The night air was heavy with tension as Aldon paced his apartment, the faint sound of rain tapping against the windows. His phone buzzed on the coffee table, and when he gnced at the screen, his chest tightened. It was a message from Dabi.
“Coming over. Don’t freak out.”
That was it. No expnation, no context. Aldon’s stomach churned. Dabi’s cryptic messages were nothing new, but something about this one felt… off. Before Aldon could overthink it, a muffled thud came from his balcony. He rushed to the gss door and slid it open, the cold rain immediately dampening his skin.
Dabi stood there, hunched and breathing heavily. His usual confident smirk was gone, repced by a grimace of pain. Blood dripped from his arm, staining the already dark fabric of his coat. His movements were sluggish, his usually sharp blue eyes dulled.
“Touya!” Aldon gasped, reaching out to steady him as he stumbled forward. “What happened to you?”
“Ran into… complications,” Dabi muttered, his voice raspy. “It’s nothing. Just patch me up like you always do, firefly.”
Aldon ignored the attempt at deflection, guiding Dabi inside and locking the balcony door behind them. Dabi’s weight leaned heavily on him, and Aldon could feel the heat radiating off his injured body—both from his quirk and the feverish strain of his injuries.
“Sit down,” Aldon ordered, his voice firmer than usual as he led Dabi to the couch. “I’ll grab the first aid kit.”
Dabi flopped onto the cushions with a groan, his head lolling back. “You’re such a worrywart,” he muttered, though there was no real bite in his tone.
When Aldon returned, he knelt in front of Dabi, carefully taking off his coat. The sight made him wince—a deep gash ran along Dabi’s forearm, and smaller burns peppered his skin. It was clear he’d overused his quirk, pushing his body past its limits again.
“Complications, huh?” Aldon said, his voice tight as he began cleaning the wound. “What were you thinking? You’re going to kill yourself at this rate.”
Dabi chuckled weakly, wincing as the antiseptic stung. “What else is new?”
Aldon shot him a gre, but he didn’t respond. The silence between them was heavy, broken only by the occasional hiss of pain as Aldon worked. When he was done cleaning the wound, he gnced up at Dabi’s face. Sweat clung to his forehead, and his usually unruly hair was matted.
“You need a bath,” Aldon said bluntly.
Dabi raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching into a faint smirk despite his exhaustion. “Trying to get me naked again already? Bold move, firefly.”
Aldon rolled his eyes, grabbing his arm and pulling him up. “You’re not funny. Come on. You’re covered in grime, and I’m not letting you sleep on my couch like this.”
Dabi groaned in protest but didn’t resist, letting Aldon guide him to the bathroom. Once inside, Aldon turned on the water, adjusting the temperature until steam began to fill the room. He helped Dabi out of his clothes, his movements careful and precise. As he worked to unbutton Dabi’s shirt, his fingers brushed against the exposed, scarred skin beneath.
“Still with me?” Aldon asked softly, his gaze flicking to Dabi’s face.
Dabi’s smirk had softened, his eyes half-lidded as he leaned against the wall. “Barely. You’re surprisingly good at this, though.”
“Don’t make it weird,” Aldon muttered, though his cheeks turned pink.
Once Dabi was undressed and settled in the tub, Aldon grabbed a stool and sat beside him. The water turned cloudy as it washed away the grime and blood, and Dabi let out a contented sigh, sinking lower into the warmth.
“Feels better already,” Dabi murmured, his voice almost a purr. “You’re not bad at taking care of people, you know.”
“Don’t get used to it,” Aldon said, though the teasing lilt in his voice betrayed his fondness.
He reached for a bottle of shampoo, thering it in his hands before gently working it into Dabi’s hair. The room was quiet except for the sound of water and the soft hum of Aldon’s voice as he asked, “How did this happen, anyway?”
Dabi didn’t answer immediately, his eyes closing as Aldon’s fingers massaged his scalp. “Just ran into some heroes who didn’t know when to quit,” he said finally, his tone evasive.
“Touya,” Aldon said, his voice low with warning. “You’re not telling me everything.”
Dabi cracked one eye open, his lips curling into a zy smile. “Why do you care so much?”
Aldon paused, his hands stilling for a moment before he resumed rinsing the shampoo out. “Because I do,” he said simply. “And you know that.”
Dabi opened his mouth to retort, but something in Aldon’s expression stopped him. Instead, he leaned back, letting the tension in his shoulders ease as Aldon poured warm water over his hair. For a moment, it felt like nothing else existed—just the two of them in this quiet, steamy bubble.
