Dissonance [Dabi x Male!Reader]

[1] Hero

(Name) was a hero.

His origin story was nothing short of regular. Actually, it was arguably one of the less impressive beginnings, but it was a comfortably humble one.

Ever since he was young, (Name) had been amazed by quirks and how people could use them; it was mesmerizing how one could fully master and find true harmony with such incredible power. Heroes were a shining example of that. The way they evolved and adapted their quirks had always made (Name) giddy and filled his mind with countless possibilities and ways to evolve his own abilities. Heroes were his inspiration.

So were villains.

(Name) watched as brilliant azure flames licked across the city, filling the streets with crackling chaotic energy. It was exciting. Invigorating. But (Name) would never let anyone know that. Instead, he tried his best to sound serious as he responded back to the agency through the earpiece.

"Flames sighted in district 2. Requesting immediate back up!"

Actually, the call probably could have waited... Words of correction remained soundless in his mouth as he listened to the confirmation of Ishida Akane--the coordinator of the hero organization (Name) worked for. She reported backup would be on its way ASAP, much to the hero's disappointment. He didn't want to spoil his chance of seeing Dabi in the real world; there was always the chance other heroes could get to him first.

(Name) had been fascinated with the villain's quirk for a long time. He'd seen similar blue flames only three times in his life; the first was when he was young and turned the gas stove to max output, tragically sending a nearby tea towel to a fiery fate; the second time being when his friend showed him his quirk in a charming display of a tiny flame-man dance; the third being the brilliant display he witnessed right in that moment. He'd never really seen the villain's flames on TV. For some reason, (Name) constantly shied away from looking up footage online.

I guess I just needed to see it for myself. It was a truth and a lie. (Name) knew why he stayed away.

He rounded the corner, watching in childlike awe as a wall of blue covered the sky. Heat rippled fiercely through the alleyway as the hero approached at a steady pace. The insane temperature hardly bothered him. I guess that's what you get when Mom's a fire elemental.

Without batting an eye, (Name) sprinted through the thickness of the flames, only activating his quirk to separate the fire when the bite became too deep; the blue lashes were proving to be far fiercer than he anticipated. Then again, it was to be expected of the cerulean fire. It'd just been so long since he'd been on the receiving end of a force like this.

A sick thrill shot up (Name)'s spine. Before him, cloaked in the ambience of sparking chaos, stood Dabi. It wasn't quite what the hero was expecting; the man had jet black hair, wore street clothes, and held his posture casually. It was a little disappointing. But the glimpses of burnt skin pressed a blade of unease against (Name)'s ribs. He had never felt the harm fire could do. He had never experienced any ramifications from his quirk--he was his fire, and his fire was him. The man in front of him perhaps had a different story to tell.

Azure eyes lazily found (Name)'s. Dabi smirked, pocketing his hands as he turned to the hero.

"Didn't think trash could make it through a wall like that." His voice was deep, crackling stiffly like a dying flame. "Shoulda been incinerated. How the hell did you manage?"

(Name) tried to hold back a smile. It proved to be quite the task. "I guess you haven't heard about me." He must have.

The villain scoffed. "You think you're important enough for me to know?" (Name) frowned.. It didn't matter what the stitched man thought of him. He knew he should say something heroic, or maybe something witty to quip back with, but those eyes held him in place, kept him silent. "You're just another name they're gonna forget when this is all over."