[ dabi doesn't know why it didn't click for keigo. why it never clicked for anyone. he knows most of it was because of endeavor's money and power, but what about the rest of them? all these pro-heroes, so blind to what's in front of them.
dabi had told the truth about endeavor to all of them.
but he's too tired to be angry now. he has no more fight left in him. he keeps his gaze pinned to a stain on the floor- dried blood maybe, from previous incidents in his father's bedroom. he's really trying to just stay detached and not get sick. that's the last thing they need right now. his father will only hurt him further if he pukes on the floor.
he can't look at keigo, though. he doesn't know if he'll ever be able to look at his face after what happened here tonight. he doesn't notice the small smile, or look at the way the other man cleans up his messy wounds. he doesn't deserve this comfort, and if he lets himself have it, it'll only feel worse later.
the only thing that gets him to stop staring blankly is when keigo starts examining the suppressors. he tenses up, furrowing his eyebrows as he watches keigo looking them over as if he might be familiar with them. he wonders if the former hero knows how to take them off and put them on. of course he would. this is what the pro-heroes all use.
it's a flicker of hope that he tries to squash down again. he can't. it won't work. it'll end badly just like this did. still, he can't help but ask. he's so tired of being this cold all the time. ]
[it almost startles keigo to hear dabi's voice. he's still a bit nervous, even if it's not the former villain that's giving him all this pent up anxiety. swallowing down his nerves, keigo gives a small nod of his head.]
I..I might be able to.
[he doesn't want to give false hope. if he believes in this so hard and it fails, then what is he left with? no. he needed to be strong. if not for himself, then for dabi.
he continues to tinker with the suppressors, looking at the slit where the electronic key would deactivate it. there's also a tiny slot for a key, in case the electronic one failed. if he had his feathers, he could certainly pick at the lock. he needed something sharp and incredibly tiny.]
I need a small screwdriver and a..a needle or pin or paperclip.
[items in an office. as it were, it was just a bedroom they're currently in. how the hell were they going to be able to get what he needs to get this lock picked?]
Would only take me a few seconds to crack it open.
[ that flash of hope is back again before he can stop it, and now he feels stupid that he didn't think of this first. if he would have found a way for keigo to know he needed them off.... no. the other man wouldn't have believed him. even on the phone last night, keigo still kept telling him that endeavor would help him become a upstanding citizen and had a chance back in society.
he almost laughs at how crazy that sounds.
but he watches as keigo tinkers with the cuffs, and then he glances around the room as if he might be able to produce those items somehow. he's been in this room so many times now, but he still doesn't really know what's here. that's the reality of all of this.
the reality is, he'd never be able to escape. ]
Even if I had my Quirk back right now, I couldn't...
[he couldn't do anything. he wouldn't make it very far at all. he's too weak, too worn. it would end badly.]
[maybe. maybe there's a way. a way for either one of them to get to endeavor's office. he knows the man has one here. he told keigo as such before. when keigo was still a hero. when he believed in endeavor.
he shakes the thought away, giving a glance around the room. they could technically snoop around. or, keigo could. he'd rather dabi take it easy for now.
however, before the former hero can get up to shaky legs, dabi's words pull him from the growing hope. keigo can't help but shake his head immediately, leaning forward, trying to catch those blue eyes.]
I'm not leaving...I won't let you stay here.
[he would do anything to get his former lover free. he'll take dabi to the ends of the earth if it means endeavor never knowing where they are. the man had to sleep sometime, right? if they could contain the necessary materials, they can escape.]
We're going to get out.
[or, he was going to die trying to get dabi out.]
I'll find a way for us. I'll carry you if I need to.
[ dabi knows he has one here too, but he's only seen it in the distance. he's never been allowed to go there, but maybe... maybe he could talk him into it somehow. his last plan, when he still had a bit of hope, went terribly, though. how can he risk something happening to keigo?
he can feel keigo trying to get him to look at him, but he only looks further away, shaking his head. ]
You can't... I can't. You don't know what he'll do. It's my fault you're here. I shouldn't've contacted you last night. It's all my fuckin fault.
[he pulls his hands back, looking fearfully at the door. they have to stop talking about this now, before endeavor hears them.]
Stop. You heard what he said. If we try to escape it'll be even worse for us. You don't know... you don't understand. We can't... we can't.
[he curls up again, dragging his fingers through his hair, pulling his head down. he can't think like this or it'll break him apart even more. he needs to pull himself together before his father gets back. he can barely think straight right now, and he knows they should be more worried about what'll happen when that door opens up again.]
Don't fight it. He'll make it so much worse. He always makes it worse.
[keigo catches the fear in dabi's eyes when he looks to the door, as if endeavor would step right in any second. he might, keigo thinks to himself. and he's terribly scared for it, for whatever that monster of a man intends on doing to either one of them. it scared him to death.]
It's...don't blame yourself. I wish..I wish you had told me sooner.
