#Ashe didn’t see the feelings til they snuck up on him and shoved him off the cliff

[synthwavecryptid]

I’m having 250 emotions tonight about burnt bread so lemme just have a ramble real quick and outline a scene sitting in my noggin

Just thinking about like. Early in their partnership as ARCs, Toast getting irritated with Ashe after a shit show of a mission for throwing himself willy-nilly into danger like ‘you can’t just fuck off like that’, and Ashe getting mad right back like ‘that’s fucking rich coming from you, also it’s our job, advanced recon commando, means we don’t let the fight come to us we get in the fight’s face’

Followed by Toast saying yea, true, but we’re partners, we gotta like talk and stuff because where you go I go yknow

And Ashe just, more annoyed, firing back that it doesn’t matter so long as the fight is won, when he (Ashe) dies it’ll be a blip in the system and then Toast can shop around for another ARC to barnacle himself to

And Toast, stressed out and a tiny bit desperate because he wants to make his point but it feels like he’s messing up, blurting out he’s never worked with anyone as well as he’s worked with Ashe, that he doesn’t want to try, that Ashe is it for him, so please don’t leave him here and go where he can’t follow

And this hits Ashe in the gut (even though he absolutely refuses to show it) because he lost almost his whole company, including his batch mates, despite doing his best to avoid it. He knows what it means to be the one left behind. But war is war and all it does is take, and he’ll say as much.

And Toast will ask if it’s so bad to hope for an ‘after’, and that if their luck runs out can they at least go down together, which makes Ashe laugh kinda incredulous kinda mocking, like ‘so, what- together or not at all? 🤨’

But Toast is shrugging and smiling, lopsided and dopey and so earnest despite it all, like ‘yeah, together or not at all.’

Which comes back around days or weeks later when Toast gets seriously injured in the field, and in the medevac Ashe snags him by the chin to jostle his head none-too-gently, keep him from passing out and force him to focus on Ashe, snapping “Hey, hey, together or not at all, you hear me?” worried as hell and hiding it very poorly

And even with broken ribs and internal bleeding Toast still smiles, sweet and sunny and not even a little teasing, like “yeah boss, I hear you”

And then much later when Toast is out of the woods and Ashe is fussing over him, changing and rewrapping his bandages, they’ll have their first kiss and become absolutely and irrevocably attached at the hip 😌

[90stvshowgoth]

—BREAKING & ENTERING

—ch.1 —ch.2

summary: after dabi was seen leaving your apartment complex last week, the commission has sent a lesser known hero to help guard the building until new cameras are installed. however, no security measures in the world could keep dabi out.

w/c: 5064

tags: dubcon, cuckolding, creampie, voyeurism, humiliation, exhibitionism, arson

a/n: this is the final chapter to this little duology, and the reason why its so much shorter is because the first one was really supposed to stand on its own, but i got so many requests for a sequel i couldn’t help it. so i just took the kinks i didn’t get to use last time and pay off some setup and voila. however, just ‘cause this is the last chapter of this story doesn’t mean i’m not gonna write a fuck ton of other stuff for him. ily burn man. plus i’m working on a huge, multi-chapter fic for him while i post smaller one-shots >:) that being said, enjoy.

The impact Dabi left on your life was far bigger than you thought it would’ve been on the night you snuck him away from the law. As he was running from the cops someone saw him climb through your window, and a different person also saw him climb down the fire escape. With witnesses like that, the other tenants were downright furious.

You almost felt bad for the landlord, it wasn’t his fault you were insane enough to willingly let a villain come inside both you and your apartment.

Your landlord and the police department came up with a solution. The apartment complex would be installing new state-of-the-art locks on all fire-escape adjacent windows free of charge. This wasn’t exactly an issue with seeing Dabi again, since all you had to do was purposefully leave yours unlocked.

It would take two weeks to install all the cameras, but until then, a community-assigned hero would be stationed to guard the complex.

His name was Kao, a middle-ranked hero with bright orange hair and a winning smile framed with dimples. At first you thought he might’ve been one of the better heroes, waving you off to work and walking you there the other day, but recently he’d begun to creep you out. The friendly conversations about a tv show you both enjoyed began to turn into invasive questions about your love life.

A week of lingering glances and uncomfortable prying culminated that Friday as he had flat out asked you to dinner moments prior.

“C’mon, I just— I said that wrong, lemme try again,” He stuttered, keeping pace with you as you marched towards the building.

“No, Kao, look, you’re cool and all, but I’m really not looking to date anyone right now.” You huffed, striding into the doorway and towards the elevator. That might not’ve been the whole truth but you obviously couldn’t tell him that you had the hots for a terrorist.

He groaned, rubbing the back of his neck, “Well you just got off work, right? I remember which room you stay in, maybe I can swing by tonight?”

You whirled on him, your jaw slack in shock at the insensitivity of his words. The reminder that he knew where you lived sending a shiver down your spine, “Kao, this conversation is done. I don’t want you following me around anymore, hero,”

Deep down, your words sounded familiar. If they were raspier and said behind a thin veil of indifference, you might’ve realized that you were talking like Dabi.

“What is that supposed to mean? We’re the good guys!” You slammed your fist down on the close-door button, your mouth a thin line, daring Kao to make a move and stop the doors. He didn’t, and soon the reassuring pull of the elevator set your shaking body at ease.

‘Who does he think he is?’ You were bitter, rightfully so, you think.

You were so frustrated that you had difficulty inserting your keys into the lock, twisting it with a growl and throwing open the door, ready to collapse onto your pillow and vent to whoever was online about your heroic stalker.

When you noticed the scent of cigarettes in the air.

“Hey, doll,” Warmth surged through your chest at the sight of him, the villain’s feet kicked up onto the coffee table.

You were hanging your coat on the hook before moving beside him to the couch, “What took you so long?”

“Not happy to see me? You seem a lot bitchier than I remember,” The crude edge of his humor was a breath of fresh air compared to the stifling niceties of work, and you smiled for what felt like the first time that day.

Shaking your head, you toed out of your boots and made your way to the frayed couch, “I’ll tell you all about him,”

That got his attention, “Him?”

“A hero,” Dabi’s frown worsened, an accusatory look in his eyes, “before you ask, no, you idiot, I hate this guy, there’s not a chance I’d sleep with him.”

The tensity in his shoulders relaxed, bring the half-finished Newport to his lips as you continued, “Since you broke in last week all my neighbors lost their shit. They threatened to sue if my landlord didn’t assign a hero to watch the building for a bit. I thought he was cool, but I’ve just decided that he’s a total prick.”

