Dabi sighs as he walks the edge of the building, brows furrowed in deep thought as one extra determined wind could knock him right off the safety of concrete and onto another, much farther down level of concrete.

     "Ugh he's doing that thing again!" A certain blonde in her dirty school uniform groaned, her long claws almost scratching off her face as she drags them down in frustration. "Leave 'em alone, leech," A scratchy voice called out, "Out of the two of you he's thankfully only half useless."

     "D'awe, don't be like that, Shiggy! If it weren't for my kindness, all of you'd be looking as dry as your lips right now!" She giggled, taunting their leader as the group jumps onto another building, the girl while in mid-air throwing one of her infamous knives towards him.

     He only catches it without a second glance as he lands on the next building perfectly, glaring at her as the weapon slowly crumbles and turns into dust in his hands. "Piss off, you're only adding to my headache."

     "I don't think I'll ever get used to being the only one normal in this group," A man in a mask and tophat sighs, shaking his head as he rests his heavy sniper over his shoulder. "And can I get a lighter weapon? This shit's too heavy."

     "Stop complaining, marbles. The only reason we kept you around is because you're the only one here who can get a good shot." Their leader once again snaps, turning his head towards the masked man for a second before jumping onto the next building once again.

     "Always so pissed."

     "Shut your trap." He retorted, before his eyes slowly look down to see a somewhat familiar face. His brows furrowed, very much serious as he tries to see who it is. "Hey Frankenstein, get your ass over here." Dabi does so, although begrudgingly, raising a brow as he stands next to their dehydrated leader. "Either I'm finally losing my shit because of Toga—"

     "Awe he remembers my name, how sweet of him."

     "Or that really is that designer chick." The tall man who was basically good at everything except seeing things from far away, had to take extra steps to either confirm or deny Shigaraki's question.

     "You only called him because he's nearsighted, didn't you?" Mr. Compress asks, not exactly surprised when his leader tells him to fuck off but with a small, barely noticeable  grin.

     "Hot shit how did it roll back this far. . ." Dabi watches in amusement as the woman chased after her earring, flashlight in hand as she walks deeper and deeper into the alley.

     "What a dumb ass," The burnt man chuckles, each word with a small pause as he shakes his head. Taking his place in the fire exit above, he leans over the railings as he watches many more men slowly start to surround the oblivious fashion designer.

     "Got you now you son of a—"

     Dabi only yawns quietly, rubbing his eyes before shrugging and climbing up to the roof to meet up with his group.

     "Well? Was it her?" Shigaraki asked as the tall man reaches the final steps up the metal stairs, groaning as he completely forgets the whole point of going down there in the first place. He jumps, landing soundlessly on a step lower than earlier as his eyes squint.

     By now the woman was on the floor, making some smart-ass comment as though she wasn't in the mercy of her attackers.

     And with enough will power, aggressive squinting and almost falling off the edge of the railing, he finally manages to confirm that the woman was, indeed, L/N Y/N. A young, fashion designer topping the ranks and steadily moving up every single day. A big name in the modeling world for being Yaoyorozu Momo's number one sponsor, and an even bigger name in the fashion industry.

     . . .

     Yeah he definitely couldn't care less.

     "Yup, it's her." Dabi confirms as he catches up with his assigned group, slowly skidding to a stop as he walks next to Shigaraki. "In the flesh," He pauses, "And in pain. She's definitely in pain. I just saw her get thrown into a wall before I left and that's gotta hurt."

     "Oh wow, how could anyone have guessed?" Toga sarcastically called out, the very attractive but also very nearsighted man rolling his eyes. "Oh I don't know, Dracula, maybe you should try it sometime." 

     "Only if you're the one cornering me," She winks at him, to where she was only met with a look of disgust as Dabi scoffs. "I flirt with a lot of people but even some asses I don't wanna hit," He grimaces, walking faster as to add more distance between him and the clearly underaged girl.

     "You know, if that really was L/N, don't you think saving her would give you some sort of advantage?" Mr. Compress asks, resting his usual gun over both of his shoulders with hands hanging over them from the back. "Tch, what do you mean?" Dabi clicks his tongue, flicking his comrade's ridiculous tophat that has put them at risk at being discovered in supposed stealth missions many times.

     "What I mean, stitch face," He pushes his hat back into it's proper position, sending a glare his way, "is that if you were to earn that girl's trust, who knows, it might help you in the long-run. In fact, I'm pretty sure that Yaoyorozu chick might be your next job." His voice dropped to a whisper with that last sentence, holding full eye contact with the black haired male. "And you know you can't afford to fuck up a job like that."

     "We can't afford to fuck up any job," Shigaraki corrected as he looked at them, rolling his eyes and continuing. "You've just messed up so many times that at this point it doesn't even count anymore if you did good or not." He was clearly frustrated as he continues explaining, harshly huffing and kicking away whatever came his way, even sending a small red can over the edge of the current building they were standing on as it landed a few seconds later with an audible clank.

     "Who pissed in your juice box?" Toga asks, looking over the edge as her eyes follow the soda can all the way down. "I mean don't get me wrong, you're always pissy but today seems to be worse."

