Chapter Text
It started as a bad joke. Not just a bad joke, but a kind of tasteless one too since it came immediately on the heels of Kurogiri being arrested.
The remaining six of them find one of AFO's old safehouses, an abandoned research building nestled away in the mountains, an hour away from the nearest city. Far enough off the beaten path they were hoping they would be able to get just a fucking minute of peace since Kamino. Getting into the base with the few things that Compress had been able to marble and just getting set up. Finding rooms, checking for what was left in this place, and then the five of them dropping onto the couch together, limbs in each other's space, watching Shigaraki who was just sitting in one of the ragged chairs, contemplative. Dabi's got Spinner against one side, Toga's legs in his lap, Compress perched on the armrest on his other side, and Twice on the far end of the couch. They've done what they need to. Compress will ditch his masks and go on a supply run tomorrow, the location is as secure as it could be, Dabi will go talk to his contacts, Twice will hit up Giran, they'll see what's going on and they'll move forward from there. It's going to be a pain in the ass, but they're all still here and they're not going anywhere.
"So with 'Giri gone does that mean one of us gets to be your new favorite? Eh, he never even liked the guy anyway! "
"Twice!" Spinner immediately smacks him across the back of his head as Compress tsks softly behind his mask.
"Hey! I deserved it! "
Shigaraki lets out a quiet breath, turns his attention back to the five of them. Isn't wearing Father, so they can see his eyes soften on them, the slightest curl of his lips. They all are staring. Dabi doesn't think he's ever fucking seen Shigaraki smile like that. Normally his smiles are almost manic, sharp, and cruel, and painful looking. This looks... sincere.
"Position's open, but it sure as hell won't be you."
Definitely hasn't ever heard Duster make a joke before. Let alone one that makes all of them start to laugh, save Twice who is pouting. He thinks that's the moment that they all finally let out the breath they'd been holding since Kamino.
///
It's also the moment that starts this .
"Points will be awarded based on who he threatens to kill the least often, if you make him laugh, if he smiles, or if he actually says something positive about your work," Toga says, having found a chalkboard and the rest of them, save Shigaraki, and pointing to the little chart she's made with the utmost seriousness.
"What the fuck are you talking about, leech?" He asks. Had literally just gotten back after three days in the city and wants nothing fucking more than to pass out.
"We're competing to be Shiggy's favorite."
"No, that was a dumb joke and I do not give a single fuck about sucking up to Duster."
"Great, so you'll lose! Not like you really had a chance anyway, you did already try to kill him."
"So did you, brat!" He turns to the others, "Why the fuck are you all going along with this?" Knows the answer before he even asks.
"Well she seems enthusiastic, and it doesn't seem like it will hurt." Compress replies lightly.
"She threatened to shred my comics."
Dabi cuts off Twice before he can answer. Yeah, yeah, they'll all do fucking anything Toga wants. Even him. Can't seem to help it. Not when she's so young, never gonna have a normal life, never gonna have friends her own age. Just them and the bloodshed that follows. They can't help giving her whatever she wants within reason, like that will somehow make up for everything she's going to miss out on by being a part of their group.
"This is stupid as shit."
But he doesn't erase his name from the board.
///
It's entirely unsurprising that Spinner is always winning. He and Duster have more in common than any of the rest of them. Love all the same geeky bullshit that Dabi has never had time for or cared about, and when they're not working, they're talking about that kind of shit. And Shig smiles, so Toga gives points. Spinner also never pisses Shigaraki off, so he's getting points for not nearly getting killed all the time too. Not that Shigaraki really genuinely threatens to hurt any of them anymore. That shit stopped with any degree of sincerity before Kamino. Now Duster will just lazily reach for them when they're getting on his last nerve, always slow enough they can easily get away from his deadly touch, or roll his eyes and threaten oblivion without moving an inch. He and Twice get those reactions the most.
Toga is in second place because Shigaraki is as bad as the rest of them and is always indulgent with her. Always tells her when she's done well so that it stings less when he has to reprimand her when her psychosis or youth makes her act out. Smiles at her whenever she beams at him because none of them like seeing her sullen. Compress in third because he's good at his job and doesn't get threatened. Dabi, surprisingly, isn't in last place. Mainly because Twice is worse at his job than the rest of them and manages to rile Shig up with his contradictions and tactlessness on a semi-regular basis.
Dabi thinks he would probably be higher on the list if the others knew about this.
He steps through the halls quietly, two mugs of steaming, awful coffee in hand. It's still half an hour from dawn, but he always ends up awake early, can't sleep well with the ever-present ache in his skin. And Duster just barely sleeps in the first place. Noticed it back at the very first hideout and the habit has never changed. Neither has this. Doesn't knock before he opens the door and lets himself into his bedroom.
Shig's already dressed, sitting by the window, looking out on the forest, holding Father, looks a million miles away. Gets like this whenever there isn't something else to be doing. He used to make fun of him, used to think he didn't sleep because he was up all hours of the night playing games like a child. But he's only ever seen Shigaraki playing something once or twice when he's come by in the morning. Most of the time it's just this. Just gone. Doesn't know where he goes when he gets like this, assumes it's probably somewhere unpleasant. None of them would be here if they had somewhere nice to be. Dabi gently presses the warm mug to his cheek and Duster blinks, looks up at him. After a second sets aside Father and takes the mug as Dabi perches on the sill across from him. They're both halfway through the coffee before he mutters,
"Morning,"
"Hey," takes another sip, "What do you need from me?"
They finish their coffee and talk League business. He always gets the most important, the most delicate jobs. Shigaraki never thanks him or praises his work, not in front of the others, not in a way that Toga would be able to tally for points. Dabi just knows he's being useful because after every difficult job, Shig has a new one for him, jobs he never tells the rest of them about. Thinks that's as close to saying he trusts him as their leader can get.
Having coffee in the morning is the closest Dabi can get to saying he believes in the future Shigaraki is going to create.
///
Been away from base for a week 'recruiting'. There are no recruits that he could possibly find who could actually be what they're looking for. No one he could ever trust to slot into the strange little web they've formed around each other. Certainly, none who are actively seeking them out. No, the people who look for the League are usually arrogant, short-sighted, and violent. They don't get the importance of planning or patience. Which is why when he turns them down they always try to retaliate and he always ends up shaking out his aching hands with the smell of burnt hair lingering in his nose for hours afterward. They're better off as ash now anyway, they won't survive what's coming when they've finally got all their pieces in place.
A shadow passes over him and Dabi leans against the wall of the alley, underneath the fire escape, and digs out a cigarette. Lights up as there's a clang above him.
"Really hope you don't come here often given the carnage two blocks over." Maybe he was wrong. Maybe there's one person who sought them out that he thinks would fit in with their little band of misfits. If he wasn't going to inevitably betray them.
"What are you doing this far east, Hawks?"
The hero drops down from the fire escape, brows pinched together and a sour little frown. Doesn't like finding Dabi's victims, but knows better than to comment on it. "Team-up, spotted the smoke and could tell it was your handiwork, hot stuff."
"You first on the scene or should I be going?"
"Didn't call it in, pretty sure that it'll take a while before anyone else makes the connection. What are you doing all the way out here?"
"Recruiting." He replies dryly.
