Dabi didn't know what to think anymore. He had been so sure that Hawks was working with Kenzie or whatever his name was. Dabi had just figured that his best bet was to let Hawks lead him to Toga, then hope for the best when he made his escape with her.

But, after hearing Hawks' story... well it just seemed as though maybe, just maybe, the hero was actually on his side this time. Dabi was determined not to make the same mistake twice, however, so any trust placed in the hero was solely to get Toga to safety. After that, they'd part ways and Dabi hoped that would be the end.

The two padded to the door softly, Hawks' eyes meeting Dabi's as he slipped a hand onto the doorknob.

The hero mouthed, 3, 2, 1-

The door opened and Hawks fell, narrowly avoiding a tall man with red hair. The man's hair was cut short and his eyes were bright blue. Dabi supposed this had to be Kenji.

The Commission member stared at Dabi before suddenly realizing who he was and sinking into a fighting position.

Dabi scoffed. "Like that'll help. Look you asshole, I'm here for Toga, and you'll-"

"Toga?" the man asked, staring at Dabi before standing slowly.

Hawks had gotten to his feet and was blocking any retreats.

"Yes, Toga. Himiko Toga? Blonde? Likes blood?" Hawks clarified. "What did you do with her Kenji?"

"I don't know what you're talking about. I do, however, know that a villain is here and I sure hope you're planning on arresting him." The man was strangely calm.

Hawks growled low in his throat. "You're the only villain here," he mumbled.

Kenji laughed. He laughed. He seemed completely unbothered by being surrounded by the number two hero and Dabi, one of the most wanted criminals in Japan. He was clearly getting on in years, judging by the wrinkles just starting to appear on his cheekbones and hands. Dabi would say he was a little older than his father.

"Oh, am I?" he asked, wiping a fake tear from his eye. "Look, Hawks," the man turned his back from Dabi. "I know you think I'm the bad guy. But if you're planning on stopping me from doing what I have to do here, I would suggest you figure out how you're planning on fighting me. You don't even know what my quirk is."

Hawks' eyes widened before they returned to his usual unbothered stare.

"I don't need to know your quirk." Dabi said, making the red haired man turn to him. "You can't stop both of us, no matter what it is."

"Who said anything about stopping both of you?" Kenji looked genuinely surprised. "No, I'd much rather watch you two take each other apart. I'm afraid Hawks doesn't work with villains."

Dabi looked over at Hawks who looked confused.

"Or at least..." Kenji reached into his pocket, producing a strange device made of the same strange glowing material as the device they had taken from those heroes a while back. "Not while I can help it."

"I don't know what you're on about," Hawks started. "But I'm my own person and I won't be fighting Dabi. You want us out, you'll have to-"

That's when Kenji pressed a button on the device and Hawks cut off sharply, gasping, a hand coming up to the side of his neck. Dabi narrowed his eyes, lunging for Kenji, but his path was blocked by a blonde man with red wings.

"Hawks what the hell-" Dabi was cut off when Hawks punched him in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him.

Kenji had disappeared in the commotion, but Dabi was unable to search for him as Hawks then jumped onto his back, forcing him to the floor on his stomach.

Dabi huffed out a breath and groaned, attempting to flip over, but Hawks dug his ankles into Dabi's side, his boots grating against Dabi's staples in his sides.

"Ow, Hawks get the hell off me before I burn you-"

Hawks moved one leg and dug it into Dabi's back, pushing him into the floor.

Dabi took as deep a breath he could with a man pressing him into the cold marble floor, before forcing himself up, Hawks tumbling off him.

"What the fu-" Dabi was cut off by Hawks' tackling him down once more, wings helping to pin him down.

Dabi set a small flame to his hand but it dissipated at the terrified look in Hawks' eyes. He looked like he didn't want to do this, like he was confused and scared.

"Hawks, can you stop fighting-" Dabi's voice was cut off as Hawks' knee connected with his abdomen. "Me?" Dabi wheazed out. "Blink twice for no-" Dabi winced at Hawks' sharp feather carving into the palm of his hand, making it so the use of his quirk would burn more than usual.

Hawks blinked twice before pressing the feather to Dabi's throat.

The villain held his breath and tilted his head up, trying his hardest to stay away from the sharp blade, but Hawks' feather followed his movement, pressing just slightly into Dabi's neck.

The villain mentally groaned before ducking down and grabbing Hawks' wrist, flipping the hero onto his back.

Hawks didn't even grunt, although he did wince. Dabi knew this had something to do with that strange device... but what?

Dabi barely dodged an attack by Hawks, only to get slammed backwards by a wing.

Dabi grunted as he flew into the wall, his head slamming backwards into the gypsum wallboard.

The villain rose to his feet and set a hand on fire, hating how panicked Hawks' eyes looked but how ready his body seemed to be. Dabi hesitated his attack.

That was the wrong move. Hawks was on top of him in seconds, forcing him back to the floor, the fire dying out as the sudden impact startled him.

"Hawks-" Dabi wheezed. Why was the hero so fast? He knew he was supposed to be the fastest but why?

Years of training, huh?

Dabi took a moment to regain his composure before allowing himself to delve back into memories of old training sessions with his father. If he remembered correctly, he could get Hawks off him easily, with minimal damage to the hero. If he didn't...

Dabi clenched his hands into fists, just barely activating his quirk, only in the palms of his hand. Using his legs to propel Hawks off him, Dabi leaped as far away as he could quickly rubbing his steadily warming hands together, ignoring the growing pain the hand Hawks had cut. As soon as Hawks was on him again, Dabi pressed both of his hands to Hawks', the hero rearing back at the sudden heat that laced up through his body. He wasn't actually on fire, it was just an effect of the friction and Dabi's quirk, but Dabi knew what it felt like, and it was pretty damn close.

A feather had fallen to the floor and Dabi lunged to it, picking it up.

Hawks had gripped his neck when Kenji had pressed that button. Maybe, just maybe, Dabi could get them out of this.

As long as he was right.

~

Just in case you're wondering what gypsum wallboard is, it's what walls in labs are usually made of. I did research ☺

Anyways, here's today's quote!

"Just close your eyes and pretend it's all a bad dream, that's how I get by." -Captain Jack Sparrow (Played by Johnny Depp, yes I know I'll try to stop lol)

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