“You’re too soft, firefly,” Dabi murmured, his voice barely audible. “People like me… we don’t deserve this.”
Aldon’s chest tightened at the words, but he didn’t respond right away. He focused on running his fingers through Dabi’s hair, untangling the knots with care. When he finally spoke, his voice was steady. “Maybe you don’t think you deserve it, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need it.”
Dabi’s eyes snapped open, and for a moment, they locked onto Aldon’s. There was something raw and unguarded in his expression—something that made Aldon’s heart ache.
Before either of them could say anything, a loud bang came from outside the bathroom door. Both men froze, their gazes snapping toward the noise.
“Did you lock the front door?” Dabi asked, his tone suddenly sharp.
Aldon shook his head, his pulse quickening. “I did I th—”
“Stay here,” Dabi said, sitting up with a grimace. “I’ll check it out.”
“You’re in no condition—”
“I said, stay here.” Dabi’s voice was firm, but there was an undercurrent of something else—something that sounded like fear.
Aldon reluctantly stayed put as Dabi grabbed a towel, wrapping it around his waist before stepping out of the bathroom. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Aldon alone with his racing thoughts. Whatever was happening, he had a sinking feeling that their quiet moment was about to shatter.
Dabi stepped into the dimly lit hallway, his bare feet silent against the wooden floor. The towel hung loosely around his waist, water dripping from his hair and shoulders as he moved cautiously toward the living room. His body ached with every step, but adrenaline kept him alert.
The front door was slightly ajar, swaying gently in the breeze. Dabi’s sharp blue eyes darted around the room, scanning for any sign of an intruder. The faint sound of footsteps echoed from outside, and he felt his muscles tense. Whoever it was, they’d been sloppy enough to make noise—but something about it didn’t sit right with him.
He grabbed a nearby mp from the side table, gripping it tightly like a makeshift weapon, and approached the door. With a quick motion, he yanked it open and stepped out, his gaze sweeping the alley below. The rain had picked up again, falling in heavy sheets that blurred the streetlights.
Nothing. No one.
Dabi’s jaw clenched as he leaned against the doorframe, his mind racing. Was it someone following him? Hawks, maybe? Or worse—someone tracking Aldon because of his connection to him? The thought made his stomach churn. He couldn’t let anyone use Aldon as leverage against him.
“Touya?” Aldon’s voice came from the hallway, soft but ced with worry.
Dabi turned sharply, his gre cutting through the dim light. “I told you to stay in the bathroom.”
Aldon stood frozen for a moment, his eyes wide as they took in Dabi’s tense posture. Then he stepped closer, his voice calm but insistent. “And I told you you’re in no condition to deal with something like this. Besides I’m a hero, I’m not going to sit back and wait. What’s going on?”
Dabi hesitated, his grip on the mp tightening. His instincts told him to shut Aldon out, to keep him at a distance for his own safety. But the look on Aldon’s face—the unshakable care in his eyes—made it impossible to push him away entirely.
“It’s nothing,” Dabi said finally, his tone ft. “Probably just some drunk idiot wandering around. ”
Aldon didn’t look convinced. He crossed his arms. “Nothing, huh? You’re bleeding, wet, half-naked, and armed with a mp. Doesn’t exactly scream ‘nothing.’”
Dabi’s lips twitched into a faint smirk despite himself. “What can I say? I like to keep things interesting.”
Aldon sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Come back inside before you catch pneumonia or something.”
Dabi hesitated for a moment, his gaze flicking back to the street. Then, with a reluctant nod, he stepped back into the apartment, letting the door click shut behind him. He set the mp down on the nearest surface and leaned against the wall, the tension in his shoulders refusing to ease.
Aldon reached out, his hand brushing lightly against Dabi’s arm. “Hey,” he said softly, his tone steady but gentle. “Whatever it was, it’s gone.”
Dabi’s jaw tightened, his eyes flicking toward Aldon before quickly looking away. “You don’t get it, firefly,” he muttered. “Being around me puts a target on your back. You’re better off staying out of it.”
“I don’t care,” Aldon replied firmly. “You think I don’t know the risks? I’m still here, aren’t I?”
The silence that followed was thick with unspoken tension. Dabi stared at the floor, his fists clenching and unclenching as he tried to find the words to push Aldon away. But every excuse he came up with felt hollow, meaningless in the face of Aldon’s unwavering resolve.
Finally, Dabi let out a shaky breath, his voice barely above a whisper. “You’re an idiot.”
“And you’re a hypocrite,” Aldon shot back, his tone softening into something almost teasing. “You tell me to stay out of it, but you keep showing up here. So which is it, Touya?”
