53 ~ Learning To Be Whole (Epilogue)

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~15 Years Later~

Dabi moved around the kitchen in a memorized motion, his body knowing exactly what to do to prepare for the coming meal. Sitting on top of the island in the center of the kitchen was a short teenage girl, her long red hair messily tucked behind her ears as she sank her teeth into a beautifully crafted Christmas cookie. Her turquoise eyes twinkling as she looks at her father working tirelessly to create this yearly feast.

"Dad just let me help you!" She begged, hoping that he would finally agree to let her help him make their Christmas dinner. Dabi did the majority of the cooking in the house and she was always his helper. It was their special thing to do together. "I'm sorry I made the comment about reheated soup being better."

"You're just like your mother, Nix. I said it back then and I'll say it again: Reheated soup is not nearly as good as when it's first cooked!" Dabi snapped, turning away from the turkey to look at his daughter. His eyes softened when he saw the look of annoyance, rivaled only by her mothers, sprawled across her gently curved face. Nix had only recently turned thirteen but you could easily tell that she may looked more like Dabi, but most definitely acted like (Y/N).

Nix jumped off the counter, a loud clunk sounding as her feet hit the floor. Her quirk had developed earlier than anyone could've expected when she was at the prime age of two. At such a young age she couldn't control the flames as they overtook her body, in return for her given power she'd paid the price of an arm and a leg. It had broken her parents to see her so broken as a baby and (Y/N) had worked tirelessly to create a prosthetic arm and leg for her daughter; From the metal of her wings she'd created fully functional limbs.

"Where's papa and Sho?" Instead of asking another time if she could help cook, Nix found her way over to the kitchen sink where she began to wash the dishes. Dabi shook his head as his daughter scrubbed at the dirty plates. He'd never thought he'd be a great dad but all the kids seemed to turn out pretty well in his opinion. "When I woke you up they were both already gone and that was a couple of hours ago. Won't mom be worried?"

"Oh no mom isn't going to be worried, if anything she's going to be pissed. Papa didn't like the dress your mother picked out for herself so he snatched up Sho and they're going to get her a new one." Dabi recalled the events from early this morning only moments before Nix had come to wake him up. Keigo and Sho had shook him awake and asked where (Y/N) had hidden her dress. Of course being as tired as he was he'd told them exactly where she'd hung it up.

Nix rolled her eyes and turned off the tap, gently placing the last dish onto the drying rack. "One of these days I swear mom is going to throw papa's ring back at him."

"Good thing she can't do that to mine or she would have a long time ago." Dabi looked down on his right hand and took note of the two rings on his ring finger. One was from Keigo, a sterling black band decorated with a sparkling diamond, the other from (Y/N), a golden ring with a deep black crystal. On his middle finger was another type of ring, a deep burn etched deeply into his skin; It was much like Dabi himself, cheap and gnarled.

"Mom said you used to be so tough, a villainous man, what happened to you dad?" Nix joked about who her father had become, a hopeless romantic doomed to an endless amount of house chores. Once Sho had been born everything changed for them all: Dabi became more fatherly and protective of those around him, Keigo actually began to plan for his future, and most importantly (Y/N) began to move past Phoenix. They focused on their family and used it as a way to cope with everything that they'd been through; Family was everything to the three of them.

"I learned that I'm a sucker for your mom." Dabi put the turkey into its roaster and slid a plate of cornbread into the stove. Rubbing his hand on his apron he admired the good work he'd managed to do on this meal. "She was the most beautiful woman I'd ever laid my eyes on."

"Was?" The sudden voice shocked both Nix and Dabi, both jumping as they turned to look at the kitchen door. Leaning against the doorframe was (Y/N), her perfectly groomed (H/L) (H/C) did not match the large rock T-shirt she was wearing. "I'm a bit offended babe. Though I guess Nix is a lot more beautiful than me."

"Good morning princess, did you get your beauty rest? Lord knows you need it." Dabi jokes, knowing that his wife was in a more playful mood this morning. After what they'd done last night she knew just how important she actually was to the tall dark man. It was common for the three of them to participate in some activities like those and lucky for them they'd been sure to soundproof their room a long time ago.