He hummed, nodding understandingly, “Want me to kill him?”

You gaped, hitting him on the chest, “Wha—No, Dabi, what the hell?”

He just shrugged, the intensity of his words almost funny to you, and as you recounted the last twenty minutes the ashes of Dabi’s cigarette fell to the floor. The dying lights of the sun streamed through your window, the smoke oddly beautiful in the glow as he handed you the last hit of his cheap cigar.

“You know why heroes are like that?” You shook your head, enjoying the numbing calm of tobacco, “It’s cause they’re spoiled. They go their entire lives being praised for everything they do so they don’t know how to take no for a fuckin’ answer,”

Apparently your smoking buddy was feeling talkative, much to your delight. His words made you pause, remembering the relieved faces of your neighbors whenever they’d see the gaudy costume Kao wore as he strode by.

“Shit... guess you’re right,” You mumbled into his side, not minding the ever-present aroma of burnt skin and smoke that clung to Dabi’s coat.

He scoffed, “I’m always right, baby,” His words earning him a pinch on the arm.

“No, you ass, just about the hero stuff,” He grinned, the staples on his dimples taut against his skin as he pulled you closer, his breath hot against your ear.

“Careful, doll, you’re starting to sound like a villain,” The drop in your stomach sent heat down your skin, yet somehow you were still shivering under his predatory gaze.

You shook your head, trying to will away the red that dusted your cheeks, “No way, my quirk isn’t strong enough to be a villain,”

He raised his eyebrow expectantly, broadly gesturing for you to go on.

“Well...” God, why is this embarrassing? “I can give people headaches.”

You didn’t know if he would laugh at you or belittle you for your meaningless quirk, but he did neither.

“Think you could practice it more? Get better at it?” He was serious, staring at you and expecting an answer.

You looked away, unable to hold his gaze, “I mean, maybe? It’s not hard to do, I guess,”

Dabi smirked, pulling you onto his lap. It felt as if the week hadn’t happened at all and you were right back where you started, your face flushing at the memories of that night. He dragged you close, eyes dark as he whispered something into your ear...

“Think you could split someone’s head open with a migraine?”

Your gut wrenched, flinching at the gory idea and making you sit up in Dabi’s lap. The atmosphere in the room hadn’t changed, his stare as menacing as before.

That is, until he started to crack up. Louder than you’d ever heard before, his fit filled the apartment until he had to cup his stomach from laughing too hard; the wheeze in his rough throat echoing around the room as your blush spread all the way down your neck.

“Oh, you asshole!” If anything, your shove against his chest only made him more giddy. The panic-fueled adrenaline was still surging through your body, unwillingly making the wetness between your thighs spread, even as you tried to wrap your head around the fact that Dabi had been fucking with you.

Your legs shook as he held on to you for balance, his cackling dying down but the shit-eating grin never leaving his face, “You were so freaked out, huh?”

“Yeah, no shit!”

He hummed, running a hand through your hair and suddenly yanking you forward, basking in the sharp yelp it brought from you, “You’re cute when you’re scared,”

You’d missed the way his scabbed lips felt on yours more than you’d ever admit. There was something about him that left you breathless, eager and questioning your life choices. Groaning into his mouth before pulling back and laving your slick tongue along his disfigured lower lip, you rolled your aching heat against him to force a truly pornographic moan from his mouth.

“Oh, fuck—” One of his hands slid down your back, grabbing your ass through your jeans, “Fucking hell, you missed me that much?”

You nodded dumbly into his shoulder, pressing chaste kisses along the ragged skin as he slid his finger past the band of your jeans, cupping your dripping sex with wide eyes.

“Goddamn, s’no way you’re this wet for me already,” His eyes were scrutinizing, trying to figure out why you were hiding into his neck, “What’s got you so worked up, doll?”

You couldn’t come up with a good excuse in time, Dabi thinking back to how your thighs had tightened up when he asked if you could kill someone, your eyes were frightened back then, yes, but there was something else. Something you wouldn’t tell him.

When the realization hit him, it hit hard.

“Holy shit, you get off on being scared?” He couldn’t believe his luck, the embarrassed groan you buried into his shoulder confirming his suspicions.

Dabi ran a hand through his hair, a childish wonder over his features, “Aren’t I fuckin’ lucky?” He sneered, pulling you back til you were at eye-level again.

“I’m gonna try something, baby,” there was an edge to his voice as he settled one hand on the small of your back, pressing your tits against his chest as he held your bra strap back with the other.

“What are you… Dabi, what are you doing?” The scent of fire and burning fabric filled the air, the ends of your bralette smoking between his fingertips, embers turning to ash and sprinkling down the couch until it was flimsy enough for Dabi to rip free, teeth sinking into your neck as he held you still to keep your skin safe.

It was jarring and a bit terrifying to be restrained against someone like Dabi without knowing his intentions. But nothing in you could deny the blinding rush of pleasure it ripped down your spine.

“It’s all starting to make sense, doll-face, I guess I was right the first time,” His hands tossed the smoking bra into hallway, reaching between you and torturously pinching and pulling on the rosy blush of your tits, “you do have a thing for villains,”

“Can’t wait to fuck that tight pussy again, doll,” Without warning he shoved your torso forward, your body bouncing against the couch, his hands flying to the button of your jeans.

“—Didn’t have time to take you right last time, didn’t get to taste you,” his words made you whimper in his grasp, keeping your legs somewhat raised as tugged down the tight denim.

You fully expected him to take you rough like before, make you choke on his cock before having his fill, but as he tugged off your black panties he crawled down the trembling body beneath him, slowly moving over your ribs, your stomach, and finally your drooling cunt.

He never broke eye contact with you as he pulled your thighs closer, keeping them spread wide as the hot fan of his breath on your pussy sent a thrill through your neglected nerves.

“I want you to scream my name,” It was an order, not a request. The unhinged tremor in his hands was unsettling, an unspoken threat hanging in the air.

Dabi’s tongue immediately found your clit, mouth wrapping around the glistening bead and sucking all at once, the moan it drew from your lips unholy. He moaned at the taste, hiking up your hips onto his shoulders.

“Christ, you’re sweet, doll, like fuckin’ candy...” He muttered in disbelief, more to himself that to you, licking a wide stripe along your drenched lips, diving into you deep enough to have your limbs spasming around him.

On instinct your hand flew to your mouth to muffle the sharp cry that the villain drew. He didn’t warn you before bringing his hand up high and slapping it into the bare skin of your thigh, a scream echoing through the living room. Distantly, you wondered if your neighbors could hear...

