[A/N: Just a heads up, CW/TW for throwing up. It's just Dabi having a bit of motion sickness but if you want to skip it, skip from the line: running straight for the bathroom (which thank fuck the flat even had one), slamming the door behind him, to the line: A sense of familiarity hit Dabi. It's nothing graphic or whatever but I thought I'd still leave a warning.]

"I can't believe you!"

"Good. You don't have to."

"Do you know how dangerous and stupid that was!"

"Yes."

"You could have been hurt!"

"But I wasn't."

"Deku, I swear to every fucking god out there if you don't stop with the snarky replies I will burn your shitty spaghetti arms!"

"Counting on it."

He screamed. Dabi was ready to punch a wall in at this point. One can imagine his disappointment and anger when he did end up seeing Deku on the news the day after the USJ incident. He'd immediately raced home and called the little twerp only to find him already in his flat, waiting to be scolded.

He was-- fuck-- he was worried. He doesn't get worried! This is new and weird and he already hates it. When he saw Deku on the television, swinging around in the air on the pole he'd trained him to use, he'd panicked. What else could he do? Here was this kid who'd managed to worm his way past Dabi's walls and make him care (gross) but he has to be the most reckless, self-sacrificing kid he knows and it drives Dabi insane. Has he ever heard of the words'self preservation'? Dabi's going to blink one day and the next thing he'll know, the kid will have broken every bone in his body.

What's worse is the gremlin doesn't seem at all fazed by his disappointment. In fact, Dabi's willing to bet he's enjoying watching him get riled up and yell at him.

A sigh escaped his lips as he pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to calm down. He pressed his hands together and pointed them at Deku. "Why. . . are you so difficult?"

"I'm not difficult," Deku argued, sinking deeper into Dabi's beanbag. "I'm just special."

"Is that what your mommy told you," Dabi mocked, jutting out his bottom lip in a teasing pout before going back to scowling. "This is serious Deku! It's dangerous to run into a villain attack like you have any idea what you're doing! Leave that shit to the pros!"

Deku placed his hands behind his head, that shit eating grin reappearing on his face. "I thought we didn't trust the pros?"

"You- I- No!" He fisted his hands in his hair tugging on it. "You make me want to gauge my eye's out. Scratch that- I want to cut your tongue off so you can never annoy me with your stupid words ever again."

"Empty threat but go off."

"That's it. You're fucking dead!"

Dabi dived forward as Deku's eye's widened and he leaped up from the bean bag in a desperate attempt to get away fast enough. Dabi glared at him as he chased him to the other side of the flat. Deku stood across from him, hands resting on the table Dabi had stolen the other week. He slowly moved around it in sync with him. Dabi hates tables for this very reason. When he was younger Natsuo used to taunt him by staying on the other side of him at all times. They'd end up running around the table for hours until either Fuyumi got them to calm down or Enji came into the room and yelled at them for being childish.

The thought faded from his mind as he jumped across the table, ears just barely registering Deku's scream before the kid was flattened under him when he was tackled by Dabi's arms. The kid squirmed and swatted at him. Dabi ignored the attempts that were stronger than he expected. Training must be paying off. He planted a knee on his chest, pinning down his legs with one of his own so they'd stop coming to kick him in the back and pressed a hand onto his face.

"Gerroff asswole," Deku tried to say but clearly struggled with Dabi's hand on his face.

Sticking his tongue out at him in victory, Dabi removed his hand only to wag a finger in his face. "You," he said, "are a reckless idiot who needs to promise me you won't do stupid shit without letting me know first."

Deku rolled his eyes but nodded. "Fine. I'll warn you but you can't stop me from doing what I want."

"If I can't stop you, might as well join you," he replied before clambering off of the kid. He held out a hand to help him up. Deku grabbed it, falling right into his trap as Dabi flipped him over his shoulder. The kid groaned in pain of the floor. Dabi leaned over him and said, "That's for going to the USJ without telling me."

"I hate you," Deku grumbled quietly as he pushed himself into a sitting position on the floor.

He snickered and plopped himself down on the now vacant bean bag. "Sure you do, kid."

In all honesty, the anger had faded from him faster than usual. He found himself less upset about the USJ incident and more... proud? Is that the word? Dabi felt an urge to rip his heart out and throw it onto the street. He isn't sure what to make of these weird feelings. He'd never been proud of anyone before, not that he can remember at least. It's strange.

"Hey, um, Dabi?"

Dabi redirected his attention back to the kid. "What's up?"