"I'd look a lot better if someone hadn't taken my dress this morning." She walked over to the island and leaned on top of it, her arms crossed as she stared down her brooding husband. "So are you going to tell me where those two idiots ran off to? You'd hate for me to be angry on Christmas, right?"

Dabi gave the most simple response, a shrug of his broad shoulders and a small raspy laugh. Nix rolled her eyes as she watched her parents playfully joke. Her whole life she'd looked up to them for being able to keep hope even during the darkest of times. When she was sad her mom would always sit down and talk to her, joke about how unruly every other person in the house was. You had always done well with dealing with her children's emotions, they were the thing that kept you going if you ever had a traumatic relapse.

"If you aren't going to tell me then I'll result to Plan 11." You grabbed your phone and scrolled to your group chat with Dabi and Keigo. Quickly you found an explicit picture in your camera roll and sent it to the chat, making sure to send a winky emoji to increase the effect it would have on Keigo.

Dabi pulled his phone out of his pocket and opened the image, his eyes widening when he realized what'd you sent. He quickly shut the phone off in hopes the Nix wouldn't see such an image of her mother. You looked up and smirked when you saw his slightly flustered expression, knowing that if it had that effect on an emotionless man like Dabi then Keigo's reaction would be far worse.

A figure fell from the roof, a blur of crimson passing by the window of the kitchen before a loud yelp came from outside. Another person flew down beside the other person, their crimson wings shining brilliantly in the light as they hovered over their idiotic father. Sho turned towards the floor-to-roof window of the kitchen and gave a thumbs up towards his mother who only shook her head in shame. It figures that biologically Sho was related to Keigo, their personalities were so similar that it was offsetting.

It wasn't long until Keigo and Sho walked into the kitchen, their wings tucked awkwardly behind their backs. When the house was built you'd been sure that the doorframes were larger for the members of your family with wings. Much like you Sho had sharp metal wings with edges fine enough to slice through any metal, but like his father they were a deep red stained with a blood like shade.

"So where the fuck is my dress?" Keigo and Sho gave you an all too innocent look for their actions. "Don't give me those looks, I know you two took it. Now give it back because we all need to finish setting up for when everyone arrives."

Keigo handed you a box, his golden eyes pleading with you to at least open it before getting angry. With a sigh you agreed knowing that even if you wanted your other dress back it was probably in a dumpster behind some convenience store. Unwrapping the beautifully tied black bow you admired the way it so effortlessly fell through your hands and onto the floor, before it touched the tile floor a crimson feather darted down and snatched it out of its decent.


~ Your POV ~

Tears stung at my eyes when I saw the dress folded so neatly inside the box. I couldn't tell if they were from an unending sadness that had constantly been lurking inside my head or maybe it was the happiness that we'd gotten past that night. It was the same dress, but instead of a bloody red it was a heavenly white: Patterns and material still matching what they'd been that night.

"It's-" My voice caught in my throat as I choked back tears. Somehow even after all these years I knew exactly what it was by just barley looking at it. That night had changed my life for the better. It started the beginning of my new world, my slice of heaven on Earth. Nine months later I'd given birth to Sho and we moved to Canada, buying a large house in a woodland area.

During my first pregnancy, nine months of sleepless nights and puking, Keigo had worked closely with Malik to make a full recovery from his burns. After much physical therapy and healing sessions, he was almost completely back to normal: There were some scars of course but they were still nowhere near as bad as Dabi's, his most noticeable one being. Though the mental toll was far greater than any physical burden he'd faced in those long months, for the first three months he was unable to talk nor do much of anything. This hadn't done good for his already shattered state of mind.

I recalled the first night in our new home when I'd woken up deep in the depth of the night, Dabi's warmth cocooned me but yet it was still cold without the presence of Keigo behind me. My shaky legs carried me through the halls of the house towards my son's room, I'd wanted to check on Sho then look for Keigo but I found both in a single stop. In the gentle glow of the moonlight he hugged Sho to his chest, lightly pulling at the feathers in a loving manner. He cooed to the child and hummed a low tune as he rocked the baby back to sleep. That was when I knew that I didn't have to worry about my husband because he was perfectly fine as long as we were fine, I hate to say it that way because I sound selfish but to him we are his happiness.

