creamation | (no subject)

[keigo can’t see this as dabi trying to help him though. his mind is completely shut to his usual demeanor when initially told he deserved everything coming to him. he’s come to value and trust the villain, and after being so raw and open with his past, he can’t exactly see things clear.

of course he wants to leave with dabi. wants to be saved like he’s asked. to leave the hero commission’s demise within dabi’s hands. he wants that, more than anything.

his darker thoughts hold onto the abusive words he always keep at bay behind big smiles and loud laughs. dabi can’t forgive him and neither can he, but at least his body follows along obediently.

although, the villain’s threat almost gets keigo to ask for death. he doesn’t want to die. not here and not like this. he even feels dabi heat up his hands and keigo just about allows it. dabi stops himself though, it seems.

keigo doesn’t understand why, but he doesn’t question it.]

Someone within the meta army. They weren’t part of the League. I have about ten suspects.

[he admits softly. he knows the names by heart. the ones he’s done enough research on.]

[ maybe keigo shouldn't have put himself in this position, then. what did he think was going to happen after all this lying? after not telling dabi crucial pieces of information, especially related to his safety? he should feel bad about it, but he should also own up to it and take responsibility, not just give up.

dabi doesn't think he has to tell him that, especially when he's putting so much of himself into this even after what keigo just unloaded on him.

but maybe dabi will realize all over again that that's what pro-heroes do, no matter who they are, and no matter how much he gave a shit about them. just like his father, once upon a time.

and yet, keigo was the one expecting dabi to save him. even now after all of this, and all the lies he told, that's what he was begging for. and dabi is the one who has to put all this shit aside and do it anyway. it's far from being fair, but it's also stupid, and that's what he knows he is. stupid.

keigo is telling him that these commission fucks and probably all the pro-heroes know about them... about him, and yet keigo is the one who wants to die. the stupid bird is lucky that this villain cares about him so much. maybe it'll be over after all of this, but at least he can try to keep himself and keigo alive.

and the more keigo talks, the more he tells him, dsbi utterly can't believe his lover didn't tell him about what was going on. it truly tears him up inside. ]

I can't fuckin' believe this. All'a this fuckin' time. Ya just let me be there with 'em anyways. Ya didn't say a damn thing. Feels like ya don't give a single shit about me, Keigo. That even your name?

[maybe keigo really doesn't give a shit about him. it could all be an act, a plan, a trick. he wonders how he became so weak to this stupid bird. that was probably all part of it too.]

Let's just fuckin' go. We'll crash somewhere tonight and figure shit out, then go back like there ain't a single thing wrong. We'll talk to the League.

[trauma and fear is what got him in this position. he can't explain it more clearly than what he already did. he understands the anger here though. dabi always acted on it, no matter how small the issue. still, a part of keigo had hoped this thing that was between them would be enough for the villain to see through the anger.

it's not that keigo even has given up completely forever. it's taking longer to process what is being said and what is being done. the dark thoughts he once found solace in don't help matters. his true and pure feelings for dabi is what keeps him there, at the villain's side. he's not crumbled on the ground, awaiting his demise like earlier.

it hurts to hear the accusing words that he doesn't care over dabi. it's why he cares that they're in this mess. but he's not going to fight the villain on this. he's told dabi everything, and the villain only focuses on the smaller parts. yet it was enough to land them both here.

he's given so much of himself. his true self. he's been honest with dabi without expecting it in return.]

You're going to get yourself caught.

[he pulls back from dabi's grip at his collar, keeping his gaze averted. he can't look into those eyes again.]

They'll hunt me down...you should leave me here. I'm not worth it. I'm only good for one thing, and it might be enough to keep the hero commission from coming after you.

[it's a good thing that what keigo had hoped for is coming true then, isn't it. not that he deserves it after what he did, and how much danger he put the two of them in.

he should be more than relieved that dabi came back for him, instead of being... whatever this is. what was the point of any of this, then? Dabi can't stand it. and yet, keigo still thinks he's focusing on the smaller parts. as if these are the smaller parts of anything. dabi is focusing on exactly what he needs to be focused on, and the fact that keigo can't see that even now is alarming.

what was he thinking? why wouldn't he tell dabi such crucial pieces of what was going on. dabi can't understand that, and it really seems like he doesn't care, especially when time and time again they went back to the army. dabi stayed with them. and even when he spoke up about how he felt about them, keigo said nothing.

at this point, there's nothing that keigo gave him aside from a name that dabi is doubtful is even his at this point. why should he believe it, when everything
has been a lie? ]

No, you're gonna get me caught, so get your head outta your ass and fuckin' do somethin' useful. If we don't move now, we might not get a fuckin' chance.

