"Thanks again Freddie," You call after, looking up at the broken window she's standing in front of. She lazily waves back, taking another swig from her can as Dabi leads the way out of the narrowing.

      "It's Momo's brother. . ." You tell him as you got out into the 3pm sun, walking in the sidewalk as the man beside you hums. "You sure?"

     "Positive. I don't talk to him much but I'm absolutely sure it's his voice." You elaborated, staring up at him as he quietly stares back from behind his sunglasses. You continue walking, but you never took your eyes off him. It took until reaching the edge of Grand Central Park that he finally responded, though it wasn't what you were expecting. "Want me to kill him?"

     "What?" You breathed out, shaking your head frantically, "No! Dear God no. I just," You sighed as you two wait a red light, "I don't know. I don't know! I didn't even think we'd get this far, much less that it'd happen today." Dabi only shrugs, leading the way as you two cross the street past many other civilians going through their day and their own problems. "I don't know, we've been working non-stop since last night. Plus, speaking of that, don't you have a shop to run? I'm pretty sure an empire's gonna need their monarch on the job."

     "Oh my God I have work!" You exclaimed a little too loudly, gaining attention from nearby onlookers before inevitably being ignored a second later. The black haired man laughed as he lands a supportive yet equally teasing pat on your shoulder, "How do you even forget something like that?" He asks in between laughs, wiping away a crocodile tear. "If you're done making fun of me can we just please get back?" He lifts up a finger, as if to say he wasn't, letting out a few more sounds of his laughter before eventually clearing his throat. "Okay I think I'm done."

     You kept your glare on him, earning a smile in return. What kind of smile? You weren't sure exactly, he still held onto the black face mask and equally dark shades that covered basically the entirety of his face. He pays it no mind when your brows only furrowed deeper, opting to grab hold of your hand and lead you off towards the nearest subway station. "Is the hand really necessary?"

     "Aw babe, don't worry about it. My gloves are very clean," You remain unconvinced as he leads you through human traffic, a smug look on his barely-visible face, "So to speak."

● ● ●

     "Goodbye and goodnight, people! I am fucking drained and I'm sure you guys are too, don't stay here too late!" The rest of your staff cheered as you left about thirty minutes earlier than usual, having just finished your paperwork and wanting to get some other work done regarding the whole business with Momo. Sims offered to lock up once again, and seeing that she actually arrived an hour before you to open up the boutique and do some early-morning cleanup just earlier that day, you decided to bless her with your trust once more.

     You take out your phone to send Momo another text, glad that it didn't take more than a few seconds for her to respond just as usual. In all honesty, if you were in Momo's shoes right now, you'd most probably be pissed and very much annoyed that someone would be asking you if you were okay every hour or so. It'd just get repetitive and downright distracting. But thank God that you weren't because if you were, you'd definitely be losing more than just a few friends.

     You thought that would be the end of it, but decided that maybe asking her a few questions could help with another lead in discovering. . . well, you already knew who was out to kill her. All you had to know now was why.

Hey Raven, quick question. Did you and your brother ever have like, problems, so to speak? Like maybe arguments, or anything similar?

Oh?
Hmm. . . no, not really. Nothing much comes to mind.
Why?
Did Taro do something wrong?

     You bite your lip in thought, taking a seat in a taxi. You didn't exactly know how to tell her that her brother was out to kill her, but she was unassuming enough that you'd be able to weasel out of the question pretty easily. (Also you were glad she actually mentioned his name, you didn't want to be just calling him 'Momo's brother' for the rest of your hunt for answers)

No reason, just curious. Get home safe, goodnight!

     She responds with a simple red heart, sighing as you turn off your phone and look out the window to gaze at the passing city lights in boredom. If she can't think of anything, either she's mind-numbingly oblivious, or he never showed any reason or sign that he'd want to harm her. Hell, you never would have suspected him either. You didn't know the dude that well, but with the few times you interacted with him and in the times you saw him on TV. . . you never really thought he'd have it in him. "Guess I gotta start stalking like the old fashioned way,"

     "Pardon?" Your eyes widened upon realizing that you weren't alone, quickly glancing at the rear view mirror with a face as red as the bottom of your heels. Your driver was glancing back and forth from it and the road, a look of concern and confusion visible. "I'M SORRY I DIDN'T MEAN TO SAY IT OUT LOUD."

     Oh God why'd you say it like that it's making you look even more suspicious! You send him a wordless apology, wanting to dig up a hole and die. Thankfully enough, he seemed to have understood the situation and laughed it off, assuring you that it was okay. Wish you could say the same for yourself, you were practically on the verge of jumping out of the moving vehicle.

     Eventually you reach your building, lending him a tip that was more than necessary as you quickly exited the taxi. You didn't mean to hand it to him so aggressively that you practically threw it at him like one would a stripper, not having the time to apologize but were just overall glad that you were back home.

     Well, almost.

