[All of Dabi's sorry and fear from the previous day melts away when he sees that Keigo is really here. He's here, and it's all over.
it's almost too good to hear true.
but the way Keigo beams at him makes it all sink in. he wouldn't be here if he hadn't been able to take care of it all and Dabi sends a silent prayer of thanks to Natsuo too.
Dabi cant help the hot tears that push at the back of his eyes at those words. that monster is finally gone. Dabi doesn't wait a moment longer. he heads out of the kitchen and moves towards Keigo, hands sliding to his face.]
I was so fuckin' scared ya wouldn't be back. But you're here. Ya did it.
[keigo feels a sad smile take to his lips when he sees those tears. he knows they're not from sadness, yet guilt hits him for making his former lover cry again. the guilt comes to melt though, when he feels dabi's hand sliding to his face.
home. he's really home.]
I'm sorry for taking so long. I wanted to be sure I could get him.
[he hums, nuzzling into the touch. his hands itch to touch back, but keigo respects the boundaries between them far more than his own personal desire. if and when he earns them back, he can touch dabi as much as he wants.]
Oh. And Natsuo wanted me to tell you that your apology was stupid and you can try again if he comes to visit. He also said he'll miss and love you.
[words keigo would prefer natsuo to have said himself, but he's more than happy to pass along a message to the oldest todoroki son. especially after all the help natsuo provided him.]
[dabi wants to hear all about it. he knows it'll probably be hard to talk about, but he's been after this moment for so long. he needs to know the details and just how keigo managed to finally kill him. but not now. not in this moment when keigo is nuzzling into his touch.
he can't stop looking at him. everything about keigo looks so bright and wonderful. it feels warm in that good, comfortable way once again.
dabi's eyes do go slightly wide at the mention of his brother.]
Here? He wants to come visit?
[he swallows hard at the rest of it. natsuo tried to tell him before, but dabi was so resistant to it. he's still the same person, of course, but keigo had made him less skittish to affection.]
Thanks, Keigo.
[he says quietly, then pulls him into his arms, wrapping them tight around the other man. there was so much anger between them before all of this, but now he only feels relief.]
[it's hard to not perk up at the praise. he's sure his feathers would ruffle with it. he wouldn't mind indulging in more of it if he could, but he knows not to push his luck.]
I'm not sure when he would come visit. I just know he will some day.
[keigo hums, golden eyes looking over dabi's features. natsuo could technically have special privileges to visit, but it would be by the rules keigo followed. and that's if they would still allow it. san junipero, after all, was for those dying or elderly. but the kid was a todoroki, and that gave plenty of authorization all on it's own.
only a smile forms before keigo goes to return the gratitude. however, as dabi's arms come to circle around him, pulling him in tightly, everything is suddenly lost and all the former hero can do now is feel. immediately, he wraps his own arms around the other male, holding tightly, afraid to break away.]
Yeah. I'm home.
[home was where dabi was. it could be in the dirtiest studio apartment, and keigo would be perfectly fine to call that his home.]
Hope he does. I'd like that. Kinda wish that the two'a you would've met under different circumstances.
[things that could never have happened before, but if he does visit at some point, they can do this right.
Dabi doesnt know what the hell doing things right is, but with Keigo here he wants to at least try. he doesn't want to circle down the drain like he's been doing since... well, since he died the first time, really.
he should have killed endeavor back then already.
but none of that matters when Keigo puts his arms around him and holds him just as tightly. Dabi feels like he can breathe again.]
Missed ya too, birdie. Wasn't the same without ya no matter what I did.
[he says into Keigo's hair, fingers curling into his shirt.]
He was really kind. Offered to help before I even brought you up.
[as if the middle son had an inclination regarding the death of the eldest todoroki. nonetheless, keigo was happy and thankful to receive the help and assistance. he wish he could do more for natsuo, and maybe he will if he comes to visit.
for now, keigo’s focus was dabi and doing his damn hardest to fix everything he’s done. he’s not too sure what direction to take for it, but he’ll do his best.
the former hero relaxes completely in dabi’s arms, not wanting to pull away at all.]
I hope you won’t regret those words by having me here all the time.
[he’s teases with a light laugh, also coming to grip dabi’s shirt.]
[Dabi gives a small nod to that. Natsuo was always in his corner. Always the one he could talk to. In the end, he was the only one Dabi could really trust without question, even more than he could trust Keigo. It's a relief that they worked together on this.
He hopes Natsuo will be okay.]
That mean you're gonna stay here with me...or are ya gonna have your own place?
