Enough

Y/N flopped onto her bed, her phone in hand, and began scrolling through her messages. Her thumbs quickly danced across the screen as she texted Izuku, her thoughts scattered after another encounter with Hawks earlier that morning.

Y/N: Saw Hawks again today. He’s as obnoxious as ever.

Y/N: Called me “Miss Quirkless” again. Like it’s some kind of nickname. What a pain.

Izuku: Hawks?! That’s amazing! He’s the Number 2 Hero! Did he say anything else?

Y/N paused for a moment, her thumb hovering over the keyboard. She thought back to the latest of their early morning runs—runs that had been happening for the last six months, almost like a bizarre routine neither of them could break. The first few months had been a nuisance, his hovering presence always just beside her, mocking her quirkless status, pushing her to talk when all she wanted was silence. But somewhere along the way, it became familiar. Even comfortable. She still couldn’t figure out why. He hadn’t changed; neither had she. Yet, somehow, these daily runs had become something more than just him annoying her while she tried to clear her head.

Y/N: Nothing important. Just being nosy as usual. But…

Izuku: But what?

She paused, hesitating. The decision had been nagging at her for a while now. She’d been toying with the idea of applying to UA’s business school, but a part of her hesitated. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to put herself into the spotlight—especially in a place that, by its very nature, was so tied to heroes and the chaos they brought into her life. And then, of course, there was Kai. She couldn’t imagine how he’d react if he found out. He’d spent years trying to convince her that the world of heroes was nothing more than a dangerous illusion. The thought of upsetting him, of disappointing him, made her stomach churn.

Y/N: I’ve been thinking… maybe I should apply to UA’s business school.

Izuku: Really? That’s great! You’d be amazing there. The business department works so closely with the hero course, too! You’d be right in the action.

Her fingers lingered over the keyboard as she considered his words. Izuku was always so encouraging, so certain that everyone had a place in this world. It was easy to feel motivated when he was around, and for a brief moment, Y/N imagined herself in a classroom at UA, surrounded by people who didn’t see her as a “quirkless nobody.” But the thought quickly evaporated when she remembered the conflicting reality of her life outside of her dreams.

Y/N: Not sure if I can though. Pops and Kai… they wouldn’t be thrilled.

Izuku: You should still try. This is about you, not them. You’ve got so much potential, Y/N.

Y/N smiled faintly at his encouragement. Izuku always had a way of pushing her, even when she wanted to resist. He made it hard not to consider the possibility of a different future. But before she could respond, her phone buzzed again, interrupting her thoughts.

It wasn’t Izuku this time. The message came from an unknown number.

Unknown Number: Hello, Miss Quirkless. It’s your favorite winged hero!

Y/N froze. She hadn’t expected a message from him. Hawks. Of course. She narrowed her eyes at the screen, the same familiar irritation flaring up in her chest. For the past six months, she had been running alongside him, and she had grown used to his unpredictable appearances, his lighthearted teasing, and the way he always seemed to be just a little too close. He’d made himself a fixture in her morning routine, and while part of her resented it, there was a small, ridiculous part of her that had started to… tolerate it.

Y/N: Who gave you my number?!

The response was almost immediate.

Unknown Number: Oh, I have my ways. Don’t worry, I’m not here to stalk you.

Y/N: Then what do you want?

Unknown Number: Just checking in. You seemed a little tense earlier during our chat. Wanted to make sure my favorite mystery girl is doing okay.

She groaned aloud, dropping back onto the bed. This was ridiculous. Why was Hawks always so persistent? Why did he always insist on prying into her life when all she wanted was peace and quiet? Even worse, she wasn’t sure if she liked how he could always get under her skin so easily.

Y/N: I’m fine. And stop calling me that.

Unknown Number: What? Miss Quirkless? I thought you liked it. It’s got a nice ring to it.

Y/N: I don’t.

Unknown Number: Noted. But you’ve got to admit, you’re not like anyone else I’ve met. There’s something about you, Y/N. I can tell.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, her irritation bubbling beneath the surface. He wasn’t wrong, though. She *was* different. She had learned long ago to hide behind a mask of indifference, to bury the parts of her that didn’t fit in with the world she’d been forced into. But Hawks—Hawks always seemed to see through that mask. And that made her uncomfortable.

Y/N: Maybe stop spending so much time trying to figure me out and focus on actual hero work.

There was a pause before his response came through.

