Another night at the Smoke and Mirrors. Thursday, not too slow, but busier as the allure of the weekend got more people on the streets. Dabi was almost grateful for the scars, shrunken as they were, the intimidation factor alone smoothed out more than a few drunks and fights with his patented glare. Hell, first two weeks on the job had a patron bolting when he caught them by surprise. And when they didn't run? Dabi clicked his tongue at the memory of training with the gremlins. You'd think being half my height would make it hurt less, but damn if they don't know where to hit And now he did too...Compared to Yui and Himiko, it was laughably easy to disarm a knife-wielding partier.

“Hey, Dabs, go home. I’ll cover the door.” A man with orange hair with tiger stripes grinned at him, carnivorous teeth peaking out as he gave Dabi a light punch to the shoulder, being careful of the claws he sported.

“Thanks, Talon. Margie still at the bar?” He asked as he stretched, his back popping a bit. Man, was he getting old?

“Yep, why do you always ask for her when you only get kitty cocktails?”

He raised his hand in a casual farewell, “Cuz she makes the best ones. Duh. See you in a bit.” He made his way to the back to clock out, pulling on his black leather jacket, spikes and chains with stitches that were staples. A gift from his favorite gremlins for his birthday.

He’d be so grateful for the day when he’d be able to go back to Musutafu without worrying about the flaming piece of garbage that was Enji Todoroki. He knew it was only a matter of time before that dream became a reality.

He weaved through the groups of people mingling in the club, sliding onto a barstool and waiting for Margie to be free. Himi would hopefully be asleep right now and not staying up, so he had some time to unwind before he walked home.

“Hey, you come here often?”

Dabi almost rolled his eyes at the pickup line, really, do those even work on people? Whatever, not like the guy was talking to him of all people-

“Just gonna ignore me then? Or was my line that terrible?” Dabi blinked, looking up into golden eyes. He froze when he recognized Hawks sitting beside him, mind blanked for a moment, the hero's head tilted and lips curled up in a teasing smirk. The only reason Dabi could think of to why the hero wasn’t crowded with his fans was the lack of his trademark wings, the hero dressed somewhat plainly in dark jeans, a red t-shirt and a tan leather jacket, his hair pushed back from his face.

“Are you...talking to me?” Dabi droned out slowly, glancing around to see who else he’d be talking to.

“Of course! Don’t you get hit on a lot?”

“Uh...no....do you need your eyes checked?” He shook his head, great, one of the heroes he actually didn’t mind was making fun of his looks, just what he needed. He was really starting to think heroes weren’t all bad, Eraserhead, Present Mic and Midnight were pretty cool.

“That really hurts, my eyes don’t miss a thing. Especially a guy as strikingly handsome as you.” He grinned at him, “Why don’t you let me buy you a drink?”

“I can buy my own drinks, thanks.” He grumbled a bit as he looked away. Okay, he was trying to trick him...right?

“Aww come on, I really meant it as a compliment! You have such pretty eyes.” He leaned his cheek against his hand, giving him one of his laid-back smiles. “And the scars give you a roguish charm.”

Dabi couldn't help a snort, crossing his legs as he turned so he was leaning against the bar, facing the other man, “You must have a thing for bad guys, huh?”

“You got me, if you have a motorcycle I’ll be completely head over heels for you.” The hero teased, his eyes lighting up.

“I’m sure you tell that to all the guys. What are you even doing here? Aren’t heroes supposed to be out protecting the city from the big bad villains?”

The blonde blinked owlishly at him before he let out a bark of laughter, “You actually recognize me? Most people don’t without the-” He whistled and mimed a pair of wings with his hands.

“Then they’re pretty blind to only focus on one of your characteristics. So, where are they? Can you like, pull them into your skin?”

“Naw, nothing that fancy. I can just, have my feathers take a break for awhile.” He shrugged, before he grinned “If you want to know more of my secrets, we’re gonna have to get to know each other better.”

“Ohh, so you’re bribing me with information about yourself? How do you know I won’t use it for nefarious purposes?” He raised an eyebrow at him, wondering if all heroes just went around and offered their secrets to people. It didn’t seem that smart.