He didn't fail to notice the way the kid was playing with his hands in his lap. The nervous habit caused Dabi to frown (frown more than normal that is). What's got him all fidgety? He thought he was getting more confident around him, cocky and teasing even.

"Uh, well. Would you mind if I asked something personal?" He still wasn't meeting Dabi's gaze.

Narrowing his eye's suspiciously, he questioned, "How personal?"

"Very?"

An exasperated sigh left his lips. He's already told the kid a lot, it's not like answering a few more questions would do much harm. He trusts him, as stupid as it is. He's a reckless idiot but he's smart and knows when to shut up about things. Dabi gestured for him to go on, feigning annoyance. "Fine. Ask away."

"Right, uh. You know how you told me about how for a year after you ran away you didn't use your quirk?" He nodded. "Well, it got me thinking a bit, maybe too much so correct me if I'm wrong. It's just, your body seems to have been made for a cold quirk, ice perhaps and... your quirk has to do with flames. Between that and your hatred for Endeavor, I was wondering if-- and this is going to sound stupid and-"

"Just spit it out," Dabi snapped impatiently. He knew if he let the kid ramble he wouldn't ever get to the point.

A worry line became prominent between his eye's. He finally met Dabi's gaze, his green iris' holding such a seriousness it seemed he was trying to convey he wan't messing around. He seemed to want Dabi to take this seriously. "Are you Touy-"

The sound of ringing broke through his words. He raised an eyebrow as he looked to where the sound was coming from. His eye's landed on Deku's phone sitting next to him. He glared at the little device hoping his intense stare would make it shut up. He wanted to hear what Deku had to say. He needed to know if it was what he thinks.

Deku grabbed the phone, staring at the caller ID. He glanced up at Dabi. "It's the agency."

"Well answer it," he was quick to shout at him. It might be important and Dabi wasn't going to get him fired from his internship just because of one dumb question he wanted to hear. Deku brought the phone up to his ear, the ringing ceasing as he picked up.

"Yeah?. . . Oh, Sutorimu, hi. . . Uh, no?. . . And this happened today?" Dabi always hated phone calls. They sound so since sided. He rather be involved and know what's going on. He feels stupid just standing there and waiting. "Uh-huh. . .  Yeah, I am. . . so you volunteered me? . . . Sutorimu-san, I really don't think-- . . . I understand. I'll take a look at it and see what I can do. . . Yeah, bye."

Deku hung up but didn't put down his phone. He tapped away at the screen and Dabi watched as his brow furrowed the more concentrated he seemed to get. Dabi cocked his head to the side, confused. What had Sutorimu (is that the lady who's Deku's supervisor or is she the support technician?) said over the phone that made Deku look so excited and prideful but also strangely serious? Dabi knows he's not involved in all of Deku's plans but it doesn't hurt to keep him a little more informed.

He stepped forward, looking over Deku's shoulder at the screen. The kid was logging in a password to a social media account on one tab while the other was opened into some sort of online data space with multiple files. Deku signed into the social media, pulling up an account that seemed too familiar.

"Is that Endeavors social media?"  Dabi asked, peering at the screen. He'd stalked his fathers account for a few months hoping to find information a while back but only ended up getting updates on his hero rankings or recent fights.

"It is," Deku said before pointing to the other tab. "And that's all of the agencies online files. It's a little dumb they'd put all that information in one place and under such a weak password. Who the heck makes their password 'Endeavor4ever'."

Snorting, Dabi agreed that is a pretty dumb password. His eye's scanned over the screen as Deku scrolled through the social media platform, occasionally returning to the files section to quickly skim over the thousands of files.

"How on earth did you get access to this?" Dabi was baffled, to say the least. As far as he's concerned, intern aren't allowed to go near this kind of information never mind have full unsupervised access to it.

"That was the easy part," he told him. "I used Hawks to promote the idea of upping security hoping Sutorimu or him would apply me for the position. I'm Endeavors new head of data security and media."

So the bird was good for something? He's impressed, he'll admit that. He thought he was only good for giving Dabi a headache. Maybe Deku didn't make such a bad decision in allowing him to work with them.

Dabi still didn't get one thing. "Why you and not one of the computer technicians?"

"Honestly, I have no idea. I'm one of the best hackers out there since becoming Revite and can change the system to be more guarded but so could any of the technicians," Deku supplied before opening up Endeavors private messages. "I'd guess the big reason is because I'm a teenager and know more about how to run a social media account. It could also be that Endeavor recognized I know how to make him come across how the agency is trying rather than bending to Endeavors current appearance like the other tech guys would do."