     Along the way you ran into the unfortunate mother of the child Dabi had traumatized, quietly standing in one corner of the elevator as it went through each floor with a quiet hum. You were wondering why she was here and where her kid was, but didn't have it in you to start up a conversation so you mostly just ended up staring at the wall looking hypnotized until the elevator stopped at your floor. Quickly stepping out, you unlocked your apartment door with tired hands, yawning with each second that passed.

     You locked it behind you and quickly made your way past the living room and kitchen, not bothering where you placed your purse. But apparently, your roommate sure did. "You're gonna lose that thing again,"

     You scream as you snapped your head towards her, not noticing the way she just wordlessly stared at your figure with a look that wasn't at all amused. It took you a few moments to realize it was just Jirou, a bowl of cereal in one hand as she looks at you with a brow raised. Chuckling nervously, you picked up your purse and excused yourself to your office. She only shrugs, going back to scrolling mindlessly on whatever website she decided to rot in tonight.

     The stairs going up to your room and, in turn your office felt a lot more tiring than usual. Before you could process that there was a silhouette you could vaguely make out through the translucent glass and the door not being locked like you remember, you push open the door and enter it while completely ignoring the Dabi that had made himself at home on your couch.

     "Your place is kind of messy." He whispers, most definitely aware of your roommate that was still very much awake, taking you another moment to realize that he basically broke in your apartment. "Why are you here?" You squint, setting down your purse on your desk that had miraculously cleaned itself in the few hours you've been gone.

     "Ouch, don't I deserve a thank you?" He playfully banters with a cheeky smile, tilting his head as a quiet hum escapes his lips, "I sweeped your floors too you know."

     You did notice that they looked cleaner than when you had left them earlier that day, further scrutinizing him as you remained on your spot. "Thank you, yes you kind of do, but that doesn't excuse the fact that you're still in my office without my permission." He chuckles, shrugging as he pats the spot next to him. "I was gonna leave, but then your friend here decided she wanted an early breakfast. So far, she still hasn't left."

     That actually made you snicker, holding it back as you cleared your throat, trying to ignore the ever widening smile on his face. "Anyway, enough of that. Now that you're here, we might as well talk about the Taro issue." Dabi raises a brow, not exactly recognizing that name.

     "Momo's brother." He whispers an 'ah', urging you to continue a moment later, "I tried asking her if they've ever had any fights or disagreements that might lead to figuring out what his motives are. But so far," You sigh, flopping onto your chair and slamming your head softly onto the hard surface of the wooden table, "I've got nothing."

     He chuckles lowly as he stands up from your couch that was situated right beside your door, crossing the room to lean against the table's side nearest yours.

     "Well, while you were slaving away in your office, I managed to get more information." You perk up at that, staring at him with accidental puppy eyes as he snorts quietly. "Really? What is it. . ?!" It came out a lot more desperate than you'd initially hoped, but didn't mind it as he fiddles with a small wooden figurine you kept on your desk.

     "I'd tell you, but I'm gonna need some sort of payment." You groan quietly, staring at him in exasperation as he laughs quietly. "I'll punch you in the gut for free." He innocently taps on his chin, as though contemplating what he wanted, "Hmm, I don't know, sweetheart. This is some pretty valuable intel, you sure that'll be able to cut it?"

     "The only thing you'll be cutting will be the rope around your neck by the time I finish hanging you off the ceiling." His smirk widens, "Kinky."

     "Not like that you pervert," You glared at him, before sighing and crossing your arms on your table and hiding your face in them. "Seriously, Dabi, what is it?" He chuckles, shaking his head as he crosses his arms, "Nope. Not talking."

     "Dabi. . ."

     "What?" He asks, mischief lacing each word that came out of his mouth with an accompanying grin that you wanted to shave right off his weirdly-handsome face. "Fuck it. What do you want?" With that he smoothly grabs your arm off your desk, pulling you up and towards him with the grace of a professional dancer. His hand intertwines with yours, pulling it farther back as to push your body more towards him with a look that showed how much he enjoyed toying with you.

     His other hand went to your face with no hesitation, studying each feature with the same amount of focus he always had in the few times he's managed to get up-close and personal with you. "Does this explain it, dollface?" He whispers with a small chuckle, tracing the edge of your jawline with a featherlight touch.

     As much as your face heated up or how awkward you felt in your position, you still managed to let out a small laugh, "I didn't think dancing would be an option, not gonna lie," He snorts once again, rolling his eyes playfully as he lets go of your hand and carefully guides himself to your waist. "Haha, very funny," He locks eyes, the other hand still freely roaming the side of your face as he hums softly. "So what do you think? You still up for it?"

     "I feel like I don't have much of a choice." You decided to try and relax in his soft yet firm grip, finding it a mistake as he pulls you in even closer, "Aw, come on, don't give me too much credit. If you find this uncomfortable, just tell me." You pursed your lips, looking away in contemplation. Did you find it uncomfortable? You couldn't say for sure. By all means you can make out with anyone you'd like, and hell, you already did it with him once! But the question left a taste in your mouth that lingered far too long in the passing moment, prompting the man to raise an amused brow.

