Top pic credit: unknown. Tell me if you know

Keigo POV:

I pulled Ari's sleeping figure closer to me, snuggling my face into the crook of her neck. While I've only spent the night with her twice, I could already tell that this sleeping position was my favorite one.

Don't get me wrong, I was wide awake right now. But....if I had no stress in my life, you better believe this is how I'd fall asleep every night.

Her warmth. Her body. Her sweet smell. All of it was so perfect in my embrace.

She hummed tiredly, grabbing onto my arm that was locked around her waist. I felt her feet wedge themselves between my own, as she wiggled around in my grasp to get more comfortable.

"Better..." She mumbled unconsciously, causing me to silently laugh at the fact that she talks in her sleep.

My smile faded after a few moments, as I remembered how crazy this day has been. Ari and I have both been dealing with our own demons today, and it was nice to end the day with her in my arms.

I kept my face against her soft skin, looking out at the full moon, with half lidded eyes, as it peeked through my curtains. The moon light streamed brightly into my room tonight, giving the bed space a warm, milky glow. It was illuminating. Peaceful.

But right now, I felt anything but peaceful.

Because all I could think about was what I did.

What have I done? Oh god. What. Have. I. Done. I regret everything. I regret the decision I picked.

If only I could do it all over....

I fucked up tonight. Dabi's really been backing me into a corner these past few months, and tonight was the night I finally choked. I was unprepared. Alone with no guidance. And as I've told you before...

I need to be my own judge of moral character, and with a job like mine....that's a very dangerous game to play with my conscience. My sanity. Not everything will always be right. Not everything will always be good. I know I've already got an infinite amount of sins to pay for. Tonight, I did the only thing I could think of, given the circumstances and pressure I was under-

The irritating ring of my phone, pulled me out of my spiraling thoughts as I quickly reached over Ari's body to grab it off my bedside table.

My eyes darkened immediately, as I looked at the caller id. I had to answer it.

Begrudgingly untangling myself from Ari, I began making my way out of the bed-

Ari quickly rolled over and gripped onto my arm, causing my eyes to widen in surprise.

Was she awake?

"Wahhp...don't...gooo." She whined unconsciously, before her hand slipped from my arm, falling limp to the bed.

I quickly tucked her arm back under the blanket, not wanting her to be cold. It was chilly tonight, after all.

"I'll be back, little dove." I whispered to her, even though she was clearly asleep.

Not even bothering to grab a jacket, I walked out onto my balcony, making sure to close the door so the cold air didn't seep into the bedroom.

I took a diving leap off the railing, flapping my wings to get myself moving up into the night sky.

Instantly, I regretted not taking a jacket with me, as I was already fucking freezing. Sure, I was in sweats and a long sleeve shirt.....but, yeah. I was still fucking freezing. I'm a dumb ass, and there's nothing else to it.

I swiped right on my phone, dreading the moment I had to speak into it.

"What?" I mumbled blankly, flying slowly through the night clouds. I only went for a flight, so Ari wouldn't accidentally hear this conversation.

"Ooo. That's not a very nice tone." Dabi stated condescendingly, already making me angry.

There are not a lot of people in this world who can push my buttons, and make me feel powerless. Of course, Diane was one of them.

But, so was Dabi.

"Oh, you don't think? I've spent the past twenty four hours with you, and the moment I leave, you choose to call me. I'm starting to think you want me, Dabi. Sorry to say, but I don't swing that way." I teased into the phone, forcing out a stupid rhyme at the end. While my tone was more lighthearted, my face was an absolute terror, as all I could do was glare darkly at the clouds in front of me. But, Dabi couldn't see, so I didn't give a shit.

Dabi chuckled lightly, letting out a small scoff.

"Hah. Trust me, if I did swing the other way, there's no way I'd waste my opportunities on a bird like you. No, I'm just calling to check up on you. See how you're doing, after what happened tonight. You seemed a little.....hm, angry, when you left? Why is that?" He asked in mock curiosity, clearly trying to wear me down again.

Damn, he's persistent. Possibly more persistent than me.

I'm not going to lie. It felt as though he was actually starting to break me. Just a little. He's good at the mental games. He's good at getting in my head.

I need to snap out of it. Stay strong.

"I'm not angry. I'm just glad we finally trust each other now. It was a long process, and I guess I was just tired more than anything. But, now it's behind us." I clarified tiredly, wanting to make sure Dabi was still one hundred percent on our deal.

"Yes, Hawks. Now it's behind us. You've won me over tonight." He stated with malice, his voice coming out with corrupted, evil amusement.

Now, it's behind us.

I've finally won him over. Or, so he says.

The only question left is...

