During the trip, Overhaul had the back seat all to himself. He was curled up tightly, using his hoodie as a pillow, fast asleep. Dabi couldn't help but steal glances at him through the rearview mirror. He blushed slightly, finding Overhaul's sleeping face incredibly cute and innocent.
Shigaraki: "He sure is cute, isn't he?
He commented with a smirk, looking at Dabi while keeping his eyes occasionally on the road. He noticed Dabi's blushing face and the frequent glances at Overhaul through the mirror. Shigaraki found amusement in Dabi's obvious affection towards Overhaul.
Dabi: "Yeah."
He replied softly, his smile widening at Shigaraki's comment. He turned his head to look out the window, hiding the deeper blush that crept up his cheeks.
Overhaul stirred slightly in the back seat, his sleepy murmur making both Shigaraki and Dabi smile even more.
Shigaraki: "So I heard a rumor that Overhaul hates being useless."
He said casually, his eyes focused on the road ahead.
Shigaraki: "Probably because he's... armless."
He added, a hint of teasing in his tone. He waited for Dabi's reaction, knowing it would likely be defensive of Overhaul.
Dabi: "He's not useless."
He said firmly, his gaze sharpening as he looked at Shigaraki. His protective instincts towards Overhaul kicked in immediately.
Dabi: "Just because he doesn't have arms doesn't mean he can't contribute. He's smart, capable, and an asset to our group."
Shigaraki's eyes widened in realization, and a small smile spread across his face.
Shigaraki: "Aw, you really do love him."
He teased softly, keeping his voice low so Overhaul wouldn't hear.
Shigaraki: "Not romantically, but you genuinely care about him, don't you?"
Dabi: "Stop talking about it."
He cut in, his tone serious but gentle.
Dabi: "I do care about him. A lot."
He turned back to look out the window, his hand tightening on the armrest.
Shigaraki: "I'm serious."
He chuckled softly, watching Dabi's expression darken.
Shigaraki: "You get mad when people talk bad about him. You defend him like a puppy."
He paused, then asked more softly.
Shigaraki: "Do you even realize how protective you are of him?"
He knew he was hitting a nerve with Dabi.
Shigaraki: "To be fair. I always thought he was useless. Always needing help with everything - eating, putting on clothes, simple tasks. It's like he's helpless and pathetic."
He waited for Dabi's reaction, curious if it would match his own past thoughts.
Dabi: "Do you still think that way?"
He asked softly, his eyes fixed on Shigaraki's expression. He wanted to know if Shigaraki's opinion of Overhaul hadn't changed. He himself had seen Overhaul's intelligence and capability, but he needed to know if others still viewed him as useless and weak.
Dabi: "Be honest."
Shigaraki: "Sometimes I do."
He admitted, his eyes flicking back to the road.
Shigaraki: "The others say the same stuff. I remember once having to help Overhaul go to the restroom because he couldn't manage it himself."
He huffed softly.
Shigaraki: "He's pretty much helpless without someone around."
Dabi: "Well, that's just your opinion."
He replied coolly, looking back out the window. His jaw clenched slightly as he listened to Shigaraki's words. He knew Overhaul had his struggles, but to hear others still viewing him as helpless stung.
Dabi: "You're entitled to it, but it's not the whole truth."
Overhaul's sleepy voice suddenly piped up from the back seat.
Overhaul: "Are we there yet?"
He asked, stretching slightly.
Shigaraki caught Dabi's eye in the rearview mirror, seeing the sudden softness in his expression as he looked at Overhaul.
Dabi: "Almost."
Shigaraki: "We're almost there... Not really."
He replied, his tone flat.
Shigaraki: "It's a twelve-hour drive. We've barely started."
Overhaul: "..."
He groaned softly, sinking back into the seat.
Overhaul: "That long? Ugh, I hate long car rides."
Shigaraki: "Well, it isn't too bad."
He said jokingly.
Shigaraki: "I mean, you two could always pass the time with some road head or something. Don't mind me!"