[all this time, dabi has been suffering. keigo wishes he could have been there for dabi. he wishes he had his wings to fight endeavor off, even if fire was such a strong weakness of his. he just...he wishes he could protect dabi when no one else is willing to do so.
keigo comes to curl his arms and hands around himself. he could play the waiting plan, bide his time and make it to where endeavor trusts him enough to get what he needed. but he needed to protect dabi in the meantime. the former villain can't handle all of this himself. although, something tells keigo that endeavor just marches to his own tune and will do whatever he wants.]
...if I can get those supplies, will you..will you try? To escape?
[ the only thing that saves dabi sometimes is that he can tell all the different sounds. the footsteps, the creaks in the floorboards. he can hear endeavor's voice off in the distance, but he's still scared.
he almost looks at keigo when he says he wishes he had told him sooner. he has nothing left to say to that. he has no anger left. no fight, or disgust to toward anyone else but himself. no strength to say that he tried to tell keigo over and over again.
and now the former hero is stuck here with him too. no matter what keigo says, dabi knows what landed him here. ]
I can barely move, Keigo.
[but the stupid bird has always been stubborn. he stays quiet for a moment, trying to gather some kind of energy before lifting his head to look at keigo's face- still unable to meet his eyes, though.]
Don't do anythin' stupid. He'll make it worse. Every single time, it always gets worse.
[keigo comes to wince when dabi admits that he can't move that well. he...assumed as such. still, they shouldn't give up. there had to be a way. even if dabi could use his quirk, just enough to escape with, keigo could do the heavier work. he could carry them both. he could save them.
he wants to admit this out loud, to try and provide some sort of hope to his former lover.
yet, dabi's following words stop keigo in his track. he won't give up. keigo would go down fighting if need be.]
...I won't do anything to get you hurt. I'm going to protect you.
[keigo whispers, quietly, hearing heavy footsteps nearby. they're not yet returning down the hall, but still. he had to be careful, less he place dabi in a bad position. keigo comes to rest a hand closer, to dabi's forearm, barely touching the former villain's skin.]
[Keigo still has the strength not to give up. Dabi is all tapped out. his last bit of hope was when Keigo had gotten here, but now? now it seems hopeless. it's all the worst it could possibly be.
if they make any false step in anything they do, it'll only get worse and worse. if they try to escape and fail? that'll be the end of the line for them. he knows it.]
You can't protect me. You already know ya can't. What just happened, I...
[he's the one who tried to protect Keigo with everything he had. Keigo was out of his mind. There's no point for him to even try.]
He knows what hurts. He tries to find every last thing and use it. All I can't do it keep offering him everythin I can go protect you. And in the end he'll do it anyway. He'll take you away from me anyway.
[he sobs, pressing the heels of his palms into his eyes. it'll break him completely. it'll break both of them and that moment will be the most thrilling for that monster. and when he breaks them, he'll just keep using them over and over again to find his release.
Dabi knows he doesn't even have to be conscious for it. how many times has he woken up with his father already sickeningly pounding into him?
when Keigo touches him, uttering those words he flinches, but he lowers his hands, more blood staining his face.]
[keigo looks down as he listens to dabi. he knows he should at least listen to what his former lover has to say. no one knows endeavor better than his eldest son.
however, this isn't where he'll give up. what kind of life can they live being cooped up here, to act as that man's playthings?]
It's...
[he trails off, thoughts still not in order. his fingers even begun to pull a little bit at the ripped cotton in hand.]
I can..I can play along. To what he wants. So, don't fight on my account. Don't offer yourself. Let him use me if he wants.
[he's shaking from fear, but keigo's words are honest to the core. he refuses to allow dabi to keep getting hurt when keigo can take the heat.
gently, the former hero comes to take dabi's bloodied hands, placing them in his lap. he intends on cleaning them, but first decides to wipe away the blood on the other male's cheek.]
[ dabi doesn't expect keigo to understand. he never really understood before either, if he really thinks about it. maybe once keigo stuck here long enough he'll get it... or maybe it won't ever have to come down to that. maybe keigo will be able to get away. at least him. he knows he can't just give up for both of the, no matter what he says to his father.
but for him? he knows it's a lost cause. they can't both get out of here in one piece.
right now though, he feels utterly hopeless. all of this feels like a nightmare come to life. even if keigo eventually is able to get away, who knows how broken he'll be by then? all he can do is try to keep things from getting even worse. that's why it hurts when keigo doesn't seem to understand even that.]
No. No. I won't let him. If you do that... then I might as well be dead. Then everything i just did was for nothing. Ain't it bad enough? I can't... I can't watch him do that to ya. I might as well be fuckin' dead.