     "You seemed to enjoy that last encounter of ours, wouldn't you say?" His hand gently holds onto your chin, facing you towards him as his musky breath hit your face gently, "That look you had just told me all that I needed to know, hm?" Sucking in a breath and facing him, you press your lips against his right as he puts on a smile.

     You pull away just as quickly, glaring at him as he stares back love-struck and eyes half-lidded, "Keep talking and I'll keep going." He grins even wider, muttering a soft, "Fair enough," before capturing your lips once again.

     "It wasn't so much as info as it was," His sentences broke off each time he went back to making out with you, managing to maneuver himself onto your office chair with you on his lap, "a way to contact him. I figured that we'd have a better chance," he spoke quickly to try and tell you as much as possible, but with having to go right back to your lips with each break, the thoughts that formed from his contribution to this project of yours came with breaks too.

     "Of getting something out of him if we," He goes back once again, feeling bold enough to bite your bottom lip, "Ask him directly. I got in touch, set it up," Heat was flaring on your cheeks as though ovens were pressed against either sides of your face, trying to focus on the details of what he was relaying but getting distracted with the way his mouth moved so naturally against yours.

     You completely missed a portion of what he said trying to force yourself to focus, focusing so much on that that you completely forgot what you were trying to focus on in the first place. Hocus pocus, fucking focus.

     You tried to really feel out what he was saying, but the only thing you could feel was his tongue that managed to slip into your mouth unnoticed, the cold metal of his apparent piercing adding that extra touch of metallic flavor. Just what you needed. You were highly aware of where you were sitting, trying to cross your legs but not being able to from the awkward position. Your hands were pressed up against his chest, his arms holding you in place by your waist as he continues to attack your lips relentlessly.

     You tried to get in as much breath between the quick intervals you had, gasping softly for air before being silenced with another kiss. Christ, all this for information you weren't even listening to. The heat in your cheeks were basically everywhere else now, inhaling deeply in surprise as he bounces you in an attempt to shift to a more comfortable position.

     The sloppy noises that echoed across the room was definitely heard by Jirou. You were sure of it! This was the noisiest makeout session you've ever been in, and it'd be either a miracle for her not to hear, or a coincidence that she'd be in her room by then.

     But either way it didn't stop the embarrassment from spreading to every inch of your previously tired body, now very much awake from Dabi's apparent experience in shit like this. You shook your head internally, going back to focus as you were once again made very aware of how much was going on.

     He managed to pull you even closer now, apparently not having oxygen as a priority as he continues on, being able to both simultaneously explain and have a makeout session so intense you could feel your lips bruising. "And he agreed," He stayed on your lips longer than the previous attempts, tilting his head to capture more of you before eventually, finally, pulling back with a final audible pop. "To a meetup tomorrow."

     You were left there staring wide eyed at nothing in particular, gasping and panting for air. Dabi sat there with the same smug look on his face, daring to pull you closer towards him with his chest slowly rising up and down with barely noticeable labored breaths underneath your slightly shaking hands. A trail of shiny saliva was what served as a small reminder of what just happened a few moments before, thinning out before it breaks off never to be seen again.

     "Can. . . can you repeat that? But slowly?" You panted, still trying to process this evening's events with a bewildered look on your face. He laughs, hand trailing soft shapes on your back as the other fixes his hair, "Wanna go again? Just say the word and I'll—"

     "No! No, no, I mean uhm," You cleared your throat, straightening your back as though that would somehow change the fact that you were still sitting on his lap. He chuckles softly, leaning towards you to land his mouth on the soft, smooth skin of your jaw, leaving butterfly kisses in his wake. "I didn't exactly get most of what you said. I pretty much completely zoned out halfway through," A passing breath escapes his mouth with a smile as one hand slowly tilts your head up, exposing more of your neck as he hums.

     "And here I was making an effort to explain it as best as I could. . ." You playfully rolled your eyes as though he could see it, earning another hum as his nose traces the sides of your shoulder and neck. "Well let's see. . . You want the short or long answer?"

     "Short answer. With what you're doing it'd be a miracle if I don't forget," Your hands ended up over his shoulders, one resting on his back as the other makes it's way through his hair. You add in with a whisper, "Although, I don't remember agreeing to this."

     He once again laughs softly, practically into your skin as with each breath he took and word he spoke tickled, "Basically, we'll have a chance at asking him why'd he want to kill his sister, as you said. By tomorrow, we'll be meeting up with him." A soft gasp escapes your lips as you feel his teeth making contact with your neck, nibbling softly as what sounded like both a groan and a yawn came from him. "Anyway, that's all I managed to get."

     He leans back into the black leather of your chair, grinning lazily. "So? How'd I do?" You only stared at him blinking, before shaking your head and letting that sink in, one hand subconsciously reaching out to the spot he bit. "Tomorrow? Already? Do we even have a plan for this?"

     Dabi nods. "I do. But I'd rather tell you about it uh, tomorrow, because I'm sure you'll just forget about it again."

     "Yeah like that was somehow my fault."