Unknown Number: Ouch. Harsh, but fair. Alright, I’ll back off—for now. But you’re on my radar, Miss Quirkless.

Y/N rolled her eyes, tossing her phone onto the bed. “Obnoxious bird,” she muttered, rubbing her temples in frustration. He’d been right, though. She was hiding something. He could sense it. But she wasn’t ready to share it. Not with him, not with anyone.

A moment later, her phone buzzed again. She sat up, expecting it to be Hawks again. But to her surprise, it was Izuku.

Izuku: You’ll do great, Y/N. Whatever you decide, I believe in you.

Y/N smiled faintly at his message. Izuku had always been a constant in her life, a beacon of support when everything else felt uncertain. His belief in her, in her potential, gave her a small sense of hope. It was strange how his words could lift her when nothing else could. 

But even as she smiled at his encouragement, Y/N couldn’t shake the feeling of being caught between two worlds: one where she could dream of applying to UA and the other where she was expected to keep her distance from everything heroes represented. And no matter how much she appreciated Izuku’s support, the specter of Kai’s disapproval loomed over her, casting a shadow on any possibility of change.

She turned off her phone and tossed it aside, lying back on the bed. Her mind wandered, the nagging thought of applying to UA’s business school tugging at her. Could she really do it? Could she push aside the weight of expectations and take that first step toward something more?

And what would Hawks think if she did?

Y/N stood at the threshold of Kai’s room, her heart heavy with the weight of the conversation that was about to unfold. She had spent the last few days preparing herself for this moment, knowing it wouldn’t be easy, but also knowing that she couldn’t put it off any longer. She had made up her mind, and now she had to face the consequences. 

Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open and stepped inside, her shoes making the faintest sound on the wooden floor. Kai was sitting at his desk, his focus entirely on the pile of paperwork in front of him. His sharp gaze lifted from the documents, immediately locking onto her. He studied her for a brief moment before his lips curled into a small, almost neutral smile. 

“You don’t knock anymore?” Kai teased, his voice laced with dry amusement, but his eyes were keen, always noticing the smallest shift in her demeanor. 

Y/N didn’t return his smile. Instead, she took a deliberate step closer to his desk, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, betraying her nerves. She couldn’t afford to let him see just how much this conversation was weighing on her. 

“I need to tell you something,” she said, her voice steady but unwavering, though there was a slight tremor in the words. 

Kai’s smile faded, his posture becoming more rigid. He was listening now, the playful edge of his voice replaced with a guarded seriousness. “Go ahead,” he replied, his eyes narrowing slightly in expectation. 

Y/N took another breath, her thoughts momentarily drifting back to the past few weeks. She had wrestled with the decision for some time, torn between what she wanted for herself and the heavy expectations placed on her by Kai, who had always seen the world as a dangerous, treacherous place. It wasn’t easy to go against him, but she knew what she needed. 

“I’ve decided to apply to UA’s business college,” she said, her words firm, almost defiant. “It’s separate from the hero courses, so I won’t be surrounded by them, and it has one of the best business programs. I think it’s the right choice for me.”

The room seemed to fall into a tense silence. The words hung in the air, thick with the weight of their meaning. Kai’s expression, once neutral, hardened, and he leaned forward, his sharp eyes narrowing into a glare. His body seemed to tighten with disbelief, and Y/N braced herself for what was coming.

“You’re not serious,” Kai said, the disbelief in his voice unmistakable. His fingers gripped the edge of the desk, his knuckles white from the tension. 

“I am serious, Kai,” Y/N replied, her voice unwavering despite the churning storm of emotions inside her. “This is a good opportunity for me. I don’t want to be stuck in the shadow of someone else’s expectations forever. I need to take this step for myself.”

The words were barely out of her mouth when Kai shot to his feet, his chair scraping violently against the floor as he slammed his hands onto the desk. The papers in front of him trembled from the force of his movement, but Y/N didn’t flinch. 

“I told you to stay away from that place!” Kai spat, his voice thick with frustration. “You really think it’s a good idea to put yourself in a place like that? Surrounded by all those rats?”

Y/N felt a flicker of discomfort at the venom in his voice, but she refused to back down. She’d faced his anger before. She could handle it now. “Kai, I’m not going to be surrounded by heroes. This is about my future, not theirs. I’m not going there to become part of their world. I’m going because I want to build something for myself.”