“Don’t you dare hide a single sound from me, slut, or this ends now,” his ultimatum was scary but the insult felt heavy in a way you’d never felt before, and you nodded without a second thought, breathlessly bunching one hand into the arm of the couch above you and the other into the ashy black of his hair.

You nodded down to him, silently saying to continue; the villain fixed on watching as your chest swelled in time with your breathing, a rush of blood going to the heat of his cock.

His pace was hungry, nipping at your thighs whenever he thought you were too comfortable, spinning circles into your clit with his tongue and chuckling at the noises it brought, “You gonna cum, princess?” You could only respond with a scream of his name, the plea music to his ears, but he needed you to be louder if he was to get what he wanted.

“Louder,” Dabi called your name like a prayer, moaning into your cunt as you practically suffocated him between your thighs, “Fuck—Louder, baby, scream it,”

“Dabi!!” Your orgasm was hot against his tongue and he drank in every last drop of your climax until you were wrenching away his greedy mouth, your pussy swollen and red from his care.

Just as you started to compose yourself, a frantic banging sounded on the door. Someone from the hallway was slamming down their fist, screaming your name.

“Hey! Did you just say Dabi?! Are you okay in there?” It was Kao.

Horror clawed away any kind of afterglow as you cupped your hand to your mouth, leaning up on your elbow and whispering, “What do I say?”

Dabi’s voice was just low enough to hide behind the pounding of Kao’s fists, “Do you trust me?”

Before you could answer the hero behind the wall called your name again.

“If you don’t answer me in five seconds I’m breaking this door down!”

Your gaze flickered from the front door to the villain that was wiping your slick from his chin.

“Yes,”

Dabi grinned, grabbing your wrists and holding you against his shirt, one hand wrapped painfully around your tits and the other erupting with blue fire in his palm.

“Come and get her, hero!” You made a confused squeal, thrashing around in his grasp, eyes wide and afraid as Dabi shushed into your ear, trying to calm you down.

‘Like hell if you’d calm down, he’d practically just signed your death sentence!’ you heaved against the fugitive, trying to shake yourself free to no avail.

All you could do was squeeze your eyes shut and imagine you were somewhere else as door was jolted in its hinges, the doorknob falling with a distant clang, and before you could beg Dabi to stop whatever stupid game he was playing, Kao ran into the room, eyes furrowed and fists raised as the door squeaked on the loose hinges behind him, blissfully unaware.

“Where are y—“ Kao’s voice paused mid-sentence, you flinched in Dabi’s hold, the heat of the redhead’s stare washing over you, naked and wet, making you tilt your head down, trying to hide yourself from the world.

“Isn’t she cute, hero?” Dabi rasped against you, the heat of his fire illuminated against the sweaty sheen of your trembling body. Kao didn’t know what to do, flustered and struggling to hide the tent in his latex costume.

You knew fighting back against the villain was pointless, falling limp in the strength of his arms as he chuckled into your neck, looking over at the bump in his pants, “You were right, babe, I think he likes you,”

“Get your filthy hands off of her!” Kao screamed, diving towards the couch with his fist raised back.

Dabi simply grinned, carefully hovering his flame ever closer to your now bare tits, you couldn’t help but scream at the proximity, and whatever plan Kao had in his mind died before his fist could make impact.

His novocaine laced voice spoke calmly beside your ear, “Any closer and she’s dead,” The hot rush down your legs wasn’t due to his flames, as one hand took to rubbing your sensitive sex, the sounds it elicited from you unintentional and mortifying under the presence of Kao in the room.

“What... what do you want, you bastard?” Dabi laughed at that one, tweaking your clit between his fingers and conducting the most beautiful notes from your pillowy lips.

“I think It’s pretty obvious what I want, don’t you think?” Your name on his lips sent you keening against him despite the inferno roaring inches away from your skin. He couldn’t move without Dabi’s flames hovering ever closer to your heaving chest, and to Kao, you were very clearly about to die. Although you didn’t believe Dabi would hurt you, he had asked you to trust him before he got Kao’s attention, after all, the line between foreplay and conflagration was becoming blurry.

Kao backed up into the half wall that separated the living room from the kitchen, barely making an effort to try and hide his erection anymore, “I’ll send you to fucking Tartarus for this, Dabi.”

“Oooo, scary,” His unlit hand trailed down your jawline, tilting you to his side until he could slide his tongue into your open lips, humming into your mouth, “What do you think, doll?

“Dabi, please... wait,“ The strength in your voice wasn’t as heated as before, and even you had to admit it sounded half-assed.

Kao’s quirk must be no good for long range because all he could do was stand there, trying to avert his eyes from your drooling cunt in favor of glaring daggers at the coy villain pulling soft mewls from your lips, “I swear... I’ll see you rot in prison for this. You’ll be fucking executed, you rapist—“

“—woah, woah, that stings, hero. Doll, is that really what I’m doin’?” You groaned, not exactly answering because you couldn’t hear the question, your eyes still shut tight in embarrassment.

The growl in his voice sent another soaking rush towards your pussy, as his hand grabbed you jaw, pulling you up, “Look at me,” Your eyes widened at the sight of Dabi so close to you, his chest warm against your back, the aches of your last orgasm fading into something new.

“Tell me to stop, princess, your call,” Time stood still as Dabi kissed a soft pathway along your neck, weirdly gentle as he listened for your response, his clothed hard-on pressed firmly against your ass.

Too flustered to speak, you merely wrenched your arm free from his grasp, carding you hand through his hair and pulling him to your desperate lips. You could feel him tug into a smirk against you as your hips eagerly ground themselves on him despite the audience.

Kao choked on his own spit, stepping backwards, but stopped when Dabi aimed his ignited hand towards the hero who was having difficulty piecing together your actions in his head. “What,” His voice cracked when he called out your name, “are you...?”

Dabi pulled away, a feral glint in the blue hidden beneath his hair as he licked a disgustingly wet stripe along your cheek, chest rumbling behind you as you squirmed at the gross feeling, “I’m still gonna need you to beg, sweetheart.”

Your dignity was hanging by a thread, hinging on whether or not you followed his lead, but the insane buzz your anxiety had stirred up under Kao’s confused stare and Dabi’s aching cock was impossible to ignore. He rut himself into the dripping curve of your ass, his jeans soaked with your slick as you found the courage to speak.