[he did everything he could to keep that from happening and keigo would just throw it all away? for what? dabi has already been through it all, he's been through the worst of it. he can't have this taken from him on top of it all.
he isn't even sure what to say after that. he just let's keigo take his hands to put them in his lap, and as much as he wants to tug them away, he doesn't. he needs keigo to know that it matters to him to have him out of his father's grasp, even if he can't show it in any other way right now.
he still can't look at keigo, but he gives him a small nod, trying not to flinch. he really has to pull himself back together. if he flinches in front of his father, he knows the older man will take advantage of that too.]
[keigo is practically cut off guard by dabi's statement. he stills himself, trying to search the former villain's features, trying to understand why.
no. he understands completely why.
because keigo feels the same way.]
You can't...He'll end up killing you. I can't stand by and watch him torture you. It's going to kill me too.
[gods. how can he protect dabi when his former lover won't allow it? naturally, keigo is terrified of being with someone like endeavor, especially now. there's really only one person he wants. yet, how much longer until that's ruined too? he's sure that monster of a man will just do whatever he wants, even with his or dabi's intervention.
keigo can't think right now about it. he needed to hurry and get his former lover cleaned up.]
Lets..discuss it later.
[because dabi is right. endeavor will be back soon. so, keigo busies himself with wiping away the blood on the other male's features. once dabi's face is clean, he goes for his hands next. he stumbles though, while hurrying, because he can hear those footsteps starting to get louder, angrier even. keigo has never felt such intense and growing fear before. he's beginning to shake while tying the fabric in place, hoping endeavor will be in a better mood than earlier.]
He's been doin' it for longer than you'll ever know, Keigo. What the fuck difference does it make anymore? What good is it if he ruins you too? Then you're really lettin' him win. haven't you already done enough?
[if endeavor takes keigo from him too? then he'll have won completely. then what's the point of ever even trying anymore? what was the point of any of this?
he suddenly feels more tired, exhausted and beat down than he's felt since he got stuck back here. he realizes he's not only gonna have to fight his father, but keigo too. just the very thought of that makes him feel so tired to his bones. keigo is the one who put him here. he practically gave him right back to his father, and now he wants to play the hero? it's too late, dabi wants to tell him. he doesn't want to lose the only thing he has left after all of this. if endeavor hurts keigo the same way his father hurts him, he wont make it through that. neither of them will.]
There's nothin' to discuss. If ya let him use you just to try'n protect me, I'll never talk to you again. I won't even look at you.
[and because that seems unfair when dabi can't even look at keigo now, he forces himself to lift his gaze and look keigo in the eye, despite all the shame he's feeling right now. he needs keigo to know he's serious, and it helps him feel a little stronger once again, even if he knows it'll all get pulled out from under him once endeavor comes through those doors again.
he remembers when he used to be as frightened as keigo is now. it's such a deep, visceral fear. over the years the abuse was so constant that dabi's pretty sure he got used to the fear in a dark, sick way, but now he feels it in keigo and he takes his hands, stopping him once he's done fixing him up. he doesn't know what to say, because nothing can make this easier or better. he can't even say that at least they're together, because he doesn't want them to be. not like this. ]
[it's hard to not wince and almost pull away from such a reply. it's already eating him up inside that he's one of the reasons dabi is here being tortured. in a way, it also makes him just want to ignore the former villain's desire to handle endeavor all on his own. yeah. he might have done enough, but at the same time, if he can keep dabi from being hurt, then he'll deal with the consequences.
but, then the threat is there, and keigo catches dabi's gaze when the other male finally comes to greet his features for the first time in a long while.
this time, it's keigo who fixes his gaze away, biting down on his bottom lip from responding. he wasn't going to discuss it any further.
he's terrified of being alone in all of this though. if dabi doesn't ever talk to him or look at him...what if keigo can't get dabi to follow through with an escape plan? it could backfire for both of them. he could potentially get one or both killed for it. no. he had to be smart about this. however, he wasn't going to sugarcoat how upset he is about dabi's response.
yet, his features do come to soften beneath the fear of endeavor and troubled feelings regarding dabi when hands come to take his. he still can't meet that gaze or return to looking over those facial features he just cleaned up. golden irises do come to look at their hands though, right as he hears the apology. for what, keigo isn't sure. could be for the threat, or to maybe ease the former hero's terror regarding endeavor.
he doesn't have any time to question it though, because the door opens from behind them, and the heat of the number one hero's presence is suddenly there, staring angrily down at the two. he's still shirtless, fire glowing over his body. the door comes to shut behind them, locked for good measure. "your pet bird cost me a pretty penny, touya." the hero comes to say, crossing his arms. "one you will be repaying for."
he doesn't give further information regarding it though, blue, intense eyes scanning down at the ground, to the shredded material of his shirt. "...pathetic. i warned you about teaching him house rules, didn't i?" he growls, narrowing his gaze, frown deepening.
naturally, he can't expect touya to listen properly. his eldest child seemed to enjoy breaking the rules himself.]
