A week had passed since the symbol of peace was lost, and a week since I had last seen Dabi. After spending two days in the hospital; refusing visitors, I was finally released and sent home with nothing more than a prescription for some strange-smelling ointment for the marred, stinging mark on my body. Amajiki and Fatgum were the only two people I would let into my house, but only because they made me feel calm. Fat would bring bag-loads of treats, and Amajiki would just sit quietly by my side. Kirishima continued to stop by, but I seldom let him stay long. I cared for him greatly, but he was too protective. He sounded like that damn otome game; asking if I'd eaten or slept enough. The only thing on my mind was Dabi, and it made me feel nauseous. I didn't know if he was even alive because nobody had contacted me.

It was my final day off school, and I decided that, instead of moping around the house, I would go out and pick up some groceries. It was rather busy outside, but being out in the air was nice. A good change from being cramped up in my room watching Kamisama Kiss for the fifteenth time in a row. I hadn't even dared to use my quirk since the Kamino incident; the mere thought making me shudder. The doctors had suggested that I take a break from heroics for a while, but that just made me feel worse. It was like I was stuck in between; a limbo, between good and bad.

This is doing my head in..! I just gotta...not worry about it!

Often, I would pump myself up in my thoughts, but this time it didn't exactly do the trick. I attempted to take my mind off things by turning my attention to the window of one of my favourite bakeries. Cakes and pastries sat upon polished golden racks; each one looking flawless. Apart from one, lone bundt cake. It was a little deformed, and it looked like it had been under-cooked; definitely baked by one of the apprentices and only put in the viewing window to up their confidence. I sighed as my eyes trailed across its sunken top.

Mood...

"(N/N)!" I squealed in surprise as something, or rather, someone, leapt upon my back and squeezed me tight. The voice was familiar, but the face I was seeing in the reflection of the window wasn't.
"Uh...h..hey! How's it going...umm..?" I picked my brain for her name; a round, cherub face with long, ebony hair tied back into two curled pigtails. It was her eyes though; a cat-like topaz that made her so awfully familiar. The mysterious girl puffed her cheeks out and clung harder; making me wheeze.
"Silly, (N/N)! Don't even recognise your best friend!" She moved her lips towards my warm and giggled quietly. "Hi~mi~ko!"
"T..Toga..?!" I spluttered in a hushed shout when she finally released me, and I spun around to sweep her up in my own constricting embrace. "I'm so glad you're okay! I was so worried!" Toga simply laughed as I swung her around, and she beamed that bright, somewhat psychotic smile of hers.
"Never been caught before, so why start now?" She chuckled; grabbing my hand. "Big Sis Magne is at the park! C'mon!" Without even letting me respond, she sped off with me in tow. I was concerned about them being out in public like this, but I was also incredibly relieved. Villains or not, I held them dear.

When we reached said park, I spotted Magne immediately. She was bidding farewell to some rather broad woman with blond pigtails before turning around and squealing loudly.
"OH MY GOSH, IS THAT MY SWEET LITTLE KITTY CAT?!" At least I had time to brace myself before I was swept up in a bone-crushing hug. My feet weren't touching the ground, but I held her back as tightly as I could. It only really just dawned on me how much I had missed them.
"I'm so glad you're alright! When I saw you were unconscious I..." I trailed off as she placed me down; smoothing my stray strands of (H/C).
"Nothing to worry about, sugar. I may look like a delicate flower, but I'm tough." She flexed a little before ushering me to walk alongside her; Toga moving beside me. "I'm so sorry for what that awful little man did to you...Are you alright?" My hand traced over where the dark, ugly scar blemished my skin beneath my shirt, but I smiled at her nonetheless.
"Just a little scar...No biggie!" I giggled as Toga linked her arm with mine, I peered up at the copper-haired woman to the other side. "Is...Dabi alright..?"

Please...

Softening, she took my other arm; making me feel rather unbalanced as we strolled along.
"He's healthy, if that's what you're asking. Though, mentally..." She cringed; her lips tweaking. "...I never thought I'd say this, but that kid flew further off the rails than I thought possible..." My heart dropped, but at least I knew he was alive as well. Though the fact that he hadn't even bothered to contact me hurt.
"I..I'm glad he survived..." I murmured; ignoring the fact that Toga had flipped my wrist and began trailing her fingertip across the pattern of my veins.
"If you ask me, I think he's just scared you'll blame him for what Tomura did, sweetheart." Magne said wisely; leading us out of the park and down the street. "When he came to he went absolutely ballistic! Fractured poor Jun's nose in two places when he couldn't tell him where you were or if you were alright...He really cares about you."

Then...why..?