"Do you have to talk so much? You could have just say you didn't know," he complained. Between Hawks and Deku, his eardrums are going to be dead by the time he gets his revenge on his father.

There were only ten or so private messages on the screen and Deku was opening and closing each of them, scrolling through the chats. They were incredibly dull. Most of it was just other heroes complimenting Endeavor on the shots posted from some of his fights. It made Dabi want to barf. It's no wonder they're assigning someone to control social media. As it stands, Endeavor's account barely has a presence.

He doesn't understand why people compliment his father on his hero work. He always causes more construction than the actual villain probably would have. He's always blaming it on his quirk. Before he had Alloy to clean up his mess but not anymore. The public soon will start to see what Endeavor does doesn't make him a hero. He's a villain, more so than Dabi is. It disgusts him.

That's why he's doing all this, so he can wipe out Endeavor. Deku will help him get the information he needs and then he can take down his father and rid him form his life. He won't get the constant reminder of him every time he checks the news only to see one of his hero fights. He won't have to walk past store windows and get a glimpse of Endeavor action figurines that bring up memories he rather push down like acidic bile. With Endeavor gone, he'll be at peace. His fall will be an example for so many other broken heroes.

A sharp inhale from Deku brought his attention back to the screen. The kid tugged on his coats sleeve. "Look at this! Are you seeing this? This is perfect!"

Displayed on the phone screen was a private chat with a person who's username was OfficialConium. It was more likely than not to be a hero. The chain of messages were the intriguing part. The first few messages were sent from Conium. They asked about funding and where a certain amount of money was. Endeavors replies were short and to the point, ranging from It'll be there to Fend for yourself for now.

Scrolling, Deku let Dabi see the rest of the messages. They all pertained to some sort of money or delivery. A few discussed meet ups or questions about all sorts of things but Dabi didn't find anything extraordinary.

"Uh, yeah. . . totally see it," Dabi said, scratching his head. Deku looked to him, eye's urging him to go on and explain what he saw. He sighed. "I'm bluffing. I have no fucking clue what I'm supposed to be looking at."

Deku groaned and changed to the tab with all the files, typing Conium's name into the search bar. A dozen files popped up and Deku scanned through the names before clicking one. He pointed at the screen. "This is a file on all the funding Endeavor has supplied for Conium and his business outside his agency. He owns a logging company. If there's anything I've learned in the past few months, it's that heroes who own side profiting jobs that use their quirk, usually are scams."

He nodded his head and hummed thoughtfully. "Right, right. What does this have to do with Endeavor and those messages."

"The messages talk a lot about Endeavor visiting the logging mill a lot which is unsurprising considering an investor like himself might was to check up on the company often. It also explains the money but why would Endeavor care for a logging company? How does he gain?" Deku tapped on his screen, going back to the messages. "One of these messages sent from Conium commends Endeavor on a 'great job' and thanks him. It could be nothing but I have some theories that are better to be investigated. You understand what I'm getting at now?"

"No," Dabi deadpanned. It gets tiring constantly hanging around a kid that always thinks everyone knows what's going on in his head. It makes him appreciate when he mutters or rambles so he actually has a fucking clue to what's happening.

The kid waved him aside in a 'it doesn't matter' sort of fashion before standing up and tucking his phone in his pocket. He grabbed his bag from the corner of the flat. Dabi watched him pull out his costume in confusion. He crossed his arms. "What are you doing? Put that away. The suit is never good. You have that look like you're about to do something reckless. I don't like it. Whatever it is that you're planning, we are not doing it."

He smirked at him. "Okay. We don't have to do anything but I'm going to go to the mill to spy on Conium! Bye!"

Unsurprisingly, Deku bolted for the door but Dabi was quicker and reach it before him, blocking his exit. He glared down at him, lighting his hand on fire and holding it close to him so he was forced to take a step back. He snarled. "You are not spying on another hero when just yesterday you nearly died."

"I think you're being dramatic. I barely even got a scratch yesterday."

"But two pro heroes nearly died," Dabi protested. "You got lucky!"

Deku shook his head. "Not lucky. I was smart. Just trust me on this."

Dabi stared at him, glaring into his big stupid green eyes that held more determination than he ever saw in most people. He hates the fire he has in him but it's also one of the things that makes him like him so much. The commission thinks they can stop Revite because they've only seen his articles but if they saw the passion he holds in his eyes, they might second guess. In truth, Dabi would trust Deku with a lot. He'd trust him with anything except the boys own life. No one knows the dangerous stuff he does except Dabi and that's why he has to be the one to protect him.