"Do you not like it baby bird?" He asked with pure sympathy in his voice, he reached to take the box to stop me from crying. Crying was no longer a foreign concept to me, after that night it was one the only things I could do, but to Keigo and Dabi it was a show of every bad thing that we've endured together. "I'll take it back and go get the other dress back. Please don't cry darling."

"No no no. Keigo, it's absolutely perfect." I laid the box on the counter and held the dress in my hands, looking at the beautifully embroidered roses lining the top mesh half of the dress. "How- how did you find something like this? It must've cost a fortune!"

"A nice old lady in the PTA helped me learn to sew." Keigo rubbed the back of his neck as if he were a little embarrassed about needing to learn such a skill. "After I completely and utterly failed she was nice enough to offer to recreate it. All she needed was that picture."

I looked into the box and saw what he was talking about. It was a picture of me talking with Edmond and Emiko, my face scrunched up in laughter. When had they found time to take that? That night I must've been so focused on fighting Cane that I missed it. "Have you kept this picture with you for fifteen years?"

"I've had a matching one in my wallet." Dabi chimed in from somewhere behind me. "It serves as a reminder from where we came from. Plus you look kinda cute princess."

Sho and Nix both pretended to gag at our romantic moment earning a fit of giggles from me. After realizing what had happened Nix snapped at her older brother. "Don't copy me you bird brain!"

"You copied me, you one arm weirdo!" Sho blurted back, a loud gasp escaping from Nix at the rude insult from her brother.

"At least I'm mom's favorite."

"No way in hell."

"Mom who's your favorite!" Both turned to look at me, Nix hopeful blue eyes gleaming as Sho's golden orbs glared at his sister. Several strands of his long black hair fell in front of his face: When he'd decided to grow his hair out I'd nearly begged him to pull it back like his father did. Since the rehab Keigo always wore his messy blonde hair in a loose bun whereas Dabi had gotten an undercut that matched his tough persona nicely.

"Kids we don't-" Dabi had tried to interject but I quickly cut him off.

"Your brother." Sho stuck his tongue out at Nix as though he'd won. Shaking my head I ended his reign of victory with three simple words. "Your other brother."

"I'm your favorite?" Everyone else around the room jolted as if they hadn't noticed Aspen enter the room, his short shaggy hair matted and untamed as always. Aspen was our third child, at the tender age of seventeen, he was most definitely the calmest of our children. He was taller than everyone else, height scratching somewhere past six feet, his black hair was as dark as his eyes.


What set him apart was his tattoos: Intricate lines traveled along his exposed arms and upwards around his neck. It had been a long thought out decision, one that we discussed for months before finally agreeing on. Aspen had been asking for them for years and he persisted throughout the majority of his teenage years. We'd been extremely hesitant at first but eventually we'd agreed and he got the tattoos he'd always wanted. They seemed to age him by seven years, giving the illusion that he was far older than what he actually was.


Though many people would say that it was not our best moment as parents, I would disagree. Those tattoos would not only satisfy his need for them but would also help with his quirk; Cast. Plus the smile on his face the day we spent getting them was worth far more than rude critiques by other parents.

"Let us rephrase: Which one of your biological children is your favorite?" The jab at Aspen hadn't gone unnoticed as he smacked the back of Sho's head, mumbling a rude comment under his breath. Nix, Sho, and Aspen were all my kids, that much I'll say until the day I die, but we'd adopted Aspen just after Nix was born. We'd made sure to have been open about these details with them, never wanting to keep unnecessary secrets from them.

"You asked which of my kids. I gave you my honest answer Sho." I gave a glance towards the clock on the wall and took note of the time. Soon our yearly Christmas guests would be arriving meaning that we all had to get ready. "Okay, now it's time to go get ready. Aspen since I know you won't change, could you please go set the table?"

