[ perhaps surprisingly, tamaki hadn't minded the addition of that tracker app at all. if it meant he had someone to talk to - especially someone as cool and strong as dabi - he'd happily give up his whereabouts any day of the week. plus, if he was in danger, maybe dabi could come help him. not rescue - that's not what they did around here - but help. help him be strong enough to win his own fights for once.
somewhere in the back of his mind, tamaki knows he's playing a dangerous game. he isn't brave enough to pick a side just yet, but both the heroes and the villains could choose to make him a proper outcast at any moment. after all, he was keeping the company of several murderers; he could easily be arrested for aiding and abetting. on the other hand, it would be pretty easy to force him into giving up information about the league - a few threats of violence, maybe a little light torture, and he knows he'd spill everything.
that's too scary to think about, though. so, instead, he tries to focus on the here and now: the smell of dabi's cigarette smoke, the damp forest air hanging heavy around them, the worn-out furniture scattered throughout the room. his fingers twitch nervously at his sides, more out of habit than for any real reason; he's gotten used to being jumped. ]
Ah. ...That's good.
[ he tries to make himself smile more, but it just ends up looking strained. stepping forwards a little, he grasps the straps of the backpack he's wearing and slips it off, kneeling down to set it carefully on the floor. ]
I made sure no one followed me. Just like you said.
[ it was a long hike, made longer by his attempts to cover his tracks - he had to continually munch on bear jerky in order to keep his feet in paw form - but he thought he'd been clever, and part of him wants praise for it. not that he'd come out and say so, of course.
unzipping his bag, he roots around in it for a moment before getting back up, now grasping a neatly-wrapped parcel in his hands. ]
[just don't call him at night to whine about something. dabi's not a nice guy. calm and laid-back most of the time, but "nice" is not him. then again, he's usually up and around at night, so that's maybe not a problem. still, he'll take the calls if he's not doing something. most of the time. and while he's only come to help tamaki once, the rest of the times, he's just told him to get himself out of the trouble. fight or run. you know, normal choices.
dabi would encourage the fight and kill route, but he's not afraid to take his leave if he doesn't feel like risking himself or wasting the effort on something stupid. there's no shame when you left your shame behind in an alley somewhere a long time ago. he cares about himself, and that means living until he accomplishes his goal. the rest is all secondary to survival and doing what he's set out to do.
honestly dabi doesn't think the heroes would torture tamaki. more like they'd talk sweet to him and offer to help him in exchange for whatever he knew about the league. might even help him become a hero. something the burned man would prefer to avoid. tamaki is a lot stronger than he realizes and it'd be better if, when he does realize that, he's not on the heroes' side.
at least the cabin isn't a wreck enough it's moldy and full of dust that'd make staying here a health hazard. it's had patchwork done by some bored villains that were hanging out here. there's a cooler in the corner with drinks and a burner in the kitchen if they want to make something. likely something from the cans of food to go along with some dry goods.
dabi tilts his head to the side as tamaki comes further in and works his backpack off. funny that someone saying they made sure no one followed seems to be more suspicious than someone not even mentioning it. he intends to hang around for about half an hour to make sure nothing happens before really getting into something with tamaki. don't worry, he brought cards and dice for entertainment.]
How'd you make sure of that? Keep lookin over ya shoulder? [it's half sincere question, and half slight taunting. though dabi leans forward as the other man brings out a parcel, a black brow arching in curiosity. then cracks a slight smirk, breath chuffing through his half-torched lips.] Aw, ain't ya sweet.
[ over the past few months, tamaki's grown used to dabi's habit of teasing him. it usually leaves him feeling a little off-kilter and unsure, but it's still a hell of a lot better than the cruel jokes his classmates used to play at his expense. being taunted has become so common to tamaki that he has to do a double-take whenever someone isn't doing it, like when toga genuinely wants his opinion on something.
in a way, dabi's questions make tamaki feel warm inside. he's asking because he cares - even if it's just for his own safety - and that's something the younger man isn't used to. ]
I used my quirk... [ he hesitates momentarily, before stepping over to place the package on the coffee table, carefully avoiding dabi's feet. as he unpacks the bento boxes he'd brought along, he continues: ]
I turned my legs and feet into a brown bear... I figured that way, even if I left tracks, people wouldn't want to follow me.
[ he tries not to, but he can't help looking up for a moment, trying to see if he can catch any change in dabi's expression now that he's explained his thinking. would he be surprised? proud? upset, somehow knowing that tamaki messed up even before tamaki himself did? ]
Um. Anyway - I packed some onigiri, and hardboiled eggs... and veggies, too...