"Please Dabi. It's one investigation," he begged. "I'll even get Hawks to come along to 'protect' me if it makes you feel better."

Immediately a scowl reached his lips and he scrunched up his nose. "Ew. The bird? Seriously?"

"Yes. You can come too. Endeavor will he there," he said.

Interest spiking, he perked up. "Endeavor? How do you-"

"The messages said he and Conium are meeting up today." He grinned. "So, you in?"

He rolled his eye's and opened the door. He stepped outside, calling back to Deku, "You coming or what? We've got heroes to stalk."

-:-

An hour later and Dabi was feeling the need to rip out his eardrums. They'd contacted Hawks and (unfortunately) he was able to meet them a kilometre or two outside the mill. Deku had changed into his weird disguise that was starting to grow on Dabi and they'd made it to the meet up spot where Hawks was already waiting. Deku had given him the run down of the plan and now they were nearing the mill and Hawks couldn't stop fucking whistling. He could maybe stand the hero when he's quiet but when he's making any sort of noise, he wants to punch him in the face.

"Remind me again why we had to bring the bird?" Dabi complained, shooting a glare at Hawks.

The hero returned the gesture, golden eyes narrowing. "I'm not a bird."

"You've got wings and make squawking noises," he pointed out and shrugged, "seems like a bird to me."

"What squawking noi-"

"That! That's the squawking noise! My ears are bleeding!"

"Talking?!"

Hawks appeared mildly confused and insulted. The contorted look on his face made Dabi snort. Stupid bird.

"Would you two save the lovers quarrel for later when your talking won't get us caught," Deku hissed at them both in a hushed tone as they reached the chain link fence outside the mill.

Dabi's eyebrows shot to his hairline. Lovers quarrel? Deku's going to fucking die when this investigation is over. He'd quarrel with Hawks all he wants but never ever as lovers. He's a hero! The thought of him makes Dabi want to puke never mind actually engaging in anything remotely related to the word lovers with him. How could Deku even--

"So, how do we get in." Speak of the devil, Hawks stepped towards the fence with his hands positioned on his hips. The chain link fence stood at least twelve feet high, too tall to jump over. He's willing to bet it's electric too and they won't be able to climb it.

He faced Hawks with a blank expression. "You can fly dipshit."

"Duh." Hawks rolled his eye's. "I was asking for you two."

Deku shook his head and face palmed himself. "Just carry us when you fly over." Hawks mouth formed an 'O' and Dabi snickered. Deku gestured towards him. "Take Dabi first."

Hawks nodded and approached him. Dabi's eye's widened and he held up his hands, ready to protest. Hawks didn't give him the chance. He scooped him up, putting an arm under his knees and the other at his shoulder so he was carrying him bridal style. Dabi scowled at him but the hero only smiled cheekily in return. He was off put by the feel of muscles against him. He knows heroes are strong usually but with the baggy jacket and pants Hawks always wears, he didn't realize he had that kind of figure. Back muscles he'd expect with his wings and-- nope. Brain, shut up. Dabi quickly hopped off that train of thought, scowl intensifying.

"You could use one of your feathers!" He barked at him.

"Nah, this is way more fun." He shifted Dabi's weight in his arms as he got ready to take off. He smiled down at Dabi, head blocking out the sun. "Besides, I don't trust you to not burn another one of my feathers. That hurts like a bitch."

It was odd how Dabi could feel Hawks arms tense around him as his wings spread behind him. With one massive flap, they were pushed into the air and Dabi felt a his stomach turn. He squirmed at the feel of nausea but Hawks' arms restricted him from moving much. God, he hates motion sickness with a burning passion.

As they rose higher in the air, Hawks looked down at his likely pale face with a scrunched brow. "You good?"

He nodded his head, not trusting himself to not throw up if he opened his mouth. Why on earth did Deku have to pair with a flying hero? Why could it be one that used less movement, someone with an emitter quirk.

When he squeezed his eye's shut, he felt Hawks arm pull him a little tighter to his chest. Dabi pushed down the feeling of relief when the nausea subsided as Hawks leveled out his flying and seemed to be making sure Dabi shook less in his arms from the flaps of his wings. Stupid hero pretending to be considerate. Asshole.

There was a thud as Hawks feet touched the ground and Dabi peeled his eye's open to see they were on the other side of the fence. Hawks set him to the ground, but didn't remove his hand from Dabi's shoulder. Dabi would swat him away if his hand wasn't the only thing keeping him from buckling over. He hated feeling so vulnerable. Motion sickness is a bitch.