He laughed lightly, trying to make the long drive less boring with a joke.
Overhaul's face turned red with annoyance, and he shot Shigaraki a deadly glare.
Overhaul: "Don't. Ever. Say. That. Again."
His voice was low and dangerous, the truck suddenly feeling a lot colder. Dabi shifted uncomfortably in his seat, amused and turned on by the sudden tension.
Shigaraki raised an eyebrow at Overhaul's sudden serious tone. He held up his hands in mock surrender.
Shigaraki: "Hey, hey, chill out! It was just a joke."
He glanced back at Dabi, expecting him to be annoyed too, but found him trying to hide a smile.
Overhaul: "Focus on the road."
He snapped abruptly, turning his head to stare out the window instead of engaging with either of them further. The truck fell into an awkward silence after that—Shigaraki concentrating extra hard on driving while Dabi struggled not to laugh outright. Twelve hours felt suddenly very long indeed.
An hour passed by slowly and quietly. The darkness outside seemed to mirror the tense silence in the car. The only sounds were the hum of the engine and the occasional swish of tires on wet pavement. The moon hung high and round in the sky, casting an eerie glow through the windows.
Overhaul eventually drifted off to sleep again, his head resting against the window this time. He was curled up uncomfortably, his arms wrapped around himself for warmth. Shigaraki glanced at him through the rearview mirror, then back at Dabi sitting beside him. Dabi was staring out the window too.
Dabi's eyes suddenly snapped to something hanging from a tree branch up ahead, illuminated by the moonlight. He did a double-take, leaning forward slightly to get a better look through the windshield. His hand tightened around the door handle as he realized what it was - a rope dangling like a noose.
Shigaraki drove past the tree without a second glance, completely unaware of the disturbing sight hanging from the branch. Dabi watched as it disappeared behind them, his expression unreadable in the darkness. He kept silent about it, not wanting to ruin Overhaul's sleep or draw attention to something potentially unsettling.
Shigaraki: "Restroom break."
He said, pulling into the broken-down yet functioning gas station. The other cars in their convoy copied his movements, parking in a loose circle around the pumps. The place was eerily quiet except for the buzzing fluorescent lights overhead. Shigaraki stretched before heading towards the grimy restroom.
Dabi gently shook Overhaul's shoulder, trying to wake him up without startling him too much.
Dabi: "Overhaul, wake up."
He said quietly. Overhaul stirred groggily, blinking his eyes open to see Dabi's face inches from his own.
Dabi: "Restroom break."
He explained simply.
Overhaul: "Yes please."
He replied sleepily, sitting up and rubbing his eyes with his stumps. As he looked around at the gas station, he couldn't help but grimace at its dilapidated state. The building was covered in peeling paint and graffiti, and the restroom sign hung crookedly from its hinges.
Overhaul: "This screams death trap..."
He muttered under his breath as Dabi opened the truck door. His stumps indeed shook slightly with discomfort and uncertainty. Dabi heard the comment. He reached out to help Overhaul down from the truck more gently than usual.
Dabi: "Careful."
Dabi followed Overhaul into the men's restroom, trying not to gag at the sheer disgustingness of it. The tiles were cracked and stained, the sinks looked like they hadn't been cleaned in decades, and the urinals were absolutely revolting.
Overhaul: "I'd rather pee outside than this place..."
He muttered, covering his nose with his stumps. The smell was overwhelming—urine, mold, and something else that Dabi didn't want to identify. He quickly unzipped Overhaul's pants without comment, holding him steady against the wall.
Overhaul finished peeing quickly, turning to glance at Dabi with a nod to indicate he was done. Dabi quickly zipped him up, trying to minimize contact with the filthy restroom as much as possible. Just as they were about to leave, the door creaked open suddenly.
The door creaked open, revealing the gas station owner—an old man with wild eyes and greasy hair. He was holding a dead animal by the tail, its body limp and bloody. Dabi quickly stepped back, putting Overhaul behind him as he blocked the old man's view of them.