“Fuh...” Carefully, Dabi pressed a loving kiss to your temple, his stare fixated on Kao’s as you strung the syllables together, “Fuck me, Dabi,”

The hero couldn’t believe his ears. She’d turned him down countless times despite his pursuits, yet she was somehow fine with this? Kao briefly thought that perhaps his crush was a villain this whole time, but that couldn’t make sense with her weak quirk.

You felt Dabi twitch beneath you, the shameless way you showed yourself off was as humiliating as it was hot, and he laughed in lightheaded disbelief against the back of your neck, taking your ass in one hand and slipping the other down his pants, tugging off the painful metal zipper until his boxers were pulled down just enough for his cock to finally be met with the soft warmth of your cunt.

“As the lady commands,” Dabi grinned, reaching around your waist to take his pierced dick in his hand, rubbing and tapping his swollen head deliberately against your clit, pre-cum drenching your pussy as you felt boneless in his arms.

“Ah-! St..S-top tea-sing, Dabi!” You babbled, squirming to try and find an escape from his grasp or maybe trying to force him inside you, but all your struggling did was make him harder. But before you could beg, you froze at the sight of Kao a few feet away, his legs bending into a sprinter’s pose. He was going to run?

Dabi was having none of it, a controlled jet of flame grazing Kao’s knee, scalding the skin beneath the latex. The hero cried out into the bite of his fist, collapsing into the wall a few feet away.

“Nah, hero. You’re not leaving just yet,” The villain rearranged you on his lap, “See, the thought of you jerking off to my girl? It kinda pisses me off, actually,”

The color in Kao’s face drained as he had no choice but to sit and watch as Dabi slowly sunk you down on top of him, one hand drawing soft circles into your stomach as you reveled in the feeling of his piercings hot against every part of you.

“Though, I’m wondering, what did you think about, huh?” Kao sputtered, unable to form words just like you, formless noises falling from your lips.

His scarred hands grasped at the flesh of your thighs, raising you up only to shove you back onto his cock, the flames that still extended to threaten Kao suddenly flared up in time with his thrusts, the weight of him felt so much deeper at this angle and it was hard to breathe, let alone speak.

“I... nothing! I didn’t—“ Another whip of fire cut through the room from Dabi’s fingertips, a cast of blue leaving bubbling skin in its wake, pain flashing across Kao’s face.

“Fuckin’ liar,” You yelped as Dabi shoved you down, moaning into your ear as you squeezed against him, sobbing his name into his chest as he picked up a steady pace in your guts.

Kao cried out, stuttering and gripping along the inflamed line of skin, “I-I thought— thought about her... fuck— I just wanted her to suck me off, alright? There, I said it! Are you happy now?”

He must’ve realized the mistake in his words as soon as he said them, squeezing your eyes shut but having no choice but to smell the stench of burning flesh and hear the sound of muffled screaming as it filled your apartment, “Can’t blame you though, her mouth is God,”

Your hands scrambled for balance against Dabi as the screaming of his victim made him downright feral, filling your tight heat so well it had you crying.

“Damn, you’re soaked for me, doll, I just knew you were a kinky fuck deep down. You’re a slutty little girl for me, aren’t ya?”

As much as it hurt to admit it, he was right. He was painfully right, and you told him so. The unhinged, unstoppable force that was Dabi ignited a passion in you that’d never been fed before. He was torturing the hero you hated all while taking your cunt in deep, harsh thrusts, the metal imbedded into his cock and his chest behind you were blisteringly hot against your skin.

“Tell him, baby,” His question fell on deaf ears, your tongue lolling from your mouth a bit at the pleasure.

It caught you off guard when he drew his hand back and slapped you across the cheek, a blistering red handprint in its wake, saying your name so softly, turning off his quirk to run his hands through your hair, he whispered, “Tell that fucking hero who you belong to,”

The world tipped over as Dabi gripped your shoulders, pushing you onto the wooden coffee table so your ass stuck in the air. In an instant he was on you again, pounding into your cunt with a glazed fervor, your words downright biblical in his ears.

“On-ly... Dabi ca—Ngh, Only Dabi can fuck me this good,” You forced the words from your throat, thankful for the table serving as an impartial shoulder to cry on as Dabi lined himself up with your cunt.

“More, princess,” The snap of his hips had you drooling onto the table, catching sight of Kao’s slumped body in the corner as Dabi’s breath sounded much louder than before.

“Fuck, baby—” You cried, craning your neck back to look at him. Sweat glistened at the crown of his dark hair, steam shading his breath as he took you hard, “Your cock is— shit its so deep in me,”

Your nerves were spent from exhaustion as he railed you, being more vocal than before as he choked at the feeling of your walls tightening around him, his fingernails digging future bruises into your hip dips, “Wanna feel you cum in me, want you to fill me up— Dabi, wanna make you feel good,”

“Fuck, doll, I can’t...” He ground his teeth together, making you squeal as he mounted you from behind, spreading your legs out wide so you had no way to hide yourself, “Gonna fuck’n cum-gonna cum in you- fuck, fuck, fuck—!“

You both hit your highs at the same time, Dabi accidentally digging your face into the wood as he held you as tightly to him as possible, his cum running hot due to his quirk as he pumped you full, that broken cry of yours like music to his ears, humping you a few times to ride out his climax.

You felt warm and safe, Dabi’s weight a comfortable blanket even with your shivering skin pressed naked into the coffee table. However, the quietly groaning hero in the corner made you quickly come back down to earth.

“Dabi... did you kill him?” Your voice was small beneath him, but he just shrugged.

“Nah, not yet, don’t worry,” He kissed your neck one more time, his thumb rubbing circles into your indented stomach, pulling you off the table and back into his arms.

He pulled out of you and grinned at the sight of his release spilling down your thighs, “Damn...” he whispered, taking in the sight with a satisfied whistle, “C’mon Doll, forget about him.”

You were grateful he carried you bridal style to your bedroom, your legs gelatin at this point, and as he laid you down to rest he grabbed one of your discarded shirts that hadn’t made it to the hamper and wiped down the remains of sex from your twitching cunt before leaving the cum-stained top ignored on the ground.

“You doing good, baby? Didn’t go too hard, did I?” His concern was diminished somewhat by the grin on his face, satisfied with the mumbling, love-drunk form he’d reduced you to.

Shaking your head, you burrowed into the warm blankets, peeking your eyes out from beyond the covers in a way that even Dabi couldn’t deny was pretty cute, “No, just... what are you gonna do with Kao?”

His face was unreadable as he leaned closer, “Do you really want to know?”