“Hah, I don’t think you’d be a bad guy. Not when you have a keychain that says ‘Best Big Brother’ on it.” The hero smirked as Dabi blinked, quickly reaching down to shove the keychain further into his pocket where it was out of sight.

“So I love my little siblings, even villains have hearts you know.” He muttered, trying to ignore the flush that was rising to his cheeks. There went the bad boy angle.

Hawks just chuckled softly, “That’s true, at the end of the day, villains are still people. But if you were really a villain, you wouldn’t tell me, especially since you recognized me.”

“What if that’s what I wanted you to think? I could just be messing with your mind.”

“Then mess with it more, hotstuff. I don’t back down from a challenge.”

“Hey, bird brain. You better not be messing with Dabi. He’s our best bouncer and even off the clock, I bet he could kick your feathered ass.” A woman walked over to them, crossing her arms over her chest as she glared at the hero. “Seriously, Dabs, is he bothering you?”

“Margie! Come on, I wasn’t messing with him!” Hawks raised his hands in the universal, ‘I come in peace’ gesture, before he looked up at Dabi with pleading eyes, not that they worked on him, the hero had nothing on Himi or Izuku. “Please tell her we were just having a pleasant talk?”

Dabi raised an eyebrow, “Are you afraid of Margie?”

“He better be, bird brain comes in once a week to hit on people. If he gets too annoying, I’m going to make him into chicken wings.” She snorted.

“He would taste terrible.”

“Bah, most people are so drunk, they wouldn’t be able to taste past the barbeque sauce they slather on.”

“I’m feeling seriously unsafe here.” Hawks pointed out, looking between the two of them.

“Oh, I would, Margie would totally do it. I try to stay on her good side for a reason. Plus, she makes the best drinks.” Dabi grinned at the woman he’d befriended on his first day here, the one who’d actually taught him what his job was about. Margie was a tall, muscled woman with deep tanned, scarred skin, spikey black hair and piercing green eyes. And she refused to be intimidated by anyone, he’d watched her hit a mugger with a full bottle of Jack and only complained about the wasted alcohol.

“So, is he being a problem, Dabs?”

“Naw, he’s cool. Just some harmless flirting.” He waved his hand dismissively.

“See? No need to bring out the fryer yet.” Hawks gave a strained chuckle, Dabi could have sworn the hero began to sweat at the look the bartender gave him.

“Hmph, fine. You get to live another day. What can I get you to drink?” She was already pulling a glass out for Dabi’s kitty cocktail, mixing it while she waited for his answer.

“Oh, just my usual.”

She rolled her eyes as she pulled out a beer, her nails flashing silver as they turned to steel and she popped the top off before putting it down in front of him. Hawks perked up as he grinned, “I love it when you do that.”

“Isn’t that why you always order beer?”

“Beer doesn’t really make me drunk, so it's safe to drink and then get home. But yes, I also love seeing that little trick you do with your Quirk.”

“You know, when I first started, I was told she used those nails to gouge out the eyes of some creep that tried to grab one of the new girls.” Dabi grinned as the hero paled, taking a quick drink before he let out a chuckle.

“Surely Margie would never do that-”

“If you keep testing my patience, bird brain, you’ll find out why there are so many rumors behind me.”

“Noted, yes, ma’am, I will endeavor to be an upstanding citizen.” He glanced at Dabi as he chuckled lowly, sipping at his drink.

“Dabs, if he gives you trouble, just tell me. Either of you want food?”

“I’m good, Margie. Just gonna finish this and head home. Someone has to make sure the little gremlin is actually asleep.”

“Tell Himi I said hi. Bring her in when you can, she’s fun to talk to.”

“You two swap stabbing techniques.” He snorted as he rolled his eyes, still, he couldn’t help his lips from curling upwards.

“Yeah, that’s why it's fun, you want your usual?” She pointed her pen at Hawks.

“I’m good tonight, thanks. Just wanted to relax a bit before going back to the office.” He grinned at her shrug, watching her walk away before he turned to Dabi, “So you’re a bouncer here? Do you like it?”

“I get to kick out assholes who get too handsy or too loud. Yeah, I like it. And the boss pays pretty good. I can support me and my little sister.” He took another sip, glancing at the hero. “Do you like being a hero?”

“Of course! I get to help people in need, who wouldn’t want to do that?”