Dabi’s lips parted, but no words came out. He looked at Aldon, really looked at him, and felt the familiar pull in his chest—the same pull that had kept him coming back despite every logical reason not to. The walls he’d built around himself were cracking, and he hated how much he wanted to let them fall.
“Go finish your bath.” Aldon said, breaking the silence. His voice was quiet, but there was no mistaking the concern in his eyes.
Dabi snorted softly, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. “Bossy as ever.”
“Someone has to be,” Aldon replied with a small smile. “Go.”
With a reluctant shrug, Dabi pushed off the wall and headed back toward the bathroom, the tension in his body easing just slightly. Aldon watched him go, his chest tight with a mix of relief and unease. Whatever had just happened, it was far from over. But for now, they were safe. For now, they had this fragile moment of peace.
Or so he thought.
Aldon turned toward the kitchen to grab more gauze when he heard it—a faint creak from the living room floor. His brows furrowed as he paused, straining his ears. It wasn’t the sound of the rain outside or the usual creaks of his apartment settling. Someone was here.
His body tensed, and he instinctively let his quirk slowly shimmer to life.. He moved cautiously toward the sound, his eyes scanning the dimly lit room.
A soft giggle broke the silence.
Aldon froze. The giggle was high-pitched and unsettling, pyful yet ced with something dangerous. The fmes of his quirk flickered along his arms as a figure stepped out of the shadows, the faint glow from the window illuminating a face he’d only seen in police reports and news articles.
Himiko Toga.
Her golden eyes sparkled with amusement as she cocked her head, her messy blonde hair framing her face like an unhinged doll. She smiled wide, revealing unnervingly sharp teeth, and Aldon felt a chill run down his spine.
“Hi there,” she chirped, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. “So you’re the secret Dabi keeps seeing so much.”
Aldon didn’t respond immediately, his mind racing. He knew who she was—her reputation preceded her. A League of Vilins member, unpredictable and lethal. But this was the first time he’d seen her up close.
“What do you want?” he asked carefully, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.
Toga’s grin widened as she stepped closer, her feet light and almost soundless. “What do I want? Hmm…” She tapped her chin with her finger theatrically. “I was curious. Dabi’s been sneaking off a lot tely, you know. Not staying at the hideout. And when he’s texting someone…” Her golden eyes narrowed slightly. “He gets this little smile on his face. So I thought, why not find out what’s so special?”
Aldon’s heart skipped a beat, but he kept his face neutral. “And you decided to break into my apartment to ask?”
Toga twirled a lock of her hair, tilting her head as she giggled again. “Break in? No way! I just… followed Dabi. He’s not exactly careful when he’s distracted.”
“Touya?” Aldon called out toward the bathroom upstairs, his voice sharper than usual.
The door swung open, and Dabi came downstairs, his torso still damp from the unfinished bath and the towel loosely hanging around his waist. His eyes immediately locked onto Toga, and his expression darkened.
“Toga,” he growled, his voice low and filled with warning.
She pouted, crossing her arms. “Aw, don’t look at me like that! I was just checking up on you, Dabi. I didn’t know you’re acting all buddy-buddy with a hero. That’s not like you.”
Dabi’s jaw tightened, and he stepped closer to her, pcing himself partially between her and Aldon. “You don’t get to follow me around,” he said coldly. “And you sure as hell don’t get to show up here uninvited.”
“Uninvited?” Toga echoed, feigning offense. “I’m looking out for you! You’re the one sneaking off to hang out with a hero. What if you’re getting too soft?” Her eyes flicked to Aldon, her grin turning sly. “What if he’s making you soft?”
Dabi’s lips curled into a smirk, but there was no humor in it. “You think you know what’s going on?” He leaned down slightly, his sharp blue eyes narrowing. “It’s more complicated than that.”
Toga didn’t back down, her grin unwavering. “Complicated? Ooh, I love complicated!” She giggled again, spinning on her heel to face Aldon fully. “What’s it like? Spending time with Dabi? Is he nice to you? Does he smile?”
“Toga,” Dabi snapped, his tone ced with irritation. “Enough.”
She ignored him, taking a step closer to Aldon, her golden eyes gleaming with curiosity. “You must be special if he keeps coming back. What’s your deal? Why haven’t you turned him in yet?”
Aldon tilted his head slightly, amusement flickering in his eyes as he met her gaze. He could see the dangerous pyfulness in her expression, but there was also genuine curiosity there, and it caught him off guard. “What’s it like spending time with him?” Aldon repeated, his voice calm and measured. “Messy. Chaotic. And surprisingly quieter than you’d think.”