[ an escape plan seems so completely impossible now that dabi doesn't even think of it. he had already given up long before this, until he had this one chance that was quickly destroyed. maybe he'll find a way to get keigo out, but right now he just doesn't see how. it's all so hopeless.
he doesn't want to not talk to keigo, so he hopes the other man follows through with his wishes. dabi could at least be defiant to an extent when keigo wasn't here. but now? now if he even looks at endeavor the wrong way, the older man could use keigo against him. he desperately doesn't want that to happen.
their time alone is running out, and dabi closes his eyes when he hears the footsteps getting closer. he pulls his hands away from keigo quickly, tensing up hard when the door opens again and endeavor bellows down at them. his words don't surprise him at all. dabi knows he'll be paying for everything. ]
You told us to stay, we didn't move. What the hell else do ya want me to tell him?
[he looks up at the man tiredly. he wonders if he'll even be able to get back on his feet.]
[he's suddenly alone and by himself again when dabi pulls away, but keigo can't blame him. they had to be careful around endeavor. still, a part of him is defiant, looking up at the number one hero even if his eyes betray how terrified he was.
he keeps his lips shut as endeavor speaks, with dabi's haughty replies coming right in. it makes him tense up though, especially when he sees the flicker of anger within endeavor's gaze.
all too quick, the number one hero snaps forward, sending a punch right at his son's jaw. keigo can't stop himself from trying to not reach out, yet a large hand grabs him by the hair, pulling him back, and closer to endeavor's body.]
S-Stop! He..I was told to behave! He told me to follow your rules!
[keigo talks without thinking, hoping it'd be enough to calm the grip of the monster down. he can feel his hair begin practically pulled from his scalp. but, the tugging lessens a bit, though endeavor's grip remains there.
from behind keigo, endeavor glares heavily at his eldest son. the punch was more for the attitude than anything else. he's not sure whether to believe the fallen hero either. for all he knows, these two could have conspired against him. not that they can get away with anything. they're both essentially quirkless.
"on your feet, touya." a feat he believes his son will fail in, but endeavor wasn't merciless. he lives to watch and inflict pain. "or i'll have your bird clean up the mess you're leaving all over my floor."]
[ dabi is taken aback by the force of the punch to his face, staples ripping along his cheek and blood filling his mouth immediately. he lifts his hand to his pace, ready to glare hard, but keigo gets grabbed instead and dabi tenses hard, trying to gather the strength to get up.
in his head, he'd love nothing more than to beat the shit out of his father. he has visions of being able to strangle him and watch his eyes roll to the back of his head.
for once though, it doesn't get worse right away, but dabi knows better than to say anything when keigo is far too close to endeavor, still completely naked. at those words, he knows he has to act, and he starts to try and push himself up to stand, pain shooting through his whole body. he barely makes it up before he collapses back down again, but then he squeezes his eyes shut and tries again. the last thing he wants is for keigo to have to clean up his blood and cum from the floor. this is bad enough as it is.
when he's almost standing he opens his eyes, but his vision is swimming from that punch to the face. when was the last time he even ate? he doesn't remember, but it doesn't help with how everything spins in front of him. he can feel his knees getting weak, but he won't let himself fall back down. he looks at keigo instead, trying to keep his breathing steady. ]
[keigo wants to struggle and squirm, wants to tell endeavor where to shove it, but a part of him, the part that cares so deeply for dabi, keeps the former hero still. he doesn't know if he'll always behave like this and follow dabi's desire to stay out of his way in terms with the other male's father. but, for now, he plays along. he'll come to a decision about it later.
it's so hard though, when dabi gets up, only to collapse. keigo's body tenses, and he tries to inch forward, yet endeavor's grip is hard and steady. keigo doesn't fight it. for dabi's sake, again.
the former villain tries again, and this time he's standing. but, for how long? keigo seriously doubts he'll make it anywhere in that condition. the man was skin and bones. frail. doesn't even look like he's had a meal recently.
he catches dabi's eyes finally, and it's then that the grip in his hair is removed. he's a little worried about moving forward despite wanting to, desiring nothing more than to assist dabi to the best of his ability. yet, that presence behind him keeps keigo grounded where he is.
"go. off to bed. we'll discuss arrangements in the morning concerning your pet." endeavor orders with a wave of his hand, turning away. "you're sleeping here, on the mess you left in the bed."
instead of leaving as keigo predicted, the number one hero goes to a cabinet along the wall. it's locked, as endeavor produces a key and pulled out a small blue box. it's tossed to the bed, with the cabinet relocked. "here. get yourself cleaned up properly, touya. you need to look half-decent by the end of the week."]
[ if he can stay on his feet long enough to get the next order barked at him from his father, maybe he'll make it. all he can try to do is think of the next step. he's relieved when endeavor releases keigo, and it gives him the strength to try and stand a little longer. he can do it.
if he has to walk back to his room though? he's not sure he can make it that far, so he's almost relieved when endeavor says he can sleep here. they can sleep here. together? it's almost too good to be true, but dabi really does keep his mouth shut this time.
his gaze follows endeavor once again, watching as he goes to the cabinet. another bit of relief. it only makes him wary though, because nothing is given for free. he knows he'll pay for this too, tomorrow mostly likely. for now, maybe endeavor will leave them alone. at least his father has always been predictable in that sense. once he gets what he wants, he goes right back to ignoring him.]