Truth be told, no, you didn’t, you were just a civilian, far removed from the complex fight between heroes and villains. You were only in this situation because you’d grown to care about Dabi. In some small, sarcastic way, he’d wormed his way into your life, and he hadn’t hurt you so far, only going as close as possible to bring you over the edge again and again.

“No...”

“Good answer,” he stood up, tucking himself back into his jeans as he went back into the living room. You heard a muffled thud and what sounded like Dabi cursing before he reappeared in your bedroom, Kao’s unconscious body slung over his shoulder. For such a wiry guy, Dabi was pretty strong. Moving to the open window he basically threw Kao’s body onto the outside metal grating, his lungs uneven after carrying him.

Just as he swung his leg onto the windowsill you shot up in your bed, hand outstretched, “Wait!”

He turned back to look at you, genuinely confused as to what you could want.

“Kiss me before you go?”

He froze, then grinned, scoffing at the innocent gesture you gave so openly to a murderer like him. There had to be something wrong with his little villain-in-training to make her okay with it, just like him. Dabi ignored that thought for another day, striding forward and finally giving you the goodbye kiss you’d been denied last time, his tongue trying to map out every detail in case he could ever forget before pulling away with a warm softness to his ocean eyes.

“I think I might be starting to like you, Doll,” A feint rush of color fell on his unmarred skin and you’re sure your heart stopped beating for a good three seconds.

His words were a worn record being played over and over in your head long after he crawled down your fire escape, the teasing, sated haze in his voice hidden beneath a rasp of smoke. You weren’t sure how much he meant what he said, but you’re sure that the first thing you said in return was exactly what he wanted to hear; at least judging from the boyish smile that lit up his face when you said it.

“Come back soon, okay?”

“Okay,”

@effmigentlywithachainsaw @touyasfatcock @thicchaikyuuboys @awritersometimes @chey-the-simp

[smartchicken]

Hi I show up every time you post which is haha, so funny, but I just wanna know if you've figured out that I'm a desperate bitch yet and if not, I'm a desperate bitch and I like your stuff. You're cool (also what're your thoughts on a road trip AU featuring young!Tony with a lot of trauma under his belt alongside honourably discharged Bucky who's forgotten how to live but they meet in the middle and it becomes a little easier to breathe)

