The tension in the air hung heavily, the world around them still buzzing with the aftermath of their confrontation. Aldon could feel his heart pounding in his chest, each beat echoing with the weight of everything they had just shared. Dabi stood in front of him, his expression unreadable. The usual sardonic grin was absent. Instead, there was a quiet intensity in his eyes, something raw that made it almost impossible for Aldon to look away.

  But they both knew the moment had to end. The world wasn’t ready for whatever this was—two people on opposite sides of a war, bound by a shared past and feelings neither of them dared to fully confront. Not now.

  Dabi shifted, his gaze dropping to the ground. “We’re done here,” he said, his voice rough, as if the words caught somewhere in his throat. Aldon stepped back, and Dabi turned, his silhouette beginning to blend into the shadows of the alley as he walked away.

  Aldon took a deep breath—an impulse, sudden and almost reckless. “Touya, wait.”

  Dabi stopped but didn’t turn. He stood still, his back to Aldon, waiting. His silence felt like a fragile thread, one that Aldon feared might snap at any moment.

  Aldon stepped forward, the words tumbling out before he could overthink them. “My address... take it.” He pulled a small notebook and pen from his pocket, something he always carried in case he needed to gather information. He scrawled the address quickly, his hand trembling. Stepping closer, he held the paper out toward Dabi. “If you ever need… if you need a pce to crash. Or just... anything.”

  The scrap of paper felt almost weightless in Aldon’s hand. It was hope, a way out, a bridge back to a world that Dabi had abandoned. Whether Dabi would take it or burn it was a question for another day—but at least now, the choice was his.

  For a moment, Dabi didn’t move. Then, slowly, he turned, his eyes flicking to the paper and then back to Aldon. His expression remained unreadable, but there was something there—something that made Aldon’s heart ache. He knew this was foolish—a hero offering sanctuary to a vilin—but beneath Dabi’s scarred exterior, he still saw glimpses of Touya. The boy who used to ugh with him, who pushed him past his fear of fmes. Maybe this was his st chance to save what remained of that boy.

  Dabi reached out, his fingers hovering over the paper for a moment, his gaze shifting from Aldon’s face to the small scrap of hope in his hand. His jaw clenched, his shoulders stiffening, as if preparing to pull away—before something in Aldon’s eyes made him relent. What does this man in front of me see right now? Slowly, almost reluctantly, he took the paper. His fingers brushed against Aldon’s—a fleeting touch that sent a shiver through him. Dabi stared at the address for a long moment before shoving it into his pocket, his gaze finally lifting to meet Aldon's.

  “You’re a damn fool, firefly,” he muttered.

  Aldon tried to smile, but it came out shaky. “Maybe.”

  Dabi looked at him for a moment longer, his eyes searching Aldon’s face as if trying to find something—an answer, a reason, or maybe just a glimpse of a lie that could ease the difficulty of their situation. Then he turned away, the shadows swallowing him as he moved deeper into the alley, his footsteps fading into the night.

  Aldon stayed there, watching until he was gone, his heart heavy but hopeful. He didn’t know if Dabi would ever take him up on the offer, if he’d ever see him again like this. But he had given him something—a way out, a way back, even if only for a little while. And for now, that was enough. All he could do was wait and see.

  Aldon stood in the alley long after Dabi disappeared, the paper now absent from his hand but its significance heavy in his heart. He took a deep breath, letting the night air fill his lungs, hoping it might calm the storm of thoughts that raged inside him. Would Dabi come? Could he let himself hope for that? The questions lingered, unanswered, as Aldon finally turned and made his way home.

  Back in his apartment, Aldon stood by the window, staring out at the distant city lights. The soft hum of passing cars below blended with the echoes of his racing thoughts. He ran a hand through his hair, sighing as he tried to make sense of everything that had happened. Could he have done more? Could he have said something else? The weight of those questions sat with him until exhaustion took over, and he reluctantly made his way to bed.

  That night, sleep was elusive—coming in fits and starts as his mind repyed the scene in the alley. Dabi's fingers brushing against his own, the fleeting connection, the fragile hope in the gesture. When morning finally came, Aldon felt as though he had barely rested at all. His thoughts still clouded, he headed off to work with a pn to visit Mirko in a gym ter, seeking the comfort of routine.

