Tenko had finished cleaning the ballroom with the servants and was now wondering the garden. When he came upon Dabi sitting outside in a gazebo reading.

"What are you reading?" asked Tenko curiously.

"Nothing." Dabi said bashfully at being found out and slammed the book shut before shoving it aside.

But Tenko had already caught him in the act. "Ah, I see you're reading Cyrano De' Bergerac." commented Tenko upon seeing the title. "Cyrano and Roxane."

"Oh, it's about cadets, duels, swords and battles that sort of thing." shrugged Dabi deflecting what he was reading even though he had been caught red handed.

"Still it's a romance." Tenko said knowingly with a grin nudging Dabi.

"Alright you win." an exasperated Dabi caved in.

Tenko smiled till he became thoughtful for a moment before speaking.

"I haven't had a chance to thank you for saving my life." Tenko said. "I don't think I would've made it out of that situation unharmed or alive at least...Thank you." Tenko commented.

"Well, I can thank you for not leaving me to be eaten by wolves. So I think we're even now." Dabi said with his usual brand of sarcasm.

All of a sudden sounds of laughter and excitement spilled from an open window in the castle. It was the castle servants who were having an excited conversation if the sounds were anything to go by.

"They seem to be a happy group despite everything." Tenko said smiling.

"Yes, I've noticed. Though whenever I enter a room the  laughter always seems to die and everything goes quiet." Dabi said forlornly. "I always feel I'm ruining the vibe as it were." 

"I know how you feel. The villagers where I live think I'm a weirdo. Every time I come into town to run errands or buy foods they whisper behind my back." Tenko said in thought a slight frown on his face.

"You hardly strike me as a weirdo." Dabi said truthfully.

"Remember when you asked me if I had had any suitors before?" Tenko asked.

"Oh, that. Well I was being all bark and no bite at the time." Dabi said with a chuckle feeling as if he were being called out and rubbing the back of his neck.

"The truth is I have one. A suitor that is." Tenko said.

Upon hearing this Dabi couldn't help but feel devastated as he felt his eyes go wide in disbelief. No, it couldn't be true. Tenko couldn't be harboring feelings for another could he? In all the time they have spent together it had never come up till now. But then again it just went to prove he didn't know everything about Tenko. 

Of course someone as smart, talented, and beautiful as Tenko would have a sweetheart back home. He was so stupid thinking he had a chance and that the spell could be broken.

He cleared his throat before speaking and looking back up at Tenko. "Oh, why haven't you ever spoken-" Dabi was cut off when Tenko placed his hand over his mouth taking him by surprise once more.

"Rest assured the feeling isn't mutual. He only wants me as a trophy or a toy something he can show off. A pretty accessory. He doesn't want me as a person. We have next to nothing in common. I'm just prey to him something to be conquered or controlled." Tenko said impassioned.

Dabi upon hearing all this felt a hundred pound weight leave his shoulders as he expressed a feeling of relief. He wasn't holding someone's betrothed hostage. And at the same time he was angry that some asshole was treating Tenko in this manner. He could've said a lot of things after hearing this information.

Instead he gave a nod mumbling he sounded like a real jerk.

"The worst part is he is the village hero. You see twelve years ago he was in the army and helped save the village and ever since then he has been worshipped and adored by everyone. It's terrible really, the way he behaves living in the past like he is still in the army. He hasn't fought a battle in years and the way everyone encourages him still." Tenko said getting upset.

"Your village sounds awful." Dabi said aloud in observation.

Tenko turned to him and smiled. "It really is."

Dabi was glad to see Tenko smiling back at him. He wanted to always see that smile and would protect it if worse came to worse.

"I almost prefer being here than being in my village." Tenko said smiling.

Dabi wasn't sure what to think of that statement. He had hoped Tenko would stop viewing time with him in the castle as a punishment. He wanted Tenko to see him as a person and not as his keeper.

"Well their loss our gain." Dabi said not sure what else to say in reaction to that statement.

Dabi gazed at Tenko when a thought that had been bothering him for awhile came up. And since they were being so truthful at the moment why not ask. Dabi took on a serious tone in preparation for what he was about to ask next.

"Tenko about your scars. Did someone hurt you?" Dabi asked out of concern. He had been meaning to ask for sometime but out of being polite and not wanting to embarrass Tenko he had remained quiet. He hoped they weren't caused by Tenko's father as they seemed to have a loving father-son relationship. He'd hate to learn Tenko had been in an abusive home life.

Tenko brought a hand to the scar on his lip subconsciously. "Yes, I suppose they are hard not to notice." he said with a sad smile.

"It's all a bit hazy. My memories I mean.  I remember having them when I was young but at the same time...I don't remember how or by whom." Tenko said with a far off look on his face.

"I've asked papa about them but he always ends up looking sad and avoids the topic when I bring it up. I think it might have to do with my birth family." Tenko said.