"I..I'd like to see him, Sis..!" I almost yelled at her, but she understood I was just nervous. "Please!" She paused; looking to Toga, who was completely oblivious to our conversation, then back to me.
"Honey, you know that Tomura will be there...right..? Besides...he hasn't exactly been frequenting the new base..." Her hesitation was understandable, but I wasn't willing to let some crusty buttflap scare me away.
"Th..that's fine! I...made a promise to you guys, anyway! Please, Sis? I'll turn into a dog and follow you home if I have to!" My determination seemed to amuse her, as she chortled behind her hand before beginning to walk again.
"If that's what you want, lovebug! Part of Twice has been asking about you, too, so it'll be nice to at least make half of him happy." Her fondness for Bubaigawara hadn't slipped past me, even in the short time I had spent with the league. She'd always be talking to him, and I'd seen her hug him at least three times. I adored how close some of them had become.
"Ooh, Yay! (N/N)'s coming for a play date!~"

---------------------------------------------

Out of everyone in the league, I had never thought that Spinner would be the first one to wrap me in a hug. His scaled skin was quivering as he crushed me against his chest and rocked me almost violently back and forth.
"FORGIVE ME, KID! I DIDN'T WANNA DO THAT!" He wailed, and he barely settled down when I patted him gently on the back.
"Of course I forgive you, Spinny...It was that or turning into dust..." I sighed; pulling back and smiling sweetly. This only seemed to turn on his sprinkler system, as he began to bawl and yanked me back in.
"WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU SO PURE?!"
"I'm glad to see you remembered us, Ms. (L/N). Things have been droll without your positive energy." Kurogiri greeted me from where he was standing; right beside a hooded Shigaraki, who was hunched over a small, battered table. Their new hideout was gloomy and bare, but I knew they didn't have many choices. It seemed to be some sort of abandoned warehouse; cliché, but fitting.
"Of course I did! I'm glad to see you back on your feet, Kurogiri." After managing to transfer a blubbering Spinner to Magne, I approached the table and swallowed as I was met with carnelian eyes. "You too, Shigaraki. I'm glad you're okay..."

Am I, though?

He didn't look convinced, but he nodded to me anyway; uncut nails raking down his neck.
"Yeah...You too, I suppose..." He muttered before turning his attention back to whatever he had previously been reading, which was strewn chaotically over the surface he leant on.
"If you're looking for your boyfriend, he hasn't been here in like three days..." Twice appeared from somewhere; who even knows, before he twitched and began jumping around excitedly. "PRINCESS MONSTER TRUCK! YOU'RE BACK!"
"Hey, Twice!" I chuckled; happy to let him distract me from the villain leader. "Well, if any of you see him soon, could you please tell him I'd like to hear from him?"
"Why don't'cha just sleep over and wait for him?!" Toga latched on again and began to swing from my arm, but I was hesitant.
"I...start back at school tomorrow...I'm not sure it'd be a great idea..."

Mum and dad won't be home again...and dad has Karma and Nagisa with him at the clinic...But I don't even have my uniform...

"If you wish to stay the night, Ms. (L/N), I would be happy to transport you to your home to retrieve any supplies you may need, then close to UA in the morning." Kurogiri offered; using his finger to swipe a thick layer of dust from the wall. The poor, spectral man just couldn't seem to catch a break.
"O..only if you're sure...Thank you..." I smiled; surprisingly timidly, before I was already being lead out of the room.
"You can wait for him in his room, if you'd like! Can't have Toga guilting another gallon of blood out of you, can we?" Magne laughed; only half joking as she guided me away from the group of villains and into a dank, shabby hallway. Three doors down to the right, we stopped and she opened it up. Metal hinges creaked and complained, and I peered into the room. It was completely barren, save for the single mattress and the small pile of obsidian clothing to the side. The only thing that even resembled a window was a small, rusty grate close to the ceiling, and I could see more concrete and a sliver of sunlight pouring through.

This...isn't any way to live...

"You're welcome to join us whenever you want, chook. I'm about to watch Jun kick Tomura's ass at checkers again! I just thought you might want to take a peek under that sexy jacket you bought him..." Magne stroked my (H/C) hair fondly before closing the door; leaving me to my growing curiosity. Slowly, I approached the pile of clothing as though it would possibly come alive and make a move to attack. Carefully, I bent down and removed the familiar jacket aside to reveal something even more familiar. My old teddy bear.

(Creepy vintage shit is my aesthetic)

I hadn't even noticed (Bear name) had been missing, but there it was; sitting atop the mound of black, charred material. Dabi must have taken (B/N) during one of his visits, but it surprised me greatly. Out of everything he could have chosen, why did he choose this? It was hardly a pretty bear; roughly loved and rather ugly, as my mother hadn't been the world's greatest sewer, but it meant a lot to me. It also meant a lot that Dabi chose (B/N) out of everything. I scooped it up carefully, along with the jacket, and went to curl up on the mattress. It was lumpy, and I could pinpoint every place where a spring had sprung, but it was his, and that comforted me. Cuddling my bear and his jacket close to my chest, I closed my eyes and let out a long, sad sigh.

Please...just come back to me...You can't just...disappear again, Dabi...

.
.
.
.
.
***ASKDBDKSNDKSPHH I'M SORRY I HAVEN'T UPDATED FOR AGES! I got super distracted by my Kirishima x Reader 'Sempiternal' oof. Sorry if this seems rushed/boring/shitty etc***