The moonlight spills down, illuminating our mismatched group of heroes and villains. Dabi, with that infamous smirk, stirs the pot. Oh no, I know that look—this won't end well.
"Hey, Birdie," he turns to Hawks. "Can they crash with us tonight too?"
Hawks, clearly exhausted and disinterested, shrugs. "Yeah, whatever."
I start to protest. "Tou, that isn't necess—"
"—You are going, no excuses," he cuts me off with a glare.
I groan, realizing I'm outnumbered. Peter, already sleepy-eyed, agrees, and I can't help but wonder if today is some kind of "gang up on Anos" day.
With a resigned sigh, we make our way to Hawks' apartment. It's a modern space, open and inviting without being ostentatious. After showering, we order takeout and settle into a comfortable rhythm of laughter and stories until sleep calls. Peter is out as soon as he hits the bed, and I chuckle, knowing his love for sleep.
Stepping out onto the balcony, I gaze up at the stars, each one a reminder of my past life. Dabi joins me, standing shoulder to shoulder as we both lose ourselves in the cosmos.
"So... wanna tell me why you're stressed?" he asks, handing me a mocktail.
I take a sip and sigh. "Your dad is an asshole."
Dabi laughs, a genuine sound that pierces through my frustration. "Oh trust me, I know."
"What did he do this time?"
"He tried to get my dad arrested by creating fake crimes and saying he was working with villains."
Dabi's laughter dies. "Well, damn. I knew the bastard wanted to be number one, but to go to those lengths? It's crucial..."
I nod. "He even tried to turn Shoto against my brother."
Dabi goes silent, and the gravity of my words hangs in the air. "That dumb bastard is still fucking with kids..."
We sip our mocktails in silence, staring up at the stars, both of us feeling the weight of the night.
"Can I ask something?" I venture.
He nods, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
"Do you know Riley and Ryan Himura?" I ask nervously.
He lights a cigarette, taking a drag. "Hmm, sounds familiar... The last name is my mom's..."
"I know. That's why I'm asking..."
"Other than the last name? No."
I nod, processing the implications. "Okay, well, I'm heading in, alright?"
"Good night, Ans... and don't worry about the asshole. We will deal with him. I have a few plans."
I grin, the weight on my chest lifting slightly. "Thanks, Tou."
The next morning feels different—actual calm. Dabi is in the kitchen, cooking breakfast, while Hawks sits at the dining table surrounded by papers. He looks like he hates every moment of it, so I decide to lend a hand, grateful that my dad taught me these skills at a young age.
Hours drift by in comfortable silence. We eat, joke, and share stories, allowing the worries of yesterday to fade into the background. I wander into Dabi's room as he's finishing a call, the room filled with the scent of fresh coffee and something smoky.
He grins when he sees me. "Good news: We found the Nomu... Bad news: We have no idea who took them."
"Damn it," I mutter, frustration creeping back. "Another dead lead."
"But there might be a way..." he continues, and my interest piques.
"I have someone who owes me a favor, so I'll ask them for info."
"Okay, thank you for this and everything... I was such a wreck when you were gone, you know."
Dabi tenses slightly at my confession. "I know... and I did come back, but when I did, everyone moved on and life was worse, so I left."
I'm stunned into silence, my heart aching for him. "Oh, Touya, I'm so, so sorry... I had no idea."
He sighs, a ghost of a smile crossing his lips. "It's fine."
We fall into a silence that's comfortable yet heavy, and gradually we begin to talk—about our pasts, our hopes, our fears. I tell him about Momo, how she's the light in my life, and he shares his tangled feelings about Hawks and Shigaraki.
This feels like old times, like a moment stolen from reality. But a nagging question lingers in my mind: Is it right to be friends with a villain? Am I making a mistake by getting close to someone like Dabi again?
The day blurs into night, and soon, we're all gathered again, this odd little family of heroes and villains. I can't shake the feeling that I'm walking a tightrope, but in this moment, surrounded by laughter and familiarity, I push the worries aside.
Later that night, Dabi and I stand outside, the moonlight casting shadows on the ground. "What's going on in that head of yours?" he asks, eyes sharp as he studies me.
I hesitate, searching for the right words. "I'm just... thinking about the future, and what it means to be friends with you, to be close to you."
He leans against the wall, a thoughtful expression on his face. "You think being a villain defines who I am?"
"No, but it's complicated," I admit. "Your dad... everything going on. It feels dangerous."
Dabi pushes off the wall, stepping closer. "Life is dangerous, Anos. What matters is the choices we make and the people we choose to stand by. You don't have to worry about me."
I look into his eyes, a mixture of uncertainty and determination swirling within. "I want to trust you, Touya."
"And you can. Just know, whatever happens, I'll always have your back."
In that moment, under the starlit sky, I feel a flicker of hope. Maybe it's okay to walk this path, to embrace the gray areas of life, as long as I have those I care about beside me. As we stand there, the stars bear witness to our silent pact, a fragile yet unbreakable bond that defies the labels society has placed on us.
As the night deepens, I know that tomorrow will bring its challenges, but for now, I have my brother, my friends, and the stars—guiding us through the shadows.