“Their future is nothing but lies and delusions of grandeur!” Kai shouted, his voice dripping with contempt. “I’ve seen what happens when people like them get involved in your life. You think it’s a good idea, but you’re just walking straight into the lion’s den.”

Y/N’s eyes narrowed, the fire in her chest growing stronger. “I’m not going to join their hero classes. I don’t care about them,” she snapped. “I’m going because I want to, and nothing you say is going to change that.”

There was a brief moment of silence before Kai took a deep breath, the frustration still evident in his clenched jaw and the tension in his broad shoulders. He stood there for a moment, his gaze fixed on her, his eyes a mixture of disbelief and something else. He seemed to be searching for something in her expression—something he couldn’t quite find.

“You don’t get it, do you?” Kai said quietly, his voice softer now, though still filled with an underlying bitterness. “You’re one of the few people I can count on to stay above all of it. You’re different from the rest. I don’t want you to get caught up in their world. I don’t want them to hurt you again.”

Y/N’s heart skipped a beat at the rare vulnerability in his voice. She had never heard him sound like this before—so open, so... vulnerable. It was unsettling. Her anger faltered for a split second, but she couldn’t let herself be swayed. 

“I can take care of myself, Kai,” she said firmly, holding his gaze. “I always have.”

Kai’s eyes softened for the briefest of moments, but his expression quickly hardened again. He closed his eyes and let out a bitter laugh, the sound more bitter than she had ever heard before. 

“I can’t stop you, can I?” he muttered, almost to himself. “You’re too stubborn.”

Y/N stood there for a long moment, the tension between them so thick it felt like she could physically feel it in the air. She could see the way he was standing now, his shoulders slumped in defeat, his gaze shifting away from her. It was the first time she had seen him look anything other than in control. She knew this wasn’t easy for him, but she had made up her mind. She couldn’t keep living for someone else, no matter how much he tried to protect her.

“No, you can’t,” she said softly, her voice quieter now, but no less resolute. She turned to leave, but before she reached the door, she glanced back over her shoulder, meeting his gaze one last time. 

“But I’ll still be me. Nothing’s going to change that.”

Kai didn’t respond, his back still turned to her as she walked out. The silence between them was deafening, and as the door clicked shut behind her, Y/N couldn’t help but feel a pang in her chest. This wasn’t easy, not by a long shot, but she knew it was the right choice. She had to take control of her own life, even if it meant clashing with the person who had always been there for her, who had shaped so much of her world. 

She didn’t know what the future held, but for the first time in a long while, Y/N felt like she was moving in the right direction. She would go to UA. She would build her own future, and she wouldn’t let anyone hold her back—not even Kai. 

The days blurred together in a haze of study sessions, caffeine, and a growing sense of urgency. Y/N was completely immersed in her textbooks and notes, her days filled with the monotony of memorizing facts and practicing problem-solving techniques. She was determined to make the grade, to get into UA’s Business College, and she wasn’t about to let anything—especially distractions—stand in her way.

Every morning, as the first light of dawn crept through the curtains, Y/N would be sitting at her desk, her eyes already red from lack of sleep, her body weary but resolute. It was during these early hours that Kai would inevitably appear, a steaming mug of coffee in his hands and an expression that always seemed to blend teasing with concern. 

“You should take a break,” he would say, his voice light, though his eyes always held a hint of worry. “You know, studying all day isn’t good for your health.” He’d set the mug down in front of her with a smirk, as if it were some sort of subtle challenge.

Y/N, however, never looked up immediately. Her eyes would stay fixed on her work, her hand never pausing in its motion. “I’m fine, Kai. I need to finish this,” she would say, a little more clipped than she intended, but it was the truth. The exam was looming, and she couldn’t afford to slip up.

But Kai wasn’t one to let it go that easily. He would lean against the doorframe, his arms crossed and his gaze fixed on her, like a shadow that refused to move. She could feel his eyes on her, always present, always aware. His silence was as much of a challenge as his words.

“You know,” he would say after a pause, “you don’t have to do this. You could be doing something… more fun. Less stress, more freedom.” His voice would drop slightly, as if trying to coax her into an idea, and a small, mischievous smile would pull at the corners of his lips.

It was the same routine every day. Kai would try to tempt her with distractions—dry jokes, random comments about the latest anime, or references to video games they used to play together. Sometimes, he would pull out an old console or bring up plans for a day out, as though the world outside her textbooks could still be a part of her life. It was always the same: an attempt to pull her away from the intense focus she had built, to remind her that there was more to life than exams and deadlines.