[He's not sure about that. He's not even sure if they can really pick where they live or if they just end up in certain places san junipero picks for them. But maybe having their own place for space would be good sometimes.
Right now though, he really just wants Keigo here with him. they can figure the rest out later.]
Me too, pretty bird. Me too.
[He nuzzles into Keigo a moment longer, then pulls back a bit to look at him again.]
You hungry? I cooked last night in case ya came back. I was just heatin' it back up.
[golden eyes peer up when dabi brings up the question regarding their living situation. naively, he had assumed to be here, but then again, that had taken quite a lot of trust between the two of them before to have dabi in his penthouse overnight. trust keigo doesn't have a leg to stand on with now.
naturally, he wants to remain here. home was with dabi. without even thinking, he grips a little harder to his former lover's shirt as neediness fills him up. however, keigo quickly chastises himself, reminds him how he's in this position.]
Whatever you want me to do.
[keigo responds with, forcing out a smile to cover up the sad and needy bird he was. he really didn't want to ruin this moment here anyway.
although, the smile becomes more genuine at being labeled pretty bird again. he hums in delight from the nuzzling, and even makes a soft sound of neediness when dabi pulls away. but the idea of food gets his stomach to growl, especially if the other male cooked something. he always did like it when dabi had cooked something for him, as rare as it was before.]
I'm starving.
[keigo laughs, coming to pull away further and dart his eyes to the kitchen eagerly.]
[ it's a complicated thing. dabi does want keigo here, but he also knows he needs space and that everything is so desperate and needy right now in this moment, in the moments leading up to this... but they need to work some things out.
he can feel the way keigo clings tighter to him though, and how he forces out that fake smile he dislikes so much. ]
I think... I want ya here but we need to have our own spaces, ya know? We gotta figure some shit out, Kei. We fucked it all up before.
[but he knows he wants keigo in his life... death... watever this is. he knows he doesn't want to lose him, or to have him with anyone else. that much he knows for certain.
he's glad when the smile turns genuine, and when keigo pulls away he gives a sort of sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his neck as he heads into the kitchen with him.]
Made some noodles with fried chicken bits. And some veggies cause I know how ya always try to skip those.
[keigo tries not to flinch when dabi obviously sees through his fake smile. he sometimes forget how keen his former lover was. it makes him feel a little guilty of his reaction, because he knew they weren't back to the same level of comfort as before.]
I know. I've just missed you. But I'll never pressure you. I want to do it right by us.
[no more lies or secrets. he has plenty he needs to do on his own to make up for the betrayal. and, maybe, he needed to use any time apart to heal from his own trauma. it's like having a tantalizing piece of dessert outside of his reach and not being able to consume it.
it wasn't like they were taking a break. he was still dabi's. he wanted it to be real this time. a true relationship between the two of them.
he likes the sheepish smile on dabi's features. it just felt...more honest. stirred a warmth in his chest. but dabi already seems to do that so easily. coming into the kitchen, keigo eyes the pot with hungry eyes, like a child asking for chocolate.
although, it's hard to keep the way his nose scrunches up when vegetables are mentioned. he was practically a carnivore, sue him.]
How about I eat extra noodles and chicken and avoid the veggies?
[he teases with a playful grin, trying to test if he could actually get out of eating any sort of vegetable.]
[ dabi's pretty sure he's the only one that ever really calls keigo out on his fake smiles and the masks he tends to wear for the outside world. not that they've spent a whole lot of time around other people, but for some reason he can tell.
he wonders if it'll be like that over here as well, even when they dont' really know anyone else. for now though, his only thought is that he needs to get to know keigo all over again. or at least find the parts that are real. ]
How 'bout this. Stay tonight and we'll figure out a place for ya tomorrow. Live on the beach, we'll be close, but have our own space.
[he wants to be here with keigo too, and just live in this dream world where nothing else exists... but they're still the same people and they remember everything from their lives before san junipero. there's a lot to work through so it doesn't turn into the same anger and resentment as what built up between dabi and endeavor.
and you know, it's not every day that dabi sits and thinks about the logical, necessary thing that needs to be done, instead of just running into it head first with too much emotion.
they're definitely not taking a break. dabi doesn't want to go that far. they had enough of a break before when they were apart.]
Still tryin'a get outta the veggies? You'll like 'em, birdbrain. i put extra soy sauce just for you.
[he smirks, opening the lid of the pot so keigo can look inside. the veggies are all mixed in with the noodles and chicken to make it extra hard for keigo to pick them out. he knows his bird well.]
Come on, it ain't like I cook for ya every day. Gotta appreciate it.
