NeonHorizon: I like to do something special every tenth chapter so for this one, we have a special guest appearance~
I'm going to prove that I'm useful. That I can help people. Kaere chewed at her lower lip as she walked down the alley, her hands curled into fists in her jacket pockets. This is my first actual mission with the League, though. Not counting when I was pulled into the attack on Overhaul on the highway.
Beside her, Twice seemed to sense her deflating confidence. A concerned frown took form on his face and he lowered his head, rubbing at the back of his neck. "Kae-chan? It's going to be okay. I'll protect you."
When Shigaraki approached her after the meeting, she immediately got a bad feeling in her gut. He had asked Giran to set up some clients for Kaere to patch up in exchange for money for the League. When he was considering who to send with her, Twice had enthusiastically volunteered and would not take "no" for an answer. Of course, they had to change out of their costumes to make themselves less conspicuous on the street.
They were on their way to the first client and Kaere was breaking out in a cold sweat. She usually picked her own clients so there was no telling what sort of person she was being sent to work on. Sliding her hands out of her pockets, she started to anxiously pick at her skin until she felt a warm hand gently take hers to stop her.
Kaere lifted her eyes to focus on his and she felt a fuzzy, tingly sensation in her stomach. Without his mask on, he looked scared. Vulnerable. She wanted to reassure him as well, but she was just as fearful. Squeezing his hand a little, she managed a timid smile.
Her free hand pushed up her glasses and she nodded. "Thank you."
As they entered the apartment of her first client, Kaere was immediately pushed behind Twice and he studied the client. Taking in the man's disheveled, bloody appearance. When he was satisfied that the man had no ill intentions toward Kaere, he moved aside to let her in.
She went into medic mode immediately. Kneeling beside the couch where the injured man was sitting, quietly asking him to show her his wound and explain what had happened. He had been cut on his side by a knife. It was a pretty deep cut and he had clearly moved a lot since the injury happened because he had somehow managed to tear it so it was wider.
Stitches might not be enough. She felt eyes on her and glanced to her left. Twice was hovering close by; watching the man closely. Biting her lip, Kaere opened her medical kit to grab some alcohol wipes. First clean the wound, then reassess it for the treatment method. Stitches and gauze? Not enough blood loss to need a transfusion…
Shift P.O.V
Every muscle was tense as he watched her work. He was ready to do whatever it took if the man suddenly turned against Kaere. After everything that had happened, every time she had to be saved by someone else or he had failed to be able to protect her, Twice was determined to keep her safe now.
He saw the man lift a hand and he shot the man a warning glare. No one's gonna hurt Kae-chan again. Not if I'm here.
His eyes wandered back to the girl and he felt his expression softening at the sight of her small, delicate hands wiping away blood. She was taking such gentle care of this complete stranger's wounds. He wanted to smile. Every time he saw her, he was reminded of when they first met; she had been so kind to him and reassured him that everything would be okay. He just wanted to return the favor.
When he saw her rummage in her medical kit, Twice leaned in a bit closer and felt his chest tighten when her fingers closed around a scalpel. Before she could pull her hand back, he gripped her wrist. "No."
"What? Um…but it's the quickest way to-"
"Just stitches." He hated using such a firm tone because he was afraid she would be upset, but he knew that he had to keep her from using her quirk. Just the thought of watching her cut away her own flesh to patch up this stranger was enough to make him feel panicky. Even if she did heal quickly, it broke his heart to see her get hurt.
"Doesn't she have some kind of quirk-?" the client started to argue.
"Stitches," Twice repeated, glaring at the man. "She…shouldn't have to hurt herself for someone like you. I'm not gonna let her do it."
She's so sweet. She's too sweet! Someone's gonna try to take advantage of her! No! I won't let that happen! Just shut up! He lowered his head and dug his fingers into his hair, trying to keep himself together. Damn it! Why does this have to happen right now?! I'm supposed to be protecting her! I can't do that if I split apart!
His vision was starting to blur as he gritted his teeth and both hands pressed at the sides of his head. Just keep it together! I can't let her down! She's so cute! I wanna protect her! I wanna cuddle with her! No! I have to focus! Keep her safe! Keep Kae-chan safe!
