"Pardon? My dear, I apologise, but...I'm not quite sure I heard you correctly..?"

Mr. Compress uncrossed his legs and leaned forward, the armchair creaking slightly with his movement. Clearing my throat, I twiddled my thumbs in my lap. I was nervous enough, and having to repeat myself wasn't helping.

"I asked...if you, or anybody you know around here...have the legal qualifications to officiate a marriage..?" I winced as I spoke, afraid of his reaction. He was the only person I felt that I could ask. At least without immediate judgement.

"I'll admit, becoming an ordained marriage officiant online is almost embarrasingly easy...and yes, technically I am legally able to do so...but may I ask why you are inquiring..?" It was just the two of us in one of the communal living areas, seated across from one another. It wasn't completely awkward, but still a little uncomfortable.

Clearing my throat, I looked down into my lap, toying with the makeshift ring Dabi had forged for me.
"D..Dabi and I...wanna get married...I don't know what's going to happen once Tomura gets back, but...I just want it to be real. As soon as possible. We decided to figure something out once we got back from our time away..."

The man before me hummed, pulling his mask away from his face to reveal yet another covering. At least now I could see his eyes, which locked onto mine.
"That's an incredibly big step, young lady. Are you sure this is what you want? Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to dissuade you. I'm just curious about your thoughts."

The material of my skirt scrunched in the grip of my hands as I nodded firmly, not a moment of hesitation.
"I know I'm young, and that it's fast...but I know what I want. Even if I did have a chance to go back to the life I had just started, I'd choose Dabi. He needs me, and I need him. I love him..."

There was a long silence, and I sat on the edge of my seat, almost afraid to hear what Mr. Compress had to say about it. His eyes were sharp and serious as he stares into mine, and I gulped when he took a breath to start speaking.
"You do realise the legal age to bewed without parental consent is twenty, don't you, (Y/N)?" He questioned, finally leaning back.

Shit...I forgot about that...

He allowed me to stew in my mild panic for a few moments before his lips twitched up into a smirk, a soft chuckle lightening the mood.
"Lucky for you, the law means naught to people like us. I'm sure you're familiar enough with your parents' signatures to forge their consent, right?"

When I launched myself over and wrapped my arms around his neck, the man yelped, but quickly settled into gentle laughter as he patted my head.
"Will you really do it?! Atsuhiro, thank you! You're the best!"

It had been a long time since I had felt such pure excitement. My original nature was back in full force in that moment, and my quirk manifested a bushy puppy tail, which wagged furiously behind me.
"Where is the husband to be, anyway? I'm surprised he didn't approach me himself and threaten me to take part."

Pulling back, I sat back down, barely able to keep myself still.
"He's off talking to Skeptic about something or other. He didn't really tell me. All he said was something about headlines and, uh...I think he mentioned a computer?"

It had been a couple of days since my encounter with Kirishima, and we had both been busy. I had been training and trying to work on splicing dna with my quirk, and Dabi had been hounding Skeptic about something unspecified. The only time we had been able to spend together was late at night, but we made it count. Talking until we passed out, curled up in our shared bed.

"Well, once you speak to him, let me know when you wish to tie this knot. I love a good show." Mr. Compress chuckled, and he flinched when I nearly tackled him again, catching myself on the edge of my seat.
"As soon as possible! We already discussed it! Whenever you can!"

Okay, settle down, (Y/N), ol' girl. Calm thy farm.

Kicking back in the armchair, he rested his cheek against his knuckles, an amused smile visible from beneath his balaclava.
"Alright, alright. All you need are two witnesses, preferably over the age of eighteen...but hey, it doesn't particularly matter in our situation, does it? I already have a feeling I know who you'll choose. Hi-"
"Hisoka and Toga!"

Dabi had made one thing abundantly clear. He didn't want it to be a big affair. At all. Of course, Mustard was always going to be present, due to our unofficial kinship, and I had requested Toga for a few reasons. We were close, but also because I didn't exactly want her to turn around and have a weaponised tantrum.