[keigo really wants to not fall back behind fake smiles and lying promises. not at all. he wants to be honest here. it's how he can start building up the trust between them again. still, it's so easy to fall right back into hiding how he feels, even after he chastises himself for reacting in such a manner. he doesn't want to guilt dabi about it either.
maybe being separated at times, he can figure that out for himself. how to keep his emotions in check yet to not do it while lying straight to dabi's face.
his head does perk up curiously though, to the former villain's response.]
Not sure why, but I honestly assumed you would want me to have my own place on the other side of San Junipero.
[he admits sheepishly with a small smile. but, a house on the beach sounded nice. he liked dabi's home, so his could be just as comfortable. it wouldn't be like having a place in the deep parts of the city, time and a half away from dabi. it's not so bad now.
and he does agree that they do need some time apart. it wasn't like they were getting right back into the same intimate relationship as before. keigo was being honest earlier when he said he wanted to do this right.]
I'm not sure how the housing stuff works, but I'll try to figure it out.
[does he just imagine a house in mind? that's how other things seem to work here. it's something for him to discover soon enough.
a smile quirks at the corner of his lips this time as dabi admits to adding extra soy sauce to the veggies. it looks like he'll humor his former lover by eating the added healthy ingredients to the pot.]
I guess I should appreciate it. Your cooking was always super delicious before.
[one he misses dearly. at least he can enjoy it here. golden irises do peer to look within the pot, his stomach giving a small growl as the smell and sight hit him. dabi must know him well too, because he can very well see how the veggies are mixed all together. looks like the former villain wins this round.]
Still callin' me birdbrain, huh?
[keigo grins as he reaches to grab two bowls for him and dabi.]
[ it's been one of dabi's greatest insecurities now, when it comes to keigo. what was real? what was an act? so much of what they built on was a lie, he figures. he wasn't even sure if keigo was even interested in him at all, until he saw him here in san junipero again, begging for even a little bit of his time and attention.
even with that though, dabi was unsure for a long time. now at least, he knows some of it was true. but what about the rest? ]
On the other side'a San Junipero? That'd be too far. I... I want ya here, Keigo. Wouldn't have had ya go through all'a that shit to get here if I didn't.
[at least he can reassure keigo of that much. space is good, but he still wants keigo around. living without him all these months- it was a struggle, even with how angry dabi was at him.]
What kinda details did they give ya about San Junipero? I still can't figure all of it out. And I know ya told me some stuff before, but... I couldn't remember. It was all just so fuckin' shocking at first.
[sometimes he still feels like he's in shock about it. it's hard to believe that he's dead. he doesn't think he's quite wrapped his brain around that completely yet. maybe with keigo here it'll be easier. maybe a lot of things will be.]
Good ya still remember how delicious it was. It's been a while.
[he takes the bowls from keigo and starts dolling out enough in each bowl that they won't go hungry. maybe they don't really need to eat here, but it always feels like he should anyway. when he hadn't eaten, it's not as if he died, though. just another weird thing about san junipero.]
You're still a birdbrain, aintcha?
[he smirks, handing a bowl to keigo, then moving to grab some chopsticks and napkins.]
I've even got a fancy dining room now if ya wanna eat there. Or we can take it out on the deck?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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it's almost too good to hear true.
but the way Keigo beams at him makes it all sink in. he wouldn't be here if he hadn't been able to take care of it all and Dabi sends a silent prayer of thanks to Natsuo too.
Dabi cant help the hot tears that push at the back of his eyes at those words. that monster is finally gone. Dabi doesn't wait a moment longer. he heads out of the kitchen and moves towards Keigo, hands sliding to his face.]
I was so fuckin' scared ya wouldn't be back. But you're here. Ya did it.
no subject
home. he's really home.]
I'm sorry for taking so long. I wanted to be sure I could get him.
[he hums, nuzzling into the touch. his hands itch to touch back, but keigo respects the boundaries between them far more than his own personal desire. if and when he earns them back, he can touch dabi as much as he wants.]
Oh. And Natsuo wanted me to tell you that your apology was stupid and you can try again if he comes to visit. He also said he'll miss and love you.
[words keigo would prefer natsuo to have said himself, but he's more than happy to pass along a message to the oldest todoroki son. especially after all the help natsuo provided him.]
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[dabi wants to hear all about it. he knows it'll probably be hard to talk about, but he's been after this moment for so long. he needs to know the details and just how keigo managed to finally kill him. but not now. not in this moment when keigo is nuzzling into his touch.
he can't stop looking at him. everything about keigo looks so bright and wonderful. it feels warm in that good, comfortable way once again.
dabi's eyes do go slightly wide at the mention of his brother.]