Hawks chances leaning against the wall beside him. Dabi offers him a cigarette, he declines, always does, but the offer pulls away some of the sourness in his expression. He lets out the rest on a breath. "Haven't heard from you in weeks."
"Been busy, did you have something useful for us?"
"I had patrol schedules for the month, but unless you're planning on making trouble in the next four days they're useless now. Get you the new ones when they're issued." They both go quiet for a few minutes as Dabi smokes. "Heard about Kurogiri, are you guys okay?"
"We're fucking slower now, but we're fine." He sighs. "Knew what we were signing up for, hero."
Another little pause, and then, much quieter. "Did you know?"
Dabi finishes his cigarette, puts it out under his boot, and pushes his hands into his pockets. "No. I'm not sure if Shigaraki totally knew either. Acted like a person most of the time, only started to show the cracks in his programming after AFO fell. Guessing he kept him running smoothly."
"Shit."
"Yeah, that about sums it up, birdy." Tilts his head back against the brick and looks at the hero. The spy. A damn shame too because Hawks is broken just like the rest of them. He can see it behind those big smiles and loud mouth. Behind the knife-sharp edge he sees in him when he's prepared for things to go south, and in the way he goes too still and quiet when he's stressed out and unsure of what's going to happen to him next. Doesn't know what it would take to push him over the edge, keeps him around, just hoping he finds it. Knows one push in just the right place and Hawks won't be a spy anymore, he'll be one of them. Thinks he's the only person he's found that he would want to be part of their group.
Hawks looks back at him, searching. Then, finally, smiles. Small and careful, reluctant, because the hero shouldn't smile at him. "Went by the old hideout, missed seeing you guys." Shouldn't actually like to see them. Dabi's pretty sure he means it though.
"Could see us more often if you stopped playing both sides, hero." Likes seeing Hawks too. Likes that he's not scared of him, that he's sharp as his swords and charismatic to boot. Gives as good as he gets when they fight, though those fights are becoming less and less frequent the longer this goes on. Knows the others like him too. Knows they can sense the broken, brittle thing that's hiding inside him as well as he can and they've all latched on.
And Hawks rolls his eyes. "I've told you a million times, everything I do--"
"You 'do for the League'," he mocks in an imitation of his voice while rolling his own eyes. "Don't you get tired of saying things I'm not going to believe?"
"Maybe if I say it enough you'll believe it someday." He says cheerfully, but his eyes are flat and cold. The way they always get when Dabi tells him he knows. Should tell him he knows his name someday. Thinks that will push Hawks over the edge, but he's not sure which direction he'll fall, so he's holding back.
"I'll believe it the second you do, Hawks."
There's a little pause, a minute where Dabi thinks this might turn into a fight, but then Hawks just sighs and his feathers rustle as he tucks his wings over his shoulders. "You gonna give me the new coordinates?"
"Can't anymore. Can't warp out if you decide to stop playing." His wings curl a little tighter, but he doesn't protest. Knows that's the smart thing to do and won't push. Doesn't have to like it though. "Pick a side, pretty bird," pushes away from the wall. It's a long way back to base. "You'll have a place with us if you want it."
Hawks doesn't say anything else as he turns to go, doesn't think the hero knows what to say when he's sincere like that. Hopes that maybe the sincerity will wear him down. Really wants him to choose their side before it's too late and Dabi has to turn him to ash.
///
A week of recruiting with nothing to show for it means that Toga deducts a bunch of points. Doesn't know that Shigaraki gives a softly relieved sign when they talk about it the morning after he gets back. Duster never says it, but he doesn't actually want more regular members. They're looking for benefactors, not grunts. Finishes giving his report and they drink their coffee.
"What do you need from me?"
Shig doesn't say anything, looking out the window as the sun just starts to turn the sky gray, that thin sliver of light that dyes everything blue before it all drips gold. Knows if Duster doesn't have a job already lined up it's because he's thinking about their next moves. Will give him his orders when he's decided on a course of action.
"Saw Hawks." That gets red eyes on him, expression somewhere between amused and exasperated. "Still hasn't made up his mind."
"How long are you going to keep playing with him?"
"Are you sick of it?" Because he wants to give Hawks the chance, but he actually is loyal to the League, needs them to get where he wants to go, doesn't want to see them hurt any more than they might have to be for him to get there. Will get rid of the hero on Shigaraki's word.
"Do you still believe he's worth it?"
"Yeah." If Hawks really turned traitor then everything would change. They could take down all of hero society with one good move.
Shig drinks his coffee. It's as much permission as he's ever gonna get to keep this going.
///
It's another two weeks of League work, Spinner is still in the lead but Compress jumped up past Toga when he managed to get the secondary generator repaired, which means they've got power to the heating in the residential areas now. Honestly, jumped the man up to Dabi's favorite at the moment too because it's getting way fucking colder and sleeping cold always reminds him of sharing a room with Natsuo. But now they've got more power and that means heat in their rooms, but not in the open sections of the lab. Like their common area.
"Get off me." He tells Toga for the hundredth time. She wraps her arms tighter around his shoulders, her cheek smooshed against his bicep, trying to tuck herself as tight as she can against his side.
"Nooo, you're so warm, Dabi."
"Get a fucking blanket if you're cold." But he doesn't push her off. Hasn't pushed Spinner away either whose back is leaned up against his other side as he sharpens his swords.
"Get's hotter the more you piss him off." Shig remarks dryly, looking at some of the files that were left behind by AFO and whoever else used to work out of this place. Trying to figure out what it was for.
"Don't encourage them."
"Oh! Did you feel that?" Toga chirps.
"Yeah, worked like a charm, Shig, thanks."
"I fucking hate you all."
"No you don't." Toga sing-songs. He shakes her arms, shifting so she can just tuck herself into his side under his coat without restricting his arms. Isn't the first time any of them have decided to use him as a space heater, won't be the last either. Wants to at least be able to smoke while they do it. It's pretty late, Twice is out with Giran, Compress went to go wash the machine oil off of himself. Feels like it's gonna be a quiet night. When he comes back, Compress turns on the shitty little radio, always leaves it on to a news station in the background, and then joins Shig at the folding table and pulls out a deck of cards. Dabi's not even really paying attention, Toga is picking at the staples on his coat, not trying to dislodge them, just running her fingers over them, twisting them this way and that to catch the light.
"You want some, princess?"
"Hmm, no, they're not very cute." Lets go of the fabric, "Show me how you do them next time?"
"Yeah--"
" --70 dead an untold number injured in a 6.1 magnitude earthquake. The epicenter was located in the densely populated city of Jaku. Several heroes rushed to the scene to assist, but even Winged Hero Hawks was unable to bring the casualties down further-- "
They're all silent as they listen to the broadcast. Dabi's eyes flick over to Shigaraki, finds the other man's already looking at him. Turns his gaze back to his papers with a little wave of his hand. Dabi takes out his phone, texts the coordinates.
Dabi: Come home
Realizes he meant to write 'here' a second too late. Can't take it back now. Jaku is a ways away. But Hawks is the fastest hero in Japan.
It's only an hour before they hear the door creek open.
Hawks wanders into the room, still in uniform. There's dirt and blood on his clothes, in his hair. Looks threadbare and exhausted. Toga takes one look at him and pulls away from his side, goes right over and hugs him tight. Hawks blinks, his feathers puffing, surprised. Like he hadn't even realized where he was. She doesn't wait for him to hug her back, takes his hand in hers and pulls him over to the couch and sits him down where she was, pushes Hawks into his side. The hero smells like dust and smoke.