"You should. . . go get Revite," he said to Hawks, pointing through the fence. He had to take a breath in between words to keep himself from throwing up. At least they were outside in the fresh air.

He pressed a hand to his head. Remind him to never go flying again. Even if it was only a few seconds he felt like he'd taken a roller coaster. When he was younger his mother would tell him he got his motion sickness from her. She always said she had it worse than most people. Lucky him, he inherited the fucking inconvenience. More reason to hate his genes.

Hawks looked ready to fly back over to get Deku when the brat extended his baton and used it to launch himself over the fence. He landed on his feet, retracting the metal pole and  probably grinning at the two of them under his mask. "What are we waiting for? Let's go."

Bird brain and him shared a look. Deku had really gone and done him dirty like that? He left him to suffer with his motion sickness in Hawks' arms when he could have used the fucking baton. Bitch.

"Is he always like this?" Hawks asked him as they fell into pace behind Deku.

"A little shit? Yes." Dabi glared daggers into Deku's back. He's going to murder him later. Mrs and Mr Midoriya better start preparing a funeral.

Hawks kicked a rock as they walked. He turned his head to him and asked, "How long have you known him? You two seem close."

He shrugged. "Only known him a month and a half or so."

"Really? He's been doing all the Revite stuff on his own before then?"

"Yeah," he said and he couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. Sometimes he forgets Deku is just a kid. He doesn't always fully realize how amazing it is the Revite has done all this stuff by himself for a while. "The hacking and breaking into places is all him."

Hawks was looking at him weirdly. His eyes seemed to be tracing over his features almost like he was looking for something. Whatever it was, he found it and it caused the corner of his lips quirk up. Dabi stared at the half smile wanting it to droop back down into a frown. What's the bird brain being so smug about?

"What?" he snapped.

"Nothing," Hawks answered, looking away. "You just care about him more than I thought you would."

"I do not c--"

"Shush!" Deku said, turning to face them. Dabi shut his mouth begrudgingly. He's getting real sick of Deku cutting him off today. They'd stopped outside the main building for the mill, hiding behind one of the many logging trucks. He pointed to the buildings door. "You two wait out here. I'm going to find the filing room. There's got to be more information there."

Before Dabi could put in his two cents, Deku had already dashed of into the building to get what he needed. He frowned. Reckless kid. He is aware that it's dangerous barging into private property alone with the chance of being caught? What is with him and breaking into places?

Next to him, Hawks leaned against the logging truck. He glanced at Dabi. "Wanna bet how long he'll take?"

Is he serious? He wants to play a game right now? He really is immature. Sadly, he's got nothing better to do.

Dabi scoffed and crossed his arms. "A thousand yen says he's out in under two minutes."

"I'll take that bet," Hawks remarked. A cocky grin reached his face face as he set a timer on his phone. "There's no way he'll go through all the filing and find what he needs in that short of time."

"I wouldn't sound so sure of yourself, hero."

With much hesitance, he joined Hawks in leaning against the truck, keeping his eyes and ears alert for any sort of motion. Getting caught sneaking around a heroes mill in the middle of the afternoon is not on his bucket list. At least the bird is quiet for once. Somehow his presence was still annoying even though he wasn't talking.

He still doesn't understand why Deku let Hawks join them. He's a hero, he can't be trusted. Even if he had some value, doesn't mean he should be on there team (Ew, did he just call them a team?). The fact that he works with Endeavor and the commission is the only advantage they get from him and not even that they can truly count as an advantage. As far as they know, he could be playing double agent!

Though he partnered with Revite to take down Endeavor, it's become more than that. He sees what Deku is trying to do, the change he's looking to make. He gets it, he wants it to happen. It's one thing to get rid of his father but getting rid of countless other heroes who are frauds, that's even better. He can risk that all going away, that's why he can't trust Hawks. Deku and his goals come before the kids plans.

Dabi snapped his head up as he noticed Deku coming out of the building. He approached them and he's certain that he's grinning under his mask. He said, "I got photo's of the files. Let's go."The gremlin approached the treeline, motioning for them to follow. "According to the information I got, Endeavor and Conium are meeting just past the start of the trees."

Smugly, he turned to Hawks. "That was under two minutes. Pay up."

After stopping his phone timer, Hawks shrugged. "Sorry. I have no money on me. Guess we'll just have to hang out another time so I can give it to you."

Asshole, he thought to himself with a scowl.