Yes, sir.
[he grits out, wiping blood from his mouth. he's not sure what's happening at the end of the week, but he's too tired to care right now.]
[keigo is more than curious when endeavor mentions the end of the week. he wants to know. he wants to hear what arrangements will be made. while he desires to know all of this, his mouth remains shut, eyes glued on dabi, making sure the other male doesn't collapse.
endeavor comes to scoff, but doesn't state anything more, heading to the door and shoving it open. it's slammed shut and keigo can hear the few locks, deadbolts it seems, that follow.
it matters little to him because he's walking the few steps to dabi, a hand pressing gently to the former villain's upper arm while his other is held out.]
Let me help you.
[he doesn't want dabi to collapse on himself again. and he'd rather get him cleaned up, just to avoid infections. the punch did a number on dabi's face. the staples probably need to be replaced...]
[ he can hardly believe it when endeavor is gone again. maybe he won't bother them again for the rest of the night. there are times when his father can't sleep, or gets a hardon in the middle of the night, and then he comes back- but maybe tonight tired him out more than usual. dabi can only hope.
it's a good thing that keigo is at his side once he does leave, because this is about all he could stand. when keigo holds his arm out, dabi grabs it, collapsing against him instead of the floor. ]
Fuck.
[he grits out, then spits blood from his mouth to the floor. it's not like it matters much anymore. there's plenty of blood and fluids already left behind from more than one occasion.]
Didn't think I was gonna make it.
[he looks down at himself and cringes. he's still half hard, and still has fluids leaking down his legs. he feels so disgusting, but he's too tired to pull away and deal with this on his own. especially when he has keigo here wanting to help him. if he was alone he'd just drop himself down into bed, but he knows keigo probably won't let him do that. he's not too keen on staying in his filth either. he just hates how bad it all must feel for keigo.]
At least there's a bathroom connected to this bedroom. Grab the kit and walk me over there if ya can.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
dabi had told the truth about endeavor to all of them.
but he's too tired to be angry now. he has no more fight left in him. he keeps his gaze pinned to a stain on the floor- dried blood maybe, from previous incidents in his father's bedroom. he's really trying to just stay detached and not get sick. that's the last thing they need right now. his father will only hurt him further if he pukes on the floor.
he can't look at keigo, though. he doesn't know if he'll ever be able to look at his face after what happened here tonight. he doesn't notice the small smile, or look at the way the other man cleans up his messy wounds. he doesn't deserve this comfort, and if he lets himself have it, it'll only feel worse later.
the only thing that gets him to stop staring blankly is when keigo starts examining the suppressors. he tenses up, furrowing his eyebrows as he watches keigo looking them over as if he might be familiar with them. he wonders if the former hero knows how to take them off and put them on. of course he would. this is what the pro-heroes all use.
it's a flicker of hope that he tries to squash down again. he can't. it won't work. it'll end badly just like this did. still, he can't help but ask. he's so tired of being this cold all the time. ]
Do ya know how to get 'em off?
no subject
I..I might be able to.
[he doesn't want to give false hope. if he believes in this so hard and it fails, then what is he left with? no. he needed to be strong. if not for himself, then for dabi.
he continues to tinker with the suppressors, looking at the slit where the electronic key would deactivate it. there's also a tiny slot for a key, in case the electronic one failed. if he had his feathers, he could certainly pick at the lock. he needed something sharp and incredibly tiny.]
I need a small screwdriver and a..a needle or pin or paperclip.
[items in an office. as it were, it was just a bedroom they're currently in. how the hell were they going to be able to get what he needs to get this lock picked?]
Would only take me a few seconds to crack it open.
no subject
he almost laughs at how crazy that sounds.
but he watches as keigo tinkers with the cuffs, and then he glances around the room as if he might be able to produce those items somehow. he's been in this room so many times now, but he still doesn't really know what's here. that's the reality of all of this.
the reality is, he'd never be able to escape. ]
Even if I had my Quirk back right now, I couldn't...
[he couldn't do anything. he wouldn't make it very far at all. he's too weak, too worn. it would end badly.]
There's no way out for me now. I belong here.
no subject
he shakes the thought away, giving a glance around the room. they could technically snoop around. or, keigo could. he'd rather dabi take it easy for now.
however, before the former hero can get up to shaky legs, dabi's words pull him from the growing hope. keigo can't help but shake his head immediately, leaning forward, trying to catch those blue eyes.]
I'm not leaving...I won't let you stay here.
[he would do anything to get his former lover free. he'll take dabi to the ends of the earth if it means endeavor never knowing where they are. the man had to sleep sometime, right? if they could contain the necessary materials, they can escape.]
We're going to get out.