"What--"
"Dabi's better than a shock blanket." She tells him.
"I'm not in shock."
"Do you remember flying here?" He asks, getting Hawks to drape his wings over the back of the couch so they don't end up squished between him and Toga as she sits on his other side. Then settles and deliberately raises his temperature another few degrees.
"I," takes a second. "This is my job ."
"Doesn't mean this kind of thing is easy, pretty bird." Dabi wraps an arm around his shoulders and pulls him closer.
Hawks doesn't say anything to that. Doesn't move though. Eventually presses his forehead against Dabi's collarbone with a shaky, exhausted sigh. And just sits with them quietly. Takes a good long while before he speaks again. "You don't even care about civilian casualties."
"We don't care about civilian casualties when we're working towards our goals," Shigaraki says without looking up at Hawks, his voice calm and even. "This was chance, it serves no purpose. We aren't going to celebrate it."
"Chance or not, we couldn't save enough people. Still shakes people's faith in heroes." Still serves the League's goals, but he can't say that because he's supposed to be on their side, supposed to agree with those goals. And Hawks really, really wants to keep pretending they don't all know he's a spy.
Shig sighs and finally looks up at him, making sure the hero's eyes are on his. "So? We're not going after heroes because they can't save everyone caught up in a natural disaster. We're going after heroes who abuse their positions of power, who deliberately let people slip through the cracks, who are heroes for glory or money. Why should it be your responsibility to save everyone who was caught up in Jaku? If you’re here feeling this badly about how many people you couldn’t save then you are one of the very, very few decent ones. If you’re here instead of helping then it means that this society clipped your wings, again, that it failed you just as much as it’s failed everyone else who died today. You shouldn’t feel guilty over the people you couldn’t save. That blame doesn’t belong to you."
Hawks stares at him, Dabi is staring too. Pretty sure they all are. Makes Shig uncomfortable enough he looks away first, nails biting at his skin. Goes back to the files without further comment and then it's quiet again. It's about forty-five minutes before Dabi hears Hawks make a very soft coo against his shoulder. Looks down and realizes that the hero's fallen asleep.
He and Toga stay with him on the couch for the night and his back is fucking killing him by the next morning, but Hawks is back in his head enough to be embarrassed about falling asleep on him, so he's actually going to take that as a win. Takes it even more as a win when he passes by Shigaraki as he leaves and thanks him quietly, guiltily. Because he's pretty sure that means Shig's started to chip away at the hero's walls too.
///
When things die down in Jaku, with Hawks knowing where their base is again, things go back to normal almost. Which means that Hawks is at the base every few days. Doesn't always have information to give them, they don't always have things to hide from him. Dabi's just pretty sure the hero doesn't have anyone else, and whether he's spying or not, he's pretty sure Hawks is just lonely enough to crave the company. Only takes until his third visit before he gets dragged into what was definitely a storage room at some point so Toga can show him the board.
"You're... competing to be Shigaraki's favorite?" He sounds bewildered.
"Yes, and now that you're back you get to play too." Toga tells him, adds Hawks to the board in his own column.
"It's not a competition, Spinner's never lost the lead," Compress tells him.
"Why are you doing this?"
"Twice made a joke and Toga found a chalkboard." He replies.
"How many points do you think he should get? Shiggy literally tried to comfort him, that's gotta be worth something."
"One less than he would have taken away for being a terrible spy."
Hawks gives an indignant little squawk. Toga dutifully starts him with negative one point. "I hate it here. I'm going home. Does Shigaraki know about this?"
"That we're keeping track? No, but he was the one who egged on the joke initially." Compress pats him lightly on the shoulder.
" Why are you keeping track?"
"Because Shiggy's been down for months." Toga tells him, not looking up as she adds up points for the week. "Look at how many times we made him smile this week. More than last week."
Dabi's chest goes so warm and tight as he watches her. They're always trying to take care of her, he forgets sometimes how much she wants to take care of them too.
Sees Hawks' eyes go sharp and sad. Like he sees it too and feels terrible. Because if he doesn't choose them then he knows he's going to hurt her. Likes her enough not to want that. Tries to shudder those thoughts away.
"Spinner's winning by a lot ."
"They both realized that they read the same comic series growing up this week. Told us about it for three hours. Spinner almost took the chalkboard to map out the plots, apparently time travel was involved."
Hawks stares at Compress, bewildered again.
"To be fair to him, he was drunk at the time. Shig thought it was hilarious." He tells the hero. It was fun, if only because he walked away knowing far more about the themes, characters, and subplots than he could ever need to know, but they'd only said the title once, at the very start of the conversation. None of them managed to catch it. Made the whole situation a hell of a lot funnier. Will be even funnier when one of them brings it up again and the rest of them act like they've never heard of it.
Hawks shakes his head but doesn't question it further. He's out of the negatives by the end of the week.
///
Things are calm for a while after the earthquake. Just going about their business as usual. But with things settled Dabi finds himself falling back into bad habits. Namely watching Shigaraki and Hawks. Can't help it. When things are calm, when the League is quiet and they're all just spending time in each others' space, he can't take his eyes off of whichever one of them is closest. Used to think it was just because he was trying to figure out who they were, what was going on inside their heads because the two of them are both so strange and inscrutable sometimes. Has caught them, and the others, giving him the same kind of looks. When Compress realized how well-educated he was at some point, when Spinner had realized that he can't feel the cold, when Toga had smelled his blood go hot under his skin when he'd got upset hearing that Natsuo had been attacked by a villain. They have a hard time trying to figure out who he was before this, he has a hard time figuring out Shigaraki and Hawks. Can see that they're both brittle fractured pieces shoved back together into some semblance of being human, but keeps finding himself wanting to know what broke them in the first place. Keeps gravitating towards the two of them because they're the only two he doesn't understand. He knows about Keigo Takami , knows that the HPSC took him in at a young age. Doesn't know what they did to him to shatter him more than his early life with his parents did, but knows he's too broken for something else to not have happened to him. Keeps wanting to figure out what.
Can't stop wondering about him and Shig. Keeps having coffee with Duster in the mornings, sitting on the roof with Hawks before he leaves.
"What do you do when you're not here?" He asks, smoking. Hawks has his feet dangling over the edge of the roof, his wings are loose and relaxed against his back.
"Work mostly, why?"
"You don't have any hobbies? Friends?"
Hums in the back of his throat. "I think if I say 'training my intern' you're gonna be rude."
"Yeah cause that's not a hobby, birdbrain, that's also work." Dabi lays back against the concrete. Can feel the chill of it in his skin, but it's a good chill. His broken body always seeks out the cold like his skin wants to tear itself away from the fire leeching through his veins. Hawks is watching him. Face tucked into his coat. It's deep into winter now, freezing here. Doesn't ask if his quirk is keeping him warm. Can see it's not because it's cold enough that he steams when he starts to inch his temperature higher.
"Do you have hobbies?"
Dabi considers that. Technically his revenge is separate from League business, could almost be a hobby if it wasn't actually an obsession. But he doesn't want to tell Hawks about that. "Cook when we have stuff for it."
"Really?"