[ they needed healthy food to keep their strength up. even tamaki, who typically only ate what he needed in order to practice using his quirk, knew that vitamins were important. ]
[toga and twice are obviously the friendliest of the league. twice has taken to tamaki well enough for his uniqueness and toga is toga. likely wants some of tamaki's blood since she's fallen for him. dabi won't tell the other man that he should keep his guard up around her because if she drains his blood to "become" him at some point, it'll be the younger man's own fault for not watching his back. mister compress and spinner are more... adult about things, so they make better, calmer conversation and companions. while shigaraki, kurogiri, and dabi are the more taciturn individuals.
eh, there's concern for his own safety and simply because he's curious about the potential recruit's skills, both quirk and intelligence. dabi's left plenty of space on the coffee table for tamaki's food. he's a lanky guy after all.]
Hoooh? That's pretty smart of ya. [not just turning into an animal to avoid any suspicion, but also turning into one that most people wouldn't want to go tracking outside of some idiotic hunters.] Where'd ya get bear meat?
[not exactly something you could pick up at your local store. dabi's expression is as casual as ever, though he's wearing the same lazy smile he occasionally gets when something's interesting or pleasing. while he's not exactly an inexpressive guy, his expressions usually cover a wide variety of shallow feelings.]
Wow. You went all out. Kinda feels like we're on a date.
[there's a brief flash of blue as azure flames lick out from dabi's fingers and consume the cigarette to the barest of ashes. he flicks them away and leans forward to inspect the food on the table. "healthy" food isn't exactly what the league has that often. robbing convenience stores and stuff doesn't net you the most choice items.]
[ he speaks as he sets the food out across the table, opening each of the three bentos to display their contents. in addition to the things he's mentioned, there's also some sausages cut to resemble octopuses, a salad with cherry tomatoes, and some sliced-up fresh fruit. it's a lot of food, he knows, but he also knows that dabi probably doesn't get to eat enough most of the time - he's the skinniest out of all of them, even including shigaraki. whether or not that's due to malnutrition, tamaki wants to make sure he eats properly at least for today.
the word date makes him squeak in embarrassment, though, his eyes widening and his face turning pink. it shouldn't affect him so strongly, but he's never even considered the possibility of going on a date with anyone. who would want to? ]
I just... wanted to make sure there was enough for both of us.
[ he doesn't mention the extra bag of groceries still stuffed into his backpack; that's for later.
once he's finished getting everything opened up, he sets out two slim cases, each containing a pair of chopsticks and a spoon. ]
Ah. [that'd do it. dabi takes his legs off the table once it's clear there's going to be a bit of a spread. even if it's three bentos and some drinks. he leans forward, elbows resting on his knees, and peers over the options. someone went through a lot of effort to prepare this. reminds him of the kind of meals a mother would make for her child. oy, toga's skinnier than he is. (cause she's a girl, duh.) malnutrition is part of the reason for dabi's lanky appearance, but it's also genes, where he never got the muscular build from his father that his younger brothers inherited. even after his growth spurt, touya mostly got taller and stayed slender, though his life on the streets surviving gave him wiry, toned muscle.
but turning down some good food isn't really his operation.
dabi knew exactly what kind of reaction "date" would get; that's why he said it, just to fuck with tamaki. as for the unspoken question, a lot of people would want to date tamaki if they could accept his ridiculously-shy demeanor. not that dabi's got plans on letting that happen.]
Congratulations. Ya did.
[dabi swipes one of the cases of chopsticks off the table once they're laid out, pops it open and slips them out. he picks up the bento with the sausages and sets in. kind of eats leaned or hunched over, almost like a predator guarding his food. sometimes he'll eat with his head up and back straight, but that's usually when he's in a place he doesn't trust and thus keeping his guard up.]
[ it's not really necessary to say more about his grandfather - and, in reality, it's probably a bad idea to go around giving up information about his family to villains - but tamaki finds himself wanting to explain, anyway. how his quirk runs in the family, how his grandfather started the shop to help others like them, how he sends tamaki gift baskets every now and then to help him practice using his abilities.
how he isn't very healthy anymore.
but again - not necessary. so, instead, he focuses his attention on dabi, watching as the older man surveys the food. tamaki made it all himself; his parents weren't home much, so he was used to cooking his own meals. he didn't need to make so much, or try so hard, but it was impossible not to. after all, wouldn't it make dabi happy, seeing so much good food? wouldn't eating it improve his life, even if just a little? and, if it did, wouldn't that make him like tamaki? maybe even find him worthy of having around?
the tiniest bit of praise is enough to leave him grinning shyly, still pink from that earlier comment. the word date rings in his ears as he carefully takes out his own utensils, and he can't help but be distracted by the sight of dabi eating the food he'd cooked just for him. ]
I hope you like it...
