Burning Desire (Dabi x Reader)

At a Crossroad with Integrity

The night air sent a chill down your spine. Time stood still for a moment as memories of your past came rushing towards you all at once. The life you once had was now gone, buried deep in the ground along with the ashes of your old hero costume. It was a life you had tried so hard to forget. Yet it became so easily unearthed by the pro hero before you.

Hawks stared back at you confused as tears began to stream down your face. You took a few steps back, not wanting to hear what he had to say next. 

"Whatever you know about me, just forget it," you said. 

You quickly wiped away your tears on your sleeve, not wanting to look weak in front of him.

"But why? (Y/N), you were a great hero! Or at least you could've been," he said. "You worked with Purple Highness and you got accepted into one of Japans top hero agencies. Why didn't you go back and try to finish becoming a hero? You would've been great at it."

"Because heroes failed me when I needed them most," you hissed, hands balled up into fists at your side. You were visibly shaking with anger, anger over how Hawks talked about you. 

He may have read about your past, but he had no idea what it was like for you to live through it.

He sighed. "I know what happened to you was awful but if anybody knew what had happened to you, they would've come to you. I would've come to you."

"Well you didn't. No one did. I had to save myself from that bastard. But hey, in a way, I'm not too mad about it. Stain was right. This society is full of false heroes who only care about receiving praise from the public. They don't genuinely care about helping people. They only care about themselves," you sneered. "So I'm grateful for figuring that out instead of turning into someone like that."

Hawks gritted his teeth. "Don't let that lunatic brainwash you," he growled. "You really think a person like him is someone to look up to? A man who murdered countless of heroes, no, people who had families and loved ones waiting for them to come back home? Is that what you think a hero should be?"

"You act like you've never killed anyone before," you scoffed. 

"Yeah...I have. I'll admit. But it was always to protect others. Never to cause harm. If I wanted to, (Y/N), I could end you right now without any questions. But I won't. You wanna know why? Because I believe there's still good in you. You can change," he further insisted. "With my help, I can make sure that you can renter society as a new person. I can help give you everything you want. New name, new identity. The whole works."

"You're trying awfully hard to recruit me..." 

"Like I said, I still see the good in you," he reiterated. His gaze shifted to the city skyline in the distance. "When I looked into your records, I got a better understanding of you. Everyone praised you. All of your teachers saw the potential in you. It's such a shame that that asshole took that away from you."

You felt your blood begin to boil with anger. 

"Stop talking about me as if you know me," you whispered through clenched teeth. "You read a few files, so what? That doesn't mean you understand shit."

But Hawks continued. "On top of that, think of all the people you helped save before when you were training with Purple Highness. You're telling me you would take back helping all those people?"

You couldn't look him in the eye, something that made you internally kick yourself. Why was he somehow making sense? It was all too confusing for you. Long before you joined the League, you had sworn to yourself that you would stop at nothing to find your abuser. You knew that you needed him dead or else you would never find peace. 

Sure, heroes like Hawks have had to kill villains because there was no other option. But there were always repercussions and if a hero was found to be in the wrong, then their career would be over. You had already done too much and couldn't possibly be a hero like you once were before. It seemed like such a fantasy.

"Tell me, (Y/N), would you?"

Hawks snapped you back to reality.

Would I?

Memories of relieved mothers comforting their crying rescued children came to mind. Civilians who gave you many thanks and told you how they were eternally grateful. Truthfully, your kill count was much lower than the number of people you saved. 

Was that something you wanted to change? Or remain the same? 

You weren't sure anymore. 

"No....I wouldn't," you admitted quietly. "But that doesn't prove anything."

"How could you be so stubborn?" Hawks ran his fingers through his golden locks frustrated. "Maybe it was stupid of me to think I could just spring this on you now. Especially with your little boyfriend just a few feet away."

His amber eyes shifted behind you, prompting you to turn around and see Dabi leaning against the very door he should be on the other side of. His arms were folded across his chest and he wore a scowl on his face. 

When did he get there? 

"Nice to see ya again pal," Hawks smiled sarcastically. "Any thoughts on this conversation I've been having with (Y/N) name here?"

"You should leave," Dabi ordered in a low, threatening tone. "Now."

Hawk's eyes flickered back and forth between you and Dabi.

The crimson-winged hero took a cautionary step back however, he extended his hand out toward you. "My offer still stands, (Y/N)."

"Say her name one more time and I'll burn it off your tongue," Dabi sneered.

Bright blue flames were instantly set ablaze across his arms, flames that burned brighter than you had ever seen before. His body glowed with a murderous blue aura. You could even feel the heat from his flames from where you standing. The tension on that rooftop made you shift uncomfortably in your spot.

If Hawks didn't hold his tongue, you feared a battle would break out soon. 

 You felt stuck between the two of them. Who would've thought you would end up on a rooftop stuck between a pro hero and one of the deadliest villains? 

Hawks cracked a smile, not bothered in the slightest by Dabi's threat. He stuffed his hand back into his pocket. 

"I await your answer, Arachne. But don't keep me waiting too long sweetheart. I can only wait for so long."

"Hawks, just go."

He jogged backwards, keeping his eyes locked on Dabi the whole time. In one sweep motion, his wings extended out to let the breeze carry him to the darkened purple sky. The moon's glow illuminated the smirk he still wore on his face. With a few flaps of his wings, Hawks was gone. 

You let out a breath you didn't even know you were holding. 

That could've been bad.

Behind you, the door to the rooftop slammed shut. The metal doorknob had been completely melted off. 

A/N: HAHA man am I TORN on how to end this story. Leave a comment on what you think should happen! Or feel free to inbox me ☺️