Was it worth it?

~Hours Earlier~

Panicking. I am panicking.

My gaze remained on the beat up floorboards, as the club girl's entire outfit had now dropped onto the ground in one fell swoop.

I don't want to do this. I don't want too at all. I love Ari so much. She's my girl. She is the only girl for me.

But...

I quickly mulled over my options again, trying to gamble the best choice. I can either cheat on Ari, bring her to Dabi to become Nomu-fied, or die.

Cheat, right?! It's a no brainer. No one gets hurt. Physically.

In the next instant, a hand came under my chin, yanking my gaze away from the floor.

My eyes widened as the club girl stood in front of me, stark naked, with a ditzy smile plastered on her face.

"Woah!" I exclaimed off guard, immediately covering my eyes with my hands so I didn't look.

Just do it, Keigo. Just hookup with this girl.

Be quick. Get it over with.

I can do this.

I can't do this-

My thoughts were interrupted when a vision of Ari suddenly popped into my head. A vision of her becoming Nomu-fied. Her agonizing screams filled my ears. The image of her....as the next High End Nomu, consumed my mind-

In the next instant, I was harshly slammed up against the wall, as the club girl threw her arms around my neck.

"Come on, number two hero. Show me what you got." She cooed, trying to run sloppy kisses on my neck.

Trying to force myself to go along with it, I allowed her to for a moment. It felt disgusting. So foreign. So...not Ari.

Cringing uncomfortably, I involuntarily craned my neck to the side so she'd be out of reach.

She scoffed slightly, clearly starting to get annoyed.

Oh shit. I'm blowing this right now. I'm choking.

"What are you doing? Just hurry up and fuck me." She muttered, practically ripping my arms and wings out of my bomber jacket and tossing it to the floor.

Keeping my gaze to the ceiling, I finally gave myself my own ultimatum. I forced myself to picture my own reality.

Ari.

All I want to do is protect her. I just want to protect her from it all.

By doing this, I can protect her. Yes, it will hurt her. It's dishonorable, and horrible, and I'd hate myself for it.

But, it's better than her being turned into a Nomu. That's a no brainer.

So, why can't I do it?! Even knowing this is the better option....knowing I'd be doing this for the greater good....

Why can't I do it...?

Oh yeah. I know why.

Because Ari is the only person who truly makes me happy, the only person who accepts me for me.

The only person.....who truly matters to me, in all of this.

And while I may be a morally grey person...while I may cross the line of villainy and heroism every day I do this job...

I don't want to cross that line with my relationship. Because that is the only thing in my life that I actually have control over.

I never asked to partake in this double agent mission. I never asked for Diane to take me under her wing.

I never asked....to be a hero.

But, the decision I'm about to make right now....is my own decision. It's the only one to ensure the most pure thing in my life remains untainted.

There is a fine line to what I will, and will not do, in order to succeed in this double agent mission. In order to keep my cover, and save my life.

But this....

This is too far for me.

I will not cheat on Ari. I can't forgive myself for that.

So, I'll just have to think of something else. A different way to protect her.

I don't know how to do that yet, and I have about thirty seconds to come up with an idea, before Dabi wants a decision.

I was brought back to reality, as the club girl reached her hands down to my belt, about to start unbuckling it.

I quickly grabbed her hands, forcefully crossing them over her chest to cover her breasts.

"Hey-WHAT THE HELL?!" She yelled in frustration, most definitely loud enough for Dabi and the others to hear.

"Shh!! Just hang-hang on a second. C'mon, can we just talk about this?!" I hissed, holding up my hands in surrender.

"You know what? This is way too much effort for me. I'm done. Fuck off, you stupid bird. Have a nice life." She spat, clearly not even listening to me. She'd already turned around, aggressively starting to put on her clothes.

I quickly began speaking, trying to get my pitch in before she fully got dressed, and walked out.

"Okay, okay. I get it. You're mad. But, you're probably mad because Dabi won't pay you, if we didn't knock the boots, right?! S-So, I'll tell ya what, whatever Dabi is willing to pay you, I'll double the price-triple the price!!! A-And you don't even have to fuck me-" I said a mile a minute, as she was now dressed and stomping towards the door.

"Like I said before, FUCK OFF!" She yelled, throwing the door open and walking out.

I stood there, like a deer in the headlights...seriously wondering how that could have gone any worse.

I remained in the room for a moment, hearing the club girl yelling at Dabi, before the sound of multiple pairs of heels clicking and clacking across the room was heard.

In the next instant, the front door slammed shut, leaving nothing but an anticipated silence throughout the house.

Literally having no idea what the hell I was supposed to do, I simply remained standing frozen in the room, like an idiot. Before...