"Oh, I didn't know you were adopted." Dabi said feeling sheepish. Inside he was cursing himself for not learning this earlier.

"Oh, it's alright. It's not like I tell everybody. He's been my father since I was a young boy. My early memories are pretty much gone. I don't remember my family only bits and pieces really. It would be nice to remember them." Tenko said with a wistful look.

"Unfortunately, the opposite stands for me. I remember things from my past I long to forget." Dabi said. "I remember my family. I was the eldest child of four I had a sister and two younger brothers. My mother was very beautiful, kind, but also very sad. My father was a tyrant obsessed with wealth and power. I was his heir. Whatever shortcomings he had were thrust onto my shoulders to overcome and surpass." Dabi said bitterly.

"It broke my mother she was sent off to a nunnery when I was ten. A few months later my younger siblings followed suit. I was left alone with that monster. Nothing I ever did was good enough for his standards he threatened to replace me with my brothers all the time. I did the only thing I could I pleased him." Dabi said lowering his head. "I know my father is dead for a fact as for the rest of my family..."

Dabi tapered off and became quiet not wanting to think or finish that sentence.

Tenko heard everything Dabi had told him and took it all in to process. To be perfectly honest he was speechless even the bits and pieces he had gleaned from the servants hadn't prepared him for this. Maybe this was part of the reason Dabi had turned out this way.

Dabi thought long and hard a moment an angry look on his face before he looked up calmly. "Maybe I can help you, Tenko. Do you feel like traveling?" Dabi asked a surprised and curious Tenko.

Later in the library Dabi pulled out a book from a locked desk drawer. Blowing the dust off the cover and the pages before opening to a bright and shiny page of featuring a map.

"My father was obsessed with being powerful and wielding magic. This book was something else he had made a deal with the sorcerer to possess. Now it is mine. Though it is more a curse than a blessing really. Taking me to places I do not belong nor ever could. Not as this creature." Dabi said bitterly gazing at his claws.

He gazed at Tenko before reaching for his hand silently asking for permission. Tenko placed his slender hand into Dabi's massive paw. Who held delicately as if it were a birds egg.

"You place your hand here and then think of where you most want to be and it will take you there." Dabi said.

"Couldn't you have gone to see your family. Your mother?" Tenko asked. Recalling the previous conversation where he had gleaned more about Dabi.

"No, I couldn't possibly. She wouldn't see her son she would see a monster. A beast. Why it would drive her further insane." Dabi said sadly when he thought of it.

Dabi then took up Tenko's hand and laid it flat within the book his own paw resting on top gently. "Think of a place you always wanted to see. You'll find it in your minds eye and feel it in your heart." 

Soon they were transported to what had been the Shimura ancestral home. Now it was no more than an abandoned wreck. A damaged family portrait hung in what had once been a sitting room it hung crooked on the wall. Tenko looked it as slowly memories returned to him of his mother, father, and older sister. 

Dabi looked about curiously wondering where they were. Part of him had imagined Tenko wanting travel some place more exotic. "Where are we?" Dabi asked looking at Tenko closely.

"This was my families home from when I was a child, my birth family." Tenko said as he looked over the damaged furniture. "I had a mother and a father, an older sister, and my grandparents."

"Oh, I see. It must have been lovely." Dabi commented feeling awkward now.

"Not really it was suffocating mostly. My father was very particular about how things were done and how we behaved. We all lived on eggshells around him lest we suffer his wrath." Tenko said with a weak smile.

"My mother was loving and kind to me. As for my sister she was the ringleader in getting us into trouble." Tenko said smiling fondly.

Tenko saw the charred remains of the portrait of his grandmother laying on the floor. Which his father had kept hidden from view. He would become furious if anyone gazed upon it.

"This was my other grandmother." Tenko gestured with his hand. "We knew so little about her. My father refused to speak of her keeping her portrait hidden from us. He was worried we would turn out like her. Apparently she was very out spoken and rebellious for her time."

Dabi smiled "Sounds like someone else I know." 

Tenko turned towards him smiled as well. 

Looking about the home and how it had been damaged Tenko frowned. "What happened here?" Tenko asked aloud looking about.

"Looks like a fire happened." Dabi commented on the charred remains.

It was then a flashback hit Tenko as a result of the books magic. It was so long ago, a man had came to the manor as a guest. He said he had known his grandmother. Father did not approve of him but it would have been against social customs to turn him away. He was a guest at dinner and had became acquainted with the family. Following his visit he paid several other visits to the house. He had been a strange man but nonetheless polite he took a particular interest in Tenko. Often commenting how like his grandmother he was. 

It soon became apparent the man's visits were premeditated as he wanted Tenko. Not Tenko necessarily what he wanted was Tenko's soul for his dark magic which he practiced. The family was unaware of this. He promised to give the boy a worthy education under his wing. Tenko's father refused time and time again.