“You don’t have to be a hero to help people. I think I like vigilantes better.” He popped a cherry in his mouth, chewing slowly as the hero beside him let out a chuckle.

“Wow, so you’re not a fan? Guess my status means bubkus to you.”

“Pretty much. I’m not going to fawn over you just because you’re a hero. But you don’t seem bad at least.” He spat out the stem into his napkin, blinking when Hawks reached over and took hold of the plastic sword that had his other cherry before he put it in his mouth. “I take that back, little thief.”

“Sharing is caring, Dabs.” He mumbled before he pulled out the stem, tied in a knot.

“You don’t have ‘Dabs’ privileges yet.” He muttered, before he downed his drink, leaving money on the bar, “Well, it was nice talking to you, hero, but I gotta get home.”

“Oh, let me walk you home?” He stood up, leaving money on the bar as well for his drink, “Unless that’d be too creepy, I just want to make sure you make it home all right.”

“I can handle myself. But I won’t stop you...as long as I can get your autograph for my little brother?” Dabi rubbed the back of his neck, thinking of how much Izuku would freak out over getting anything signed by Hawks.

“I knew you were a big softie.” He grinned, “And sure, I’d love to give him an autograph. Is he a fan?” He followed him out of the club, the two of them walking side by side.

“He’s a huge hero nerd. Wants to be one. So do my sisters. They’re gremlins, all three of them.” Dabi couldn’t help his lips curling up at the mention of his pseudo-siblings.

“So, you’re the big gremlin in control?” The hero teased, easily dodging the punch Dabi aimed at his shoulder. “I’m just messing with you.”

“I doubt anyone could control those three, especially if they all work together. They’re going to be great heroes someday.” Dabi grinned, “Gonna knock you off your spot.”

Hawks held his heart dramatically, “You wound me!” Before he grinned, golden eyes flashing almost predatorily as he straightened. “Guess I’ll just have to keep my eyes out for some rising stars. How old are they?”

“Hmm, the oldest will be starting at U.A. this year, the middle one wants to get into Shiketsu next year, and the youngest wants to go to U.A. the year after that.” Dabi admitted, raising an eyebrow at the hero’s look.

“Oh, so they’re just chicks yet! The oldest got into the hero program at U.A.? I thought it was too early to tell yet?” Hawks asked, hands in his jacket pockets as he looked up at the full moon above them, the sky clear of clouds.

Dabi internally cursed his slip, impressed and yet annoyed at the hero for catching it. “She is a special case.”

“Hmm...I’d like to meet her someday, all of your siblings actually. They seem interesting.”

Dabi frowned, stopping in his tracks as he glared at him, “Okay, Hawks, what’s your deal? I know you’re the Commission's little errand bird. So, if you just hunted me down to get close to my family, you won’t have to worry about Margie turning you into fried chicken. Cuz I’ll do it myself.” He growled out at him, cerulean flames flickering along his fingertips.

Hawks blinked, raising his hands, “Woah, hold on there, buddy. I didn’t mean any harm...” He gave him a small smile, “I really meant that they just seem like interesting kids, meeting new hero hopefuls, seeing what the next batch of heroes will be like...I mean, I watch the U.A. sports fest every year, those kids never disappoint.”

Tapping his lips for a moment as his eyes widened, "And that's decidedly not supposed to be public knowledge." Hawks gave a little smirk, "Are you a bit of a light weight?" Hawks wavered his hands up and down, palms towards the ground placatingly, "Because you're dropping a lot of nuggets I don't think you meant to. But for real, I haven't even been contacted bout them or you. I promise we only met because of coincidence, and I started a conversation because I like what I see" Hawks gave a playful grin before he held out his hand, his pinky extended. “We can even pinkie promise on it?”

Dabi narrowed his eyes at him, not quite trusting the hero in front of him. Still, the flames flickered out on his fingers as he shoved his hands in his pockets. “Whatever you say.” He huffed as he started walking again, maybe he should go somewhere else and not lead Hawks to his apartment? Maybe the Commission sent him to scout out Yui and Izuku’s family to get dirt on the two? He’d have to ask Yui, he knew she could breach their security without an issue.

Hawks kept pace with him, “You must really love your family, huh? You’re a really protective big brother.”

