[He knows its probably not enough, but he can't give any more than that right now. It's not as if he goes out of his way to kill pro-heroes anyway. He's only really after one.]
There was supposed to be another attack, but we're layin' low for now. So ya don't gotta worry 'bout that.
[ Nemuri had already figured out that Dabi was a straightforward person. He wouldn't lie to her about such things, and the fact that he could tell her that much to reassure her meant a lot to her too. ]
How have you been?
[ She was certain he'd been extra vigilant, considering the heightened security after the attack. ]
[ Crazily enough, she felt the exact same way. Principal Nezu had already allowed her to resume her classes, but with Recovery Girl's Quirk needed more urgently elsewhere, Nemuri was running on fumes most of the time. As such, Nezu told her to rest until she was fully recovered. ]
[He wants to ask how things have been going aside from that, but he doesn't really want to talk about the fact that he might've permanently fucked things up for her as a pro-hero.
He feels guilty about that, more than he wants to, and he was pretty annoyed by that too. Now he's mostly just ashamed.]
[ She shook her head. ] I don't have the energy for it yet. I miss my students...
[ She sighed, and Sushi looked up from where he was lying on Dabi's lap, looking at her in concern. He then looked at Dabi with round eyes, as if to say, "Well, do something!" ]
Remember how I told you that the doctors thought I might lose my Quirk? [ Nemuri opened her eyes to look at her arms, which bore scars from the grafts taken from her back. ] Well, a lot of it's gone for now, but I was told that skin grafts reconstructed from my own skin samples are possible. The scientists and doctors will just need to take the time to culture the grafts in the hospital lab.
[ She knew that it was on Dabi's mind. Why? He kept referring to it in their last conversation, saying that it was better that she was down and out, and away from the fighting. She wasn't sure how he'd take the news but... she wanted to be honest with him. Honesty for honesty. ]
[Dabi glances down at Sushi when the cat looks at him. He'd do something, but he doesn't know what to do. It's not as if he really can. He's not exactly the healing or caring type.
He doesn't look back up at her when she starts talking about her Quirk. He does glance at her arms, though.]
Bet they'll work fast on that.
[There's so much more he wants to say, but he doesn't know how. He opens his mouth, then closes it again and frowns.]
It's not something that can be worked on fast. For one, I'm still recovering, and it's not a good idea to cut me open again so soon.
[ Her immune system was weak and she could just get an infection from it. ]
Then culturing a graft in the lab will take time too.
[ And if she were honest? Part of her wondered if maybe it was time to retire, because she was getting older, and the younger generation was getting stronger...
But then she looked at supposedly retired heroes like All Might and Gran Torino and realized that she had to keep going until she couldn't anymore. She was compelled to by her conscience and by the knowledge that this was the life she chose.
There was also more she wanted to say to Dabi. She wanted to tell him that he should be getting treatment too. But they'd already discussed that, and that kind of treatment wasn't readily available to him. ]
As if you don't have any registered cell regen Quirk users. I can name a couple of the top'a my head.
[He finally looks up at her with a slight glare, but it isn't her fault. It's his, and he knows that. Still, with the resources the pro-heroes have, he knows that if they're working on it, it won't be long till they figure it out. It's nothing like the creepy, hack doctors the League has to work with.]
Anyways, you'll be fine. It ain't like you're on the front lines anyways.
That's true, but... to be honest, I don't mind waiting. There are other patients who need skin grafts more urgently than me.
[ She realized while in the hospital that burn patients were pretty common. She didn't think she had priority over them just because she was a Pro Hero.
Nemuri usually was part of the first wave of attacks whenever heroes conducted an operation because of the nature of Somnambulist, but Dabi was right in that at the moment, she certainly wasn't anywhere among said lines. ]
Sounds like ya kinda just wanna take a break from it all, even if ya got options.
[Head wouldn't blame her at all. Leaving everything behind always sounds tempting, though he knows she never would. Not completely. Therefore a break would probably be the only way.
Or maybe he's just trying to make himself feel better.]
Ya know, ya don't always gotta make it about everyone else. It can just be about you sometimes.
[But he knows it won't ever be. He realizes that she's the kind of hero that Stain always talked about. The kind that really is a hero with nothing else attached. It makes him uncomfortable in a way, because he's never wanted to give anyone that title, not after knowing how pro-heroes really can be, but... she is.]
Sittin' around sucks, huh. Bet Sushi's glad to have ya around, though.
[He pets the cat, but doesn't have the heart to move him just yet.]
[ She gave Dabi a small, if somewhat bittersweet smile. She believed in self-care and viewed it as a necessity in their line of work to avoid burnout... but between caring for herself and others, she'd easily prioritize others.