  The Next Day

  The sun was just beginning to set as Aldon nded his final punch, his body aching with exhaustion. He had just finished his daily sparring session at the gym. Across from him, Mirko stood, barely winded, her grin wide as always.

  After Aldon finally caught his breath, Mirko gave him a once-over, her expression softening for a moment. “You sure you’re okay, Angie? You’ve been pushing yourself a lot tely.” Aldon waved her off with a smile, but her eyes held that flicker of concern only an older sibling could have—though that didn't stop her from teasing him. “But you’ve still got a long way to go if you want to keep up with me.”

  Aldon rolled his eyes, a tired smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah, yeah. Just wait until I actually manage to nd a hit on you.”

  Mirko ughed, her voice echoing through the empty gym. “You wish! Now come on, let’s hit the showers. I’ve got pns today, and I don’t want to be te.”

  They made their way to the locker room, the air thick with steam as they showered and changed. Mirko didn’t mind Aldon being there, and he appreciated the casual ease of their friendship—no awkwardness, just years of trust.

  “So, what’s on your schedule today?” Mirko asked, pulling her shirt over her head, gncing at Aldon as he buttoned his own shirt.

  “Not much,” Aldon said, shrugging. “I thought I’d head over to Vanaheim, see if they got any new CDs in. You?”

  Mirko grinned, her eyes glinting with mischief. “Same. I’ve been waiting for that new album by EagleSoldier to drop, and Rex said he’d hold a copy for me.”

  Aldon shook his head, chuckling. “You mean you made him promise to hold it for you or you’d break the signed guitar on the wall.”

  “Details, details,” Mirko said, waving a hand dismissively. “Come on, let’s get going.”

  The bell above the door chimed as they entered Vanaheim. Aldon took a deep breath, letting the atmosphere calm his mind. The scent of aged vinyl mixed with faint incense—a signature aroma that always seemed to linger in the store. The soft crackle of an old record pying in the background added a comforting yer of nostalgia to the atmosphere. The store was quiet, a few other customers browsing through the aisles. Aldon immediately made his way to the section of CDs, his fingers brushing against the cases, feeling the smooth edges.

  Mirko headed straight for the counter, her grin widening as she spotted Rex. “Hey, tall, mysterious, and hot,” she called, leaning on the counter. “Got that album for me?”

  Rex gnced up, a small smile visible beneath his facemask. His green, snake-like eyes narrowed in amusement as he pushed his gsses up. “You know, I might just start charging you extra for all the hassle,” he said, his voice dry.

  Mirko let out a ugh, leaning closer with a smirk. “Oh, come on, Rex. You know I’m worth the hassle. Besides, what would you do without your favorite customer keeping things interesting?” Her grin grew more mischievous. “Ever thought about taking off the mask and smiling a bit more? You’d be ten times more attractive, you know.”

  Rex rolled his eyes but reached under the counter, pulling out the album and handing it to her. “If I smiled every time you asked, I’d have wrinkles by now. Take it. Just don’t make me regret it.”

  Mirko grinned, taking the album and giving him a pyful salute. “You’re the best, Rex.”

  Meanwhile, Aldon found himself staring at a section of CDs, his thoughts elsewhere. His eyes were fixed on a random case, but his mind was filled with fshes of blue fmes, the touch of Dabi’s hand, and the look in his eyes before he disappeared into the night.

  “You okay there, Aldon?” Rex’s voice cut through his thoughts, and Aldon blinked, looking up. Rex was watching him, his head tilted slightly, a curious expression in his green eyes.

  “You’ve been staring at that shelf for a while,” Rex added, nodding toward the CDs. “Something on your mind?”

  Aldon felt his cheeks heat up, and he quickly looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. “Uh, yeah. Just... thinking, I guess.”

  Mirko appeared beside him, her grin wicked. “Thinking, huh? Is it about a guy?” she teased, nudging him with her elbow.

  Aldon groaned, rolling his eyes. “Could you not?”

  “Oh, come on,” Mirko said, her ughter light and teasing. “You’re all spaced out and mopey. It’s gotta be about someone special. What’s it, Hawks? Or maybe Fat Gum?”

