A Hero's Steps

Hello, hello! Mimmy here with a last minute post for IC but hey, I'm here!

Yesterday was my boy Matt's birthday (those who are reading The Flame's Shadow know him) - I created him on January 30th 2019 - and I couldn't post a chapter so I decided to kinda make this about him.

Disclaimer: This is not canon to the Flame's Shadow story, just wanted to have these three being precious at some point and the full story won't call for it so here we are.

#CuratorReview

Word count

545

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“Dabi, what the hell are you doing?”

Dabi stopped for a moment before turning to face Hawks with a frown that said 'don't you dare question me.' But Hawks wanted to know what Dabi had to celebrate for Matt's ission in a hero agency. It was Hawks', but he claimed he'd been completely impartial with the picking.

“Shut up, this has nothing to do with you or your stupid hero group.”

“Agency.”

Dabi shot another sharp look at Hawks and sighed. “He's survived three years putting up with all those people, he's actually made friends.” Hawks raised an eyebrow with a small smirk. “Shut up...” he muttered again, the annoyance barely burying the pride underneath.

“You're proud of him, you can say that. I know it, so you aren't fooling anyone. Being proud of him doesn't mean you agree that he should become a hero.” Hawks smiled lightly, leaning against the wall.

“He shouldn't be a hero, but he'll see that someday. I'm not saying he should be in the League either but... I raised him, that should count for something.” Hawks barked a laugh he couldn't contain and a mix of frustration and shock crossed Dabi's features. “What?”

“Nothing, it's just ironic. You became a villain with your father's upbringing and your son is becoming a hero.”

“I wouldn't call what my father did 'upbringing', more like pushing down constantly and hope I wouldn't get up.”

“Either way, you did a good job, I told you when he was 2, and I can tell you now that he's 17, you've got a good kid. He's got so much of your family... so much of you, he's great to be around, and I will make sure he doesn't get into any trouble.”

Dabi rolled his eyes, a slight smirk betraying his affection. “Yeah, well, if he does, at least I’ll know whose fault it is.”

“Mine, obviously,” Hawks grinned.

With the conversation still echoing in his mind, Dabi stepped away from the wall, his mind already racing through the next steps. He wasn’t just celebrating the news; he had plans for Matt’s future. He pulled out a worn leather envelope and began carefully counting crisp bills. Inside, there was a little more than cash—it was enough to help Matt settle into a new life—a small gift meant to keep him grounded when the weight of the world became too much. He wasn't kicking him out, but he wanted Matt to take his own life seriously. Hero or villain, he wanted Matt to make a name for himself.

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. It was Matt, tired yet happy from his first day at the agency. The house was quiet except for the soft hum of anticipation that seemed to vibrate through every room.

“Hey, Dad,” Matt said, stepping inside.

Dabi’s stern façade melted as he met Matt’s tired eyes, offering the envelope with a rare, soft smile. ‘Welcome back, kid.”

Matt’s eyes lit up as he looked at the cash. “Where'd you get this?” he asked, looking up at him with a small.

Dabi laughed. And Hawks smiled at the genuine sound. “Like hell I'm telling you now that you're a hero.”