Dabi followed Deku into the forest, not caring if Hawks follows or not. He can prune his pretty feathers or something, Dabi doesn't care. Sadly, he did follow them. They all made sure they were quiet, not knowing when they'd be in hearing range of Endeavor and Conium. It wasn't long, five minutes maybe, when they stumbled upon the heroes. Dabi had picked up his fathers voice before he saw him.

He gestured for Deku to stop walking as he peered around a tree. Sure enough, on the other side was a clearing where he could see his fathers grand figure. His flames were dimmed to the point they were barely anything as he conversed with a hero that must be Conium. The second hero wore an ugly shade of green. Her brown hair fell down to her waist, what looked like flowers were intertwined in the curls. Braces covered her knees and elbows, paired with boots and laced sleeves. Dabi cringed.

Leaning over to Deku, he whispered, "Can you diss Conium's costume in your article? It burns my eyes."

His partner ignored his comment, instead pointing to beside Endeavor. "Look, Backdraft's here too."

Gaze following Deku's finger to see where he was pointing, his eye's widened. Sure enough, Backdraft was standing there with his ugly costume. What is this? The gang of gross appearances? That'd explain why Endeavor's here.

Backdraft's hands look like a hose nozzle and the rest of his costume is designed around that. He proudly adjourns a firefighters hat and coat, matched with a grey mask. His shoes are a gross orange that make his twig calves stand out. He's not a popular hero but Dabi's heard Deku rant about him not doing anything during an attack with some sludge villain months ago and can recognize him. His quirk is water pump or some shit.

Hawks peered over his shoulder at the group of heroes. "Huh? I thought Endeavor hates being around water heroes?"

"Apparently not," Dabi supplied before Deku shushed them again. He complied, straining his ears to hear what the pros were discussing.

". . . and my employees are all ready setting up the evidence for how the fire started. This one will be blamed on sparks from the machinery. We can argue that the inspector missed a vehicle that was faulty when they came in last week. We'll threaten to sue the inspection company in favor of them not looking too much into the cause of the fire," Conium said. "No one will know it was us who set the fire."

Deku shot him a look that said 'I told you so' before turning back to the heroes. Dabi rolled his eye's.

"This is the second fire this month," Backdraft spoke up. "Don't you think people will get suspicious? We should wait till next month."

Conium scoffed. "We'll be fine. No one cares what happens to these parts of the forest."

"But with all the stuff happening with Revite-"

"Don't worry about Revite," Endeavor ground out, jaw visibly tense even from how far away Dabi was watching from. "I have a hacker increasing security. He won't be able to get any information on this."

"Bitch, you thought," Dabi muttered, holding out a hand to fist bump Deku. The kid gladly clashed his fist into his and Dabi only felt more satisfied by Hawks' confused look.

The flame hero paced towards on of the trees. He tilted his head to the sky, appearing to be staring at the forests canopy. He looked back to Conium. "Have your men cleared out the center of the woods already?"

Conium nodded. "Yes. Ready when you are." She glanced at Backdraft. "I'd get going before this place is ablaze. I've got a feeling this'll be a big one. Your team will have to work extra hard to put it out."

Backdraft bowed quickly before running off in to the trees and disappearing. Dabi watched with interest as Endeavor's fist lit up with flames. Next to him, he could make out Deku's soft muttering.

"Conium's quirk is growth. It'd allow her to regrow any plant, including an entire forest. If Endeavor burns it down she can regrow it. But why would she burn down a forest for no reason. Unless- oh!" Deku turned to him and Hawks. His eye's were practically sparkling with excitement like a kid who'd got all the answers right on a test. "I know what's going on! We have to go, like, right now unless we all want to end up as burnt as Dabi."

"Hey!" Dabi exclaimed in offense at the same time Hawks said, "On it!"

Endeavor's fist slammed into the grass, lighting it on fire. His father lit himself in flames and they spread like wildfire (literally), climbing up trees and stretching across the ground. Before Dabi could watch any longer, he felt a tug at his jacket and was lifted in the air by three of Hawks' feathers. More feathers were dragging Deku into the sky as well while Hawks flew next to them. The three of them were dragged into the sky.

Dabi crossed his arms, not happy about being lifted in the sky again. Below, he could see the forest lighting on fire, smoke drifting into the sky. Okay, maybe he's a little happy to be in the sky and not down there burning to a crisp.

-:-

"Is anyone going to explain what happened back there?" Dabi asked the moment Hawks set them down a kilometre away from the mill. They'd been walking hurriedly away from the mill as the smell of smoke increased. In the distance, Dabi could hear the sound of fire truck sirens. If Endeavor wanted a forest fire, he clearly got one. Deku was muttering under his breath a lot but Dabi couldn't make out any of it.