"Don't sound so fucking shocked, pigeon." But there's no heat in it as he rolls his eyes and blows smoke in his direction.
"Are you a good cook?"
"Never had any complaints before." Reaches out and trails his fingers along the very edge of Hawks' wings. Can't tell if the hero wants them to touch them or hates it. Always lets the appendages into their space when they're close, but always seems so embarrassed and pulls away when one of them actually puts a hand in them. But this is just light enough that Hawks stays where he is for a while longer. "If you end up on our side I'll make you karaage."
"I'm already on your side, and even if I weren't do you really think you could bribe me with food?"
"Maybe," he says. Hawks watches him, one of those little pained expressions that he thinks he can hide. Just make up your mind, he doesn't say it this time, runs his thumb over the edge of a primary.
"I should go, long way back." The hero finally says, his eyes drifting away from his, pulling his wings tight against his back and away from Dabi's gentle touch.
"Okay," doesn't tell him he's welcome to stay. That they want him with them. He already knows. "Find a hobby, pretty bird."
"Why?"
"Why not? Shouldn't you have even just one thing that's not for anyone else? Something just to make you happy?" Earns him a soft, choked little trill out of the hero. Hawks practically throws himself off of the roof, lets himself plummet too close to the ground before he spreads his wings and takes off in earnest. Dabi stays on the roof a while longer. Wonders how close the hero is to breaking. Hopes it's close because Dabi's starting to think this is a double-edged sword.
///
Dabi ends up back out on a new job for two weeks after that. It sucks, on guard constantly, sleeping in warehouses and shitty motels when he can, doesn't get as much out of it as they'd been hoping, but gets a bit. No new recruits, no new benefactors, but he does locate another two of AFO's old safe houses. One closer to Musutafu the other near Esuha. Two more places they can go if shit hits the fan again. Hopes it doesn't, but he and Shig will feel better having backup plans. Makes it back at around one in the morning and can hear the others in the common area. Loud and happy. Feels that immediately settle over him. Can't believe how much just stepping past the threshold makes him think of home . How the relief of being here takes away any last threads of energy he had and makes it so all he wants to do is get some sleep. Goes through the common room to check-in.
Finds the others sitting around, drinking, actually playing something with Compress's cards. Hawks hears him first, his feathers ruffling and looking up with a bright smile and slight flush in his cheeks. "Welcome back, hot stuff." And that sets off the others, greetings, smiles, Twice pats his shoulder as he comes over to the table, Toga twists around in her seat to give him a hug. Spinner gestures for him to take a peek at her cards as she does. He looks. Full house. Gives the lizard a thumbs-up. No idea what his hand is, is guessing it can't beat hers though.
"Welcome home," she says, he drops a kiss to the top of her head.
"Thanks, princess."
"You want us to deal you in?"
"No, gonna turn in." Turns his attention to Shigaraki, "Talk to you in the morning?" Doesn't think the man will give him a hard time about waiting to give his report,
"That's fine, get some sleep, Dabi." Voice as warm as it is when they're sitting together with their coffee. He must look exhausted despite the scars. Toga lets go of him and he moves around the table to go towards his room. Peeks at Hawks' cards too and snorts. Royal Flush. Leans against the hero's wings and gets a soft, surprised little chirp as he pushes the rest of his chips into the pot.
"Don't know why you bother to lie about this too." He murmurs against his ear. "Just let yourself have something, pretty bird."
Doesn't linger, hears Twice and Spinner's despairing cries halfway down the hall.
///
He sleeps until past sunrise, for once. Guesses the rest of the League probably went to bed sometime late because that's what usually happens when they drink. It's silent as he gets up, dresses, goes to make coffee. There's an ambient glow coming in from the high windows that he's guessing means it snowed sometime last night. Will be able to see how much when he gets to Duster's room. Is about five feet from the door when it eases open.
And Hawks steps out.
Dabi stares.
Hawks shuts the door softly and turns. Sees Dabi. Stares.
He's got his jacket in his hand, his hair is a mess, his feathers ruffled. A dark purple bruise bitten just under his jaw, too high for his collar to hide. Dabi feels his mouth open, maybe to say something, maybe just because he can't contain his shock, and Hawks' face flares as red as his fucking wings as he races to close the distance between them, catches his arm, and drags him out of the hall. It's a whirlwind of movement and then they're on the roof.
"Oh my fucking god--"
"Shut up!"
"Oh my fucking god--"
"Dabi, shut up!"
"Holy shit, Hawks --"
"Stop! Talking!" Hawks puts his hands over Dabi's mouth, blushing so hot that Dabi can feel the heat of it. Trills something sharp and distressed, his wing shaking with his embarrassment. Dabi doesn't try to say anything for a minute. Hawks keeps holding him there, can't look him in the eyes, he can practically taste his mortification. He's still holding the mugs of coffee. It takes a minute for Hawks to breathe right and take his hands off of his mouth and step out of Dabi's space.
He only manages to hold his tongue for two seconds. "You know you can't be a honeypot if he already knows you're a spy, right?"
Hawks makes a very unhappy, exasperated bird noise, throwing his hands up and turning, then has them over his face, wings still trembling with his embarrassment. "I'm not a honeypot! I'm not a spy! I didn't plan this!"
"I can't believe I caught you walk-of-shaming out of Duster's room, holy shit."
"You're fucking awful and I hate you, I'm going to throw you off this roof."
"You'd catch me," he says absent-mindedly. "This is not what I had in mind when I told you to let yourself have something."
"I hate you," but they both go quiet after the declaration.
"How drunk--"
"Not even close . I only had two, he had one ." Dabi doesn't think he's ever heard anyone sound so upset to have a hookup not be the product of a drunken stupor.
"So how--?"
"I don't know," and Hawks still isn't looking at him, is looking out over the forest. There's a thick blanket of white draped over everything. Dabi can see his breath and wonders if the shaking in his wings is also because of the cold, if the bird is too stressed to have noticed. He sets the mugs down, reaches for the forgotten coat and prods at Hawks until he blinks and takes the jacket. Dabi watches as the feathers fall away from his back just long enough to put it back on. "I don't know. Everything was normal, and then Spinner and Twice were drunk enough that Toga and Compress were helping them get to bed. And I don't know. We were talking. Then we weren't." He's still flushed, still can't look at him, his wings curling tightly over his shoulders. The way they do when he's upset.
Dabi doesn't know if he should push, if this is something that's going to take the hero further away from them rather than bring him closer. Grabs his sleeve and pulls him into his side, puts his arm around his shoulders and heats his skin enough to chase away the chill of the air. Doesn't say anything until Hawks stops shivering.
"I can't believe that happened." The hero finally mumbles, still pink, but doesn't look like he's going to fall apart.
"Neither can I, holy shit, Hawks." Another little pause. "How was--"
"I cannot believe you're asking me that." Hawks smacks him across the back of his head with his wing, Doesn't do it hard enough to even sort of hurt as he hides his face in his hands again.
"Are you kidding? You fucked Shigaraki, I wasn't even sure he knew what sex was outside of his RPGs. I have a moral obligation to ask."
"I hate you so fucking much, you're insufferable. If I was a spy, I would kill you first." Dabi waits. "It was incredible . I don't know who he's been fucking but he knows what he's doing. I forgot how to speak , Dabi."
