|Blood and fire| Dabi x Toga

The middle of the night

This chapter was inspired by a story from Tmblr. Credits to the original owner. I got permission from him to use this, so here you go!

(some days later)

Quiet swears could be heard murmured about from the basement bar at the hideout of the league of villains. Despite it being well past 2am, Dabi had yet to get up from his bedroom for the night. He sitting alone by the light of a lamp, shining right onto his hand. He held a stapler remover and was hesitantly pulling each loose staple from his charred skin. Of course, he knew this was probably not the best way to do it, but he really didn't see any other options he had. Blood trickled down his fingers and he tried to keep his trembling hand steady as he fetched a fresh piece of metal to replace the old one.

Toga woke up from all Dabi's cursing. Her nose caught a smell of blood and she was already out of her room and hurrying down the stairs to the basement. To her surprise, she found Dabi in the corner. He was half dressed, his entire torso exposed. The rough patch of skin across his back looked like it hurt so much.

Toga: What are you doing?

She revealed herself. Dabi stopped and turned in his bar stool to see her. Her buns had been taken out, blonde hair falling messily just over her shoulders. Her oversized t-shirt hung off one shoulder and nearly covered her knees. Bare feet creaked the floorboards as she walked closer, wanting to get a peek at his blood.

Dabi: Replacing my staples.

He then turned back to try and take out the next one. Toga walked around behind the bar and stood across from him, watching him work. One arm folded over the surface of the bar, her other elbow rested on top, her chin plopped lazily into her hand.

Toga: You're bleeding a lot. Does it hurt?

Dabi: Obviously. I'm stapling myself back together.

Toga watched as Dabi hesitated with the next staple. Blood was flowing down his hand, leaving stain droplets over the bar. His stapler remover was also covered and dripping blood.

Toga: I...I could do it for you?

Dabi stopped just before he'd built up the bravery required to put himself through the exact same torture for another time. He looked back at her.

Dabi: Why would I let you do it?

Toga: I have smaller hands...and I know how to use the skin so that blood doesn't fell out. It won't take long...

Dabi found himself a bit surprised he was seriously considering her offer. This was getting more and more difficult to do on his own anyway. So, he slid her the remover and held out his hand. She smiled.

Toga: Thank you...now hold still.

Dabi: How's Eri doing?

Toga: *sigh* Still scared...and she's having nightmares...I wonder if we should've let her to the heroes...

Dabi: Don't say that. Like you told Eraserhead, "She doesn't need a horde of „heroes" on her, asking questions and expecting immediate answers about her trauma. She doesn't need heroes looking at her and poking her like a museum piece. She doesn't need heroes exporting her powers and using her as a tool!"

She went quiet at that and wasted absolutely no time in yanking the staple he'd been hesitating on out of his skin. Blood splattered.

Dabi: Ow, fuck, dammit Toga! Be careful!!

He shouted at her.

Toga: Sorry! I was not thinking...

As she inserted the fresh staple, she did slower and was more careful with his pain. The second and third went smoother as well. She worked quietly, fixing him up as best as she could. Once she moved on to the fourth, flipping his hand palm-side up, she spoke again.