Hawks too seemed to be in his own world. His hands were stuffed in his jacket, eye's downcast as he walked. Strands of his hair hung in his face but he appeared to deep in thought to care. He dragged his feet across the ground and his face was back into to his neutral guarded look.

Dabi scoffed. Everyone's so busy thinking but he still has no clue what's going on. "Are both of you ignoring me now? Dabi needs some fucking answers or he's going to pick someone to cremate."

At that, Deku's head snapped up. "Huh?"

Groaning, he ran a hand down his face. "What. The. Fuck. Just happened?"

"Oh. . ." Deku trailed off, eye's flickering away from him. Dabi again was surprised by how weird his voice sounds with the voice changer. "Sorry. I guess I should explain. Um, basically Conium is cutting down forests and then burning them to cover it up before regrowing them and getting a lot of fame and fortune out of it."

"Thank you," he drawled out sarcastically.

He supposes he could have figured that much out himself. Watching the smoke plume into the air, Dabi decided he was glad Hawks had came along. He doesn't know what he'd have done if Deku had gotten stuck in those woods without Hawks to fly him out of there. He glanced at the hero. He may be grateful but no fucking chance in hell he's getting an apology.

Lighting his hand on fire, he sent an ember Hawks' way. Amusement flooded him when Hawks snapped out of his deep thinking as he yelped at the ember landing on him. He brushed it off him, stomping it out. "Dabi, why?"

Shrugging, he replied, "I was bored."

"Do you not think there's enough fire?"

"There's never enough fire."

Beside him, Deku sighed. He brought out his baton. "Look, I have to go. I need to write all this down before I forget and I have a ton of research to do now that this has been revealed. I got a recording but I don't think that's enough."

Dabi blinked at him. "Hold up, when did you get a recording?"

"I have a camera and recording device attached to my jacket. Was it not obvious?"

"No."

"Oh. Oops. Bye!" He extended his pole, using it to shoot himself in air and back towards the city. Dabi squinted at his retreating figure, internally cursing.

Hawks stepped up to him. "I'm just gonna go-"

"Ah ah ah! Not you aren't." He grabbed the mans collar. "I, a villain with a fire quirk, am not being left alone with no escape right next to a fire."

"Vigilante with a fire quirk," Hawks corrected.

It's not his fault he couldn't keep his eye's from narrowing so much that he was basically squinting which caused Hawks to try and step away from him only for his jacket still in his grip tear a bit. The hero stared at the coat for a moment. "Seriously? You had to ruin my good coat?"

"'You had to ruin my good coat'. You're rich. Buy a new one," he mocked in a high pitched voice. He released him, taking delight in the little stumble he did. "You have any idea how to get out of here?"

He smirked at him. "I only know the way by flight."

No. No chance in hell. He will never fly again.

. . .

Clearly he had no choice because a bunch of yelling and swear later he was being carried back to his flat by the number three hero. He hated every minute of it. Every time Hawks tilted slightly in the air he felt a wave of nausea overcome him and he'd have to hold back bile. He's regretting ever letting Deku drag him along to this.

Hawks asked for clarification on directions ever minute or so and Dabi was regretting more and more having to guide the hero to his apartment. He would simply get him to drop him off a few blocks away and not risk the hero knowing where he lives but as of the moment, he could barely stand without his knees buckling, never mind walking the short distance to his apartment. Besides, there's no guarantee Hawks wouldn't follow him home if he went with walking back.

"Is it the one with the tarps as curtains?" Hawks ask as they rounded the corner of the street in which his flat was. Dabi shakily nodded his head. Hawks flew to the flat before setting them both down on the ground. He didn't waste a second before barging into his flat and running straight for the bathroom (which thank fuck the flat even had one), slamming the door behind him.

Gasping, he leaned over the toilet and coughed up whatever sorry excuse for a snack he'd eaten that day before Deku came over. He heaved, bile burning his throat. Oh gods. He hates motion sickness. He squeezed his eyes shut and took several deep breaths even as he could feel more coming.

"Hey Dabi, what hap-- oh shit," Hawks voice came from behind him and he heard the bathroom door open. If he wasn't feeling so weak and gross he would have scowled. Why is the hero in his flat? He flew him home now he should fucking leave. "Let me help you."

For once, his motion sickness seemed to agree with him as he threw up again, Hawks asking to help him leaving a disgusting taste on his tongue (or maybe that was just bile). He gripped the base of the toilet, ignoring the slight shake to his hands as he spit out any saliva left in his mouth.