[dabi furrows his eyebrows when keigo pulls away, anger rushing through him again. why is keigo doing this? did they mean nothing? he swallows hard and slowly it starts to sink in.... maybe it didn't. keigo is fighting him even now, wanting to stay behind.]

After all the shit ya just told me, I came back for you. And you're just...

[dabi feels that blinding dizziness again, his heart hammering in his chest. he isn't going to force this. god, he fucking wants to, but he can't.]

Your choice.

[dabi shakes his head, dragging his fingers through his hair, and then he backs away, heading for the door again.]

[of course a part of him was relieved that dabi had returned for him. that he was worth it in some way. maybe when everything isn't so broken and foggy in the front of his mind, it'll make sense to him.

he can also come to explain the finer details that are getting mixed into all of this. all the hero can do is the next right thing for dabi and the league. even if it means going to his handlers on hands and knees to do so. it was foolish to have come this far and expect to be saved. a longing from a child forced into this.

dabi might hate him, but it's for the best. he was truthful earlier when he told the villain that he couldn't get him out of tartarus.

despite what the villain may think, keigo cares more than anything about dabi, and it's why he pulls away and offers to stay behind. why else would he face his greatest fear if not for this man right here?

but, it pulls deeply at him, to hear dabi say so openly that he had come back for him. it stops the hero, makes him think. he had seen the action, of course, but his mind is a muddy mess and he can't see the clear picture right in front of him. it's dangerous. it's futile. he was risking dabi's life.

watching the villain walk away, keigo gives a final look to his penthouse.

it takes only a brief second for the hero to decide. he sheds most of his feathers, using a few to grab him a large hoodie from his closet. he's walking after dabi as he pulls the jacket on, his wings small and tucked close to his body while the hood is pulled over his head. it's not the first time he's gone out in disguise, and if anyone was watching them, it would look like he was doing a mission with dabi. normal.

it also helps because keigo doesn't think he can muster acting his usual self if they do have a tail. at least here, he can hide beneath the large hoodie.

he doesn't say anything as he comes to dabi's heel, just waiting for the villain to lead the way.]

[ hopefully it'll make sense to him sooner rather than later, because it wasn't any kind of small thing what dabi just did here, and now he feels rejected for it.

all the pro-heroes, all of the commission, they're already coming after him. they've been coming after him before he even knew keigo. he's a villain, in the most wanted terrorist group in japan. what exactly has keigo thought the heroes have been doing to them all this time??

dabi's entire world is reeling now. at least keigo knew what he was doing. he knew what his deception was and where it would lead. he was after this very thing from both dabi and the rest of them. dabi fell right for it, and maybe he's falling for it again. his world is crumbling, and yet he's the one who has to get them out of this mess now, because keigo is... dabi doesn't know what keigo is doing, but he doesn't understand it.

this is what he wanted. this was keig's goal, he wanted to be saved. he put them in danger and didn't really give a shit what would happen to dabi in the end, seeing as he only told him all of this now. and yet when dabi wants to do for him exactly what keigo wanted, he's acting like a goddamn martyr.

maybe that's what is making him angriest of all. it feels like it was all for nothing.

having to walk away a second time is almost worse than the first, because he tried. he put his fucking heart on his sleeve again and keigo pulled away from him. he tries to tell himself that it doesn't matter. none of this matters. he only had one goal and he should have stuck to it. he can be that way again. he can flush out all the softness that somehow seeped into his cracks, and harden his heart again. and if endeavor already knows who he is, then he only has one job left anyway, and then he can be done.

he doesn't expect keigo to be at his heels a moment later, but he doesn't feel relief. his heart feels too battered for it now. when he first went back for keigo he might've at least been able to pretend everything was okay between the two of them for prying eyes, but now... he doesn't know if he can pull it off. maybe it'll just look like they're having a fight. it wouldn't be the first time, even if they've never really been out in public while going through something like that.