The old man's eyes widened as he noticed Overhaul's missing arms, his grip on the dead animal tightening. A creepy smile spread across his face as he stepped closer, ignoring Dabi completely and focusing solely on Overhaul.
Gas station Owner: "Hey there, little guy without arms."
He chuckled menacingly.
The old man licked his lips, his gaze roaming over Overhaul's stumps with a disturbing hunger. It was clear he had a sick fascination with disabled individuals—people who couldn't fight back. His hand slowly moved to unbuckle his belt, his hard-on growing more obvious through his dirty overalls.
Without hesitation, Dabi grabbed Overhaul and bolted towards Shigaraki's truck, leaving the gas station owner behind. The old man's maniacal laughter echoed behind them as Dabi slammed the truck door shut and started the engine. Shigaraki looked at them with concern as they rushed in.
Shigaraki: "What's wrong?"
He asked, adjusting the mirror to see Dabi's tense expression. Dabi glanced back towards the gas station, making sure the old man wasn't following them.
Dabi: "He was getting off on Overhaul not having arms."
He said quietly, his voice tight with disgust.
Shigaraki: "Are you serious?"
He asked.
Dabi: Yes.
He confirmed grimly.
Shigaraki nodded, putting the truck in gear and pulling out to lead the convoy once more. He kept a sharp eye on the rearview mirror, ensuring no headlights appeared behind them well a vehicle that he doesn't recognize. Overhaul sat quietly in the back seat, his expression unreadable as he stared out the window.
The silence in the truck was heavy as Shigaraki navigated the increasingly rocky road deeper into the woods. Over time, the trees grew taller and the sky became obscured by the dense canopy overhead.
After several more hours of driving through the dense forest, the convoy finally pulled up to the cabin. It was exactly as described—a large, rustic structure nestled deep in the woods. Shigaraki parked his truck first, the others following suit and unloading their supplies in front of the cabin's large porch.
The cabin was indeed huge, with multiple bedrooms, a large living room, and a fully equipped kitchen—perfect for twelve college students to spend their spring break.
Dabi gently helped Overhaul down from the truck, supporting his arm as he hopped down onto the ground. Overhaul gave him a small grateful smile.
Dabi grabbed their bags and headed towards the room Shigaraki had promised they'd share. It was one of the largest rooms, with two full-sized beds pushed against opposite walls, a dresser, and a private bathroom. He dropped their bags onto one of the beds, releasing a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
Overhaul: "Wow, it's huge,"
He said. He looked around the room with wide eyes. The room was indeed spacious, with high ceilings and large windows that offered a view of the forest outside. He hopped over to one of the beds and testing its softness with his stumps.
Overhaul: "Comfy."
He muttered.
Dabi: "Yeah, it's pretty big."
He agreed, looking around the spacious room. He walked over to the window and pulled back the curtains, revealing a beautiful view of the dense forest outside.
Dabi: "And private."
He added, turning back to Overhaul with a small smile.
Dabi: "Just us two."
He said. As he setting their toiletries bag in the bathroom.
Dabi: "Two beds, our own bathroom... way better than I was expecting for a cabin in the middle of nowhere."
He started unpacking their clothes into the dresser drawers.
Overhaul: "We could sleep together..."
He suggested with a soft smile, his eyes meeting Dabi's. The implication was clear—he wanted to share a bed with Dabi during their stay.
Dabi: "Of course we are."
He replied with a warm smile, his heart softening at Overhaul's hopeful expression. He knew they'd be sharing a bed every night during this trip—no reason to sleep apart when they were so used to each other's presence.
Overhaul's face lit up with joy at Dabi's agreement, and without hesitation, he threw his stumps around Dabi's neck, pulling him into a tight hug. Dabi wrapped his arms around Overhaul's waist in return, lifting him off the ground slightly as he buried his face in Overhaul's neck and inhaled his familiar scent.
A few hours later, the sound of loud music and laughter filled the living room as the other college students let loose, drinking beer and playing games. Meanwhile, in the bedroom, Dabi and Overhaul were fast asleep, wrapped around each other.