-chokes-Oh manFirst off, i really would like to encourage people to just randomly describe themselves in my inbox.SECOND this is the first time I've replied to an ask with the mobile app and i don't understand why it's not automatically double spaced, it's really fucking with me, but I'm about as likely to do something about it as i am to tell my phone to auto-capitalize "i". I just Don't CareTHIRDLYROADTRIPokay first off I've had a very few good roadtrips and only one was "Long" (~18 hours) BUT i have great stories from those and now i am picturing not only a young Tony maybe on the run or just trying not to be home, and poor Bucky who got an honorable discharge but got fucked over because that's the American way, but all the avengers because the best roadtrip is when there's two cars and by about halfway through you're straight up enemiesSo like, car 1: Rhodey, Nat, Pepper, Bucky, and Tony. Car 2: Steve, Clint, Phil, and Sam. Because those are who i currently feel like giving a fuck about. Car 1 starts with a disadvantage because 5 people in one car always sucks but like, ride or die bitchesSo I'm sort of imagining this as BlackPepper combining their friendgroups in a fucking into the fire way like sink or swim love each other or else. Because it's that or awkward lunches for six months and they clearly don't have the time for that. I assume there is plotting going on because we all know it plotting redheads, but they probably lost control of the situation at one point because roadtripLike I'm imagining a college au so get in that mindset. I feel like Pepper immediately put her foot down about Tony, who's the only teenager there even though he acts like an old man. Pepper is just like okay Tony HAS to be with me or Rhodey at all times or I'll fuck everyone up Nat i stg i will kill your friends to death if they look strongly at my precious baby and Nat looks a this stubborn little asshole who is at once fearless and terrified and she's like, fair enoughBut Bucky, right? I know I'm a Tony fangirl but I'm not forgetting about Bucky. Cause Bucky went into the army at 18 and he came back three years later a different person. Steve didn't go with because a) he's a twiggy artist and b) Sarah would have murdered him after she destroyed the entire us military tbh. Bucky's a freshman, the only one in the group even though he's older than most of them. He's been back for like 6 months now and probably shouldn't even be dealing with college life but he's Bucky and lbr he's not gonna cut himself any slack. But by golly his friends love him and will absolutely fight everyone for him, even himself. So while Pepper's like "protect my son" Nat is like okay let's try to make sure Bucky's with Steve because they're kinda codependent but we're letting that happen for now because we have bigger fish to fry, but on the dl because currently Bucky won't admit to any issues under penalty of death.So day of the roadtrip. I dunno where they're going probably tourist shit they're just like get in the car we'll head for such and such and go from there. My only frame of reference here is Florida so I'm picturing them having to drive at least five hours before they have any reason to stop.Oh! Yes so first stop is gonna be a spring or river or some sort of water shitSoGetting ready to go is Hell they have to fit enough shit for nine people into two regular sized trunks. So they've gotta clean literally everything but the spare tire outta those("Fuck it, leave the tire," Clint suggests. He's packed all of a backpack and, incomprehensibly, his bow with three arrows and he's absolutely going to reek in about two days and probably didn't bring any shampoo or a toothbrush. It's probably like, a t-shirt, some boxers, and swim trunks. He'll wear the same shorts for a month he doesn't care. "If we get stuck on the side of tree road, I'll feed you to buzzards for sport," Pepper says pleasantly. She knows him a little better than most of Nat's friends because her and Clint half live together. They get along fine but Pepper progressed to threats much quicker than Clint is comfortable with. He thought about telling her it was hot but decided he liked his balls intact. "Just shove over the duffle," Bucky said. Tony's being quiet but he's got a toolkit packed in case anything goes wrong; there'll be no stuck-on-the-roadside on his watch. )So they get the trunks sorted and there's a couple bags in the backseats but it's good enough. Then Phil shows up (when did he leave???) and stuffs some blankets and pillows into both cars. "My family likes roadtrips," he says. His eyes are dead. Phil is not including himself in his family here. Phil tried to beg off but Pepper couldn't get Happy and Nat couldn't get Scott etc etc for various missing people and Phil agrees to come because, ultimately, these socially-challenged morons need a voice of reason and that's not Pepper or Nat OR Sam, no matter what they think(The truth is they're all reckless idiots and Phil's no exception but combined they can keep each other safe-ish or at least get in trouble together)((Tony didn't want to come either but more because he doesn't want to get underfoot. But Rhodey and Pepper made the mistake of trusting his "I'm fine" and leaving him alone for a few weeks at school exactly once. Pepper had hugged him and said "Pretty please?" and Tony's no good at turning down requests, especially from his few, beloved friends))(((Nat took a different approach with Bucky, who didn't want to come either. "If you don't come Steve won't come and then you'll have to say at Steve and Sam's wedding that it was delayed all because you skipped out on the best roadtrip ever.""It is going to be awful," Bucky said. Nat gave a particularly Russian shrug. Bucky sighed and gave in. He didn't exactly wanna spend a week in the dorms alone anyway.)))And then they really just wanna get going what the fuck guys it's already evening should we just wait til morning no fucking way shut your mouth we're going n o wPepper and Nat manage to be together, and they manage to pay Tony and Bucky special attention, as intended. But uh. Oops?It's Rhodey driving with Pepperi the passenger seat, mostly out of habit; they've done short road trips a lot at this point and it's always Rhodey driving to start, Pepper up front so Tony can nap in the backBut uhTony's in the middle in the back, with a pillow and a tablet in his lap. He's putting on a good show of being Totally Fine, but he's clearly tense. Bucky's smooshed against the door as much ash can, broadcasting discomfort like a cat in the rain. Nat leans against the door too, trying to be considerate, but Pepper starts texting her urgently( TOUCH HIM!!!!!hes so tense wtfNat I love you trust me and touch him a littleAnd Nat shifts over just a bit, so her legs are against Tony's, and for a second he freezes, and then he finally loses some of that tensionTOUCH STARVED?????? Nat texts Pepper, alarmed for this kid.His dad sucks, is Pepper's take, and Nat scowls and gets comfortable, pointedly touching Tony without pushing into his space.)MEANWHILE Phil is the odd man out but he's driving so it kinda works. Clint's in the passenger seat because Clint is a no good dirty cheater, and also has very stern, specific instructions from Nat. Steve and Sam are the most comfortable of the entire group, and within an hour they've got their feet a little tangled, not cuddling but not-not cuddling, and Steve's dosing a little cause he took a motion sickness thing and it always makes him a little sleepy"So Pepper seems terrifying," Clint says to Phil as an opener. They probably should've hung out at least a little before this because Pepper and Nat are the only things he can think of to talk about (and maybe it's not helping that Phil is weirdly hot and serious and he's seen him smile a couple times and he's trying to figure out how to see it up close but it turns out it's not hard cause right away Phil grins and chuckles a little and Clint thinks he's maybe having a heart attack)"So does Natasha. Or is it just Nat?""Sometimes it's Natalia," Clint says automatically, which isn't very helpful. "Uh. What are you studying?" Which is stupid and cliche but Phil manages to turn it into an actual conversation and in the backseat Sam's texting the whole thing to Bucky, who keeps sending back strings of emojis that aren't always sensible but like, Sam totally gets it. And then Sam gets a text of the top of a head of messy dark brown curls and a string of panicking emojis. There's a suspicious blushing emoji in there though and Sam snickers to himself. Steve wakes up with a little "hm?" which is too cute for words so Sam just passes him the phoneTony started off working on his tablet but he hasn't slept in...a while and he's been stressing about this but now he's in Rhodey's familiar car and Pepper's got classic rock going kinda quiet and Nat snuck her toes under his leg and he fights it for a while, but eventually he slumps over, and he doesn't even notice himself sliding towards the warmth that smells like machine oil and leather. Tony looks small and sweet and quiet and Bucky likes to watch him sometimes, when he can, even though he feels like a creep. It's just that Tony seems so alive in a way that Bucky can't really capture. Like he's so tired but so full of life and fire and maybe that's optimism he's not sure but he thinks it might be. Everyone always seems tired on campus, or young and stupid, or just so unrelatable. And it's not that he can relate to Tony so much as he wishes he could. Like watching the moon in the surface of a lake and being afraid of the ripples. Bucky slowly relaxes, lulled into it by Tony's quiet breathing, and Nat gives him a very obvious thumbs up, with a certain look in her eyes, and he catches Rhodey's eye in the rearview mirror, so he slides down a little, slowand quiet, tucks an arm around Tony and lets himself relax, puts down three phone and stares out the windowThey stop at an all-night walmart when Clint suddenly realizes they don't have SUPPLIESWATER SUPPLIES!!!Bucky and Tony go in, with Clint and Phil, to get Supplies, while everyone else stretches their legs or texts demands for snacks.They grab a bunch of stuff, everything that looks even mildly amusing, Tony sleep-fuzzy and relaxed from it, and in line him and Clint attack each other with pool noodles, earning a few glares from other shoppers, but they're laughing too!much to care. There's not really room in the cars for everything but they make it work and they're all wide awake then, everyone chattering for the last two hours before they realize they should've arrived by now and then Rhodey stops (he was the one leading) and there's dogs barking and they're in a trailer park andPhil calls him just to ask, "What the fuck Rhodes."They all get out their phones and they're yelling directions at Rhodey and they're lucky he loves them because seriously they deserve death at this point. They pull up to the park at 5am when they should've been there at, oh, 1 or so no one's sure how they got so turned around but they made it yaaayAnd then "Fuck," Pepper says. "Tents."And that's where I'm leaving this for now cause I'm tired of typing on mobile but tbh i wanna write a college roadtrip now. I'm just imagining a lot of cuddles at this point everyone gets maximum hugs plz. Also i can't tag this??? So thanks mobile

[scramblingminds]

Anon, why you do this to me???! I tried to bring the angst but idk so I hope this is what you were hoping for. Enjoy.

Make Peace

It had taken months for things to stabilize after the war. Over the course of only a few days so much got destroyed. Alexandria was nearly reduced to ash and the Hilltop took a fair share of damage but stayed standing. For weeks people from the different communities drifted around, working to rebuild walls and homes. Then it took even longer to get back to trading, since so much of the crops and livestock had been lost.  

Somehow, they all managed to survive and life seemed to go on. Ezekiel found the strength to lead again after being taken captive by the Saviors, Carol being at his side seemed to be a large part of it. Maggie was perfect for leadership at Hilltop, she got her hands dirty in every way possible so that it could go back to its former glory. Rick stepped back after Negan was locked away, Carl easily falling into his place and making sure Alexandria was revived.  

