Everyone knew not to talk to Dabi right now. He'd told them what today was and informed them to leave him the fuck alone about everything while he dealt with the situation.
She was finally back.
He huffed a bitter laugh and took another swig of cheap whiskey he'd found in the kitchen.
He'd thought, once she was chained up in her new cell, that he'd feel better. She was trapped, helpless, unable to run again, but it wasn't enough.
And then she'd said his name , and he fell on her. He hadn't been able to think past needing her, to sink inside her, cock and teeth and fingers. Every bit of himself needed to claim every bit of her.
He could still taste her blood when he licked his lips, still smell her perfect cunt, and the scent of whatever shampoo she used for her hair. It was pretty with the silver-grey roots grown out, but he kind of missed it being more colorful. Maybe he'd let her—
No. Let the bitch stay washed out. If she wanted brighter colors, she'd have to very well earn it.
He clenched a fist, then frowned. It was wet.
Ah, right. She must have decided to breastfeed. He wondered if Shigaraki would get off on that. He seemed like the sort of guy to be into lactation.
Dabi wiped his hands on his jeans and tried not to think of two faceless, squalling infants, hungry and cold without the soft creature now in his clutches.
They'd be fine. Those commission cunts would take care of them. And he was sure Hawks would be happy to play parent to both. It was temporary. Once this war was over, he'd have the kids, too.
It was fine.
It was fine.
Why did he feel so shitty?
She woke to the groan of the door opening again, and shadows blanketed the corners as the single lightbulb flooded the room in harsh light.
"Finally awake, dollface?"
Ayumu rolled onto her back, turned her face toward him, and sighed. He looked unphased by what had transpired. How had she expected anything else?
When she didn't speak, he sauntered forward and knelt beside her. "Did you dream of me?" Warm fingers stroked her cheek.
She growled and tried to yank her head away, but he laced his fingers through her roots. "I dreamt of my children."
If only she could have stayed asleep.
Dreams from the pair had started sometime in the last few weeks of her pregnancy, though it had been difficult to place them at first. They were warm, calm dreams, dreams of being and comfort. They sounded like the ocean was inside her and around her all at once, the only sound thumping rhythms that eased the soul. It wasn't until they'd been born that she realized what those dark, close moments were.
This last one was like being on a cloud, held against a softness that breathed and moved and provided. She thought it might be a memory of being held by herself from the perspective of one of the twins. And she was almost sad that she'd slept so soon, rather than saving the precious memory for the future.
"Yeah? Lucky you. I haven't even gotten to meet them."
Her features contorted with the venom of her fury. "You never will. Hawks will get me out of here and—"
His laughter cut through her words. "Hawks won't do shit. His little commission sanctioned your return."
"Why would they—"
"Don't worry your pretty little head about it." Dabi leaned in to brush his mismatched lips against her forehead. "You'll be back with the kids soon as all this is over." His fingers untangled from her hair, and he set to release her aching wrists from their shackles. "Got you something to eat."
"How gracious." She pulled her arms in, rubbing at the chafe marks.
He set a plastic bag on the mattress and let her pick through its contents. "You gotta eat to keep up the supply, right? Which reminds me…"
Suspicious of his intent, she watched him pace to the dresser and take something out.
A breast pump.
He'd gotten a fucking breast pump.
"What's the point, if you're just gonna keep me from them?"
He set everything down and began paging through the instructions. "Relax, mommy, I'm gonna drop it off for the kids. Can't have them going hungry." Dabi reached toward her chest, but she flinched away.
"Don't call me that."
"Aww, don't worry. You'll always be my babygirl," he quipped. "Weird to see you without the piercings."
She shrugged. "I was paranoid they'd come out while the babies were feeding, or they'd have trouble latching, or something. I might get them redone when they're older."
Dabi nodded. "Makes sense. I'm glad you're being careful with my kids. What are their names?"
"Hanako and Daiki." She unwrapped a meal replacement bar, but her appetite wasn't there. "Touya, please let me go."
"No can do, doll. You're stuck with me from now on."
"Why? You could find someone else, someone who wants this life with you." Ayumu laid a hesitant hand on his forearm.
He followed the gesture up to her face. "You already know the reason. I'm not changing my mind."
Shimmering heat overtook her vision. "They need me."
"They'll be fine," he murmured, pulling her against his chest.
"I need them." It was overwhelming, this sadness bubbling over. She was weak against it and let him hold her on his lap. One warm palm trailed up and down her bare back while the other stroked the back of her head. "I need to be with them." The words were sobbed against his throat.
She had never felt so helpless. Not when she was first taken by Dabi, nor when she was confronted with the first abuse memory she'd ever seen. She hadn't felt this helpless when her mother died.
Not even as the little girl curled up in the closet, desperately clawing at her traitorous flesh, had she felt so powerless.
She didn't know how long she cried. She clung to him while sobs wracked her body, while her breasts ached with how many hours had passed, while her stomach ate at her ribs. She clung to him and sobbed even when her tears ran dry.
Until she had no voice, and her mouth was full of cotton.
All the while, he held her with a gentleness that belied his villain title.
When her chest finally stopped heaving, he was spooning her on the bare mattress.
Long, peacefully numb moments passed before he eased onto an elbow to peer at her swollen eyes. "You still with me, doll?"
She hummed.
"You'll be with them again soon, I promise."
She closed her eyes and willed herself to sleep.