Toga’s eyes widened in delight at his answer, her grin growing even wider. “Quieter? Dabi? Oh, this is good. What else? Does he let his guard down around you? Does he ugh?”
Aldon raised an eyebrow, considering her barrage of questions. “Sometimes,” he admitted, his tone ced with dry humor. “Not often. But when he does, it’s… different.”
Toga let out an exaggerated gasp, cpping her hands together like a child hearing a juicy secret. “Different! He does have a soft side! I knew it!” She leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling. “And you—what’s your deal? Why haven’t you turned him in?”
Dabi stepped forward, his sharp blue eyes bzing with frustration. “Toga, I said enough. ”
But Aldon, despite Dabi’s clear irritation, seemed unfazed. He leaned back slightly, arms crossing as he answered Toga’s question with a faint smirk. “Why haven’t I? Maybe because I like chaos. Or maybe I see something in him worth saving.”
The room went silent at his words, Toga blinking in surprise before her lips curved into a sly smile. “Oh, you’re interesting. I get it now.” She gnced back at Dabi, her tone teasing. “You’re lucky, Dabi. I’d keep this one close if I were you. I can see why you like him.”
Dabi’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening as he took another step forward, forcing Toga to back off slightly. “We’re done here,” he said firmly, his voice low and dangerous.
Toga let out a giggle as she skipped toward the door, but Dabi’s sharp voice cut through the air, freezing her mid-step. “And, Toga,” he said, his tone low and dangerous, “you’d better not breathe a word of this to Shigaraki. Got it?”
She turned her head, pouting pyfully but with a flicker of seriousness in her eyes. “Rex, Dabi,” she said, waving a hand dismissively. “Your little secret is safe with me. Cross my heart.”
With that, she threw one st teasing wink at Aldon and slipped out the door, her footsteps fading into the distance.
Aldon turned to Dabi, a flicker of humor dancing in his eyes. “She’s... enthusiastic.”
Dabi ran a hand through his damp hair, muttering under his breath. “She’s a pain in the ass, is what she is. Don’t take anything she says seriously.”
“Didn’t pn on it,” Aldon replied, his lips quirking into a small, amused smile. “But I’ll admit, she’s not what I expected.”
“Yeah, well, welcome to my world,” Dabi grumbled, heading back toward the bathroom. “Now quit entertaining her nonsense and help me with the damn bath.”
Aldon chuckled softly. The encounter had been strange, unsettling, and oddly fascinating, but one thing was clear—Toga’s presence had revealed more than either of them was ready to acknowledge.
This was the first time he’d met someone else from Dabi’s world, and it was a stark reminder of the dangerous line he was walking. Still, the way Dabi had stepped between them, the way he had shut Toga down so firmly—it spoke volumes.
“Come on,” Dabi called over his shoulder. “Finish patching me up, firefly.”
Aldon watches him go, the humor of Toga’s intrusion fading as he’s left alone with his thoughts. His gaze drifts toward the door, now firmly shut, and he can’t help but think of the chaos Toga represents—not just in her unpredictable behavior but in the way she’d pulled at Dabi’s defenses with ease.
She’s dangerous, Aldon thinks. But so is Dabi.
Toga was nothing like he’d imagined, and yet, somehow, she fit perfectly into the fractured puzzle that was the League of Vilins. Her bubbly facade was unnerving, but beneath it, Aldon had glimpsed something raw and deeply broken. She’s a prime example of what society’s failure looks like, he thought, his chest tightening. A kid who fell through the cracks and turned into something terrifying. But that doesn’t mean she’s beyond saving.
The way she had probed about Dabi, the genuine curiosity in her questions—it stuck with him. If someone like Toga could be reached, if she could be shown a path away from the chaos, maybe his dream of rehabilitation wasn’t as far-fetched as it sometimes felt.
But then his gaze flickered to Dabi’s back, who was walking up the stairs. The weight of his own doubts crept in. Could he really make a difference in a world so fractured? Could he mend cracks this deep? He shook off the thought, swallowing the fear that threatened to settle in his chest.
As Aldon headed toward the bathroom to finish tending to Dabi’s wounds, a sense of determination repced the doubt. The world they lived in was fractured and full of shadows, but Aldon was starting to see the pieces more clearly. And if there was even a chance to mend some of the cracks—he was going to take it.
As chaotic as Toga was, she was also a reminder of why he was doing this in the first pce. For the people who had been left behind. For the ones who still had a chance.