Suddenly, a hand was on his back, rubbing up and down in a consistent pattern. A flash of red from Hawks' feathers could be seen in his peripheral vision. Hawks' hand came into view as he held a paper towel from the bathroom cupboard to his face. What the fuck does he think he's doing?

Before he could protest and shout his less than pleased opinion at Hawks face, he was leaning over the toilet again, a series of hacks leaving him. He pushed himself up when he was done, lifting his arm to wipe the spit of the corner of his mouth but never getting to do so. Hawks had swatted his hand away and used the paper towel to quickly wipe at it. For a moment, Dabi was frozen and not certain what to do. The hero's hand was still resting on his back as he wiped at his face. The paper towel swiped at the corners of his mouth and Hawks eyes were trained on it, a crease forming between his brow.

A sense of familiarity hit Dabi. Hands brushing hair out of his face. Soft motherly smiles and low whispers so not to wake his siblings. Grey eyes dulled with age and grief that held his gaze and soothed him as those icy fingers that rubbed his back and handed him glasses of water. The cold remembrance of lips against his forehead as warm sheets were pulled around him on late nights when he'd felt sick to his stomach hit him in a wave of emotion. His mother.

He jerked away from Hawks, shoving him to the side. He stumbled as he forced himself to stand, using the bathroom counter as a support. He sent a glare his way. "Why are you still here? Go fly home bird brain."

The hero stared at him for a few short seconds before getting to his feet. "I don't know why you're so offended. You looked a little green when we were flying, I thought you were going to be sick and I--"

"Decided I would need your help?" He snarled. "I'm fine. Leave."

"Let me get you some water first. Call it your payment for winning the bet earlier instead of the yen, yeah?" Hawks proposed, already looking around the beaten down bathroom for a glass.

Dabi's scowl deepened but he agreed anyways. He had a feeling this would be the fastest way to get rid of the bird. He leaned against the wall and watched in amusement as Hawks found a dusty glass in the same cupboard he found the paper towel in and went to turn on the tap. He held the glass under where the water should be coming from. A frown tugged at his lips when nothing came out and Dabi snorted.

"Did you really think this place has water? It's an abandoned flat." He shook his head at Hawks' idiocy. "Not all of us are rich heroes like you and can afford an actual place."

"Oh."

"Oh is right. Leave. Now." He shoved his way out of the bathroom, pushing Hawks out too. He shoved him in the direction of the door.

"I'm going, I'm going. Chill," Hawks whined, holding up his hands in surrender. He said he was going but he still paused at the door. Dabi didn't bother holding back his eye roll. He wants the fucker to leave already. He should have left five minutes ago before he was puking but he had to help like the hero he is. Heroics is strange.

He sighed. "What is it now?"

When Hawks glanced up at him, his face was pressed into a masked expression. That was the most annoying thing about him. He could hide what he was thinking. He asked, "Is that how it always is?"

Way to be cryptic. "How what is?"

"The heroes."

"You're going to have to be more specific."

"The whole thing Revite does. When you spy on heroes is it always like how it was tonight?"

He had to pause for moment to go over his answer. It's not always like how it was tonight. Normally they don't come out of it almost dying and normally they only see one hero, not three but that's not really what Hawks is asking.

When Dabi joined Revite he was thinking only about Endeavor. The first time he'd spied with Revite it'd been on a civilian, his own blood brother. It hadn't been like what happened with Conium at all. Natsuo didn't have some secret organization or business he was hiding. Natsuo was a barista with a fake smile that all the employees had. There hadn't been anything that seemed to put him out of place from every other person. Yet, it was the still same as all the other spying they did. There's one thing that connected them all. There was a secret and Dabi and Revite's goal was to exploit it.

A sigh left his lips as he settled on his answer. "Yes. There's always more to heroes than we see and like tonight the truth we find out isn't always a good thing."

Dabi watched closely as Hawks remained still at his door. After a few fleeting moments, he nodded stiffly. The hero glanced at him and stepped out the door as he muttered, "Right. I'll, uh, see you around. Maybe next time I'll bring you some bottled water."

"Keep your nose out of me and my waters business," he snapped.

"I'll try," he teased. "Bye, vigilante!"

The door shut behind him and for the first time, Dabi didn't bother to correct him to say villain. With all that has happened with Deku, can he even say he's a villain? At first, this was all about his father but now. . . he's not sure.

Vigilante. . .

That doesn't sound too bad.