Here? He wants to come visit?
[he swallows hard at the rest of it. natsuo tried to tell him before, but dabi was so resistant to it. he's still the same person, of course, but keigo had made him less skittish to affection.]
Thanks, Keigo.
[he says quietly, then pulls him into his arms, wrapping them tight around the other man. there was so much anger between them before all of this, but now he only feels relief.]
Ya really are home.
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I'm not sure when he would come visit. I just know he will some day.
[keigo hums, golden eyes looking over dabi's features. natsuo could technically have special privileges to visit, but it would be by the rules keigo followed. and that's if they would still allow it. san junipero, after all, was for those dying or elderly. but the kid was a todoroki, and that gave plenty of authorization all on it's own.
only a smile forms before keigo goes to return the gratitude. however, as dabi's arms come to circle around him, pulling him in tightly, everything is suddenly lost and all the former hero can do now is feel. immediately, he wraps his own arms around the other male, holding tightly, afraid to break away.]
Yeah. I'm home.
[home was where dabi was. it could be in the dirtiest studio apartment, and keigo would be perfectly fine to call that his home.]
'm miss you.
no subject
[things that could never have happened before, but if he does visit at some point, they can do this right.
Dabi doesnt know what the hell doing things right is, but with Keigo here he wants to at least try. he doesn't want to circle down the drain like he's been doing since... well, since he died the first time, really.
he should have killed endeavor back then already.
but none of that matters when Keigo puts his arms around him and holds him just as tightly. Dabi feels like he can breathe again.]
Missed ya too, birdie. Wasn't the same without ya no matter what I did.
[he says into Keigo's hair, fingers curling into his shirt.]
Ya feelin' alright? Ya need anythin?
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[as if the middle son had an inclination regarding the death of the eldest todoroki. nonetheless, keigo was happy and thankful to receive the help and assistance. he wish he could do more for natsuo, and maybe he will if he comes to visit.
for now, keigo’s focus was dabi and doing his damn hardest to fix everything he’s done. he’s not too sure what direction to take for it, but he’ll do his best.
the former hero relaxes completely in dabi’s arms, not wanting to pull away at all.]
I hope you won’t regret those words by having me here all the time.
[he’s teases with a light laugh, also coming to grip dabi’s shirt.]
I’m okay. I just...missed this, is all.
no subject
He hopes Natsuo will be okay.]
That mean you're gonna stay here with me...or are ya gonna have your own place?
[He's not sure about that. He's not even sure if they can really pick where they live or if they just end up in certain places san junipero picks for them. But maybe having their own place for space would be good sometimes.
Right now though, he really just wants Keigo here with him. they can figure the rest out later.]
Me too, pretty bird. Me too.
[He nuzzles into Keigo a moment longer, then pulls back a bit to look at him again.]
You hungry? I cooked last night in case ya came back. I was just heatin' it back up.
no subject
naturally, he wants to remain here. home was with dabi. without even thinking, he grips a little harder to his former lover's shirt as neediness fills him up. however, keigo quickly chastises himself, reminds him how he's in this position.]
Whatever you want me to do.
[keigo responds with, forcing out a smile to cover up the sad and needy bird he was. he really didn't want to ruin this moment here anyway.
although, the smile becomes more genuine at being labeled pretty bird again. he hums in delight from the nuzzling, and even makes a soft sound of neediness when dabi pulls away. but the idea of food gets his stomach to growl, especially if the other male cooked something. he always did like it when dabi had cooked something for him, as rare as it was before.]
I'm starving.
[keigo laughs, coming to pull away further and dart his eyes to the kitchen eagerly.]
What did you make?
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he can feel the way keigo clings tighter to him though, and how he forces out that fake smile he dislikes so much. ]
I think... I want ya here but we need to have our own spaces, ya know? We gotta figure some shit out, Kei. We fucked it all up before.
[but he knows he wants keigo in his life... death... watever this is. he knows he doesn't want to lose him, or to have him with anyone else. that much he knows for certain.
he's glad when the smile turns genuine, and when keigo pulls away he gives a sort of sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his neck as he heads into the kitchen with him.]
Made some noodles with fried chicken bits. And some veggies cause I know how ya always try to skip those.
no subject
I know. I've just missed you. But I'll never pressure you. I want to do it right by us.
