodate any sized hand and length of finger - stretching as they needed while still providing the exact same protection and performance. Dabi grinned as he watched Shigaraki flex his hand into a fist and then release it.

"And, here,' Dabi said, tentatively taking Shigaraki's wrist and holding his palm up, if you tap on this spot twice quickly the fingers retract so you won't have to worry about them getting in the way of your training or work."

Shigaraki tested the feature, eyes widening in surprise.

"How do they feel?" Dabi asked, slowly petting his fingers through his boyfriend's hair. Shigaraki was already pulling the other glove on. That was a good sign but Dabi didn't want to jump the gun and get too excited just yet.

"Like I am not wearing anything at all." He marvelled holding his now glove clad hands up to his face.

"Really?" Dabi grinned and then reached for one of Shigaraki's hands. Reflexively, Shigaraki went to jerk his arm away. Dabi was not being as cautious as he usually was and instinctually Shigaraki`s heedfulness kicked right in.

"It's okay." Dabi whispered, sliding his palm slowly over Shigaraki and linking their fingers together. All five of them locked in place. "See."

Shigaraki was in shock, staring at their fully joined hands. He couldn't remember the last time he had touched something so completely, in fact, it had been so long he wondered if he ever had in the past. He had never felt something like this.

"These are amazing. I can still feel you."

Dabi blew out a small relieving breath and then squeezed his boyfriend's hand.

"I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything. I just want you to be happy and to feel comfortable holding my hand like this. So you can stop worrying about hurting me when you touch me." He grinned and squeezed Shigaraki's hand, "And I want you to be able to sleep properly. That's it. That's enough for me."

Shigaraki stared at him for a silent moment, speechless, but once he gathered his composure and his initial shock faded a little, he reached out his free hand and laid it carefully down against Dabi's cheek. He caressed the scarred skin and for the first time did not feel anxious about it being too much. The gloves had given him that freedom and he suddenly wondered why he hadn't looked into this sooner. He could've easily asked for some functional gloves instead of relying on Dabi to do it for him.

"Thank you." He whispered, sliding his fingers back into Dabi's hair and drawing his boyfriend close for a kiss. When their lips met, a light moan rolled off Shigaraki's tongue and his body welled up with warmth and an overwhelming happiness.

Dabi sighed, a tranquil smile spreading across his face as he melted easily into Shigaraki's kiss.

After a moment, Shigaraki pulled his mouth away and Dabi's eyes fluttered slowly open as their lips gradually disconnected.

"I love you." Shigaraki breathed, stroking along the highest point of Dabi's cheek and then bussing the opposite one as he leaned closer into Dabi's chest.

"I love you too." Dabi smiled and Shigaraki laid his cheek on his shoulder to rest, closing his eyes. Dabi wound his arms around his body, holding him tight. His heart was very happy.

"Dabi?"

"Mm?"

"I want to stay with you tonight." Shigaraki whispered, brushing his thumb slowly over Dabi's plump lips and then sweeping his hand below his chin to his throat. Dabi's pulse flickered under his fingertips.

"You want to sleep over?" Dabi croaked, instantly flustered, though extremely excited.

There was absolutely nothing remaining in the world that Dabi wanted more than that. Well, almost nothing else… He really wanted to be able to sleep with his boyfriend. And maybe, just maybe, that would open some other doors of comfort - so they could think about taking the next step in their relationship.

"Yes." Shigaraki nodded, nestling his face into his boyfriend's neck.

"Can I take you to dinner first?" Dabi proposed, grinning like an idiot.

The corner of Shigaraki's mouth kicked up into a small smile and he nodded his head slightly up and down, his cheek rubbing against Dabi's shoulder. "Definitely."