And it's his turn to make a surprised little half-choked noise. "You're kidding?"
"I am really, really, not ."
"Well, shit. Why were you sneaking out then?"
"Well I was hoping to have a crisis privately , but a nosey burn victim cut off my path of retreat."
"God are you always this bratty after a good lay or do you just need another round?"
"I am going to kill you."
But Hawks doesn't kill him. Calms down, still looks a little embarrassed, but eventually takes off. Dabi picks up the frigid coffee and makes his way back to the kitchen. Apparently took long enough that Duster must have thought he was still sleeping because the other man is brewing a fresh pot. Sees the mugs, the snow melting off his boots and raises a brow. Dabi doesn't elaborate, resolutely does not think about what Hawks said, and starts to give his report as Shigaraki passes over a fresh mug.
///
Is forced to keep thinking about it because catching Hawks sneaking out is not a one-time thing. It's a two-time thing. And then it's a once-a-week thing, and every time he flushes bright red but he keeps going back which must mean Duster is actually as good in bed as he said before and Dabi just cannot wrap his head around that. Or rather, tries not to because seeing Hawks with his feathers all ruffled and flushed, and the little flashes of scratches that peek out beneath the hem of Shig's shirt makes his skin heat a few extra degrees in a way he does not want to examine or deal with. Didn't know Hawks was here last night, so doesn't bother to knock as he lets himself into Duster's room.
Finds the two of them still tangled in the sheets together, Hawks on his back, wings spread out across the bed, arms around Shigaraki's neck, a soft coo coming from his throat as Shig's body pins him to the mattress as they kiss. Expression so soft and wanting that something aches behind his ribs. Can see those scratches a lot better across Duster's back now, freshly scabbed over, can see that Hawks' hands are tipped in wicked-looking black talons which explains them. Shig's wearing his gloves, does that so rarely, but clearly wanted to have his hands on Hawks' skin so--
"Fucking hell, seriously? You both have my number, just fucking text me if you're gonna be here in the morning." He says, refusing to be embarrassed. Doing his best to keep his quirk under control because looking at the two of them should not be making it act up in the first place.
Hawks gives a horrified, surprised chirp, nearly smacks Shigaraki in the face as his wings come up to wrap around himself and hide him from view. Shig just gives a little breath of laughter. Drops a kiss against the wall of feathers, leans back, the sheets draped around his waist, giving him a modicum of modesty. Dabi resolutely does not let his eyes wander.
"You're welcome to join us," Shigaraki says, half turning to him.
Dabi blinks. Hawks gives another surprised, mortified chirp from inside of his wings.
"Fuck off, Duster, here." Goes and hands over the coffee, gives his mug up for Hawks.
"Suit yourself," Shig replies taking them. Dabi rolls his eyes, heads for the door without further comment. If Hawks wants to be embarrassed and Shig wants to be sarcastic then he gets to be nonplussed.
He does get a courtesy text from Hawks the next time he spends the night. Dabi makes fun of him relentlessly.
///
But otherwise things are still the same way they always were before. He and Shig still have coffee together in the morning when Hawks isn't around. He still sits on the roof with Hawks before he leaves on the nights he doesn't end up in Shigaraki's bed. According to Toga's tally he and Hawks are usually competing for fourth place. But she doesn't know about Hawks spending the night, just like she doesn't know about his and Duster's quiet mornings.
"What do you need from me?"
"Just keep an eye on things for right now. I'm working on getting back in contact with my master's right hand." Shig tells him. Has hardly touched his coffee today. Dabi came in to find him sitting by the window again, freshly bloodied scratches lining his throat. Must have been a bad night then. They trail off, Shig sets down the mug and starts to reach for his neck again and Dabi can't reach out to stop him without putting his life at risk so he talks instead,
"Can I ask about Hawks?"
The hand stills and Shig looks at him. "What about him?" His tone is calm, no trace of annoyance or frustration, so Dabi figures it's actually safe to ask.
"What happens if he doesn't pick us?"
Duster picks his mug back up and takes a sip. "Could ask you the same thing."
Dabi sighs softly. Because he wants Hawks to pick them. Wants it so badly that he keeps putting them at risk for it. Shouldn't have told the hero where their new base was just because he had a bad day, even if Duster had given him permission first. Shouldn't be keeping him around at all, waiting and hoping. "I'll do what I need to if he doesn't."
Shig considers him. "I can do it if you don't want to." And Dabi doesn't know how he could offer that in that voice. So soft and sincere, tells him that in a way that makes him absolutely believe Shigaraki would kill Hawks if he doesn't think he can anymore. He's fucking sleeping with the hero, Dabi has seen how warmly he looks at Hawks now. Would still take that decision out of his hands if Dabi wants him to. Like this isn't his fault. Like he's not the one who opened the door so wide things could go this far.
The three of them are shattered pieces all crammed together to resemble people. Dabi doesn't want to find out what killing Hawks will break either he or Duster into now. "It won't come to that." Hates that the words come out of him barely above a whisper.
Hates that Duster is looking at him as softly as he speaks, "Alright."
And they don't talk about it anymore.
///
Is glad that he doesn't have to see Hawks for a week and some change, and that when he does it's meeting up in the city for an information drop rather than a social visit. Is waiting in an abandoned warehouse, smoking and trying to bury his melancholy as deep as it goes. Doesn't want the hero to see it on his face.
Hawks swoops in through a broken window a few minutes late. Is always a few minutes late because he's the fastest hero in Japan and always thinks that means he'll be fast enough to beat the clock when he gets distracted. "Hey, sorry hot stuff. Duty called."
"Sure it did, hero. Better have been worth the wait."
"No, really this time. Car crash." He says, shaking out his feathers, his jacket is zipped up. Dabi raises his temperature a bit, is still in his usual coat and t-shirt and the bird's eyes are incredulous on him. But he reaches into his pocket and produces a data stick. "Schedules as promised, and I managed to get a copy of the first month of Kurogiri's interrogations."
Dabi straightens up, melancholy chased away in an instant. "Very worth the wait, pretty bird." He says as he takes it. Though he guarantees that Shig's gonna disappear for a week to watch all of them a million times. Not that he can blame the man. Only then notices how nervous the bird is. His wings around his shoulders again, eyes not meeting his, face tucked into his collar, but not low enough to fully hide the slight flush in his cheeks. "What's wrong, dove?"
The flush worsens. "I... have something else for you, unrelated to League business." He finally says. "But I think you're going to make fun of me, and if you do I'm gonna kill you and that's definitely going to get me into a lot more trouble than I want to be in."
"Aw, did the sappy hero get me a Christmas present?" It's still a week or two away he thinks.
"See, this is exactly why I'm going to have to kill you."
"Wait really?"
"It's not supposed to be a Christmas present. I just happened to finish it now."
Dabi blinks at him. "You made me something?"
"I'm going to murder you. Just, here, take it." Pulls out a little bundle of something from his pocket and shoves it into his hands. Dabi takes it and unballs it. Two rough oversized black mittens sit in his palms, made of tightly knit, thick yarn. They're a little misshapen, a little lumpy in places, but Hawks has also put a stitched line of blue yarn around the palms to match where his staples would sit.
"You--"
"I know they're messy, but they were the first thing I made that wasn't just a square. They're oven mitts, I know you don't get cold, but clearly you burn, so, you know. Next time you cook or whatever." And Hawks is almost as red as his wings.