Besides, it was precisely because of people prioritizing themselves that others like Dabi were hurt and pushed aside. If only Endeavor had put his children first instead of his own ambitions... ]
Thank you. [ She meant it. For Dabi to say those things was poignant.
Sushi let out a "mrrr" when Dabi mentioned his name, and he lifted his head up to enjoy the pets. ]
[He imagined it would be vastly different if she took some time to care for herself as opposed to what Endeavor always did, and he wouldn't ever even dream of comparing the two.... which says a lot, considering he lumps most pro-heroes together.]
I can make a mean dish with leftovers, ya know.
[He hasn't thought, not in a very long time. But he'd be willing to give it a try.]
[ Another thing she'd learned about Dabi was that he never did anything that he didn't want to. If he was offering again, it meant that he really wanted to make something for her.
He was kinder than he realized.
She gave him another small, grateful smile. ]
Okay. Let's see what we've got in the fridge to work with.
[ She stood up to make her way to the kitchen. She had some leftover rotisserie chicken and her usual stock of vegetables. A lot of milk and eggs. Some old pizza because cooking had not been easy. ]
[ she pays more attention to him than he thinks she does, but maybe over time he'll realize that as well. he's had so many walls up, trying to keep anything that could hurt him anymore far out, but since spending more time with Nemuri, he's starting to realize other things as well.
As for him being kind, he wouldn't agree with that either, especially not after what he did to her.
But for now he can put that aside, along with Sushi, who he finally lifts out of his lap and sets on the floor as he gets up. He has a feeling Sushi will follow anyway, with both of them heading to the kitchen.
He opens the fridge and starts taking a few things out, setting them on the counter. He finds a carton of rice as well, holding it up. ]
[ She'd been burned getting to know him (literally and figuratively), but she'd decided after he visited her at the hospital that it was worth it after all. What had happened had been her doing, and she should have known better - and now she did.
Sushi did indeed follow Dabi after he headed to the kitchen, jumping playfully at his heels. ]
Yeah, should still be.
[ Nemuri watched him curiously as she readied the electric kettle. ]
[ he knows he isn't worth this. not her time or her forgiveness. he wants to take the pro-heroes down because he's angry at the society they've thrust upon everyone, and what Endeavor had done to him- but she doesn't deserve his wrath. he knows it.
and yet, if she'd turn her back on him, he knows he'd spiral even further down, and there would be no hope left for him at all. not that he's looking for hope... but having something like this, like her, it helps. ]
Tea. Thanks.
[ he can more or less figure out where she keeps everything he needs to cook with, but doesn't mind looking around either. she has a nice kitchen, and it's easy to work around in it.]
It's been a while so it might taste like shit, but at least I ain't startin' from scratch.
[ She set up the kettle and got some green tea ready for him. She had a ton of it; it was funny how a lot of Christmas and Teacher's Day presents for her were usually tea. Even from Shouto-kun, who'd gotten her one of the most expensive types...
Finding the tin that it came in, she prepared that blend specifically for Dabi, opening it up for the first time. It smelled heavenly. ]
I'm sure it'll be great. After all, food is best with good company.
[ She placed his teacup on the counter in front of him. ]
[ Good company. Maybe that's why he hasn't cooked in so long. He has no one to do it for, and he doesn't bother to do it for himself. Money is also hard to come by, so he doesn't exactly do grocery runs. It's easier to steal from the combini, or threaten a restaurant owner into giving him a cheap bowl of ramen.
But he has what he needs here, even if some of it is leftovers. He chops up some vegetables and the chicken, and starts warming up the rice. It really feels like second nature once he's back at it again.
The green tea smells good and familiar, and even before she sets it down in front of him, he glances over and sees the equally familiar looking tin and completely stills for a moment, before trying to cover up his reaction. ]
[ And that's why she was happy to share a meal with him. He'd already told her that he thought he had an awful personality, but how much of that was just because he was deprived of normality?
Nemuri hadn't had much of an appetite these past few weeks, but she found that she was looking forward to the food. ]
It was a gift from last Christmas.
[ And in a way, giving some to Dabi was a gesture of her connecting him with his younger brother, who probably had no idea that somewhere, Dabi was always thinking of the family that he missed. ]
[ She sounds like she really means it though, and he supposes he can't argue it much right now. They're standing in the kitchen together and he doesn't feel weird about it at all.
he takes a moment to taste the tea while he cooks, and it's just the right kind of blend, comforting and warming in a different way than his quirk always warms him up. ]
I used to drink this kind. Not for a long time, though. That shit's expensive.