“Yeah, I love them, and I’ll protect them from anyone.” He grumbled at him, before pausing in surprise at the stab of guilt. Turning away from Hawk he walked to the edge of the sidewalk hiding against the wall as his face crumbled as he struggled to process the emotion. The mental self-deprecation, that he only felt that way because he failed his biological family, flaring to the forefront of his mind.

“That must be nice. I’m an only child, and I only really have one friend that I’m close to. So, I gotta say I’m...Dabi?” The genuine smile blossoming on his face wilted as he noticed Dabi stop entirely before shuffling to the wall like the living dead. Concerned gold-brown eyes flitted searchingly over Dabi, noting the bellow-like hyperventilating, the wide vacant eyes, and the clenching of his hand against his chest.

Walking forward slowly, Hawk walked into Dabi's field of vision, his blue eyes pinpointing on Hawk, "I'm here. Do you have medicine?" Dabi's head gave a short shake, focusing on Hawk as the thoughts overwhelmed him, the wider world seeming like it was pressing in on him.

"You can get through this. What can I do?" Hawk slowly and casually closed the distance making sure his hands were in clear view.

"World's...ngh too big...I-I want my sister. I need Himiko" Dabi choked out, feeling a flush of shame at being witnessed during this moment of vulnerability.

“I'm going to touch you ok? I'm going to make the world a little smaller and I'll get you home." Hawk slowly reached forward behind towards Dabi's back before pausing.

Dabi looked at him searchingly, before giving a quick nod, and Hawk's arm went around Dabi's hip, pulling him close, and suddenly, his wing flared gently cupping over him like a weighted blanket, and suddenly the world felt a little smaller.

Standing together, Dabi took a breath and nodded at Hawk. Barely two doors down they arrived in front of his apartment building, he frowned softly at the light shining out through the window he knew was his apartment. “This is me.”

“Will you be okay heading up on your own? I can help you to your bed?” The other man’s soft timber at his ear was something Dabi could ground himself with, the hand on his hip and the tickle of his feathers brushing against his neck. Slowly dragging himself back from the spiral he’d started to get pulled down under.

“Does that line work on all the guys?” He tried to quip, though without his usual snarky bite, the question fell a little flat. Hawks was at least nice enough not to bring it up.

“Usually yeah, I had a feeling you’d be a tougher case to crack.” The hand on his hip slid up under his jacket, moving in slow, firm circles against his back. “Seriously though, I can fly you up to your room.”

Turquoise eyes met honeyed-brown, Dabi pulled in a deep breath before slowly letting it out and giving him a nod, “Yeah, I should be fine. Sorry, you uh, had to see that.”

“Don’t gotta apologize to me, that’s what we’re supposed to do, right? Help people?” He slowly pulled back, his hand extended in case Dabi happened to stumble.

“You mean as a hero?” His words came out sharper than he meant them to, but the man in front of him just gave him a smile.

“As a person. We should all help where we can, yeah?”

If Dabi had been a mushy person, he might have thought his heart stuttered a bit at the notion the hero wasn’t just helping him out of ‘duty’. As it was, he gave a soft snort, one side of his mouth quirking up, “Yeah, yeah we should. Thanks again, Hawks, I’ll see you around.”

Dabi turned to walk into the building, not seeing how the hero’s eyes widened as he reached out before quickly retracting his hand. Hands patting down pockets before successfully pulling out a sharpie from one’s depths. He quickly scribbled on one crimson feather before it shot out to slide underneath Dabi’s jacket, hooking into the fabric. Not that Dabi noticed as he walked inside, glancing behind him to see Hawks give him a bright smile and a little wave before the door closed behind him.

Dabi’s steps led him to the landing outside his floor, the area blissfully empty, allowing him to exhale a jet of heated air, curling wisps of his saliva turned steam. The tension leaving his chest as he pressed his back against the wall and sliding down until his knees were almost to his chest. As much as he wanted to just go in and hug Himi, it was like two in the morning, and the light being on meant the little gremlin was awake. And if she saw him like this, she’d want to stay up to comfort him. And she needed her sleep, so, he had to pull himself together.