Dabi couldn't make fun of the hero if he wanted. His throat is way too tight. "Since when do you knit?"
Hawks tucks his face deeper into his collar. "It's crochet, I couldn't use the needles well with my talons." He mumbles. "Tried a bunch of things. Didn't like anything that felt frivolous, but I like making things that could be useful." And he must be out of his head because it takes him way too long to realize that Hawks is telling him he had listened. He had tried to take up a hobby. To find something for himself. Shit. Doesn't know what to do with the warmth in his chest and how the melancholy crashes in on it. Thinks if they have to kill the hero he's going to shatter all over again.
"Come to base on the twenty-eighth." He says instead.
"What?"
Steps into the hero's space, close enough for him to feel the heat of his body, to have to look up from his collar to actually look him in the eye. "The twenty-eighth, come to base." He says again, softly, then hesitates, "Unless you already have plans."
"What's happening on the twenty-eighth?" Hawks is staring at him, earnestly confused. Dabi wonders if he doesn't remember it's his birthday, or if he really does think they didn't find out everything they could after figuring out that he is, indeed, a spy. His breath leaves him as a little cloud of white.
"I'm making karaage."
And then his expression morphs. Stricken, surprised, a sharp keening ache that Dabi's own chest is echoing. Sees Hawks swallow hard, trying to get his face, his voice, under control again. "I, I don't think I should." Because he hasn't picked his side yet. Doesn't matter that he's made something all his own, or that he's been sleeping with Shigaraki. He still doesn't know where he's going to stand when he has to make the choice. Dabi does. Hopes he does, hopes he isn't wrong.
"Come anyway." He murmurs. Wouldn't be audible if they weren't standing so close.
"...okay." And his voice is so small. Dabi leaves not long after. Has to.
Was way too close to kissing him.
///
Hawks shows up on the twenty-eighth. Looks nervous and tentative, but Shigaraki is the only other person who knows why today is special. The rest of them don't know why the date matters, or why Dabi's cooking. They're just happy he is, just happy to see Hawks. The oven mitts sit on the counter until they're needed and no one says anything about them. They eat, and drink, and play cards. The night goes on and it's a loud one, a happy one. They didn't celebrate Christmas, why would they? None of them have happy memories around this time of year that they were looking to recapture. But the melancholy of that doesn't chase them when they have each other around a few days later. It's a good night, a fun one.
But Dabi can't quite relax. Neither can Hawks. Keeps curling his wings over his shoulders when he's not being actively engaged with. Normally Dabi would have gotten into his space by now. Pulled lightly on his feathers and teased him or riled him up until he snapped out of it. Can't bring himself to now. Not when he feels guilty just looking at the hero. Dabi never sees Shigaraki give Hawks any more attention than he used to, Hawks doesn't get into his space either, is pretty sure he wouldn't even know if he hadn't walked in on them. Somehow that makes him feel worse because he definitely should not have nearly kissed the bird since he does know. Tries his best to act the way he usually does, thinks he's probably done a bad job of it because as things settle down for the night he finds himself on the roof with Hawks. Came out for the cold air and to smoke. Didn't expect the hero to follow him up. Assumed he'd end up in Shig's bed again.
"Thanks for cooking, hot stuff." He says, he's perched on the edge of the roof, ready to take off, clearly not planning on staying.
"Thanks for the gift." He replies. Doesn't know what else to say. Doesn't normally have trouble talking to the hero one-on-one, can't possibly find the right words now. Hawks looks at him. Dabi doesn't know what he sees. Only knows that Hawks takes one step towards him, then his wings curl tightly around his shoulders and he won't look at him when he asks,
"Why would you let me stay, if, if I was-- If you all knew? Why would you do that?"
"Because we want you here, birdy. Because we keep hoping you'll pick us."
"Why would I do that? I'm a hero , Dabi." Sounds heartbroken over it.
Really not helping his self-restraint. Wants to get into his space again, wants to curl a hand around the back of his neck and kiss him until he doesn't care about what he's supposed to be anymore. Until he doesn't look so unhappy. "We were all something before we became villains, Hawks. Doesn't matter what you are right now. Pick us. We'll take everything you bring with you. We don't care about any shadows that are following you." Takes a breath, makes a choice. "We're looking to go see All For One's right-hand man soon. I'll tell you when we have to go, tell you where we end up."
Hawks' words have a distinctly avian warble attached to them, "Why would you do that?"
"Because if you're going to betray us I'd rather you didn't drag it out," doesn't dare move forward, terrified that if he does he won't stop until he has his hands on the hero. His mouth on his. "And I'm not going to keep waiting. Not going to keep you at arm's length any more. You're part of the League, tell you everything the others know. It's your choice if you're going to use that against us."
Hawks chirps. It's a horrible, scared, sad sound and Dabi hates it. Hates the way he's looking at him. Can't think of anything else he can do to get it through his thick fucking skull that they want him here. Hawks doesn't say anything, turns, takes off faster than Dabi has ever seen him outside of a fight. Hits his top speed in seconds and is gone .
///
Dabi tells Duster what he said the next morning. Shigaraki considers him for a long time, then finally nods. Doesn't reprimand him, doesn't argue. Just accepts it. Trusts his judgment even though he clearly fucking shouldn't.
And then Dabi throws himself back into work, into planning his revenge, into anything that takes his mind as far from the hero as possible. Can't linger on him because if he does he's going to lose the few remaining scraps of his sanity that he has left. Spends two weeks so busy he's not paying attention to much else. To the point that Toga comes over to him one night and pokes him in his side, where she knows his staples are. Hard enough he winces.
"Ow, what the fuck, leech?"
"You're in last place."
"What?"
She tucks herself against his side. Always does that to them. Wants to be close, wants to hug them. They always let her. It's such a small thing to give and it makes her so happy they can't help it. "You're in the negatives."
Realizes what she's talking about a second later. "What the fuck are you talking about? I've been working ."
"Yeah, and whenever you're not around and we mention you, Shiggy frowns, so clearly you're doing a bad job." But for all that she's young and has a few screws loose-- can't hold that against her, they're all a little off their rockers-- she's not stupid and she's not naïve. Can see as soon as he looks at her that she's watching him. Looking for a reaction.
"I'm doing my job, if Duster has a problem with it, he hasn't said anything to me, points or not ."
She doesn't let go of him for another minute. "Hawks hasn't been back for a while either, he's in the negatives too."
"He's got his own life," he tells her automatically. Hopes that it sounds natural and not as wooden as it feels in his mouth.
Toga hugs him a little tighter, rests her forehead against his side. "Are you okay, Dabi?"
Feels terrible that she's been worrying about him. Hooks his arm around her shoulders and hugs back. "I'm fine, princess. We're all going to be going out on a job together soon. Duster and I have just been trying to get everything ready."
He feels her sigh. "Okay," but it doesn't sound like she believes him. Lets go and wanders off to see to her own business. Dabi goes back to his. Doesn't feel any better after this conversation than before.