[ Nemuri poured a cup for herself as well, enjoying its fragrance as she sat at the kitchen table. ]
It already smells really luxurious...
[ She took a sip, closing her eyes and savoring the flavor. First class tea was really a world away, and she silently thanked Shouto for such a precious gift. ]
I'm happy that we're drinking it today, then.
[ If she drank it alone or at another time, it wouldn't have had the same meaning as it did now. ]
[ All of this starts to feel very surreal. Kind of like a blast from the past, but in a slightly different way than he's used to. It reminds him of a long time ago, and that would usually make him angry, but it doesn't feel so bad right now.
He watches her when she closes her eyes and savors the tea, and he realizes he hasn't felt this safe in a long time- if ever. Sure, everything around them is still a disaster, and it probably won't last, but it's lasted this long, and that's definitely something. ]
Tea's one'a those things I forgot I used to like so much. Now a days I just reach for a beer when I wanna relax, but it really ain't the same.
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There was supposed to be another attack, but we're layin' low for now. So ya don't gotta worry 'bout that.
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Thank you for telling me.
[ Nemuri had already figured out that Dabi was a straightforward person. He wouldn't lie to her about such things, and the fact that he could tell her that much to reassure her meant a lot to her too. ]
How have you been?
[ She was certain he'd been extra vigilant, considering the heightened security after the attack. ]
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there's definitely heightened security everywhere, but he feels safe here. it's probably the last place anyone would look for him.]
Bored, mostly. I hate layin' low. Frustrated. Same as fuckin' usual.
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Likewise, honestly.
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[He wants to ask how things have been going aside from that, but he doesn't really want to talk about the fact that he might've permanently fucked things up for her as a pro-hero.
He feels guilty about that, more than he wants to, and he was pretty annoyed by that too. Now he's mostly just ashamed.]
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[ She sighed, and Sushi looked up from where he was lying on Dabi's lap, looking at her in concern. He then looked at Dabi with round eyes, as if to say, "Well, do something!" ]
Remember how I told you that the doctors thought I might lose my Quirk? [ Nemuri opened her eyes to look at her arms, which bore scars from the grafts taken from her back. ] Well, a lot of it's gone for now, but I was told that skin grafts reconstructed from my own skin samples are possible. The scientists and doctors will just need to take the time to culture the grafts in the hospital lab.
[ She knew that it was on Dabi's mind. Why? He kept referring to it in their last conversation, saying that it was better that she was down and out, and away from the fighting. She wasn't sure how he'd take the news but... she wanted to be honest with him. Honesty for honesty. ]
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He doesn't look back up at her when she starts talking about her Quirk. He does glance at her arms, though.]
Bet they'll work fast on that.
[There's so much more he wants to say, but he doesn't know how. He opens his mouth, then closes it again and frowns.]
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[ Her immune system was weak and she could just get an infection from it. ]
Then culturing a graft in the lab will take time too.
[ And if she were honest? Part of her wondered if maybe it was time to retire, because she was getting older, and the younger generation was getting stronger...
But then she looked at supposedly retired heroes like All Might and Gran Torino and realized that she had to keep going until she couldn't anymore. She was compelled to by her conscience and by the knowledge that this was the life she chose.
There was also more she wanted to say to Dabi. She wanted to tell him that he should be getting treatment too. But they'd already discussed that, and that kind of treatment wasn't readily available to him. ]
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[He finally looks up at her with a slight glare, but it isn't her fault. It's his, and he knows that. Still, with the resources the pro-heroes have, he knows that if they're working on it, it won't be long till they figure it out. It's nothing like the creepy, hack doctors the League has to work with.]
Anyways, you'll be fine. It ain't like you're on the front lines anyways.
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[ She realized while in the hospital that burn patients were pretty common. She didn't think she had priority over them just because she was a Pro Hero.
Nemuri usually was part of the first wave of attacks whenever heroes conducted an operation because of the nature of Somnambulist, but Dabi was right in that at the moment, she certainly wasn't anywhere among said lines. ]
Mmm. Yes. I'll be fine.
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[Head wouldn't blame her at all. Leaving everything behind always sounds tempting, though he knows she never would. Not completely. Therefore a break would probably be the only way.
Or maybe he's just trying to make himself feel better.]
What've ya been doin' in the meantime?
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[ She was very lucky in that her job paid well and thus she'd saved a lot over the years. ]
But a break, even if just for a while... yeah. I probably need that too.
Nothing much. Just ordering takeout and spending time with Sushi.
[ Upon hearing his name, the cat's ears swiveled toward her. ]
There's some food in the fridge if you're hungry.