Daryl had a hard time after, finding a place for his anger. Even after the Saviors surrendered and Dwight took over Daryl just wanted them dead. He knew it couldn't be like that though, a certain ninja made that very clear to him. Slowly, his rage slipped away. It helped to have things to do; rebuild the wall and houses, go on runs to help restock all the pantries across the communities and when one Hilltop resident moved to Alexandria permanently.  

It started before the war, in the days after the satellite station. Paul Rovia managed to slide so easily into his life and make him remember feelings he thought he forgot a while back. Paul made him feel good, like he wasn't just a bundle of raw nerves waiting for the next thing to screw up. He made him feel like he was actually able to do the right thing, like letting the Saviors live even after all they did.  

Daryl had a feeling that he loved the man even before the real Negan showed up. Those emotions got put on the back burner for a while though. Daryl was focused on not falling to pieces after what happened that morning in that clearing and then when he was in the Sanctuary. Paul was still there through it all, he didn't back away when Daryl snapped or flinched away from touch at times.  

Daryl figured that meant maybe Paul loved him too. You had to love someone if you stay by them when you deserved them the least. Daryl often thought Paul deserved more than his twitchy personality and short fuse but Paul didn't leave. That's why it was so easy, that morning after huddling in the tunnels then sneaking to Hilltop, for Daryl to march right up to the scout and kiss him.  

They all could die at any moment, there was no sense in denying how they felt. Paul had leaned into it without hesitation, hands coming up to hold the back of Daryl's neck as if to dare him to break the kiss too soon. Paul didn't fight when Daryl told him he had to go after that, Rick needed him and they had to go back into the trenches.  

Paul had just kissed him again, long and deep. He didn't tell him to be careful or stay safe or to even come back to him. He didn't need to, Daryl could feel it in how tight he gripped his wrist before letting him go. Daryl wasn't safe or careful but he did come back, Paul took what he could get and that was a bloody Daryl Dixon. Which didn't seem to bother him in the least.  

After Alexandria had some life back Paul showed up one day. He had a duffle bag on his back and a smile on his face when he moved himself into Daryl's room. Daryl didn't even question him on it, he just cleared a drawer and let him know the side of the bed near the door was his. They never really had a conversation about it but after that it was clear they were together.  

Over time all Daryl's hurt and anger was replaced by the warmth the scout brought in. Daryl never took himself to be the touchy feely or romantic type but somehow with Paul it just came naturally. Paul was a physical person, he reached out for hands or patted shoulders often. Daryl wasn't like that with anyone save for his closest family and then Paul.  

So, when Paul came up to see him on his watch Daryl didn't think anything of slipping his arm around his shoulders. Paul was leaving soon for a run with Tara, Rosita and Aaron while Daryl had watch until midafternoon. Paul leaned into his side, leeching some of the larger man's warmth. Winter was fast approaching and the days were getting shorter and chillier.  

"I hope we can find some good coats today," Paul twisted around to tuck into Daryl leather jacket, "Some thermal underwear would be good too."  

Daryl snorted as he looked over Paul's head as the scout nuzzled into his neck, "Thought ya were some kinda badass but yer bellyaching about a little cold air."

"I am a badass," Paul leaned back just enough to mock glare at the redneck, "I just prefer to be a warm one."

Daryl shook his head, chuckling when Paul leaned forward to nip at the hinge of his jaw. Daryl reached up tugging his beanie down on his forehead getting a grunt of protest. Daryl squeezed him when Paul tried to wiggle away. Daryl grinned as Paul played at pouting up at him before leaning in to kiss his nose. It was a bit cold so Daryl repeated the gesture, not missing how Paul smiled and melted into him.  

Daryl trailed his lips over Paul's cheek, nuzzling into his beaded jaw and Paul just pressed closer with a content sigh. They both jumped at the loud wolf whistle that came from below them. Their faces went hot as they pulled apart enough to look down and see Rosita smirking with Tara and Aaron trying to conceal they were giggling like school girls.  

"Time to go, loverboy." Rosita jerked her thumb at the cars they hadn't notice pulling up to the gate.  

Paul stepped back, fixing his beanie as Daryl dipped forward to give him one more kiss to the corner of his mouth, "See ya later, Paul."

Paul smiled softly as he moved to climb down the ladder, "We'll be back before dark, I'll meet you at home."

Daryl nodded watching him reach the ground and go to the car with Tara behind the wheel while the other two got in the second car. Paul paused just long enough to wave up at him as the gate was opened for them. Daryl waved back as he climbed in and soon they were heading down the road. Daryl leaned against the wall, watching them fade away and admitting to only himself that he really wouldn't mind some thermals.  

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Daryl was a bit on edge when it got to be dinner time. The sun was creeping closer and closer to the horizon but they still weren't back. Rick and Michonne could see the tension in him as they ate. Daryl didn't voice anything, he ate and moved to the couch with Judith. He read to her when she shoved a book at him and curled into his lap. Carl was helping Michonne with the dishes when they heard it, the sound of a horn getting closer.

Daryl sat up whispering to Judith, "Go ta yer room like we practiced, ya remember?"

Judith nodded and whispered back, "Yes, Uncle Daryl."

"Good girl," Daryl kissed her temple and nudged her, "Don't move 'til we come get ya."

She nodded again and ran up the stair. He and Rick had been teaching her to go in her room, into her closet and hide to keep her safe. Daryl snatched up his bow running to meet where more than half the Safe Zone was piling around the gate. The horn was getting louder, head light beams pouring up the road.

"It's one of ours!" Scott yelled down and they rushed to get the gate open.

The horn stopped as soon as the car came to a screech halt inside. Aaron was behind the wheel and franticly opened the door. He was covered in blood, his hands shaking as he hurried to get the back door open.

"Someone, help!" Aaron yelled.

Daryl, Rick and Tobin rushed forward. Rosita was sitting in the backseat, more blood drenching her chest and streaking her face, which was set in a hard expression. When they got closer they could see in the dim light the source of the blood.

"PAUL?!" Daryl felt sick. His knees going a little weak and Rick grabbed him to keep him up.  

Clutched tight to Rosita was Paul's head, beanie gone and hair one clump of red. He wasn't moving, it barely looked light he was breathing as Aaron and Tobin carefully lifted him from the car. He was limp, face white and soaked with blood.  

"Tara went to get Carson," Rosita rushed out of the car, "Get him to the infirmary."

"What happened?" Rick asked as they followed the men carrying the scout.  

Daryl didn't know what to do. He didn't know how to fix this. Paul already looked dead as they got him on an exam table. He wanted to grab him but was terrified to touch him. Rosita was grabbing bandages and alcohol off the self before moving to start sifting through Paul's wet hair.