Y/N never let herself be swayed. Not yet. She had a goal, and that goal was the only thing she could focus on. “I’m fine, Kai,” she would repeat, her voice more insistent now. “I have to finish this. I’m not wasting time on something that doesn’t matter.”

Kai’s patience never seemed to wear thin, though. No matter how many times she rejected his offer of diversion, he kept trying, as though he was waiting for the moment when she would finally break and let him drag her into the world beyond her books.

“Don’t you ever want to do something else?” he would ask one afternoon, his tone growing more insistent after days of seeing her drown in the piles of notes and practice problems. “You know, something that doesn’t involve staring at a screen or stressing over some exam?”

Y/N would raise an eyebrow, barely glancing up from her notes. “Like what? Go out and mingle with the ‘rats,’ as you like to call them?” she would tease, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

Kai would wince, the words stinging him more than he let on, but his lips would twitch upward, and he would chuckle softly. “I guess that would be one way to waste time,” he would reply, stepping closer and sitting on the edge of her bed, his gaze lingering on her with a mix of amusement and something else. “But what about something that’s more… I don’t know… fun?”

“Fun is overrated,” Y/N would reply, a wry smile on her face as she scribbled another note in her textbook. “I’m trying to get into a good school, not goof off.”

Kai would sigh, leaning back in the chair and watching her quietly, as though searching for a way to break through the wall she had built around herself. “Yeah, well, you’re allowed to have a life too, you know,” he would say, his voice softer now, a quiet plea buried within the words. “Life isn’t all about following the rules, and you’re allowed to make your own choices.”

Y/N would pause, her pen hovering over the page as she processed his words. She would glance up at him, her gaze unreadable. “I am making my choices, Kai. I’m not going to waste this opportunity. I’m not wasting time like you do. I have a future to focus on,” she would say, her tone hardening slightly, though the words were meant more for herself than him.

Kai would exhale slowly, clearly frustrated but not wanting to push too hard. He would fall silent for a long moment, his eyes on her, observing the way she worked, the intensity with which she focused. Finally, he would speak again, his voice more resigned this time. “I get it,” he would say quietly. “You don’t want to screw this up. I just don’t want to see you burn out before you even get there.”

Y/N would take a long sip from the mug of coffee he had brought her, the warmth of the liquid a temporary relief against the exhaustion building in her body. “I won’t burn out,” she would say, more to herself than to him. “I’ll get through this, Kai. I’ll make sure of it.”

And so, the days passed—study, distraction, study, distraction. The cycle was unbroken, the rhythm of their interactions a strange balance of focus and frustration. The exam was always at the back of her mind, an ever-present pressure that she couldn’t ignore, but it was also the uncertainty of her future that lingered in her thoughts, the weight of her decision to apply to UA’s Business College. No one else could make her decisions for her, no matter how well-intentioned they were. This was her future, and she had to take control.

As the exam day drew nearer, Y/N’s tension grew. She could feel the pressure mounting, the weight of the expectations she had placed on herself threatening to crush her. The quiet evenings, filled only with the rustle of pages turning and the occasional interruption from Kai’s well-meaning distractions, became her entire world. She had to prove something to herself, and no matter how many times Kai tried to pull her away from her studies, nothing was going to stop her now.

She wasn’t sure if applying to UA was the right decision, but it was the only one she could make. The uncertainty would have to wait. For now, all that mattered was the exam, and nothing—not even Kai’s relentless teasing and care—could change that.

The day had finally arrived. The day she had both anticipated and dreaded in equal measure. Y/N stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the strap on her backpack, her fingers lingering on the fabric for a moment too long. Her reflection stared back at her, but she barely recognized the person it showed. She looked older, more worn, though it had only been a few months since she first decided that she was going to make this move. The weight of everything that had happened since then sat heavy in her chest, and despite all her preparation, the anxiety in her gut only seemed to grow.

The UA Business College exam was today. This was it. The culmination of months of studying, sacrifices, and hard work. The future she had been striving for was now within her reach. But even though she had been preparing for this moment, even though she had long ago made up her mind to go, something inside her wavered. The uncertainty gnawed at her, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that she wasn’t entirely ready. Was this the right choice? Was she making a mistake?