///
When he lets himself into Shigaraki's room the next morning he finds the man sitting at the window, laptop perched on the sill. Watching back the tapes of Kurogiri again. His neck is bloodied again. Always is after this. He's kind of tempted to lightly singe Hawks the next time they see each other for getting those logs. Hates how watching them seems to put Shig out of his head. Dabi goes over, sets the mug beside the laptop, and then reaches and gently closes it. Duster blinks. Like he hadn't noticed Dabi come in. Probably hadn't. Probably hadn't even realized that it was morning now. He picks up the mug after another minute and Dabi takes his customary place against the sill. The concrete room is cold and devoid of personality. Toga's the only one who's tried to make her space somewhat comfortable. The rest of them had just kept the utilitarian rooms the way they'd found them. But the emptiness feels more pronounced on mornings like this.
He is about to ask what needs to be done today when Shigaraki speaks so softly that he can barely believe he said anything at all, "Thank you."
Dabi blinks, "Don't mention it." Doesn't know if he's being thanked for the coffee, for taking Duster out of his head, for just doing his job. Doesn't even care. Just knows that Shig must be doing pretty bad to thank him at all.
He doesn't ask, doesn't push after that. Just waits, looks out the window. Is halfway through his coffee before a hand reaches for his mug, one finger kept away from the glass. Dabi lets Shig take it from his hand. Startles as he realizes how close he is now. Just a few inches away, feels his skin heat slightly as he takes the mug and sets it on the sill. Starts to ask what's up when Shigaraki looks back at him. Eyes so warm. Dabi freezes when three fingers barely touch the edge of his jaw. Is still frozen when the other man kisses him.
Dry cool lips on his, feather-light like the touch on his jaw. Feels his quirk race over his skin, lets out a little breath of smoke against his mouth. Shouldn't have. Was already surprised, overwhelmed. Shigaraki takes the opportunity to deepen it. Slots their mouths together more firmly, tongue flicking over his lips and Dabi opens with a small, strangled whimper. Feels like he's lost his mind. Might actually when that light touch settles more firmly, Duster wrapping his hand around the back of his neck and pulling him into the angle he wants, one finger carefully raised. Pulls him in so he can kiss him deeper, licks into his mouth until he knows every inch of it and Dabi's completely forgotten how to breathe. Barely has enough air left to whisper,
"Shig," when he finally pulls away, just barely.
"Dabi," really, really shouldn't pull him back in the next second. Kisses him harder, needier. Duster meets him halfway. Dabi tangles his hands in his hair, licks the taste of their terrible coffee out of his mouth. Gasps as Shig presses in closer, until their bodies are flush, his other hand pulling him closer at the small of his back. His skin feels like it's vibrating. Thrilled by being held so close and devoured. Definitely hadn't allowed himself to think about how often he's wanted to kiss Shigaraki in these private, quiet moments in the morning, how badly he wanted to know what it would feel like to have their bodies pressed together. Like he definitely hasn't let himself think about kissing Hawks.
Freezes again and Shigaraki stops, pulls away as he goes so still. "What's wrong?"
"Aren't you sleeping with Hawks?" Was the last time he checked, but that was weeks ago. Which means they can't do this. Lets go of Shig's hair, tries to retreat, but there's nowhere to go. Could have stopped, he supposes. Doesn't know if Shig's heard from him since his birthday.
"Why does that matter? So are you."
Dabi makes a startled, choked sound in the back of his throat. "What the fuck are you talking about?"
Shigaraki blinks, lets go of him, but keeps him where he is by resting his hands on the wall on either side of him. Doubt creeping in and chasing away the warmth that he'd been looking at him with. Same warmth he looks at Hawks with when they're supposed to be alone. Dabi wants it back so badly it almost distracts him. "You're not dating Hawks?"
" No ."
"Oh."
"W--" flounders. "Why were you sleeping with him if you thought I was dating him?"
"Kissed me first, figured you two were open to sharing," Shig frowns at him. "Invited you into bed with us."
"I thought you were joking ." Almost chokes when heat fills Duster's eyes, when he pushes Dabi firmly against the wall, mouth a hair's breath from his.
"Wasn't, firefly." Holy shit. Opens his mouth, leans in close like he's going to kiss him again, like he's going to catch his lip between his teeth and bite. Dabi feels his face flush, hopes his scars hide it as his brain short-circuits. But then Shigaraki sighs, lets go of him and takes a step back. "Told him the same thing after it happened."
"I, I'm--" Doesn't know what to say, Shigaraki doesn't need him to make an excuse though, moves out of the way so he can leave. Needs to. Can't think straight. Can feel Shig's eyes on him as he goes.
///
He ends up on the roof, leaning against the shut door, has his phone to his ear before he even realizes he's dialed.
"Mmm, kind of early, hot stuff. Know what they say about worms and birds but I do like to sleep in." Hawks is yawning, his voice sleep-thick and warm. "Where's the fire?" Dabi tries to figure out what the fuck he planned on saying as he listens to the hero talk. Realizes he hasn't managed to figure it out before a long pause stretches out between them. When Hawks speaks again he sounds much more alert. "Dabi? What's wrong, is there an actual fire?"
"Were you aware Shig thought we were dating?"
There's a sharp, startled chirp on the other end of the phone. " What? " Absolutely bewildered.
Dabi laughs, relieved, shaky. "Okay, good, so you get to talk to him. He's your fuckbuddy and he just kissed me under the impression that I was already sharing you with him."
Gets another strangled bird sound out of the hero and then nothing. Dabi wonders if he's accidentally killed him because he sure as hell feels like his soul left his body at some point between these past two conversations.
"I, okay. Right. Knew he wanted you," Dabi sucks in a sharp startled breath, temperature spiking hot enough he's starting to steam in the cool winter air. "Didn't know he thought-- Why did he think we were dating?"
"You knew ?"
"You didn't ? Dabi, he can hardly take his eyes off you when you're in the room. You're his right hand, you bring him coffee every morning, you're literally the only person he completely trusts, pretty sure he's in love with you, Dabs"
"What are you-- you're sleeping with him?!"
"Yeah? We can both sleep with him, that's, I don't care about that." He definitely died at some point in the past ten minutes. He really thought Hell would be more brimstone and burning, but maybe the devil figured that he was too used to that sensation and decided to go for psychological torture instead. "Why did he think we were dating?"
"I don't know . Fucking hell, Hawks."
And the silence stretches again. Long enough that he calms down. Stops steaming. Realizes that this is the first time he's spoken to Hawks in weeks. Since he decided to trust him even though he shouldn't.
Hawks gives the softest breath of laughter, "Finally get to ask you what you're gonna do this time."
"My choice comes down to whether or not I want to be in Shig's bed, not if I'm gonna betray people who care about me." Hates himself for saying it as soon as the words are out of his mouth because he can hear how cold and still Hawks goes on the other end of the line.
"Dabi--" That horrible broken tone back in a second because Dabi just turns everything he touches to cinders.
"Fuck, never mind. Forget I said anything. I've got to deal with Duster, bye." Hangs up before the hero can say anything else.
Absolutely does not go deal with Duster either.
///
Thankfully doesn't have to. When he goes back in Shig is already back to work, acts like nothing's changed. Keeps acting like that when he brings coffee the next morning. Doesn't touch him, doesn't let his eyes linger, doesn't call him 'firefly' again. Just tells him that he's been given a rendezvous point with AFO's right hand and that they'll be moving bases soon. That the new one currently belongs to a group of CRC extremists. They'll be removing them before they move in. Dabi listens, does his job. When it's time for them to make the move Toga has Compress marble the chalkboard.