[or, he was going to die trying to get dabi out.]
I'll find a way for us. I'll carry you if I need to.
no subject
he can feel keigo trying to get him to look at him, but he only looks further away, shaking his head. ]
You can't... I can't. You don't know what he'll do. It's my fault you're here. I shouldn't've contacted you last night. It's all my fuckin fault.
[he pulls his hands back, looking fearfully at the door. they have to stop talking about this now, before endeavor hears them.]
Stop. You heard what he said. If we try to escape it'll be even worse for us. You don't know... you don't understand. We can't... we can't.
[he curls up again, dragging his fingers through his hair, pulling his head down. he can't think like this or it'll break him apart even more. he needs to pull himself together before his father gets back. he can barely think straight right now, and he knows they should be more worried about what'll happen when that door opens up again.]
Don't fight it. He'll make it so much worse. He always makes it worse.
no subject
It's...don't blame yourself. I wish..I wish you had told me sooner.
[all this time, dabi has been suffering. keigo wishes he could have been there for dabi. he wishes he had his wings to fight endeavor off, even if fire was such a strong weakness of his. he just...he wishes he could protect dabi when no one else is willing to do so.
keigo comes to curl his arms and hands around himself. he could play the waiting plan, bide his time and make it to where endeavor trusts him enough to get what he needed. but he needed to protect dabi in the meantime. the former villain can't handle all of this himself. although, something tells keigo that endeavor just marches to his own tune and will do whatever he wants.]
...if I can get those supplies, will you..will you try? To escape?
no subject
he almost looks at keigo when he says he wishes he had told him sooner. he has nothing left to say to that. he has no anger left. no fight, or disgust to toward anyone else but himself. no strength to say that he tried to tell keigo over and over again.
and now the former hero is stuck here with him too. no matter what keigo says, dabi knows what landed him here. ]
I can barely move, Keigo.
[but the stupid bird has always been stubborn. he stays quiet for a moment, trying to gather some kind of energy before lifting his head to look at keigo's face- still unable to meet his eyes, though.]
Don't do anythin' stupid. He'll make it worse. Every single time, it always gets worse.
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he wants to admit this out loud, to try and provide some sort of hope to his former lover.
yet, dabi's following words stop keigo in his track. he won't give up. keigo would go down fighting if need be.]
...I won't do anything to get you hurt. I'm going to protect you.
[keigo whispers, quietly, hearing heavy footsteps nearby. they're not yet returning down the hall, but still. he had to be careful, less he place dabi in a bad position. keigo comes to rest a hand closer, to dabi's forearm, barely touching the former villain's skin.]
For now, let me finish cleaning you up.
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if they make any false step in anything they do, it'll only get worse and worse. if they try to escape and fail? that'll be the end of the line for them. he knows it.]
You can't protect me. You already know ya can't. What just happened, I...
[he's the one who tried to protect Keigo with everything he had. Keigo was out of his mind. There's no point for him to even try.]
He knows what hurts. He tries to find every last thing and use it. All I can't do it keep offering him everythin I can go protect you. And in the end he'll do it anyway. He'll take you away from me anyway.
[he sobs, pressing the heels of his palms into his eyes. it'll break him completely. it'll break both of them and that moment will be the most thrilling for that monster. and when he breaks them, he'll just keep using them over and over again to find his release.
Dabi knows he doesn't even have to be conscious for it. how many times has he woken up with his father already sickeningly pounding into him?
when Keigo touches him, uttering those words he flinches, but he lowers his hands, more blood staining his face.]
What's the point?
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however, this isn't where he'll give up. what kind of life can they live being cooped up here, to act as that man's playthings?]
It's...
[he trails off, thoughts still not in order. his fingers even begun to pull a little bit at the ripped cotton in hand.]
I can..I can play along. To what he wants. So, don't fight on my account. Don't offer yourself. Let him use me if he wants.
[he's shaking from fear, but keigo's words are honest to the core. he refuses to allow dabi to keep getting hurt when keigo can take the heat.
gently, the former hero comes to take dabi's bloodied hands, placing them in his lap. he intends on cleaning them, but first decides to wipe away the blood on the other male's cheek.]
Please, let me...
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but for him? he knows it's a lost cause. they can't both get out of here in one piece.
right now though, he feels utterly hopeless. all of this feels like a nightmare come to life. even if keigo eventually is able to get away, who knows how broken he'll be by then? all he can do is try to keep things from getting even worse. that's why it hurts when keigo doesn't seem to understand even that.]
No. No. I won't let him. If you do that... then I might as well be dead. Then everything i just did was for nothing. Ain't it bad enough? I can't... I can't watch him do that to ya. I might as well be fuckin' dead.