[no more lies or secrets. he has plenty he needs to do on his own to make up for the betrayal. and, maybe, he needed to use any time apart to heal from his own trauma. it's like having a tantalizing piece of dessert outside of his reach and not being able to consume it.
it wasn't like they were taking a break. he was still dabi's. he wanted it to be real this time. a true relationship between the two of them.
he likes the sheepish smile on dabi's features. it just felt...more honest. stirred a warmth in his chest. but dabi already seems to do that so easily. coming into the kitchen, keigo eyes the pot with hungry eyes, like a child asking for chocolate.
although, it's hard to keep the way his nose scrunches up when vegetables are mentioned. he was practically a carnivore, sue him.]
How about I eat extra noodles and chicken and avoid the veggies?
[he teases with a playful grin, trying to test if he could actually get out of eating any sort of vegetable.]
no subject
he wonders if it'll be like that over here as well, even when they dont' really know anyone else. for now though, his only thought is that he needs to get to know keigo all over again. or at least find the parts that are real. ]
How 'bout this. Stay tonight and we'll figure out a place for ya tomorrow. Live on the beach, we'll be close, but have our own space.
[he wants to be here with keigo too, and just live in this dream world where nothing else exists... but they're still the same people and they remember everything from their lives before san junipero. there's a lot to work through so it doesn't turn into the same anger and resentment as what built up between dabi and endeavor.
and you know, it's not every day that dabi sits and thinks about the logical, necessary thing that needs to be done, instead of just running into it head first with too much emotion.
they're definitely not taking a break. dabi doesn't want to go that far. they had enough of a break before when they were apart.]
Still tryin'a get outta the veggies? You'll like 'em, birdbrain. i put extra soy sauce just for you.
[he smirks, opening the lid of the pot so keigo can look inside. the veggies are all mixed in with the noodles and chicken to make it extra hard for keigo to pick them out. he knows his bird well.]
Come on, it ain't like I cook for ya every day. Gotta appreciate it.
no subject
maybe being separated at times, he can figure that out for himself. how to keep his emotions in check yet to not do it while lying straight to dabi's face.
his head does perk up curiously though, to the former villain's response.]
Not sure why, but I honestly assumed you would want me to have my own place on the other side of San Junipero.
[he admits sheepishly with a small smile. but, a house on the beach sounded nice. he liked dabi's home, so his could be just as comfortable. it wouldn't be like having a place in the deep parts of the city, time and a half away from dabi. it's not so bad now.
and he does agree that they do need some time apart. it wasn't like they were getting right back into the same intimate relationship as before. keigo was being honest earlier when he said he wanted to do this right.]
I'm not sure how the housing stuff works, but I'll try to figure it out.
[does he just imagine a house in mind? that's how other things seem to work here. it's something for him to discover soon enough.
a smile quirks at the corner of his lips this time as dabi admits to adding extra soy sauce to the veggies. it looks like he'll humor his former lover by eating the added healthy ingredients to the pot.]
I guess I should appreciate it. Your cooking was always super delicious before.
[one he misses dearly. at least he can enjoy it here. golden irises do peer to look within the pot, his stomach giving a small growl as the smell and sight hit him. dabi must know him well too, because he can very well see how the veggies are mixed all together. looks like the former villain wins this round.]
Still callin' me birdbrain, huh?
[keigo grins as he reaches to grab two bowls for him and dabi.]
no subject
even with that though, dabi was unsure for a long time. now at least, he knows some of it was true. but what about the rest? ]
On the other side'a San Junipero? That'd be too far. I... I want ya here, Keigo. Wouldn't have had ya go through all'a that shit to get here if I didn't.
[at least he can reassure keigo of that much. space is good, but he still wants keigo around. living without him all these months- it was a struggle, even with how angry dabi was at him.]
What kinda details did they give ya about San Junipero? I still can't figure all of it out. And I know ya told me some stuff before, but... I couldn't remember. It was all just so fuckin' shocking at first.
[sometimes he still feels like he's in shock about it. it's hard to believe that he's dead. he doesn't think he's quite wrapped his brain around that completely yet. maybe with keigo here it'll be easier. maybe a lot of things will be.]
Good ya still remember how delicious it was. It's been a while.
[he takes the bowls from keigo and starts dolling out enough in each bowl that they won't go hungry. maybe they don't really need to eat here, but it always feels like he should anyway. when he hadn't eaten, it's not as if he died, though. just another weird thing about san junipero.]
You're still a birdbrain, aintcha?
[he smirks, handing a bowl to keigo, then moving to grab some chopsticks and napkins.]
I've even got a fancy dining room now if ya wanna eat there. Or we can take it out on the deck?