[ he doesn't expect compliments, of course, especially not from this particular man. ]
[there are plenty of reasons he can figure on why tamaki went through all the trouble of making this. considering the league of villains has gone from personal bar hideouts to scrounging on the run to convenience store diets to robbing grocery stores to indulging on the splendors of the plf's wealth of reserves, dabi's been through quite the gastronomical adventures on his own part. not to mention the aspect of surviving on his own for several years on the streets.
so he recognizes good food when he sees it, even if he's too rude to say much towards it. tamaki knows himself well enough, why he made what he did how he did. dabi's not about to insult his intelligence or his intentions by asking him a "why" question both of them already know. tamaki made a bunch of nice food to impress him and dabi's offering a simple "you did it" moment of acknowledging the man accomplished his goal with it.
not that the villain's shallow enough to keep tamaki around for his cooking prowess. that's just a surprising added bonus.
as far as food goes, dabi avoids fish primarily. hates it. both the taste and the memories. natto and plain white rice also don't sit well with him for similar reasons. hence going for the sausages. that said, he's also not a picky person (unless he feels like being a dick) when it comes to food. food's food.]
It's good. [hey, compliment due where effort's given.] Ya learn from home?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 3/23/23 00:26 (UTC)somewhere in the back of his mind, tamaki knows he's playing a dangerous game. he isn't brave enough to pick a side just yet, but both the heroes and the villains could choose to make him a proper outcast at any moment. after all, he was keeping the company of several murderers; he could easily be arrested for aiding and abetting. on the other hand, it would be pretty easy to force him into giving up information about the league - a few threats of violence, maybe a little light torture, and he knows he'd spill everything.
that's too scary to think about, though. so, instead, he tries to focus on the here and now: the smell of dabi's cigarette smoke, the damp forest air hanging heavy around them, the worn-out furniture scattered throughout the room. his fingers twitch nervously at his sides, more out of habit than for any real reason; he's gotten used to being jumped. ]
Ah. ...That's good.
[ he tries to make himself smile more, but it just ends up looking strained. stepping forwards a little, he grasps the straps of the backpack he's wearing and slips it off, kneeling down to set it carefully on the floor. ]
I made sure no one followed me. Just like you said.
[ it was a long hike, made longer by his attempts to cover his tracks - he had to continually munch on bear jerky in order to keep his feet in paw form - but he thought he'd been clever, and part of him wants praise for it. not that he'd come out and say so, of course.
unzipping his bag, he roots around in it for a moment before getting back up, now grasping a neatly-wrapped parcel in his hands. ]
I, um. Brought you some lunch...
no subject
Date: 3/24/23 04:08 (UTC)dabi would encourage the fight and kill route, but he's not afraid to take his leave if he doesn't feel like risking himself or wasting the effort on something stupid. there's no shame when you left your shame behind in an alley somewhere a long time ago. he cares about himself, and that means living until he accomplishes his goal. the rest is all secondary to survival and doing what he's set out to do.
honestly dabi doesn't think the heroes would torture tamaki. more like they'd talk sweet to him and offer to help him in exchange for whatever he knew about the league. might even help him become a hero. something the burned man would prefer to avoid. tamaki is a lot stronger than he realizes and it'd be better if, when he does realize that, he's not on the heroes' side.
at least the cabin isn't a wreck enough it's moldy and full of dust that'd make staying here a health hazard. it's had patchwork done by some bored villains that were hanging out here. there's a cooler in the corner with drinks and a burner in the kitchen if they want to make something. likely something from the cans of food to go along with some dry goods.
dabi tilts his head to the side as tamaki comes further in and works his backpack off. funny that someone saying they made sure no one followed seems to be more suspicious than someone not even mentioning it. he intends to hang around for about half an hour to make sure nothing happens before really getting into something with tamaki. don't worry, he brought cards and dice for entertainment.]
How'd you make sure of that? Keep lookin over ya shoulder? [it's half sincere question, and half slight taunting. though dabi leans forward as the other man brings out a parcel, a black brow arching in curiosity. then cracks a slight smirk, breath chuffing through his half-torched lips.] Aw, ain't ya sweet.
What'd ya bring?
no subject
Date: 3/25/23 01:12 (UTC)in a way, dabi's questions make tamaki feel warm inside. he's asking because he cares - even if it's just for his own safety - and that's something the younger man isn't used to. ]
I used my quirk... [ he hesitates momentarily, before stepping over to place the package on the coffee table, carefully avoiding dabi's feet. as he unpacks the bento boxes he'd brought along, he continues: ]
I turned my legs and feet into a brown bear... I figured that way, even if I left tracks, people wouldn't want to follow me.