he leads them into the service elevator and fixes his own disguise, then stands back and watches the numbers as they go down. ]

[only time could clear his head. he doesn't like being this way either. there's a reason he wore the smile on his lips. at least in disguise he didn't need to put on any persona. he can focus more on keeping up with dabi and following the villain to whatever safe haven he had in mind for the evening.

the villain had deceived plenty on his trail before, so if anyone was following them, maybe they could get away freely for the evening. their follower would be forced to return to the meta army, or a safe house themself. he's sure they're unaware that keigo had been investigating them.

he needs to tell dabi. whether or not the villain will want to bother or believe him is another story. but at least keigo could think two steps ahead when it came to the hero commission and their strategies.

once safely in the elevator, keigo can't help but to keep his gaze fixated on the ground. he can blame it on the disguise, despite that no one was around but the two of them. there might be a camera in the elevator though. they had to be careful. too many under the clutch of the hero commission knew how to read lips. keigo was one of them, but he generally used his feathers to listen in.

speaking of, he felt something off with them. it might be nothing but-

reaching forward, he presses a hand to dabi's arm and stands on tiptoes to lean in close. his mouth is obscured by the villain's hair, and maybe to most, it would look like an affectionate gesture. but if eyes are on them, even through a camera, he had to take whatever steps he could to keep them from being noticed.]

There's ten extra guards on the ground floor, four near the back. And, you should have Twice watch and write the names of anyone who comes in tonight at the base after we lose our tail. We can cross check them against my list.

[he whispers, so quiet that a mic would pick up more of the noises of the elevator than of his words. but he doubts there to be a mic here. it wasn't a suitable location for one. a camera would suffice for the hero commission.

he had considered using his phone to type out the message, but it could be tracked too. in his line of work, only quiet verbal words were the advantage.]

[ dabi tries to clear his head as the numbers fall. there's so much rattling around in his head right now that he doesn't know what to do with. he doesn't want to feel this way anymore. he came into this whole thing tonight so openly, and now he feels ruined by it.

they just have to get out of dodge first and foremost. that's all that really matters right now, and then they'll go from there. if they can get rid of whoever is following them around, it'll buy them some time.

dabi plans on finding that person and giving them a very slow, painful and fiery death.

he gets yanked out of his thoughts when keigo is suddenly very close at his side and touching him. he tenses up hard when he leans in close, his whole body heating up in anger, but he quickly shoves it down. he didn't go through all this shit just to burn them down in an elevator. but then keigo is whispering in his ear and his gaze slides over to keigo's lips when he's done talking. he doesn't feel like looking into his eyes.

dabi knows the guards don't ever see him come and go. he doubts some shithead in the army does either. he has his ways of getting around this building.

when the elevator doors open, they don't stop on the ground floor. they stop on the second, and dabi head's out towards the back of the building to a set of stairs, glancing at keigo. ]

Ya know, not everyone in this building's got a fancy penthouse like you. They gotta do their laundry downstairs.

[hopefully they can discover who it is that’s following them. the sooner they’re gone, the better. keigo has more than a few questions for them. all regarding over the hero commission.

whatever dabi wants to do with them after, he doesn’t care. let the villain have his fun.

keigo was too angry that they put his lover in danger, and told his handlers all his secrets. but, he knows he can’t blame them for everything. he has done his own fair share of deceiving dabi.

the villain tensing and heating his body up gets keigo to flinch. he doesn’t pull away though, because he’s trying to keep anyone from seeing their conversation. he silently says an apology to the villain in his head, knows he doesn’t have the right to come so close like before.

golden eyes catch the way dabi centers on his lips though. anytime before, he would ask for a kiss here. as much as he wants to, he won’t. he can’t. he’s ruined everything between them.

the elevator stoping has keigo pulling away, head bowing as he follows dabi. the second floor? he’ll leave it too dabi to get them out freely.]

Yeah...