Y/N grabbed her hoodie off the bed, the fabric slipping through her fingers, but she didn’t put it on. She didn’t need it yet. It was almost as though the weight of it was too much for her, the fabric symbolizing the past—the people she had left behind, the decisions she had made—and she couldn’t bring herself to wear it. Not today.

She stood there for a moment, breathing deeply, trying to center herself. The quiet morning, the stillness of the room, did little to calm her nerves. The hallway outside beckoned, and it seemed that no matter how much she tried to prepare herself for the day, she couldn’t escape the sensation that she was about to step into a world she wasn’t entirely sure she belonged to.

The quiet was broken by the soft sound of footsteps. She hesitated, her hand still hovering over the doorknob. The air felt thick with anticipation. This was it. The moment that would define the next chapter of her life. And just as she was about to turn the knob and step outside, a voice interrupted the silence.

“Y/N,” Kai called out, his voice firm but carrying an undertone that she couldn’t quite place. It was a mixture of resolve and something that almost sounded like concern, though it wasn’t like him to show it.

Y/N froze, her heart skipping a beat. She turned around, feeling the weight of the moment press down on her. Kai stood in the doorway, a cup of coffee in his hands. His usual nonchalant expression was gone, replaced by something deeper, something more serious. He was dressed casually—loose shirt, sweatpants—his hair tousled as if he had been waiting for her. She blinked, slightly taken aback. Kai didn’t usually go out of his way to offer such a gesture, especially on a morning like this.

“You’re really going through with it,” Kai said, his gaze locking onto hers. It wasn’t an accusation, but there was something in his eyes that made Y/N feel like she was being examined in a way she wasn’t used to. It was as though he could see through the walls she had built around herself, and for a brief moment, she felt exposed.

“I have to, Kai,” she replied, the words coming out sharper than she intended. “I’ve made up my mind.” Her gaze hardened as she spoke, as if trying to convince herself more than him.

Kai sighed, walking toward her slowly, his steps deliberate. He handed her the coffee, the warm mug a small comfort in her trembling hands. For a moment, she just held it, the steam rising, the scent of coffee filling her senses. It was a reminder of all the mornings they had spent together—quiet, comfortable mornings where nothing felt as heavy as it did now.

“You don’t have to do this,” Kai said, his voice quieter, almost too soft. “You don’t have to go through all of that… everything. You don’t have to be surrounded by all those… people. You know how they are. You could stay here with me. Stay where you belong.”

Y/N’s fingers tightened around the cup as her chest tightened with a mix of frustration and something else—something that felt like regret. But she refused to show it. “I’m not going to stay here forever, Kai. I need to do something for myself.” Her voice was firm, but the tremble in her hand betrayed her.

Kai’s expression changed, his gaze hardening. His jaw clenched, and his lips twisted into a frown. “I’m telling you, you don’t need to go. It’s dangerous out there for people like you.”

Y/N’s heart sank at his words, but she didn’t let it show. “I’m not afraid, Kai. I’m not like you. I’m not staying in one place forever.”

Before she could respond further, before she could explain herself again, Kai moved too quickly. His hand shot out, grabbing her arm with an unrelenting grip. The force of it caught Y/N off guard, and the coffee cup slipped from her hand, crashing to the floor. Her body jolted as her arm was yanked painfully, the sudden, harsh pull sending a shock of pain through her. The sensation of her bones disassembling beneath his touch made her gasp, but she bit her lip to keep from crying out. Her arm went numb, the pain intense but not enough to make her back down.

“I’ll fix it,” Kai whispered, his voice low, almost pleading now. “Just stay with me, Y/N. You won’t have to go through all of this. Just stay here.”

But Y/N had already had enough. The frustration and pain surged within her, and with a swift motion, she kicked out. Her foot landed squarely in Kai’s stomach, sending him stumbling backward. The force of it was enough to loosen his grip on her arm, and for the briefest moment, Y/N had a chance to pull away.

With every ounce of willpower, she turned and ran.

The pain in her arm was unbearable, but she couldn’t stop. She couldn’t let him stop her now. Her legs moved on pure instinct, propelling her forward as her heart pounded in her chest. She couldn’t let Kai hold her back anymore. She had made up her mind. This was her future.

“Y/N!” Kai’s voice called out after her, desperation laced in his words. “Don’t run away from me!”