Shigaraki was sitting on the couch with Toga curled up beside him, watching a horror movie with the volume turned up to drown out the noise from the party outside. Toga was giggling nervously at the scary scenes, her hand resting on Shigaraki's thigh as she leaned into him for comfort.
Toga suddenly sat up, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Toga: "Hey, what if we all go sitting outside by the bonfire and tell scary stories?"
She suggested, turning to look at Shigaraki.
Toga: "We could bring some beers and make s'mores too!"
Shigaraki: "Sure. I'll tell everyone."
He stood up and walked over to the living room where the other students were partying. He tapped a few of them on the shoulder and whispered Toga's idea in their ears. Meanwhile, Toga was busy gathering blankets, marshmallows, chocolate bars, and grabbing beers from the fridge
(In Dabi and Overhaul's Room).
Dabi slowly woke up and found himself smiling at the sight of Overhaul peacefully sleeping beside him. Dabi ran his fingers through Overhaul's hair and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead.
Shigaraki opened the bedroom door without knocking and saw Dabi standing there, shirtless with his hair messy from sleep. Overhaul was still asleep, only covered by the blankets up to his waist. Dabi immediately crossed his arms over his chest, looking embarrassed as Shigaraki's eyes swept over him.
Shigaraki: "Damn, sorry."
He laughed softly, covering his mouth to hide his amusement at Dabi's embarrassed expression. He was used to seeing Dabi shirtless, but there was something innocent about his look right now.
Shigaraki: "Toga wants everyone outside."
He said.
Shigaraki: "You coming?"
Dabi: "Yeah, I'll be there in a sec."
He replied, quickly pulling on a shirt as he glanced back at Overhaul's sleeping form. He didn't want to wake him up if he was having a peaceful sleep. After ensuring Overhaul was covered well, Dabi followed Shigaraki out of the room and towards the front door.
As Shigaraki and Dabi approached the campfire, they saw Lady Nagant had already set it up nicely with chairs and blankets surrounding it. Toga looked up from roasting a marshmallow and noticed Dabi's arrival.
Toga: "Heya, Dabi!"
She called out, waving her stick around.
Toga: "Where's your arm-less cutie?"
Dabi: "He's still asleep."
He replied, sitting down next to Shigaraki and grabbing a beer from the cooler.
Dabi: "I didn't want to wake him up since he was sleeping so peacefully."
Toga pouted slightly, looking disappointed that she wouldn't get to see Overhaul tonight.
Lady Nagant: "You left him alone?"
She asked disapprovingly.
Lady Nagant: "What if he needed a drink of water or had to use the restroom? He can't exactly get up and go on his own, you know."
Dabi: "He's asleep."
He replied, his tone defensive.
Dabi "And besides, I'm not that far from him. If he needs anything, I'll hear him."
He took a sip of his beer, trying to hide his annoyance at Lady Nagant's questioning.
Hawks: "It's always the disabled ones that ruin the parties."
He said casually, taking a sip of his beer. His comment made everyone freeze, their eyes widening as they stared at him in disbelief and shock.
The group fell silent suddenly as Hawks made his comment. Shigaraki choked on his beer, Toga stopped mid-laugh, and even Lady Nagant paused her knitting. Dabi's expression darkened immediately, his hand tightening around the beer bottle. The atmosphere shifted from casual and fun to tense within seconds.
Hawks: "What?"
He said loudly, defending his statement.
Hawks: "I'm just stating facts! Overhaul is the only disabled person here who might need help with stuff and ruin the flow of the party."
His tone was casual and honest, like he didn't realize how offensive he sounded.
Without hesitation, Dabi immediately activated his quirk. Blue flames engulfed his hand, dancing dangerously as he glared at Hawks with pure anger in his eyes.
Dabi: "You think you can talk about him like that?"
He snarled, standing up abruptly. The fire crackled loudly, mirroring Dabi's fury.
This will continue in the next chapter.