He gave me a thumbs up before walking back out of the kitchen and into the small hallway leading into it, before he walked into the dining room I saw him give me a thankful smile. For Christmas I always made everyone look their best, but I'd realized a long while ago that Aspen's best was groomed hair, a blank tank top, and a pair of plain blue jeans. Everyone else was perfectly fine putting on a semi-formal look to create a fake appearance of the perfect family.

"Now me and Nix are going to use the restroom to get changed first. Dabi please continue to work on dinner. As for you two imbeciles," I turned to Sho and Keigo who looked at me with their wide bird-like eyes. "I can't believe I'm saying this to two people without fire quirks, but do not burn the house down. All you need to do is let in any guests that get here early."

"Papa and I got this. We can open a door once or twice, three times maybe not."

I shook my head and left the kitchen with Nix waddling behind me, we went separate ways, her bedroom being the only one on the bottom floor whereas mine was up on the second. At the end of the hall was the bathroom where I'd done my hair this morning. Pushing the door open I stopped dead in my tracks as I laid eyes on three people sneaking in through our second story window.

"What the fuck Emiko." The girl was half in and half out of my house, her body trapped between the glass as though Atlas pulled at her arms. "You could've come through the front door and saved yourself from so much hassle."

"I'd rather DIE than be in the middle of the conversation happening in front of your house right now." I raised an eyebrow at her statement, wondering what exactly could push her into a situation like this. "The Todoroki's, Endeavor included, just arrived."

"Enji is not that bad Emiko, he was your boss for a long time. I know you can hold a simple conversation."

"The Talons also just arrived." Atlas chimed in as his hands wrapped around Emiko's wrist, with one more pull she fell onto the cold tile floor of the bathroom. The Talons and Enji did not have a good relationship in any form, but with Dabi being related to the Todoroki's and me caring for the Talons they agreed to get along for one night. Nix had turned thirteen before Dabi had reached out to his family to attempt and make amends, and ever since then they've been trying to mend their cracked hearts. "Oh and Hito is here too, so good luck with that minx."

"I would just like to remind you both of what Atlas' quirk is." Both gave each other a look that told me exactly what I'd expected: They had forgotten that he could've so easily manipulated the glass to allow for an easier entrance. I shook my head at the couple, they'd begun dating just shortly after Emiko's twenty-third birthday. That was also the year she graduated college and became a therapist, a job she'd told me was a dream of hers for a long time. "Now go downstairs and break up the argument that I'm sure is happening outside. Then help Dabi get the food to the table."

Emiko dragged Atlas out of the bathroom, tugging at his scrawny wrists as she forced him down the stairs. Shaking my head I tried to loosen up a bit, today was meant to be for family and not anxiety. Though Dabi may have taken over the house chores and Keigo makes sure the kids have everything they need, I always feel like I'm useless in comparison. My best is just keeping everyone in line and sometimes I don't even do the best job at it.

I always worry that I'm not giving them the best life because that's all I want for them. My family is important to me and more than anything I want to give them the world. Those kids deserve better than the hand their parents were dealt, it wouldn't be fair to lock them away in fear they'll get hurt. No bird should be caged so I'll support them and do my best to keep them on the right track for as long as I can.

Turning towards the mirror I took in my own foreign appearance, admiring the way the white complimented the sterling silver of my wings. The blood that was shed that night had been washed away and replaced by a new glow of life. We all had our scars from what happened, and even though we aren't completely healed, at least we have each other. Without that idiot bird and burnt man I'd never have gotten the happy ending that I always wanted. My fingers grabbed and turned at the three 'rings' on my hand, Keigo and Dabi's situated on my rings finger where the golden band of mine gleaming in the center of my hand.

With a deep breath I decided it was finally time to go downstairs. Every step over the carpet felt soft against my feet (Everyone knew shoes were never my favorite thing, limiting my grip and ability to move). I descended down the stairs to an empty living room, it had taken me longer than expected to get ready. Sounds of laughing and talking echoed through the house from the dining room.

I pushed open the door and stood there watching them all interact. At the end of the table was my family; Dabi and Keigo talking about something as Nix and Sho argued, Aspen turning his phone off

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