[ Once they're outside he'll text Jin. Until then he's just going to keep his focus on one thing. getting them out. he tries not even thinking about his emotions anymore, because it's just too much.

none of this will be fun, not even killing whoever betrayed him. dabi knows he should probably kill keigo too... but he can't. he knows deep down that he can't.

he doesn't feel like talking to him though, so he just keeps going. he glances around before pushing the stairway door open, not bothering to hold it for keigo, but he figures he's close enough behind him anyways, and he quietly heads all the way down to the basement exit where the laundry room is. he pushes the door open just a bit to see if anyone is in there, then keeps going when he sees there isn't. he wonders if keigo has ever even been in here, seeing as he has his laundry room in his penthouse, but dabi knows this place well.

at the very back of the laundry room there's a maintenance doorway and dabi leads them out, pulling his hood just a little further down over his head as they get outside. there's nothing back here but dumpsters and furniture that people have put out, but no guards as far as dabi knows. ]

Why dontcha send out some'a your spying feathers to check the area out?

[he says lowly. he wonders just how often keigo has used those feathers against him. but again he tries to push that thought away before he gets so angry that he'll just want to burn all of them to ash. instead he focuses on moving quickly so they can get out of the area.

now he finally pulls out his phone, messaging Jin. he's gonna have to tell shigaraki something too. he has to warn them, but he's not sure he's ready to go into detail about what keigo just told him. ]

[keigo falls into silence with the villain. he might aggravate the villain if he did, and they honestly should keep silent here. he just follows obediently, staying close enough on dabi's heel. the door the villain slides through is enough for the hero to follow through as well, keigo using a feather to keep it from slamming too loudly before returning it to his body.

like dabi, the hero also fixes his hood a little more over his head. his wings press closer to his body, trying to keep him slim so no one can spot them and pick them out from a crowd. it may work, it may not. if this tail had been following them for awhile, they may know enough of their mannerisms.

keigo's head perks up as dabi speaks, and he nods, despite that he's well behind the villain.]

Ok.

[following dabi's advice, keigo does just that. immediately, he doesn't feel any guards nearby. why so many added on standby was interesting to note, but not enough to question. it was like their tail or maybe his handler had called them in. just in case. but what they're aware of or not is unknown. as long as they act normal, it should be fine.

as dabi pulls out his phone, keigo can't help but drift how they're to explain this. it meant being truthful of their relationship. it also meant hurting his new friends. he won't ask for their forgiveness, not until he's earned it. what they intend to do to him is unknown to the hero. he can't rely on dabi there either. whatever the case, he'll have to take it.

but, he knows the villains aren't like his handlers. so he doesn't fear them in that regard. there's been plenty of heroes who would use assault for their own purpose, but the league is far from it. they're nothing like his handlers.]

[ at least Jin doesn't question Dabi. he knows the villain wants to trust those around them, but they aren't the League, so if Dabi tells him to do something, he'll listen to him before any of those army fucks. hopefully Jin will get a list of names, and Keigo's information will actually be useful.

if Dabi can even trust any of it. he doesn't even know what to think now, and there's still a good chance that this is a trap. he knows that even if he asks Keigo to tell him the truth, he could possibly lie, just like he's been doing all this time.

Dabi doesn't know why he's even remotely believing anything coming out of Keigo's mouth. ]

Anythin'?

[he turns a quick corner, then goes down another street before he ducks into an alleyway, moving into the darkness. there, he stops and hanging back against the wall, grabbing keigo and yanking him against the wall again.]

Try again. Shouldn't be hard to tell if someone's followin' us right now.

[keigo looks back up as the villain asks him if he can see anything. he focuses again, but there’s nothing. nothing that stands out anyway.

there was just too many people that he can’t be accurate.

he almost loses dabi in the process of trying to listen to his feathers. hurriedly, he keeps up with the villain though, practically tripping over his own two feet. as he comes to turn a corner and another, keigo gasps as dabi suddenly snatches him and they’re pressed to the wall.

his feathers are a little sharp from the suddenness of it all, but he relaxes them.

eyebrows furrow but he tries again at dabi’s request, sending more feathers out. with enough distance it’s become a little more clear.]

There’s three of them.

[he frowns, blinking as he focuses a little harder.]

...one is further away. The other two are sticking together, but they’ve been following us since we left. The solo one is keeping their distance, but they’re also watching far enough away.