"Are you planning to come out of there, any time soon?" Dabi chuckled, clearly intent on fucking with me more.

I snapped my thoughts back to reality, quickly gathering up my crumpled jacket from the floor, without even looking at it.

I walked, wordlessly, back out to Dabi and the others, quickly shrugging my jacket back on.

He crossed his arms, watching me walk over to him.

"So....couldn't do it, huh?" He asked in evil amusement, looking at me through dark eyes. He already thinks he's exposed me.

I was in no mood to joke around with him right now, as I felt my own tone becoming dark.

"Just wasn't feeling it." I stated lowly, shrugging my shoulders carelessly, as I came face to face with him.

"And why is that?"

"I just wasn't in the mood."

"But, apparently, with Ari...you are?" Dabi stated curiously, patiently waiting for my answer.

"Guess it all just depends on the day." I muttered irritatedly, internally cursing myself as I realized that was a shitty excuse.

I was starting to get too angry with him. My wits were slipping slightly.

Surprisingly, Dabi didn't press the issue any further, simply nodding in acknowledgement.

The air was consumed with thick tension, as I continued blankly glaring at the wall behind him. I decided to just keep my mouth shut, waiting for him to speak first. After all, I was very much on the defensive side of this argument right now. I was definitely not winning.

"So, you've gotten rid of one option. It looks like now, you're down to two, right? Which one is it going to be then, Hawks? Are you going to die tonight? Or are you going to give me Ari tomorrow?" Dabi asked, his tone of voice filled with pure seriousness. He didn't even ask the question in his usual mocking tone. He was genuinely asking me for my choice. He seriously intended for me to pick one of these two choices.

I briefly considered if it would really be that horrible to be burned alive-just for a split second. I'm not saying I'm looking to die, or anything like that. I just mean, both of these options are very heavy. I need to weigh them carefully. Of course, I remembered I have too many people counting on me for help. I can't afford to die right now.

You can also bet, I will never actually deliver Ari to Dabi. I will never let her become a Nomu.

With that being said....I don't know how I will fix this situation, and I hate the fact that I'm about to practically gamble on my girlfriend's life.

But, I'm just making this whole thing up as I go along, and at this moment....my next words were the only thing I could think to say. The only way I could give myself more time to spare Ari's life.

"I'll bring her to you." I stated clearly, directing my glare of fury at Dabi.

He remained silent, matching my glare with an aloof, unreadable look. It's almost as if he wasn't sure he heard me correctly.

So, I said it again.

"I can't promise that I'll get her to you, by tomorrow. That's too soon of a timeline for me. But, I will give her to you. I'll bring you Ari Parker, so you can make her a High End Nomu, Dabi." I said, forcing myself to meet his gaze the entire time.

The dark, horrific reality of my words set in, as soon as I said them.

Mistake.

Fuck.

What the hell have I done? What did I just agree to...

Was it worth it? Making this big of a gamble? Basically putting Ari's life on the line?

How am I supposed to get her out of this? How am I supposed to protect her? What do I do now?

Dabi studied my face carefully, obviously looking for any signs of suspicion.

After a few tense moments, he nodded in agreement.

"Very well. I will start the preparations on my end. I'll give you till the end of this month. If you don't get her to me by then, I'm coming for her myself. Then, I'll come for you, too." Dabi replied lowly, the intensity of his words and tone making my body flare up in my own, infuriating anger.

I had to get out of here, before I lost my cool. Really lost my cool.

Gritting my teeth together, I simply backed away from him, making a beeline for the door.

"Got it." I muttered darkly, walking out of the building without another word.

~Present Time~

"Oh? Did I lose you, number two?" Dabi spoke into the phone, making my head snap back to reality.

My eyes quickly focused back on my flight, as I made a turn around to head back to my apartment. I'm sure this call would be done soon.

"No, I'm here. I'm just tired, and I want to go to bed." I replied, not actually lying about that now.

"Alright. Fine, I'll let you go. I look forward to seeing you next time, Hawks. And Ari Parker, too." Dabi chuckled, before hanging up the phone.

Did I make the wrong choice? Maybe. Guess I'll know in a month.

I'm sorry, Ari. For everything.

But, you know what? I'm getting tired of apologizing to you, from the lonely shadows. I'm getting too tired of hiding this secret from you.

Because, without even knowing it Ari, you break down my emotional walls. You make me want to be open with you, and tell you everything.

I'm starting to crumble, little dove. I don't know how much longer I can hide this, anymore.

Maybe, it's just better that you finally know the truth, sooner rather than later.

Maybe, then....you'll have a chance at protecting yourself from what I've done.