Dabi, restlessly tapping his foot, sauntered through an abandoned grocery store. His azure eyes darted between the shelves, absentmindedly picking at his staples as his thoughts raced. The low hum of the fluorescent lights overhead seemed to echo the exhilaration building within him.

A low chuckle escaped him when he saw what he expected. Chayenne. “Look what the cat dragged in…you look worse for wear, Chayenne.” He was glad he found you. Now he’ll never let you go. You were the only thing that grounded him to this world. The only thing that kept him calm. The only thing that made sense. He thought you felt the same.

But you ran.

Worse — you hid.

Why? Why did you hide from the only person that just wanted to keep you safe?

Dabi had never been the type to care for anyone—at least, that’s what he’d told himself for years. Attachment was weak, love was a lie, and caring only led to pain. But now, staring down at you in the dim, hidden room he’d prepared, he felt something twist in his chest. You were here now, where he could keep you safe… even if you didn’t quite understand it yet.

The room was simple, but he’d made it comfortable. Blankets, food, and a faint scent of lavender candles that he’d read could help with stress. He watched you closely, his intense blue eyes following your every movement, every expression. He was used to your fear by now—the way you’d flinch whenever he got too close, the anger in your eyes whenever you demanded answers. But you didn’t realize that he did this for you.

“You need anything?” he asked, his voice low and rough, as he set a glass of water beside you. “Food? Blanket? Just say the word.”

When you didn’t answer, he clenched his jaw, taking a step back. “Look, I know you’re scared. And… maybe you hate me right now. But you’ll see. You’re safe here. Nobody’s gonna hurt you. Ever. Again.” Don’t focus on the cuff on your ankle preventing you from moving too much. Or the ire in his icey eyes whenever you asked to leave. Just focus on the love he had. For you.