He forced himself to take a slow breath in, counting slowly in his head as he tapped his fingers against his knees. He could feel the rough denim beneath his fingers, the cool concrete of the wall against his back, the rhythmic tapping his fingers drummed on his skin. He could hear his own breathing, a little shaky but slowly smoothing out, one of the fluorescent lights overhead was making that annoying buzzing noise, it’d have to get replaced soon. He was fine, he was safe, and he could handle this.

Dabi let out a deep sigh, raising his head to look up at the offending light. But his heart had finally settled back into it’s regular rhythm, his chest didn’t feel as constricted and he could breath just fine. He could get up, go see why the heck Himi was still up when he knew she had a test tomorrow, get her to bed, and then curl up in his own bed and pass the fuck out. He stood up, brushing his clothes off before he made his way to their apartment.

He opened the door to see the lights still on in the living room, hearing Himi’s and Yui’s voices. He heaved out a sigh as he took off his boots before walking in to see Himiko surrounded by textbooks, notebooks and flashcards, the laptop on the coffee table as she sat on a cushion on the floor. The laptop just showed Yui on the screen, dark shadows under her eyes as she fiddled with something electronic as she explained the math problem he only assumed Himi was having trouble with.

“Guys, what the fuck? It’s like two in the morning. Why aren’t you in bed?” He couldn’t help but ask, crossing his arms over his chest in an act of appearing disappointed.

“Hmmm? Oh hey, Dabs. I’m just helping Himi study for that test tomorrow. Er, later today. It’s two already?” Yui asked, looking back at her alarm clock. “Damn.”

“We’re almost done, Dabi-nii! I’m just having trouble with this last math problem.” Himi growled down at the textbook, “Who decided Math was essential for school? Why do I need to know this?”

“Still, you couldn’t have studied for it in the morning?” He sighed softly, “I could have helped-“

“No offense, Dabs, but you hate math as much as I do.” The blonde yawned, reaching for a canned coffee before Dabi snatched it, holding it out of her reach, “Hey! I need that!”

“No, you need sleep. Yui, you’re supposed to be in bed too, Izu still isn’t up is he?” He sighed, continuing to hold the can over his hand as he looked at the screen.

“Pfft, no, I made him to go to bed like three hours ago. He needs his sleep.” She rolled her eyes, “Seriously, Dabs.”

He paused before he pulled out his phone, “Does Eraser know you’re still up?”

“Are you really going to tattle to Eraser on me? I thought we were closer than that.” She huffed, but she started to put away the pieces that were scattered on her desk.

Himi tilted her head as she watched him, amber eyes calculating before she gave him a grin, “Dabi-nii~ Did something happen at work? You’re in a good mood.”

He leveled her with a blank stare, “What are you on? I’m trying to get you two gremlins to get to bed. I have to deal with your sleep-deprived, manic ass in the morning.”

“Nah, she’s right. You’d usually be more angry at us being up this late. So, spill. Did you get to hurt someone for grabbing Margie’s ass again? Or was it Kura’s?” Dammit, even Yui was giving him that look like she was trying to analyze him, damned brats.

“Alright, no more games.” He growled and tapped at his phone before shoving it back in his pocket.

“Wait, did you-“ Yui wasn’t able to finish the sentence before there was a knock at her window, they could see the flash of a certain red-eyed glare before a deep voice grumbled out.

“Go to bed, Yui.”

“Yep. Sorry, Dadzawa. Gotta go Himi, Dabs. Love ya.” She lifted a hand in a wave before she closed the laptop.

“Dang, Dabi-nii that was cold. But seriously, what happened? Do I gotta go down there and get a little stabby-eep!” Himi let out a squeak as Dabi put an arm around her waist and lifted her off the ground, holding her under his arm as he walked toward her room.

“It’s nothing, Himi. It was a good night, I didn’t have to beat down on anyone. And we both know Margie can handle herself.” He grumbled before he threw her on her bed. “Get some sleep.

She narrowed her eyes at him before he was shaking his head and left the room. Little gremlins know me too well. It wasn’t until he’d turned off the lights, standing in his own room before he shrugged the jacket off, a flash of crimson drawing his attention to the bright red feather landing on his floor. Picking it up, he slowly twirled it, pausing to read what had been written in black marker on one side as his body froze.

Did Hawks really just give him his number?