  Aldon’s face flushed as he shook his head, his voice almost exasperated. “Seriously? It’s not Hawks or Fat Gum.”

  Mirko’s grin widened, her eyes glinting with amusement. “Oh, please, I know Fat has this huge crush on you.”

  “Yeah, sure,” Aldon replied, dismissing it with a wave of his hand, though he couldn’t help the small smile tugging at his lips. “And I’m secretly dating Hawks too, right?”

  “Hey, you never know!” Mirko shot back, ughing. “Can’t bme me for trying to get some gossip.”

  Aldon just shook his head, smiling despite himself. “You’re impossible, you know that?” He let out a sigh. “It’s just a little complicated.”

  Mirko's expression softened, and she patted his shoulder. “Yeah, well, you’ve got me to help you sort it out. And Rex here, if you need someone to listen.”

  Rex raised an eyebrow, his eyes flicking between them. “I’m not much of a love therapist, ” he said, his voice deadpan.

  Aldon ughed, the tension in his chest easing just a bit. “Thanks, guys,” he said softly. “I think I’ll be okay.”

  Mirko slung an arm around his shoulders, steering him toward another section of the store. “Of course you will. Now come on, let’s find something to cheer you up. Maybe some old-school rock, huh?”

  Aldon let himself be pulled along, his heart a little lighter. Things were complicated, and the road ahead uncertain. But for now, he had his friends, and that was enough.

  On Their Way Home

  The sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in deep blues and purples as Aldon and Mirko walked down the street on their way home. Mirko was in the middle of expining a new move she pnned to teach Aldon during their next training session, her voice animated and full of excitement.

  “And then, when you get the right footing, you can sweep in low and knock them off bance,” she said, demonstrating the motion with her hands. “We’ll work on it next time. You’ll love it, I promise.”

  Aldon nodded, smiling at her enthusiasm. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out, gncing at the screen. It was an SMS from Fat Gum. A small smile tugged at his lips as he read the message.

  Mirko noticed immediately, her grin turning sly. “Ohhh, is that from the ‘special someone’ we were talking about earlier?” she teased, leaning over to peek at his phone.

  Aldon rolled his eyes, locking the screen and slipping his phone back into his pocket. “It’s just Fat. He wants to meet up tomorrow so I can teach him some Italian recipes.”

  Mirko raised an eyebrow, her grin widening. “Fat, huh? I told you he’s got a thing for you. I mean, cooking together? That’s practically a date!” She winked.

  Aldon let out an exasperated sigh. “It’s not a date, Mirko. Fat’s just a good friend, that’s all.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” Mirko said, waving her hand dismissively. “You keep saying that, but I’m telling you—he’s got it bad for you. And honestly, it’s kinda cute.”

  Aldon rolled his eyes, though there was a hint of a smile on his face. “You’re reading too much into it. Fat’s just... Fat. He’s always been there for me, but it’s not like that.”

  Mirko gave him a side-eye gnce, her smile softening. “Alright, alright. I’ll drop it—for now. But if you ever decide to take the plunge, you know I’ll be cheering you on.”

  The message from Fat Gum wasn’t just about the recipes. He’d asked if Aldon was eating well, even suggesting some of his favorite dishes—it was such a ‘Fat’ thing to do, always looking out for others. But Aldon knew better than to share that with Mirko; she’d only tease him more.

  Aldon ughed, nudging her pyfully. “I’ll keep that in mind. And it goes both ways. But for now, let’s just focus on that move you want to teach me. I’d rather not end up face-first on the mat again.”

  Mirko grinned, throwing an arm around his shoulders. “Deal. But don’t think you’re getting out of more teasing that easily, Angie.”

  Aldon just shook his head, a smile lingering on his lips as they continued down the street.

  Later That Night

  It was past midnight when Aldon was jolted awake by the sound of a crash downstairs. His eyes flew open, heart pounding as cold air brushed against his face. The window was open. The realization sent a rush of adrenaline through him, and he quickly got up, his senses on high alert.