The man no longer patient and tired of being denied what he wanted kidnapped Tenko. The Shimura residence went up in flames killing the family. Tenko was beside himself with grief and fear of this man who had acted friendly but had been a fraud from the start. He was brought to his estate. 

Kurogiri had been a servant of this man until he saw him curse the Shimura name and kidnap Tenko. Kurogiri did not always agree with his master but he served him nonetheless as his late father had. When he learned he was to watch over Tenko and what would happen to the boy. Kurogiri made a plan and a few days later he took Tenko and ran that night. They had remained in hiding as they escaped and kept running until they came across the village of Conques.

There Kurogiri began a new life with his son Tenko.

Tenko told all of this to Dabi who in turn looked as shocked as Tenko

"I understand now. Why he was so scared all those years. Why we stayed in the village despite no one accepting us." Tenko said. His eyes filled with unshed tears at the thought of it all.

"I am sorry I called your father a thief. The only crime he ever committed was caring for you too much." Dabi said out of guilt for his previous behavior.

Dabi looked at Tenko as he looked about he looked so small and vulnerable in this moment. Dabi longed to reach out and pull him into an embrace and reassure him everything would be alright. But he abstained he didn't feel he had earned that right yet.

Instead Tenko looked with a sad smile. "Let's go back." he said.

Dabi nodded in agreement. They were transported back to the castle library where Tenko excused himself to be with his thoughts.

As Tenko left the servants emerged.

"Master what happened? What did you do you punk? Sorry. Tenko looks upset." Twice asked jumping between his personalities.

"Yes, the boy did look most distressed running off to his room earlier." Sako observed.

Dabi sighed. "He learned or remembered a part of his past today and it upset him. I believe he will be alright. He just needs some space." 

"Well you should do something to cheer him up." cried Toga.

"Perhaps I could pay a visit to what you have been working on all week." Dabi said with a shrug.

"What a grand idea we will come and get you when the time is right." Sako said,

The next day Dabi was in the library reading when he was urged by Toga and Atsuhiro to visit the castle ballroom.

"Master isn't it time you paid a visit to the ballroom." Sako said smugly.

"Yeah, Dabi-chan come to the ballroom." Toga urged.

Dabi knew at once something was up as they only seemed to approach him when they were conspiring against him. "Alright, I give. Let's go to the ballroom" Dabi said setting his book aside.

Dabi knew something had been up with the ballroom for sometime as Tenko and the servants were often heard talking within. Dabi wanting to give him space had let them be. Dabi was admittedly curious as to what was going on in the ballroom. Last he had set eyes on it it had been covered in dust and cobwebs. The furniture and chandeliers covered in white sheets.

Coming to the door Dabi gently knocked. "Come in." came Tenko's voice.

Dabi pushed both doors open stepping into the ballroom and he had to admit he was a bit speechless. The ballroom was spotless not a speck of dust or wisp of cobweb anywhere. The white sheets had been removed revealing the elegant furnishings concealed beneath. The chandeliers and reflecting mirrors sparkled in the sunlight. And standing in the middle of it all wearing a shy smile, hands behind his back, stood Tenko.

Dabi thought that Tenko looked beautiful standing their shyly amongst the sunlight and colorful iridescent reflecting off the crystals of the chandeliers.

"I hope you don't mind they said you would be pleased if we cleaned up the ballroom. You do like it don't you?" Tenko said smiling shyly and also anxiously because what if Dabi became upset.

Dabi accessed Tenko and couldn't help but think how charming Tenko was to worry about his opinion. He was glad to see him with a smile after yesterday. Honestly everything Tenko did was wonderful in his eyes.

"I think it looks wonderful. Even better than what I remember." Dabi commented.

A collective sigh of relief was shared by Tenko and the servants.

Dabi feeling bold went on to say "Tenko you look so beautiful here we really should dance sometime." 

"What a wonderful idea Master." cried Sako excitedly. "Well have a dance right this very evening."

"Yes, a dance following a candlelit dinner." Toga said joining the enthusiasm.

"Maestro Sceptic will be sure to play romantic music for you both to dance to." cried Sako.

"Master, gentleman it would be my honor." The piano Sceptic replied with a bow.

"Now wait a minute when I said-" Unfortunately Dabi was ignored and drowned out by overly enthusiastic servants.

"Well be sure to have you both looking the part as well. We'll need time to get you both dressed for tonight." Hawks said as he had been encouraged to help.

"It does sound like it could be fun." Tenko said blushing and that did it. Dabi was sold on the idea at once.

"Splendid! Well begin the preparations at once." Spinner cried.

"Wait a minute all of you. Give me a moment with Tenko first." Dabi said.

The servants gave knowing looks and smirks as they stepped away from the two.

"Well then until tonight, Tenko." Dabi said with a bow.

"Yes. Tonight." Tenko replied with a smile and a slight blush.

"Yes, you should both go get ready." Toga cried shooing them out of the ballroom. Which wasn't hard as neither wanted to be cut by her blade. They each separated to their respective bedchambers.