[ with all the damn extensive training and shit that keigo has told him about, his quirk should definitely be more accurate, and dabi kinda wonders just what in the hell kind of number two he is.

this is what he does, isn't it? he's been taught how to spy, how to pick things out with his eyes closed. dabi doesn't get how any of this happened with how skilled keigo is supposed to be.

but the worst part is when keigo says there's... three of them? it seems like their plans might already be falling apart. there wasn't supposed to be three of them tailing the two if them, just the one. ]

Ya said there was an army member tailin' us. Now you're tellin' me there's three? How the fuck are we supposed to know who they are then?

[he knows it couldn't be the guards. they're never out back, and dabi has always been good at losing them out front, too. he'd know if those stupid fucks were following them. all he was asking about was the tail.

now he's not sure what's going on.]

Far enough away from what? We should've been losin' whoever the army person is by now. They don't know we're in this alleyway.

[dabi shakes his head, then pushes away from the wall and goes to climb on the dumpster to grab on to the fire escape on the side of the building. keigo can fly if he wants to, dabi doesn't give a shit. he's angry all over again that he's getting all this conflicting information when keigo told him one thing and now it's another. ]

Lyin' piece a shit. Why the fuck didn't ya tell me we were bein' followed around as soon as ya found out? You're gonna get us all killed.

[keigo is trying to focus, trying to pinpoint who it is that’s following them, but dabi is definitely making it difficult to figure it out. he frowns, ignoring the angry villain as he listens more closely.

how is he supposed to properly figure this out if dabi continues to angrily demand things while the hero investigates?

but, it makes no sense that they’re being followed by three people. who are the two sticking together? fans? no. no one should have noticed either of them...

but, the solo one. he’s watching from so far, yet his movement makes it seem like he can see them. he has to be the one with the army. how can he watch though...?

unfortunately, dabi is still angrily barking and keigo sighs, trying to follow after the villain.]

I couldn’t say for sure until just now.

[not when they have too many people out and about. he’s only been able to see the three now-

keigo stops as one of the two together speak, and as soon as hears the words ”hawks and the villain are far enough way. do it.”, he leaps up, feathers shredding the jacket in the way to wrap small wings enough around his and dabi’s body. he quickly assumes someone to attack them, but finds himself shocked and worried when there’s a loud explosion near their location. from his position, he can’t gage the destruction over whatever happened, but hot flames destroy some of his scouting feathers as well as debris falling beside them.

screaming fills the air as does smoke. it’s the perfect opportunity to make a run into the crowd, but his duties as a hero have his chest pull towards helping the obvious destruction taking place.

keigo releases the villain, stepping away and using even more feathers to keep any debris from landing on them.]

We have to go! Now!

[ he's only demanding to know what's going on because keigo isn't telling him shit. if they're watching and listening for who is around them, dabi needs to know, and he needs to know fast. this is no time for keigo to finally shut his mouth.

he's only angry about it when it feels like the situation is out of hand, and keigo had clearly been wrong. if only the stupid bird had told him sooner, maybe it wouldn't have gotten this bad. ]

Yeah, sure. Couldn't say anythin' until just now, right?

[he's trying to find another way out of this when suddenly keigo is in his way, wings wrapping around them. he tenses hard, flinching at the loud explosion. he can hear the screams as well, and he wonders if keigo is going to make a break for it. he doesn't though, and dabi grabs his wrist, jumping down to the other side of the brick separating the alleyway, hissing as he lands on his feet. he doesn't know how they're going to get out of here like this.]

Let's go!

[he tugs at keigo anyways, making a run for it. there's no way he's running into a crowd though, he's trying to get them hidden far enough into the dark that they can quickly slip away.]

[keigo’s eyes widen at the grip to his wrist but he doesn’t fight it. the tug only gets the hero to come with him, even if he desperately wants to help the innocent. but he can’t have dabi get caught up in all of it.

he hopes that heroes are close enough to handle the situation.

dabi landing to the ground does get keigo worried. he knows enough now about the villain’s weaknesses and strengths. still, nothing cracks, and dabi continues to pull him along.

keigo spares one last look over his shoulder before they’re further into the darker parts of the alley. more and more, he uses his feathers to scout for their safety, instinctively gripping a little harder to dabi’s hand so he can focus on following their three stalkers.

he’s not sure how long he focuses that, but once he can confirm it, keigo sets his gold eyes on dabi’s frame.]

We lost all three. The two together didn’t follow us though. I heard them confirm we were far away before that explosion. The other tried following but gave up. I..I think they’re heading back to base, but it’s too far away to be positive. I’ll keep more feathers out to be sure we’re not tracked.