[he did everything he could to keep that from happening and keigo would just throw it all away? for what? dabi has already been through it all, he's been through the worst of it. he can't have this taken from him on top of it all.
he isn't even sure what to say after that. he just let's keigo take his hands to put them in his lap, and as much as he wants to tug them away, he doesn't. he needs keigo to know that it matters to him to have him out of his father's grasp, even if he can't show it in any other way right now.
he still can't look at keigo, but he gives him a small nod, trying not to flinch. he really has to pull himself back together. if he flinches in front of his father, he knows the older man will take advantage of that too.]
He'll be back soon.
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no. he understands completely why.
because keigo feels the same way.]
You can't...He'll end up killing you. I can't stand by and watch him torture you. It's going to kill me too.
[gods. how can he protect dabi when his former lover won't allow it? naturally, keigo is terrified of being with someone like endeavor, especially now. there's really only one person he wants. yet, how much longer until that's ruined too? he's sure that monster of a man will just do whatever he wants, even with his or dabi's intervention.
keigo can't think right now about it. he needed to hurry and get his former lover cleaned up.]
Lets..discuss it later.
[because dabi is right. endeavor will be back soon. so, keigo busies himself with wiping away the blood on the other male's features. once dabi's face is clean, he goes for his hands next. he stumbles though, while hurrying, because he can hear those footsteps starting to get louder, angrier even. keigo has never felt such intense and growing fear before. he's beginning to shake while tying the fabric in place, hoping endeavor will be in a better mood than earlier.]
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[if endeavor takes keigo from him too? then he'll have won completely. then what's the point of ever even trying anymore? what was the point of any of this?
he suddenly feels more tired, exhausted and beat down than he's felt since he got stuck back here. he realizes he's not only gonna have to fight his father, but keigo too. just the very thought of that makes him feel so tired to his bones. keigo is the one who put him here. he practically gave him right back to his father, and now he wants to play the hero? it's too late, dabi wants to tell him. he doesn't want to lose the only thing he has left after all of this. if endeavor hurts keigo the same way his father hurts him, he wont make it through that. neither of them will.]
There's nothin' to discuss. If ya let him use you just to try'n protect me, I'll never talk to you again. I won't even look at you.
[and because that seems unfair when dabi can't even look at keigo now, he forces himself to lift his gaze and look keigo in the eye, despite all the shame he's feeling right now. he needs keigo to know he's serious, and it helps him feel a little stronger once again, even if he knows it'll all get pulled out from under him once endeavor comes through those doors again.
he remembers when he used to be as frightened as keigo is now. it's such a deep, visceral fear. over the years the abuse was so constant that dabi's pretty sure he got used to the fear in a dark, sick way, but now he feels it in keigo and he takes his hands, stopping him once he's done fixing him up. he doesn't know what to say, because nothing can make this easier or better. he can't even say that at least they're together, because he doesn't want them to be. not like this. ]
M'sorry.
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but, then the threat is there, and keigo catches dabi's gaze when the other male finally comes to greet his features for the first time in a long while.
this time, it's keigo who fixes his gaze away, biting down on his bottom lip from responding. he wasn't going to discuss it any further.
he's terrified of being alone in all of this though. if dabi doesn't ever talk to him or look at him...what if keigo can't get dabi to follow through with an escape plan? it could backfire for both of them. he could potentially get one or both killed for it. no. he had to be smart about this. however, he wasn't going to sugarcoat how upset he is about dabi's response.
yet, his features do come to soften beneath the fear of endeavor and troubled feelings regarding dabi when hands come to take his. he still can't meet that gaze or return to looking over those facial features he just cleaned up. golden irises do come to look at their hands though, right as he hears the apology. for what, keigo isn't sure. could be for the threat, or to maybe ease the former hero's terror regarding endeavor.
he doesn't have any time to question it though, because the door opens from behind them, and the heat of the number one hero's presence is suddenly there, staring angrily down at the two. he's still shirtless, fire glowing over his body. the door comes to shut behind them, locked for good measure. "your pet bird cost me a pretty penny, touya." the hero comes to say, crossing his arms. "one you will be repaying for."
he doesn't give further information regarding it though, blue, intense eyes scanning down at the ground, to the shredded material of his shirt. "...pathetic. i warned you about teaching him house rules, didn't i?" he growls, narrowing his gaze, frown deepening.
naturally, he can't expect touya to listen properly. his eldest child seemed to enjoy breaking the rules himself.]
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he doesn't want to not talk to keigo, so he hopes the other man follows through with his wishes. dabi could at least be defiant to an extent when keigo wasn't here. but now? now if he even looks at endeavor the wrong way, the older man could use keigo against him. he desperately doesn't want that to happen.
their time alone is running out, and dabi closes his eyes when he hears the footsteps getting closer. he pulls his hands away from keigo quickly, tensing up hard when the door opens again and endeavor bellows down at them. his words don't surprise him at all. dabi knows he'll be paying for everything. ]
You told us to stay, we didn't move. What the hell else do ya want me to tell him?
[he looks up at the man tiredly. he wonders if he'll even be able to get back on his feet.]
Can we go to bed? It's late.