[ he tries not to, but he can't help looking up for a moment, trying to see if he can catch any change in dabi's expression now that he's explained his thinking. would he be surprised? proud? upset, somehow knowing that tamaki messed up even before tamaki himself did? ]
Um. Anyway - I packed some onigiri, and hardboiled eggs... and veggies, too...
[ they needed healthy food to keep their strength up. even tamaki, who typically only ate what he needed in order to practice using his quirk, knew that vitamins were important. ]
no subject
Date: 3/25/23 19:47 (UTC)eh, there's concern for his own safety and simply because he's curious about the potential recruit's skills, both quirk and intelligence. dabi's left plenty of space on the coffee table for tamaki's food. he's a lanky guy after all.]
Hoooh? That's pretty smart of ya. [not just turning into an animal to avoid any suspicion, but also turning into one that most people wouldn't want to go tracking outside of some idiotic hunters.] Where'd ya get bear meat?
[not exactly something you could pick up at your local store. dabi's expression is as casual as ever, though he's wearing the same lazy smile he occasionally gets when something's interesting or pleasing. while he's not exactly an inexpressive guy, his expressions usually cover a wide variety of shallow feelings.]
Wow. You went all out. Kinda feels like we're on a date.
[there's a brief flash of blue as azure flames lick out from dabi's fingers and consume the cigarette to the barest of ashes. he flicks them away and leans forward to inspect the food on the table. "healthy" food isn't exactly what the league has that often. robbing convenience stores and stuff doesn't net you the most choice items.]
no subject
Date: 3/26/23 13:21 (UTC)[ he speaks as he sets the food out across the table, opening each of the three bentos to display their contents. in addition to the things he's mentioned, there's also some sausages cut to resemble octopuses, a salad with cherry tomatoes, and some sliced-up fresh fruit. it's a lot of food, he knows, but he also knows that dabi probably doesn't get to eat enough most of the time - he's the skinniest out of all of them, even including shigaraki. whether or not that's due to malnutrition, tamaki wants to make sure he eats properly at least for today.
the word date makes him squeak in embarrassment, though, his eyes widening and his face turning pink. it shouldn't affect him so strongly, but he's never even considered the possibility of going on a date with anyone. who would want to? ]
I just... wanted to make sure there was enough for both of us.
[ he doesn't mention the extra bag of groceries still stuffed into his backpack; that's for later.
once he's finished getting everything opened up, he sets out two slim cases, each containing a pair of chopsticks and a spoon. ]
no subject
Date: 3/26/23 23:33 (UTC)but turning down some good food isn't really his operation.
dabi knew exactly what kind of reaction "date" would get; that's why he said it, just to fuck with tamaki. as for the unspoken question, a lot of people would want to date tamaki if they could accept his ridiculously-shy demeanor. not that dabi's got plans on letting that happen.]
Congratulations. Ya did.
[dabi swipes one of the cases of chopsticks off the table once they're laid out, pops it open and slips them out. he picks up the bento with the sausages and sets in. kind of eats leaned or hunched over, almost like a predator guarding his food. sometimes he'll eat with his head up and back straight, but that's usually when he's in a place he doesn't trust and thus keeping his guard up.]
no subject
Date: 3/27/23 02:18 (UTC)how he isn't very healthy anymore.
but again - not necessary. so, instead, he focuses his attention on dabi, watching as the older man surveys the food. tamaki made it all himself; his parents weren't home much, so he was used to cooking his own meals. he didn't need to make so much, or try so hard, but it was impossible not to. after all, wouldn't it make dabi happy, seeing so much good food? wouldn't eating it improve his life, even if just a little? and, if it did, wouldn't that make him like tamaki? maybe even find him worthy of having around?
the tiniest bit of praise is enough to leave him grinning shyly, still pink from that earlier comment. the word date rings in his ears as he carefully takes out his own utensils, and he can't help but be distracted by the sight of dabi eating the food he'd cooked just for him. ]
I hope you like it...
[ he doesn't expect compliments, of course, especially not from this particular man. ]
no subject
Date: 3/28/23 19:28 (UTC)so he recognizes good food when he sees it, even if he's too rude to say much towards it. tamaki knows himself well enough, why he made what he did how he did. dabi's not about to insult his intelligence or his intentions by asking him a "why" question both of them already know. tamaki made a bunch of nice food to impress him and dabi's offering a simple "you did it" moment of acknowledging the man accomplished his goal with it.
not that the villain's shallow enough to keep tamaki around for his cooking prowess. that's just a surprising added bonus.
as far as food goes, dabi avoids fish primarily. hates it. both the taste and the memories. natto and plain white rice also don't sit well with him for similar reasons. hence going for the sausages. that said, he's also not a picky person (unless he feels like being a dick) when it comes to food. food's food.]
It's good. [hey, compliment due where effort's given.] Ya learn from home?