  He moved quietly through the hallway, his bare feet making barely a sound as he approached the stairs. He paused, listening for any hint of movement, then started to walk down. His steps cautious. Aldon held his breath, the creaking of the stairs muffled by the adrenaline rushing through him. He could hear it—steady breathing coming from the living room. He paused, the sound pressing in on him, his quirk simmering beneath his skin, ready to be unleashed.

  Once he reached the bottom of the stairs, he rounded the corner, scanning for any sign of an intruder—only to be met with a familiar sight. Dabi was sitting casually in one of the living room chairs, his coat lying on the floor.

  Dabi looked up, his expression neutral, though there was a flicker of something in his eyes—relief, maybe, or exhaustion mixed with hesitance. “Hey,” he drawled, his voice carrying that familiar hint of sarcasm.

  Aldon’s tension melted into a mix of exasperation and concern. He stepped closer. “Touya, what are you doing here? You scared the hell out of me,” he said, his voice softer now as the adrenaline started to fade.

  Dabi shrugged, gncing away. “Didn’t mean to wake you. The damn window tch was loose.”

  Aldon gnced at the window, then back at Dabi. “I didn't expect you to come right the next day. You could try use the doorbell next time,” he said calmly, earning only a ‘Hm’ from Dabi.

  It was then that Aldon noticed the way Dabi was resting his palm against his chest, the dark stain of blood visible against the fabric of his shirt. Aldon's heart tightened, worry immediately repcing his calmness. “You’re hurt,” he said, his voice almost a whisper.

  Dabi scoffed, his lips curling into a lopsided smirk. “Just a scratch. One of the staples came loose, that’s all.”

  Aldon frowned, already turning toward the kitchen. “Stay there. I’m getting the first aid kit,” he said, not giving Dabi a chance to argue.

  While Aldon was gone, Dabi gnced around the apartment, his eyes lingering on a picture frame—a candid shot of Aldon with his friends, carefree smiles on their faces. For a brief moment, Dabi looked almost wistful, his hardened features softening before he caught himself and looked away.

  When Aldon returned, Dabi was still in the chair, watching him with an unreadable expression. Aldon knelt in front of him, carefully lifting his shirt to get a better look at the wound. It was a small tear, but the staple had clearly ripped out, leaving the skin raw and bleeding.

  “Hold still,” Aldon murmured, his voice gentle as he began to clean the wound. Dabi didn’t flinch, his eyes locked on Aldon’s face as he worked—his gaze intense, breaking the stillness of the room.

  For a moment, neither of them spoke, the silence filled only by the soft rustle of bandages. Aldon was surprised that Dabi was allowing him to be this close, to touch his skin without flinching. He focused on the injury, trying not to let his eyes linger on the burn scars that marked Dabi’s body. He knew they were a testament to something terrible. When Aldon finally looked up, their eyes met, and there was something vulnerable in Dabi’s expression—something that made Aldon’s chest ache.

  “You are always welcome here, you know,” Aldon said quietly, his fingers brushing against Dabi’s skin as he secured the bandage. “I just want you to know that.”

  Dabi looked away, his jaw tightening. “Thanks… I guess,” he muttered, his voice barely more than a whisper.

  Aldon’s heart skipped a beat, and he smiled, a soft, almost bittersweet smile. “You’re welcome. Touya, this is a safe pce for you, alright?”

  Dabi didn’t respond, but he looked back at Aldon. He watched as Aldon finished bandaging him, his gaze softening, the tension in his shoulders easing just a bit. When Aldon was done, he sat back on his heels, looking up at Dabi with a gentle smile.

  “There. All patched up,” Aldon said, his voice light, trying to ease the heaviness between them.

  Dabi gnced at the bandage, then back at Aldon, his lips twitching into the faintest of smiles. “You’re truly a fool for helping someone like me, firefly,” he said, the words carrying an unexpected warmth.

  Aldon shook his head, standing up. “Maybe. Anyway… You can stay here for the night. You need rest.”

  Dabi hesitated for a moment, his eyes meeting Aldon’s. The look in his eyes meant he wouldn’t take no as an answer and so Dabi settled only on staying. “Thanks.”

  Aldon unfolded the couch, turning it into a bed, and pced some pillows and a bnket on it. With a quiet "goodnight" directed at the vilin, he headed back upstairs to his own room. It felt like maybe—just maybe—there was a chance to reconnect.