Present Day
Dabi's POV
She looked so at ease. Kimi was walking home from work bundled up in an oversized yellow cardigan. She still wore the locket I gave her when we were 16. It wasn't much, just a plain silver chain and a small heart pendant. I saved up for it myself, refusing to spend any money made by my bastard of a father. But the look of adoration on her face when I gave it to her is still imprinted on my mind. She smiled so deeply back then it looked like it hurt her. Dimples digging into her skin, her cheeks painted in a soft blush and her eyes closed tightly, as though if she opened them the reason for her happiness would somehow disappear or fade.
I hadn't seen her smile like that in a long time but some memories play over in my mind so much, it feels like I can will them into existence. Even now just seeing her from a distance makes the cold night feel warm. My chest is burning and my heart feels more alive now than it has for many weeks.
This wasn't the first time that I'd followed her. Well I wouldn't say followed that makes me sound like a stalker. I look after her. I might not be able be with my doll anymore but I can't just walk away. I may have changed over the years, but a part of me, the better part, will always belong to Kimi.
She hasn't changed much over the years. Her hair is a little shorter but apart from that she looks like a living memory of the life I once lived. Seeing her from a distance but not being able to speak to her, to touch her, to hear her mumble nonsense in her sleep has left me feeling like a drowning man dying from thirst. But I know it's for the best. Even if I did reach out to her again, not that she'd even recognise me, the life I live isn't one she belongs in. I live in the shadows and Kimi is pure sunshine. She deserves better than some burnt zombie ruining her life once again.
She cut through the park and I watched her smile to herself as her hot breath hit the cold air. God, she's so beautiful. I was so caught up in the sight of her that I stepped on a branch and froze at the loud crunch that broke through the silence of the park.
She stopped and then, almost in slow motion, started to slowly turn her body fowards me.
No, not like this! She can't see me like this!
I silently jumped behind a thick tree which stood on my left and held my breath, praying she would just turn around and walk away.
Moments passed with no noise and I almost looked out from my hiding space when I heard a small shriek followed by multiple thumps. What the fu-
I glanced out concerned for Kimi only to find her beating some feathered punk across the head with her bag.
Ha, that's my girl, show em' whose boss, I grinned.
She stopped hitting him and although I couldn't hear what they were saying I already didn't like this cocky bastard. His back was to me but she just kept talking to him. Why is she even giving this over grown chicken the time of day?!
Then, the unimaginable happened. She climbed onto his back. Her body was pressed firmly to his, her arms draped over his shoulders and his hands locked onto her thighs, far too high up for my liking. She turned her face to the side and I watched as a crimson blush bloomed across it. And without another word they took to the sky, a gasp of surprise and delight leaving her lips.
My fists clenched with rage, the staples at my knuckles staining with the movement.
How. Dare. He.
I watched in anger as that bird brain flew off with my girl. I didn't catch a glimpse of his face but I know I already want to punch him in it. I know I made the choice to leave but seeing him with her. Doing all the things I want to but can't. Holding her. Making her blush. Just being able to hear her voice without having to be a shadow in the distance. He was playing the role I used to have and longed for with every fiber of my being.
I release a breath I didn't know I was holding. Maybe this is a good thing. I don't want her to be lonely for my sake. I want her to be happy. I want her to move on, even if I can't. She deserves that, especially after all the pain I put her through. Besides, maybe this is nothing anyway. He was just getting her home safe. Nothing more, I secretly hope. I gazed up one last time at the love of my life as she clung to another man.
"You deserve to be happy doll." I whispered to the trees, the world around me feeling colder already with the absence of her warm presence. Walking away from my hiding spot I left the now silent park, feeling more alone than ever.