He texts Hawks the new coordinates like he said he would. The hero doesn't respond. Doesn't show up.
But they don't get ambushed either.
///
They go to see the doctor and Dabi doesn't set him on fire. Haven't seen hide or hair of him since their test with the High-End. Cut off when the test went poorly and they couldn't bring it back, completely stonewalled when Kurogiri had been arrested. Now the doctor has a new monster for them to tame and Dabi is getting very sick of these bullshit tests to prove themselves to the memory of All For One. But Shigaraki doesn't even blink. Explains what he wants to do, the doctor laughs, but agrees.
"Not helping with this," he tells Shig as they're readying to go back to the beast. His flames didn't do a damn thing, can't afford to burn himself out for no good reason.
"That's fine, don't know how long this will take. I'll update you when we do."
They get sent away, he gets sent back to the mansion.
It's four days before Spinner and Toga come home, bruised and exhausted.
"Where are the others?"
"Still fighting that creature. Only stops for a few hours every two days, sniffs out Shigaraki wherever he goes. We're gonna take it in shifts until we can make headway."
They go to sleep and Dabi texts Hawks. Tells him what they're doing. Still doesn't get a response.
Goes and makes sure there's food for the others when they wake up.
///
They learn Gigantomachia's patterns well enough over the next two weeks. Well enough that Shig actually comes back to the mansion to rest for a few hours once or twice. Dabi has apparently become a mother hen and nursemaid, because whenever any of them show up he's making himself useful by ensuring that they've slept, eaten, and been treated for their injuries. Considers going back a few times. But it won't help. The beast is fireproof. There's a bigger chance he'll hurt one of them by accident and he can't risk that.
Doesn't mean he's happy about it as he's sitting with Shigaraki in his room, taping up his shoulder. The abrasion is as wide as his palm, torn through his skin, jagged and rough. Guesses he either got hit with something or landed hard and skidded across something sharp. Disinfects it, bandages it, gives him some pain medicine. Shig doesn't say anything, has barely slept, but doesn't even look tired.
"Why are you sulking?" Shig finally asks when he's finished.
"I'm not sulking ." He snaps. He is , but that doesn't mean he's going to say so. Shig raises a brow at him. "Are you gonna eat before you sleep?" He asks instead. Hates being here, being useless . Can only make sure the others have what they need. He starts to put away the first-aid kit, startles when Shigaraki catches his wrist carefully, pulling him to a stop. Lets him. Finds warm red eyes on him and still doesn't know what he's supposed to do. If he should be letting that heat worm its way under his skin. Doesn't have to decide because he suddenly hears Toga shriek, and they're both moving.
Are out of the room and at the stairs in seconds, close enough now to see over the railing into the entrance hall and spot Toga throwing her arms around Hawks . Dabi's breath catches in his throat.
"Where have you been ?! We missed you so much!"
"Hey, sorry, I-- I've been busy." He and Duster are at the bottom of the stairs, doesn't remember moving, but they are. Until Hawks sees them and suddenly Dabi's not . Can't. Freezes where he is because he keeps fucking this up. Toga lets go of Hawks. "Hey, Shig, Dabi--" takes a breath, "I took a leave of absence, I'm here to help--" Is cut off because Shigaraki reaches him. Wraps a hand around the back of his neck and Hawks chirps, soft, warm. Like the sound he heard just that once, when he found them in bed together. Shigaraki kisses it out of his mouth. Hawks fucking melts. Dabi hates how badly his chest hurts. Doesn't know if he's disappointed because two minutes ago he was pretty sure Duster was about to kiss him or if he's still just aching with that disbelieving, all-consuming hope that Hawks made his choice. That he's really here with them. That he's finally going to stay .
" WHAT?! " Toga is shouting, loud enough to draw Compress and Spinner from the kitchen.
Hawks and Shigaraki aren't paying any attention to her. He can see Shig's mouth moving when they part, just far enough for him to speak, but his voice is way too low to hear. Hawks' eyes flick to his and Dabi's chest hurts again. Hopes that it doesn't show on his face. And then he's looking back at Duster. Says something. Shig kisses the words out of his mouth one more time before they part.
"Two hours, you're coming with Spinner, Toga, and me."
"Yes, sir," he breathes just loud enough to be heard. Duster drops a kiss on his cheek and lets go of him. Heads towards the kitchen, past the other two who are also gaping at him.
Hawks takes one step towards him, and then Toga has her hand on his sleeve. "What? What was that? I thought you and Dabi were dating?!" Hawks goes bright red immediately.
"Why do people keep thinking that?" Dabi asks, doesn't sound right. His throat is too tight. The words come out strangled.
"You're not?" Spinner asks, turns to look into the kitchen, " You're dating Hawks?" Can't hear Shig's response from here.
"Why else would you let a spy into our midst? You're far too practical for that." Compress remarks distantly.
"And you two are always touching! You never even complain about it." Toga tells him.
"I'm not a spy," Hawks says, sees Toga about to open her mouth again because they've all heard it a hundred times before and just ignore it now. But Hawks is staring right at him. Takes half a step forward. "Anymore. I'm not a spy anymore." He says again, a little softer. His wings tremble. "Everything I do, I do for the League."
Hawks believes it this time.
Dabi does too.
Toga squeaks because the next second he's in Hawks' space, hears another soft, surprised little chirp. Has his hands on his waist and this time he kisses that sound out of his mouth. And then Hawks' hands are in his hair and he's kissing him back, trying to keep him there as Dabi licks into his mouth. Can't stop. Has wanted this so badly he was willing to put everything at risk. Hawks doesn't seem to mind. Kisses him back, mouth just as needy, holding on just as tightly. Kisses him until neither of them has air left in their lungs.
"Dabi--"
" Ours ,"
Hawks chirps, face flushed, wings still quivering. Gives a frantic little nod. "Sorry it took so long." He whispers. Dabi kisses him again. Parts this time because Toga is physically trying to separate them.
"What--"
"Wait, so are you dating Hawks now ?" She asks. "What about Shiggy?"
"What about me?" He asks dryly as he re-emerges from the kitchen, mug in hand, heading towards the stairs again.
"That better not be all you're having, it's been days , Duster." Dabi catches him by the wrist. Figures that they're already in this deep. Shig must see it, shakes his grip so he can curl his hand around the back of his neck again, and kisses him too. Hawks is still half in his arms, Duster's mouth on his. Dabi can't wrap his head around it. But Shigaraki doesn't linger. Shifts to brush his thumb over his cheek, along his staples lightly.
"Firefly,"
Feels himself giving a tiny nod. Wants it. Both of them.
"All three of you?" Toga makes a delighted, manic squeak. "Okay, so Compress definitely won the most, but how do we split up the rest of it?"
"Won what?" Hawks asks reluctantly.
"We were betting on what would make you properly join! And we were betting on how long it would take for you and Dabi to tell us you were dating. And on how long it would take for you to admit being a spy." Their pretty bird chirps indignantly.
Shig drops a kiss to his cheek with a soft laugh like he had Hawks' and then heads upstairs. Doesn't have long to rest, is going to need it. She waits until he's out of earshot before she adds,
"And we're gonna have to re-do the point system, cause I'm pretty sure that you two are his favorites now."