But she didn’t stop. She couldn’t. The door slammed behind her, and the sound of it reverberated in her ears as she bolted down the street. She heard him calling after her, his voice faint but still filled with that unmistakable plea. 

“Please, Y/N. Don’t leave me.”

But she didn’t hear it anymore.

With every step, every breath, the distance between her and him grew. The pain in her arm was nothing compared to the weight of the decision she had just made. She wasn’t turning back. She couldn’t turn back now.

The air in the alley was thick and oppressive, a stifling weight pressing down on Y/N’s chest as she leaned against the cold brick wall. Her disassembled arm was wrapped tightly in what little cloth she had left, trying to slow the bleeding. It wasn’t enough. The wound still throbbed, her body weak and trembling. She hadn’t eaten in days, and the exhaustion that settled deep in her bones seemed endless. She could feel the hunger gnawing at her from within, not just a hunger for food, but a deeper, more primal need—a thirst she couldn’t seem to quench.

Her breath came in shallow gasps, each inhalation feeling like a battle. She closed her eyes, trying to center herself, to regain control over the unrelenting hunger that coursed through her veins. It wasn’t like her to be in this state, to be vulnerable. But here she was, her body too weak to fight off the hunger, and her mind too clouded with fatigue to think clearly.

She forced herself to take a deep breath, her senses sharpening despite the fog in her mind. She could smell it. Blood. The unmistakable, coppery scent that had always pulled her in, always led her to the next meal. The scent lingered in the air, faint but distinct, and it sent a shiver down her spine, her body instinctively drawn toward it. She wasn’t sure if it was desperation or something deeper that pushed her forward, but she moved without thinking, her legs carrying her through the maze of alleyways.

As she rounded a corner, the smell grew stronger, mixing with the sharp scent of smoke that lingered in the air. Her steps faltered for a moment as she came face-to-face with a man. Her eyes narrowed instinctively as she took in his appearance: burnt, purple skin, his body held together by crude staples and piercings. He was dangerous. There was no doubt about it. And yet, it was the flame flickering in his hand that caught her attention, the blue flames illuminating his sharp turquoise eyes, which locked onto her the moment she appeared.

He didn’t seem startled or even curious at first. Instead, his gaze swept over her, and he raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a faint, bored smile. “You look like you’ve seen better days,” he said, his voice rasping in the air. His fingers flexed, and the flame in his hand flickered, casting an eerie glow in the dim light. “Want me to finish the job?”

“No,” Y/N replied, her voice steady despite the overwhelming pain that shot through her arm. She didn’t show it, but her grip tightened on the cloth around her limb. She had learned long ago not to let others see her weakness. “What are you going to do with that?” Her eyes flicked to the body at his feet. The man lay lifeless on the ground, his blood staining the concrete beneath him.

Dabi glanced down at the body and shrugged nonchalantly. “Burn it. Clean up the mess,” he replied, his tone indifferent, as if he were talking about something mundane. It wasn’t the first time he’d disposed of a body, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. His voice carried the disinterest of someone who had long ago ceased to be bothered by such things.

Y/N ignored the growing heat from his flames as she stepped closer. She wasn’t interested in his flames, or in his nonchalance. The hunger had become unbearable. She had to do something. She was already weak, her vision blurring from the lack of food, but it didn’t matter. The hunger would not wait.

“Can I have an organ?” she asked, her voice steady but the desperation seeping through the words.

Dabi blinked, a flash of confusion in his turquoise eyes. “What?”

Y/N’s gaze was unwavering as she gestured toward the body with her good hand. “I’m not going to snitch. I don’t care who you are or what you’re doing. I just want an organ.”

Dabi studied her for a moment, clearly thrown off by her boldness. He wasn’t used to people asking for such things, especially not with such a casual, detached tone. Most people, if they came across him at all, would’ve been too scared to speak, let alone ask for a part of a corpse.

After a beat, he huffed out a laugh, dry and humorless, before shrugging his shoulders. “You’re a strange one, I’ll give you that. Fine. Take whatever you want. Not like I care.” His voice was laced with something resembling amusement, but it was difficult to tell whether he found her request ridiculous or if he genuinely didn’t care.

Y/N didn’t waste any more time. She knelt beside the body, the cold concrete pressing against her knees as she moved with grim efficiency. Her good hand shook slightly, but she didn’t hesitate. She reached into the man’s chest, her fingers slick with blood as she pulled out the liver. The organ was still warm, slippery in her grasp, and blood dripped from her fingers as she stood, her arm throbbing with the effort. Every movement sent waves of pain through her, but she didn’t care. She was so close, so close to silencing the hunger that roared inside her.