[ if keigo wants to go back he's shit out of luck, because dabi won't let go. maybe he should, and it would make all of this easier, but he didn't come this far just to have it all turned around on him again. whether keigo is lying or not, he's coming with dabi.

he wonders just what in the hell that explosion even was, or why it happened when it did. what did they gain from it if they were the ones to set it? didn't they realize it would create the perfect escape? and why were there three? dabi knows he should let Jin know, otherwise even that part of the plan will far apart, but right now he's keeping himself together enough to run, and find streets that will maze around until they can get where they need to go. ]

What the fuck were they tryin'a do? The fuck was that explosion?

[dabi growls under his breath, and then he has to stop, nearly keeling over as he drags them around to the side of a building. he lets go of keigo, bending over as he leans against a wall, trying to catch his breath. he's not made for this kind of thing.]

[keigo is just as curious and unsure as dabi is. why did they have to be far away? what purpose was that? the voices weren’t recognizable either, but that meant little.

it’s just so unknown to him. he hates it. but he can’t exactly look back. keigo didn’t want to leave dabi at all.

not that he believes he can let go. he holds just as tightly to the villain, leaving it to dabi to keep them going so he can keep his focus on their surroundings. they couldn’t afford to be caught or separated at all.

keigo only had so many feathers though...]

I don’t know. When I tried investigating it, it was too hot to tell.

[they come to a stop and once dabi let’s him go, he quickly scans the area. nothing. they’re definitely not being followed now.

keigo looks over at the villain with worried eyes.]

We can walk from here. I don’t feel anyone following us.

[it's suspicious enough that it sets Dabi completely on edge. He doesn't like when things don't make sense like this. Maybe it was a coincidence, but it was very well timed. He really has to warn his people.

Once he catches his breath.

He tries to do it quickly so Keigo doesn't notice how bad shape he's in and then whether he's ready or not he pushes off the wall and starts walking again, heading towards a more specific direction now. If they're not being followed, he can finally lead then somewhere they can crash, at least for the night.]

How often do ya gotta check in with your people before they start thinkin' something's wrong?

[whatever the reason was, keigo feels as if they’ll know more details soon. there has to be more to it, after all. it was too timed to not be.

despite dabi’s poor attempt to conceal how out of shape he is, keigo does notice. he considers offering his feathers, but he knows how weak to motion sickness the villain is too. it’s why he offers that they walk instead.

dabi’s question does earn a small sigh, but he answers truthfully all the same.]

I don’t really check in anymore. Once I joined the meta army, I told them I had to go silent, but honestly, I was just trying to get away from them.

[he talks quietly, as if anyone could hear them. he knows no one is listening. his feathers were still scouting around to be sure.]

...they wanted me to fall back, had set up their plans to exchange intel and funds with their politician friends by using me. So, I offered that Skeptic place tracking devices on me so I could stay. I can reach out to them if you need me to. I’ll..have to offer something in return, for leaving them cold for so long.

[their funds must be a little dry right now, after all.]

[he can warn Shigaraki that something is off. He can tell him the basics of him having to lay low, but that they should be ready to move quickly if they need to get out of there. Trust no one else but their own. At least he hopes they didnt get someone like Toga to nark on them, tho he highly doubts it.

He's not sure what else he can say right now. He still has to figure out how he can work Keigo into this equation without The league wanting to murder him.

Hell, Dabi might still murder him too, depending on just how much of the truth he's actually telling.]

So wait. Skeptic put a fuckin' tracking device in you??

[Dabi stops in his tracks, looking at Keigo like he's crazy. Its like he doesn't even know who is standing in front of him anymore. It pains him how much Keigo just didnt tell him.

But that was the whole point from the start, it seems. Keigo wasn't meant to tell him the truth.]

The fuck would I want you to reach out to em for?? I wanna make sure we don't get caught! What the fuck, Hawks?

[the crazed look gets a worried one from keigo in return. and, as he hears the reaction, it makes his feathers fluff out a bit.]

They didn't-they told me you ordered a mic and camera to be placed on me. Re-Destro told me I had to be tracked, so I smoothed it over with a tracking device instead.