      . . .

     They remain in silence as the girl raises a brow, looking at them in confusion as she receives no answer. "What?"

     They were all smart enough to notice that, but apparently not all of them were smart enough to not mention it.

     With their breaths held in and bodies ready to stop their leader from turning their knife loving maniac into dust, each of them slowly turn to look at the still Shigaraki. He stood there in silence, back facing them as Dabi dares click his tongue as if to mention the blatantly obvious awkward atmosphere.

     . . .

     "Look," Eventually Shigaraki sighs, turning to look at them as Mr. Compress visibly flinches, "You either go sneak off to play superhero and save that chick, or I'll never help any of you with anything ever again."

     They look at him in surprise, the three of them slowly exchanging glances before Toga gasps loudly. "Shiggy's gone soft!"

     "And the latter it is,"

     "Okay fine, I'm going!" Dabi laughs, already a building away as he sprints and jumps from roof to roof to go back to the alleyway. It wasn't unlike him to save people, but it wasn't something he did for free either.

     He does what he's paid to do, as simple as that.

     So as he found himself, jumping in last minute where the big baddie finally pulls out the gun, he couldn't help but question if his morals have changed. . . Or if he even had them in the first place.

     "Who the hell are you?" Dabi rolls his eyes at the clearly uhm, well-fed man, the weapon in his hand threatening the safety of a very pretty lady. "I'd rather skip the pleasantries. Let that woman go and make this easier for me, I kind of had a long day."

     And the rest of it. . . came by in a blur, and before he knew it, he was already slowly removing his gloves, raising his arm in the process as he tells the girl to close her eyes.

     His mouth slowly forms into a grin as the familiar sensation of heat slowly rising in his arms made him feel alive, the adrenaline it gave him had him smiling like a maniac, taking form in his all-too familiar blue flames as it spreads through the thugs like wildfire.

     He had to physically stop himself from laughing, because clearly, first impressions matter. Especially if it was to someone you were saving, and he was saving someone attractive so he might as well put in the extra effort.

     But the feeling was too strong to ignore, and he let one slip. It was quickly drowned out by the screams of his victim, all a vicious melody he loved hearing as he let out another laugh.

     It was like a high to Dabi, the feeling quite satisfying knowing that the screams were because of him. It put scums like them in their place, and he absolutely loved being the one to do it for them. The cries of agony and pain eventually started to die down as many lost consciousness, the man taking a deep breath as to stop himself from causing any more damage.

     The flame from his hand dissipated into smoke, the hideous black thing slowly rising up with the rest. The smell of burning flesh was something he smelled everyday, as creating burnt corpses was his specialty, so it didn't bother him that much.

     "You can open them now, princess." He watches as you hesitantly did so, blinking them awake as you send a glance towards him before quickly looking down, as if not wanting to be caught doing so. Dabi raises a brow in amusement, somewhat enjoying your small struggle to stand up.

     A small buzz made the man's gaze travel down, seeing your slightly scratched up phone lighting up for a split second to announce the arrival of a message before turning right off. He leans down, flexing his fingers to fully adjust the black gloves he had just put back on before picking up the device.

     "What the. . ."

     "Did they do anything to you, sweet cheeks?" He hums, stepping over the now burnt body of a scrawny man to hand you your phone back. You chuckle as you take it gratefully, "That's three different nicknames now," Dabi grins, "Four, actually."

     He sends a wink, although you probably didn't see it.

     "Hm, no, I'm pretty sure it was three," Dabi stares for a moment before laughing quietly, watching as you shake your head.

     "But to answer your question no, not really. They just kicked me a bunch of times and tried to undress me." His mouth contorts into an awkward smile, his eyes quickly darting back and forth over your very much beaten-up form. "Glad to see they failed," There was the slightest bit of hesitation in his voice, but he's quite sure he managed to mask it.

     He shakes his head slightly as if to snap out of it, taking this as an opportunity to walk off and do sonething else that wouldn't raise your suspiscion. He leans down, pushing away an arm that was still holding onto your bag for dear life.

     . . .

     He quietly sighed in relief to find it still in (near) perfect shape.

     "How'd you deal with them so quickly anyways?" He flinches, almost dropping the bag at the sudden question that would definitely put his life at risk if answered the wrong way as he hoped that you didn't see that.

     "Well what do you think?" He clears his throat, standing up and facing you with the bag in hand and passing it to you, before going to a different direction to gather your many cards. "From the burn marks I could say flamethrower," It was your attempt at a joke, and it made Dabi laugh ironically.

     "Yeah, I'm walking around the streets of New York with a flamethrower. Good job, great thinking babe." Came his sarcastic reply, quickly gathering some other things he didn't want to think about before quickly handing them over to you.

     "And there's the fourth," He smiles as he sees your lips tug upwards, placing everything back inside—although quite carelessly, in Dabi's opinion. But hey, you almost died tonight, fixing your things should be the least of your worries.

     "Are you always this smooth?" You asked slyly, getting only a shrug in response as he playfully rolls his eyes. "To other girls? Nah," He starts to laugh as you do the same, shaking your head with a smile as the usually charming Dabi who had everything and anything to say was left out of words.