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[But he knows it won't ever be. He realizes that she's the kind of hero that Stain always talked about. The kind that really is a hero with nothing else attached. It makes him uncomfortable in a way, because he's never wanted to give anyone that title, not after knowing how pro-heroes really can be, but... she is.]
Sittin' around sucks, huh. Bet Sushi's glad to have ya around, though.
[He pets the cat, but doesn't have the heart to move him just yet.]
I can fix ya up some dinner too if ya want.
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Besides, it was precisely because of people prioritizing themselves that others like Dabi were hurt and pushed aside. If only Endeavor had put his children first instead of his own ambitions... ]
Thank you. [ She meant it. For Dabi to say those things was poignant.
Sushi let out a "mrrr" when Dabi mentioned his name, and he lifted his head up to enjoy the pets. ]
You don't have to. Let's just both relax today.
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I can make a mean dish with leftovers, ya know.
[He hasn't thought, not in a very long time. But he'd be willing to give it a try.]
Maybe it'll be relaxing for both of us.
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He was kinder than he realized.
She gave him another small, grateful smile. ]
Okay. Let's see what we've got in the fridge to work with.
[ She stood up to make her way to the kitchen. She had some leftover rotisserie chicken and her usual stock of vegetables. A lot of milk and eggs. Some old pizza because cooking had not been easy. ]
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As for him being kind, he wouldn't agree with that either, especially not after what he did to her.
But for now he can put that aside, along with Sushi, who he finally lifts out of his lap and sets on the floor as he gets up. He has a feeling Sushi will follow anyway, with both of them heading to the kitchen.
He opens the fridge and starts taking a few things out, setting them on the counter. He finds a carton of rice as well, holding it up. ]
This still good?
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Sushi did indeed follow Dabi after he headed to the kitchen, jumping playfully at his heels. ]
Yeah, should still be.
[ Nemuri watched him curiously as she readied the electric kettle. ]
You want coffee or tea?
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and yet, if she'd turn her back on him, he knows he'd spiral even further down, and there would be no hope left for him at all. not that he's looking for hope... but having something like this, like her, it helps. ]
Tea. Thanks.
[ he can more or less figure out where she keeps everything he needs to cook with, but doesn't mind looking around either. she has a nice kitchen, and it's easy to work around in it.]
It's been a while so it might taste like shit, but at least I ain't startin' from scratch.
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Finding the tin that it came in, she prepared that blend specifically for Dabi, opening it up for the first time. It smelled heavenly. ]
I'm sure it'll be great. After all, food is best with good company.
[ She placed his teacup on the counter in front of him. ]
Here you go.
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[ Good company. Maybe that's why he hasn't cooked in so long. He has no one to do it for, and he doesn't bother to do it for himself. Money is also hard to come by, so he doesn't exactly do grocery runs. It's easier to steal from the combini, or threaten a restaurant owner into giving him a cheap bowl of ramen.
But he has what he needs here, even if some of it is leftovers. He chops up some vegetables and the chicken, and starts warming up the rice. It really feels like second nature once he's back at it again.
The green tea smells good and familiar, and even before she sets it down in front of him, he glances over and sees the equally familiar looking tin and completely stills for a moment, before trying to cover up his reaction. ]
Where'd you get this tea from?
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[ And that's why she was happy to share a meal with him. He'd already told her that he thought he had an awful personality, but how much of that was just because he was deprived of normality?
Nemuri hadn't had much of an appetite these past few weeks, but she found that she was looking forward to the food. ]
It was a gift from last Christmas.
[ And in a way, giving some to Dabi was a gesture of her connecting him with his younger brother, who probably had no idea that somewhere, Dabi was always thinking of the family that he missed. ]
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[ She sounds like she really means it though, and he supposes he can't argue it much right now. They're standing in the kitchen together and he doesn't feel weird about it at all.
he takes a moment to taste the tea while he cooks, and it's just the right kind of blend, comforting and warming in a different way than his quirk always warms him up. ]
I used to drink this kind. Not for a long time, though. That shit's expensive.
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It already smells really luxurious...
[ She took a sip, closing her eyes and savoring the flavor. First class tea was really a world away, and she silently thanked Shouto for such a precious gift. ]
I'm happy that we're drinking it today, then.
[ If she drank it alone or at another time, it wouldn't have had the same meaning as it did now. ]
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He watches her when she closes her eyes and savors the tea, and he realizes he hasn't felt this safe in a long time- if ever. Sure, everything around them is still a disaster, and it probably won't last, but it's lasted this long, and that's definitely something. ]
Tea's one'a those things I forgot I used to like so much. Now a days I just reach for a beer when I wanna relax, but it really ain't the same.
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