Bonfire

Rika knew she should probably fear Dabi's flames more than she did. That's not to say she didn't have a healthy respect for them and a preference to keep her distance in battle when possible - she knew firsthand just how searingly hot they could be when the wind shifted - but fear was never a word that came to her mind when she saw them.

In truth, she thought his flames were the most beautiful thing she had ever witnessed in her life. She felt like that was probably a strange thing to think about something that had ruined the lives of so many. And of course it was complicated, because they were such a part of him and also a part of what consumed him.

But, oh god were they beautiful. The vivid blue hue was unrivaled by anything on this earth, bluer than the surface of the sea, brighter than the stars in the sky, matched only by the similar shade of his eyes that seemed to be windows to the fire that constantly burned somewhere within him. Rika often thought back to the night where she had found herself laying on the ground, barely conscious, unable to focus on anything except the flames that burned around the battlefield and the sparks that flew into the night sky like fireflies. Even then, she had felt strangely calm seeing them, as if nothing could ever truly harm her again. Not on his watch.

She never quite knew how to express this to him... this vague sense of awe she felt every time she saw the aftermath of his Quirk. She had, of course, once told him that his flames were amazing, which he had brushed off with an annoyed scoff and side-eyed glance at her that she couldn't quite figure out. But, to tell him his flames were beautiful? She thought he would probably laugh in her face at that.

Tonight was quiet. The two of them had journeyed on their own into the mountains, seeking some refuge from everything for a while. After all, it was a time of waiting, of resting, of preparing for what had to be done... much better prepared for away from the patrols and bustle of the city.

The forest clearing was protected all around where they sat by tall trees, mostly pines and oaks. Rika could see glimpses of the dusk sky through their branches, the first stars beginning to appear. It was late autumn, and up here in the mountains the air was crisp, with the chilling bite warning of winter soon on its way. Rika shivered, crossing her arms, trying to burrow down further into her coat.

"You're seriously still cold?"

She pouted at him, pulling up the hood of her coat onto her head.

"Yes! Are you seriously not cold?"

He shrugged, looking indifferent, although she noticed the way his eyes lingered on her for a moment longer than usual before looking away.

Rika let the silence weigh on them for a moment before voicing her half-hopeful plea.

"Maybe we could... make a bonfire or something? Just for a little bit, to keep warm? I don't think anyone is around us for miles right now."

Dabi stared at her, his eyes narrowed, the corners of his mouth turning up just a bit in a way that suggested he wanted to smile but wasn't going to allow himself to.

"Hmmm, I don't know. That seems like a bad idea. Probably the easiest damn way for some hero to find us out here."

"Fine, then I'll just freeze to death." Rika laid down in the grass and curled up on her side in a frustrated huff. She couldn't see him, but she was pretty sure he was probably rolling his eyes.

"Then make a bonfire if you want."

When she rolled over to face him, she saw that he had laid down too, his eyes closed and a smirk on his face.

"Me? Excuse me, I think making a bonfire kind of falls into your... um, area of expertise, Touya!"

"I guess that's true. Damn, what would you do without me?" He sat up, looking at her with his teeth bared in a cruel sort of grin that she wanted so much to be frustrated with... but couldn't ignore the way it made her stomach flutter. "Go get some sticks or something and I'll make a fire for you." He waved his hand almost dismissively in her direction.

It was hard hunting down the appropriate types of sticks in the vanishing light of the forest at dusk, but Rika eventually found some that seemed suitable (she hoped) to make a small fire. She came back to the clearing where he sat and arranged them in a way surrounded by rocks that she hoped she remembered correctly from so long ago, back in her days as an aspiring hero course student studying rescue protocols. Maybe with the help of his Quirk, it wouldn't matter if she messed it up.

She felt him behind her before she saw him, felt the warmth of his body against her back and the brush of his staples against the side of her face as he leaned forward to look at what she had made.

"You're gonna want to stand back."

Rika took a few steps back, a safer distance away. She didn't know why she held her breath as he reached out his hand, capturing the carefully arranged pile of sticks in a sudden flash of brilliant blue. The flames jumped to life, crackling and sparking up, illuminating their makeshift campsite in an almost too-bright azure light.

"Enjoy it while you can. My flames burn too hot for something like this, so it won't last as long as a basic campfire." Dabi sat back down on the grass, and she soon joined him, leaning against him and enjoying the warmth of both the bonfire and the way his body felt after summoning his flames.

They were quiet for a while, and Rika felt content to watch the movement of the flames in front of her, their flickering, dancing light still so captivating to her in a way that made her smile. She thought about how it was the first time in a long while she had seen his flames outside of the battlefield... outside of their usual role to destroy everything that stood in their way.

"Touya..."

He didn't move, but she could tell he was listening from the way his body was still and his breathing was quiet.

"... I think your Quirk is beautiful. And I'm happy you have it. Not just right now, but always."

She had expected him to laugh, or even tell her she was being stupid.

She did not expect him to look so surprised. He quickly tried to hide it, but she had noticed the way his eyes had widened for just a moment, his usual mask of indifference slipping away so briefly that most other people might not have noticed.

Rika knew there were times he hated his flames. For what they had promised and yet failed to achieve in his life. For what they had done to him (for what he had done to himself). She knew he still had the dreams about burning alive and briefly wondered if what she had said was even okay to say to him.

It seemed like he wasn't sure how to respond at first. He was usually so quick to snap back with something that it concerned her when he just looked at her, his expression cautiously, intentionally blank. Finally, she heard his voice.

"You're serious?"

"Yes, of course I'm serious. Your flames remind me of you, so I love them."

"You're crazy, you know that?"

As Rika basked in the warmth of his flames dancing before them, she could feel her heart soaring in her chest. Because, despite his words, she saw the most genuine smile she had seen on his face in a long time.