"We had just gotten to a store, it didn't look too bad, only a few walkers but there were people inside, seven of them," Aaron supplied as Rosita revealed a deep gash from his left temple running down behind his ear, "They attacked as soon as we set foot inside."

"They didn't have guns but the ambush was enough to catch us off guard," Rosita cleaned the wound, it was still trickling steadily, "Jesus took out three of them before we even got one each. None of us saw the last guy."

Rosita sniffled, swiping at her cheek uncaring of the blood she left behind as she compressed the wound. Aaron's voice cracked, "Jesus was turning to make sure we were alright then there was a crack and he went down. Guy hit him with something, looked like a cane or piece of wood. He didn't even see the coward."

Daryl could feel his blood boiling. Paul had been protecting the group, which was such his nature and that asshole had snuck up on him. Daryl didn't know he was shaking until Michonne grabbed his hand and squeezed. It wasn't to calm him, that wasn't a possibility but it did help.  

"Tara shot the guy and we grabbed Jesus and booked it, Tara should be on the way with Carson by now," Aaron looked over at Daryl, "I'm so sorry, Daryl."

"Did ya hit him?" Daryl looked over to see Aaron shake his head, "Then don't start with that shit, wasn't y'all's fault."  

Daryl stayed planted at the end of the bed as everyone started filtering out, giving Rosita space as she tried to slow the bleeding. It was an hour and a trashcan full of gauze later that Carson got there. He took over for the Latina, he whispered to her and she nodded after a moment.

Rosita walked over and linked her arm through Daryl's, looking up at him with big watery eyes as she started pulling him toward the door. He tried to protest, dig his heels in but she shushed him and keep tugging. She closed the door once they were on the other side and Daryl leaned his head against the wood.

"Have faith in Carson, Daryl." Maggie's voice came from behind him, he hadn't even known she had come but it wasn't a surprise.  

Daryl didn't have faith in much. He had never been the praying kind or the type who had faith in what he couldn't see. He didn't much believe in people either, not after everything he had been through. Daryl sighed shaking his head as her arms wrapped around his waist.

Daryl could feel her hold him close, her slowly growing bump pressing warmly into his back. Her head resting on his shoulder, not trying to get him to move from the spot. He covered her hand with his as she whispered, "Then believe in Jesus, Daryl."

Daryl swallowed thickly, the pain in his voice plain even to him, "I do."

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Carson was frank, he didn't know the extent of the damage. The wound was easy enough to stitch and clean, getting the scout on antibiotics to prevent infection. The trauma wasn't something he could measure. There was swelling but it wasn't as bad as it could have been and Paul was still breathing on his own. Only time would tell and if Paul didn't wake up to eat he would starve, they didn't have the means for a feeding tube and the fluids he was on would only keep him going so long.  

"So, what's the odds?" Daryl asked from where he was sitting next to the bed. The room was packed with everyone it seemed as Carson checked Paul's eyes with a light again.  

The scout didn't look any better. His skin was just as pale even with the blood cleaned away. Eyelids looking bruised and lips ashen. Carson had to shave the hair around the wound so get to it easier, only about a half inch of bare skin around the bandage.  

"Do you want the honest answer or the sugarcoated one?" Carson sighed, rubbing his eyes either from emotion or tiredness or both.  

"No bullshit, doc." Daryl felt someone squeeze his shoulder but he didn't even look to see who. His eyes locked on Paul, on the movement of his chest with each slow breath.  

Carson nodded clearing his throat, "It would probably be best to not get your hopes up too high. Make peace."  

Daryl felt like he had been hit in the chest, his ribcage was crushing in on him but he didn't move to do more than nod. He felt lost, all he wanted was to ask Paul what he was supposed to do but he couldn't. Paul was laying on that little bed with his head bandaged up and who knows what kind of brain damage.  

Over the next few days Daryl barely moved from Paul's side, only to use the bathroom. People came and went, some sitting for hours while others briefly expressed their condolences, like Paul was already dead. Daryl didn't say much, even to Maggie or Rick when they came by. Daryl sat through every range of farewell and each one just made him number.  

It didn't feel real, every time Daryl passed out in the uncomfortable chair he wondered if he would wake up in bed with Paul sound asleep next to him. He could kiss his whiskered chin and those kaleidoscope eyes would open. Daryl woke up each day with increasingly bad neckache and still shut eyelids.  

By the end of the fourth day Daryl was afraid. He didn't want to bury anyone else, he couldn’t lose someone again. Daryl didn't know how to function without Paul now. Paul who could calm him with a touch or rile him up with just a grin. Paul who helped him find the Daryl he almost forgot how to be. Paul who was so strong and selfless and kind and didn't deserve to be taken out by a coward with a stick.  

Tara and Aaron had told him in detail how when they got attacked Paul hadn't hesitated to act. Moving ahead of the others, drawing the three men away from the others and swiftly taking care of them. How he turned to see if they needed them, caring about them being safe more than himself. The new world needed people like Paul and Daryl just couldn't accept this.  

Daryl scooted his chair up to the side of the bed, his aching body leaning on the edge as he picked up Paul's hand. His fingertips tracing over knuckles and small scars that came from years of training, he kissed the palm, "Don't leave me, please Paul."

Daryl sniffed leaning to rest his head on Paul's thigh, watching his chest rise and fall, "I can't say goodbye anymore, baby. I'm not strong without ya."

Daryl felt the tears dripping onto the white sheet under his head, not caring if anyone came in and saw him. He closed his eyes, squeezing Paul's limp hands, "I don't want to miss ya, too."  

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Daryl must have fallen asleep because next thing he knew his back was screaming for him to move. He didn't want to though. The fingers combing through his hair was so soothing, trailing down to rub his neck then repeat the motion. All the last days had been was pain and worry and it felt so nice.  

After just a few more moments he gave in and blinked slowly, eyes stinging from the overhead light. They took a minute to focus, the hand pausing to cup his cheek and Daryl leaned into it before realizing what he was doing.

It slowly coming to him that no one should be that comfortable petting him, "You look like shit."  

Daryl head popped up at the dry, raspy voice that was followed by a hard cough. Daryl locked eyes with seafoam ones, ones he hadn't seen in almost a week. Paul grinned down at him, awake and in need of water and Carson. Daryl moved to grab the bottle by the bed, the scout taking a small grateful sip.  

With a trembling hand Daryl cupped Paul's cheek, the smaller man smiling at the touch and this was real "Yer a sight for sore eyes."