     . . .

     "Anyways I should get going now," He raises a brow, almost pouting in disappointment as you continue, "because the only flaw of these guys failing to kill me is that my roommate has freedom to do it herself." He watches as you shook your head, your face turning into that of pure terror for a very split second.

     "Thank you so much, by the way. I'm sorry if I haven't said that yet, but yeah." As he was about to respond, he gets taken aback as you suddenly dip your head low in a bow, once again surprised, "Arigato!—" You seem to stop in confusion, "Uhh, arigato, uhhh," Dabi bursts out laughing, clutching his stomach as his head rolls back.

     Man you just kept getting better and better, and although your conversation continued, he couldn't help but zone out as he takes the time to pay attention to what you look like as both your voices blended into the background.

     Your hair looked a lot better on billboards and tv, but he couldn't complain seeing as you weren't really feeling your best. Your hair that was previously in a bun now hung low, swaying slowly with the evening city breeze. Your makeup was smeared, your clothes were rip, but damn. . .

     Dabi had to do a double take when he realized he was still in a conversation with a living being, so he tried to focus back on whatever you two were talking about now.

     "Okay so you know my name, that's great, but I'd want to know yours too." You look up, trying to find his eyes to possibly hold eye contact as he only stared back. "And your face too."

     He sighs upon realizing what you just asked him, fearing this would happen even before he decided to come and save your ass. He lifts up his two broad shoulders in a shrug, shoving both hands into his coat's pockets.

     "Maybe next time, sweetheart. Knowing too much about me's dangerous, hell," He laughs to himself, pointing to you, "even having this whole conversation is already enough to put you in danger." He then bows, although it wasn't noticeable, before turning on his heel and walking away, waving his hand.

     "Plus, you should be heading off, wouldn't want this uh, mystery roommate of yours to bite your head off." It wasn't so much of a mystery as it was just a way to make Dabi not seem so much of a stalker. He already knew you were living in with Jirou Kyoka, famed singer and band member performing in a bunch of bars and clubs, but he'd rather not have you find out he has a lot of connections and know more about you than you'd want to think.

     "Sayonara, Mona Lisa."

     And with that, he jumps up the fire exit soundlessly and into the night, snickering to himself as you were left none the wiser.

     "What the— hey!" He laughs as he was out of earshot, jumping from building to building as he couldn't help but be amused.

      In fact, he's only now realized, all he's ever felt as he's talked to you in the past. . . hour or so has been that; amusement. The way you so confidently talked back to your captors as though they didn't have the freedom to end your life if they wanted to, the way you so willingly talked to this mysterious bloke who'd come to save your life without even knowing his intentions. . . it all amused this lonely man so much.

     . . .

     But it also confused him.

     Why weren't you more scared of him? You should be. Any normal person would've run away at any chance they'd get, no matter if he saved them. He knew for a fact you didn't see his scars and how he looked, but shouldn't you be even the slightest bit scared? He saved you, yes, but how?

     He just asked you to close your eyes and a few seconds later all your attackers have been burnt.

     You didn't even ask if he was one of them. You've completely stumped him! Dabi, the master reader. He could read people like a book, being able to see why and how certain people acted out in certain ways. But you. . . he just couldn't understand you and the seemingly carelesness you had shown earlier, and it amused him.

     But. . . what would you think if you were to ever found out he wasn't exactly human? Or even worse, if you already knew!

     "Oh yeah she definitely knows," Mr. Compress nods, scratching his face with one hand as the other holds onto his mask. "She's smart, and she's probably already speculating which one you are. You're a salamander, right?"

     "Phoenix, ass-face." He had a look of doubt, looking like a meme as he leans forward towards him, "Are you though?"

     "Don't provoke him, Atsuhiro." Kurogiri sighs, "This building can't deal with another one of his outbursts." Dabi rolls his eyes at that, standing up and heading towards the fire escape. "I'm going for a smoke, don't look for me."

     "You're gonna visit her, aren't you?" Mr. Compress asks right as he pulls up the rickety window, hand holding it for a second before shaking his head and sliding it up fully. "I said I'm going for a smoke." He steps out, his boots making very loud sounds as he went up the metal stairs at such an unholy hour, grabbing the pack he had in his coat pocket.

     He opens to find it almost empty, reminding him that he should get another one soon. He sighs, sitting on the far end of the building as he overlooks the others.

     With the words 'New York', people would immediately assume bright lights and tall buildings that never slept. Now that may be true, but the buildings Dabi overlooked were anything but lively.

     They were on the worst side of town, the old buildings moments away from collapsing as he saw nothing but darkness and depression. He scoffs, lighting up his small stick of cancer with a finger before placing it between his lips.

     He blew up his smoke, a smirk on his face as he knew the one good thing he had while living in these parts. He looks up, seeing the absolute majesty that was a clear night sky. Every inch of the dark blanket was covered by the spread out light of stars, the view definitely something to behold as for the first time in a while, he couldn't help but put on a small smile. Not because of the stars, but because of today's events.

     You've caught Dabi's eye, and he intended to keep them on you.