"Why am I not surprised?" Mr. Compress snickered, fingers tapping against his patterned mask that sat upon the armrest.
"I'd like to include Jin, but with how close he is to Hawks..." I just couldn't trust him not to accidentally say anything. My trust in the winged 'hero' was still lacking. I was starting to come around, just a little, but after he had tried so hard to talk me out of everything, I couldn't trust him with information like this.

"Oh, I completely understand, darling heart. I'm sure Twice will understand, eventually. We can keep this hush hush for the meantime." With a wink, the man held a finger up to his lips, but before I could respond, my burner phone began to ring. Pulling it from my pocket, my shoulders slumped, and I stood up.
"Speak of the devil..." Rolling my eyes, I answered. "I'm a little caught up at the moment, Hawks. What is it?"

"Just once I'd like a warm greeting, kid! Like, hey, Hawks! How are you! Oh, I'm great, kid! Y'know, that kind of thing?" When I didn't respond, I heard his sigh crackle through the receiver. "Right, well, anyway...I had a brain spark! Tomorrow, bright and early, I'm gonna take you out for some one on one time! You and me, birds of a feather, for some quality private training! Sound good?"

Raking a hand down my face, I pinched the bridge of my nose, leaving the room and wandering over to the hall window.
"Sounds kind of perverted, when you put it like that..." I replied curtly, hopping up onto the window sill and making myself comfortable.

"Yeesh, kid...What happened to the excited little you who declared she was my biggest fan when we first met?" I could almost visualise his pout, and I gazed out over the grassy property.
"As a wise man once said...Never meet your heroes."

On the other end, I could hear the wind pass by as he flew along, likely out on patrol.
"Not gonna lie, that stung a little. Seriously, though. I want to show you some stuff I learned that could really sharpen your skills. I can come pick you up later, and you can even stay in my guestroom. Nobody will see you. Then, first thing in the morning, we can get to work!"

To a degree, I still admired Hawks. Not as much as I used to, though. That adoration had been blind and shallow. Having seen him grow, following his journey through the word of the media, I had been swept up in what they had wanted Japan to believe. Now, having gotten to know the man personally, I saw him for what he was. At least part of what he was.

I knew a dog when I saw one. I had experienced the same thing first hand. My quirk had turned me into Shigaraki's loyal pet, and even though I still cared for and followed him, I could now see how I had acted. Hawks, however, was definitely still a pet. He almost seemed scripted, down to expressions.

"Sorry, but I've got a previous engagement. Maybe another time." Yawning, I closed my eyes and rested my head against the glass of the window, the warmth feeling nice against my skin.
"H..hey, come on, kid! I don't get this kind of free time often!" He complained, but his tone was different to his usual whining.

Why so eager..?

Shaking it off, I decided he was just planning on another lecture. Every time we were alone, he subtly pushed and pried, trying to change my views. They weren't going to change, and I didn't want him to put a damper on my mood.
"No, sorry. Not this time. Maybe when I don't have important work to do."

My phone crackled again, and beneath the harsh noise, I swear I heard him mutter something.
"Yeah, alright, kid. Fair enough. Just thought I'd try and do something good for you...Well, I better jet! Still on duty, after all! Catch ya later, (Y/N)-igator!"

I all but tossed my phone into my lap when he hung up on me, blowing a raspberry into the air. The training would have helped, but it could wait. There was only one thing on my mind, and that was what tomorrow would bring. Me and Dabi, husband and wife. Partners in crime, at least for the time being. If we succeeded in changing the world, who knew what the world had to offer us?

All I did know, was that whatever it was, Dabi and I were ready for it...

.
.
.
.
.
.
***I forced this out because I felt bad.
Sorry if there's any errors, because I have minor heat exhaustion and a migraine. It's making me hella dizzy and it isn't fun.

The weather is spicy and I don't approve.

Next Time: Do you take this crispy bitch to be your unlawfully wedded husband..?***