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he keeps his lips shut as endeavor speaks, with dabi's haughty replies coming right in. it makes him tense up though, especially when he sees the flicker of anger within endeavor's gaze.
all too quick, the number one hero snaps forward, sending a punch right at his son's jaw. keigo can't stop himself from trying to not reach out, yet a large hand grabs him by the hair, pulling him back, and closer to endeavor's body.]
S-Stop! He..I was told to behave! He told me to follow your rules!
[keigo talks without thinking, hoping it'd be enough to calm the grip of the monster down. he can feel his hair begin practically pulled from his scalp. but, the tugging lessens a bit, though endeavor's grip remains there.
from behind keigo, endeavor glares heavily at his eldest son. the punch was more for the attitude than anything else. he's not sure whether to believe the fallen hero either. for all he knows, these two could have conspired against him. not that they can get away with anything. they're both essentially quirkless.
"on your feet, touya." a feat he believes his son will fail in, but endeavor wasn't merciless. he lives to watch and inflict pain. "or i'll have your bird clean up the mess you're leaving all over my floor."]
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in his head, he'd love nothing more than to beat the shit out of his father. he has visions of being able to strangle him and watch his eyes roll to the back of his head.
for once though, it doesn't get worse right away, but dabi knows better than to say anything when keigo is far too close to endeavor, still completely naked. at those words, he knows he has to act, and he starts to try and push himself up to stand, pain shooting through his whole body. he barely makes it up before he collapses back down again, but then he squeezes his eyes shut and tries again. the last thing he wants is for keigo to have to clean up his blood and cum from the floor. this is bad enough as it is.
when he's almost standing he opens his eyes, but his vision is swimming from that punch to the face. when was the last time he even ate? he doesn't remember, but it doesn't help with how everything spins in front of him. he can feel his knees getting weak, but he won't let himself fall back down. he looks at keigo instead, trying to keep his breathing steady. ]
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it's so hard though, when dabi gets up, only to collapse. keigo's body tenses, and he tries to inch forward, yet endeavor's grip is hard and steady. keigo doesn't fight it. for dabi's sake, again.
the former villain tries again, and this time he's standing. but, for how long? keigo seriously doubts he'll make it anywhere in that condition. the man was skin and bones. frail. doesn't even look like he's had a meal recently.
he catches dabi's eyes finally, and it's then that the grip in his hair is removed. he's a little worried about moving forward despite wanting to, desiring nothing more than to assist dabi to the best of his ability. yet, that presence behind him keeps keigo grounded where he is.
"go. off to bed. we'll discuss arrangements in the morning concerning your pet." endeavor orders with a wave of his hand, turning away. "you're sleeping here, on the mess you left in the bed."
instead of leaving as keigo predicted, the number one hero goes to a cabinet along the wall. it's locked, as endeavor produces a key and pulled out a small blue box. it's tossed to the bed, with the cabinet relocked. "here. get yourself cleaned up properly, touya. you need to look half-decent by the end of the week."]
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if he has to walk back to his room though? he's not sure he can make it that far, so he's almost relieved when endeavor says he can sleep here. they can sleep here. together? it's almost too good to be true, but dabi really does keep his mouth shut this time.
his gaze follows endeavor once again, watching as he goes to the cabinet. another bit of relief. it only makes him wary though, because nothing is given for free. he knows he'll pay for this too, tomorrow mostly likely. for now, maybe endeavor will leave them alone. at least his father has always been predictable in that sense. once he gets what he wants, he goes right back to ignoring him.]
Yes, sir.
[he grits out, wiping blood from his mouth. he's not sure what's happening at the end of the week, but he's too tired to care right now.]
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endeavor comes to scoff, but doesn't state anything more, heading to the door and shoving it open. it's slammed shut and keigo can hear the few locks, deadbolts it seems, that follow.
it matters little to him because he's walking the few steps to dabi, a hand pressing gently to the former villain's upper arm while his other is held out.]
Let me help you.
[he doesn't want dabi to collapse on himself again. and he'd rather get him cleaned up, just to avoid infections. the punch did a number on dabi's face. the staples probably need to be replaced...]
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it's a good thing that keigo is at his side once he does leave, because this is about all he could stand. when keigo holds his arm out, dabi grabs it, collapsing against him instead of the floor. ]
Fuck.
[he grits out, then spits blood from his mouth to the floor. it's not like it matters much anymore. there's plenty of blood and fluids already left behind from more than one occasion.]
Didn't think I was gonna make it.
[he looks down at himself and cringes. he's still half hard, and still has fluids leaking down his legs. he feels so disgusting, but he's too tired to pull away and deal with this on his own. especially when he has keigo here wanting to help him. if he was alone he'd just drop himself down into bed, but he knows keigo probably won't let him do that. he's not too keen on staying in his filth either. he just hates how bad it all must feel for keigo.]
At least there's a bathroom connected to this bedroom. Grab the kit and walk me over there if ya can.