[at the time, he figured it was due to his hero work and they had to be sure. he never complained because it meant staying with dabi and the league, and he wanted that more than being his handler's pet.

now that he thinks about it, he can't help but eye the villain both incredulously and worriedly.

but before he can question what's on his mind, the angry remark gets the hero to step back. he can't help but look a little irritated, feathers ruffled.]

Of course I don't want to contact them. I'm only making sure you don't need something off of them. The whole point is that I want to get away from my tormentors, but if you need intel or whatever, I'll suck it up.

[he crosses his arms, looking away, a little hurt that dabi would assume he'd desire reaching out to his handlers. maybe it hasn't sunk into that thick skull of his? how much further can he explain this fear that drives him in the opposite direction of them? to avoid those screams of anguish earlier just so he can run away? he's no hero. he's nothing now.]

...anyway, give me your jacket real quick.

And of course ya didn't ask me, right? That would've been too much. So do ya got a tracking device in ya or not? Fuckin' answer one question straight for fucks sake.

[he should leave keigo right here. he should leave him here and never look back. all of this keeps getting worse and worse, and keigo is wondering what's on his mind? a tracking device is a big damn deal, that's whats' on his mind.

if they go somewhere now and keigo is being tracked, then what's the point? why is this pro-hero, a spy being so damn stupid about this? dabi is more than confused.

and then keigo has the gal to look hurt, after he assumed dabi wanted him to contact his handlers in the first place. dabi's the one who should be looking hurt right now, for keigo even thinking along those lines.]

Are ya outta your fuckin' mind? Why would I need anythin' off'a them? I didn't fuckin say that with one word! I ain't you. You're the one deep in this shit, not me. I was tryin'a help you, so shut the fuck up about your tormentors and suckin' it up. God, you're such a piece'a shit, ya know that?

[talk about a thick skull. dabi in no way said that, and now keigo is twisting it around to make it seem like dabi was talking about reaching out? this is insane. this is absolutely insane, and dabi feels like he's spiraling deep into this hole keigo is putting both of them in because he can't get his shit straight.]

You gonna tell me why? Or is that some big secret too? You better stop talkin' in circles about this and tell me what the fuck is goin' on right now. Stop leavin' things out. Stop bullshitting me, Keigo!

[Dabi grabs him and slams him against the wall. he's had enough.]

You leave one more fuckin' think out and I'm done with you. I'm leavin' you right here, I don't care if I went back for you. Stop fuckin' lyin' to me and tell me the goddamn truth! Stop givin' me bits and pieces'a shit you should've told me a long time ago!

I brought it up a handful of times! Did it just go over your head?

[okay, maybe he brought it up as a joke or light tease, and maybe he never explicitly said he had a tracking device on him, but even still, he had brought up the tracking part in general. but he knows better. he knows how thick that skull is.

but he didn't want to bite this hand that started to feed him. he finally had earned the trust of dabi and that meant more to him than anything. he could live with the tracking device. with a sharp look, he extended the now small wings, lessening the ruffle to show off the device.]

It's right there. Pierced into my wing.

[a painful experience, but he dealt with worst. like this constant back and forth with him and dabi.

it continues to hurt the more the villain shouts at him. they're not even in a clear area to discuss this, but at least no one is around to listen to them. not that he really focuses much on that because he's listening to dabi's words and trying to not get both hurt and angry by them even further.

he wants to argue and spit back the venom, but he keeps having to remind himself how hurt dabi is feeling too. keigo never really could handle the villain when he was like this though. he has no where to go, and he doesn't want to leave dabi either.

he tries to think of what to say, and as he does, parting his lips to speak, he's so suddenly pinned to the wall. it hurts the sensitive part of his back, and immediately he can't help but react by pushing against dabi's chest instinctively to get distance between them.]

Stop it, Dabi!

[he shouts, averting his gaze to the ground, body trembling. normally he'd fly away to put himself into safety, but he doesn't. there's no more safety. and he wants to be with dabi, but he doesn't know if he can take this much longer. it's tearing them apart and dabi doesn't deserve to be tormented like this. he can just work out a deal with his handlers, right?

he wants to give it his all here though. before turning in such a dangerous card.]

I was..I was just thinking that maybe you're being tracked too. With a mic and camera. That's why I want to see your damn jacket. Your new outfit came from them, didn't it?