Dabi stood there, watching her, his expression unreadable as she tore into the organ, taking a deep bite. The taste of iron filled her mouth, and for the briefest moment, the hunger started to fade. It wasn’t enough, but it was something. Her senses sharpened, the world around her clearing just a little bit.

Dabi didn’t say anything at first. His eyes narrowed slightly as he processed what he had just witnessed. He had seen a lot of strange things, but this… this was different. The realization came slowly, creeping up on him as he watched Y/N with a growing sense of curiosity.

“What exactly are you planning to do with that?” he asked, his voice low, laced with suspicion and curiosity. It was clear that this wasn’t something he saw every day. People like her—people who didn’t just devour food like normal humans—were rare, and the way she had approached the situation was almost… casual, like it was nothing.

Y/N glanced over her shoulder at him, a smirk tugging at her lips, though it was a tired, hollow thing. “Thanks for the meal,” she said, her voice light, as though she had just finished a simple meal.

Dabi blinked, his bored demeanor faltering for just a moment as he pieced the situation together. His gaze flicked between her and the mangled body on the ground, and a slow realization dawned on him. “Huh,” he muttered, the corner of his mouth twitching upward in a faint smirk. “Didn’t see that coming.”

Y/N didn’t reply. She didn’t have to. She didn’t owe him anything. Without a word, she turned on her heel, stepping away from the body as she continued to tear into the organ, her hunger momentarily sated, though still far from quenched. She walked deeper into the alley, the taste of blood lingering on her tongue.

“Guess you’re more interesting than I thought,” Dabi murmured under his breath, watching her disappear into the shadows. He didn’t move for a moment, his gaze fixed on her until she was out of sight. Then, with a flick of his wrist, the blue flames in his hand reignited, and he turned back to the body at his feet. The job wasn’t done yet. But for a fleeting moment, he wondered just how strange this woman truly was.And as he burned the body, he couldn’t shake the thought that he might not be done with her just yet.

The alley was unnervingly still as Y/N leaned against the cold brick wall, her body trembling slightly from the lingering pain in her arm. Blood stained her clothes, and her hand, which had been crushed and mangled just moments before, was slowly regenerating. It was a process she had become all too familiar with—slow at first, like her body was unwilling to cooperate. But with each passing second, the flesh began to stitch itself back together, muscle and sinew reforming in a delicate but painful rhythm. 

Her arm was whole again, the wound fully healed, but the aftermath lingered. The soreness was gone, but the exhaustion remained. She could feel her heartbeat pounding in her ears, the steady thrum of her pulse. The relief was brief before panic set in. 

She looked down at her bloodstained clothes, the torn fabric clinging to her body. It was a mess. She couldn't go to the UA exam like this. Bloodstains and tattered clothing would raise far too many questions. Her hoodie was tucked safely in her bag, but it wasn’t enough. It would only hide the obvious—the blood, the rips, the evidence of the chaos that had happened only minutes ago. No one would believe she’d been involved in something so violent, and the thought of explaining it made her feel like she was suffocating.

She couldn’t go back home either—not after what had happened with Kai. The anger in his voice, the way his grip had felt on her arm... no, going back there wasn’t an option. She couldn’t trust him, not after everything. 

That left her with limited choices, none of which felt like they would offer any relief. She wasn’t exactly on good terms with many people, but there was one name that lingered in the back of her mind, a name she had added to her contacts more out of necessity than desire. 

Y/N hesitated, her thumb hovering over the screen of her phone. She didn’t want to make the call. Pride had always kept her from asking for help, but right now, there was no other choice. She could feel the weight of the situation settling over her, suffocating her. She needed to get to the exam. She needed to get away. And she needed help.

With a deep breath, Y/N pressed the name.

The line rang twice before it finally connected, and she could hear the unmistakable drawl of his voice on the other end. "Hawks," he said, the casual tone of his greeting making her pause for a moment. 

Y/N swallowed the lump in her throat, trying to steady her racing thoughts. She clenched her phone tightly, taking a breath before speaking. "Hey, Hawks. I need help." Her voice was steady, but the underlying tension was unmistakable, the words feeling heavier than she wanted to admit. 

It was done now. There was no turning back.