Twice blinked as he felt arms wrap around him. Small, cold hands pressed at his left side and he looked down to find Kaere hugging him from his right. "Kae…chan?" His voice was breaking as he said her name. His heart skipped a beat when she lifted her soft hazel eyes and the sight of her blush filled him with warmth. "Kae-chan…"
"Are you…are you alright?" Kaere's voice was just above a whisper, her lips turned down in worry.
The pain and uncertainty started to fade as he felt her arms tighten around him. He had to restrain himself from hugging her back; remembering that she was working. "I'm fine," he muttered.
"Um…I'll be done soon. Just…if you want to…you can wait-"
"I'm not leaving you alone." Twice saw her lick her lips nervously and his eyes were drawn to the blood on her lower lip. When did she do that? She keeps…hurting herself. I hate seeing her do that to herself.
Shift P.O.V
She had finished taking care of her first client and stepped outside with her friend, feeling just slightly more confident than before. Is Twice going to be alright without his mask? He has it with him, but…he can't wear it out in the open. Or even when I'm working on someone.
"Kae-chan…you hurt yourself again."
"What? Oh…um…I just…I was nervous and I didn't even think about it." She let her quirk seal up the bite injury on her lip and lowered her head. I keep doing it. I shouldn't make him worry, but I can't help…
A large shadow fell over them both for a moment and Kaere felt her heart leap into her throat. She tipped her head back and her knees grew weak. No…no way! Kaere's hand reached for Twice's and she started off at a brisk pace; not quite a run, but faster than a walk so they could try to outpace what she saw.
The number two hero? Why? Is he looking for us? What if he finds us? Twice…I don't want Twice to get hurt! If that hero wants to take us on…I'll have to put myself in front of Twice! Kaere squeezed his hand and as she heard the flap of wings, she shoved him out onto the sidewalk.
There was a quiet thud behind her as the hero landed, followed by the quiet flap of wings as they folded against his back. She broke out in a cold sweat and tensed as she heard approaching footsteps. What…am I going to do now?
"Hey! How's it going?" The hero's voice was cheerful and warm, but it did nothing to settle her nerves.
She turned around to face him and her breathing caught in her throat for a second. "H-hi," she stammered.
He beamed and tilted his head. "You okay? Your face looks kind of red."
"No, I'm…I'm fine. Um. How can I…do I…I-I mean, is there something I can help you with?" The girl was nervously picking at the skin around her nails as she forced herself to look up at him.
Narrowed golden eyes met her hazel ones and he stepped closer. "I was looking for someone. He tried to rob somebody earlier. He has a cut around his ribs on his left side. I heard he came this way. Have you seen him?"
Sweat was beading up along her hairline. Her stomach felt like it was being twisted inside out. She stared past the hero at his bright red wings and she gave a small, trembling nod. "I…saw him."
"Oh yeah? That must've been kind of scary, right? Are you okay?"
"I'm…I'm fine. Just…sh-shaken up." Kaere tensed when she saw his gaze lower from her face. The hero's smile grew as he found something he liked.
He stepped into her personal space and leaned down, a gloved finger prodding a particular pin on her bag. "Endeavor merch? Are you a fan?"
It was old. A pin she got in junior high school. Faded so it was almost unrecognizable unless someone really fixated on it. None of the League had even noticed it yet. "Yeah…I'm…I'm an Endeavor fan," she agreed.
"Yeah. He's pretty cool, right?" The winged hero straightened and settled a hand on her shoulder. "So? Which way did he go?"
"Um…he…he went into one of the apartments, but I…I don't remember which one. I'm sorry." Kaere winced when his hand left her shoulder. What was his name? I'm…panicking. I can't remember. Sparrow? Cardinal? Robin? Skylark? What was it?
"Cool. I'll just tell the cops he went this way, then. Probably didn't get too far with that injury; it sounded like it was pretty deep."
"…Hawks…san…" she mumbled, remembering his name.
"Yeah? Oh! You want an autograph?"
"Ah! Y-yes. An autograph…um…let me just…uh…" Kaere rummaged in her bag for something he could sign. Finding only a plastic wrapped pack of gauze and a marker, she frowned and handed them over.
Hawks stared at them for a moment before taking them with a smile. "Well that's unique. I kind of like it. Okay, so, what's your name?"
"N-Naoru." This was more or less true. Naoru was her family name. As she watched him sign the plastic pack of gauze, her heart was hammering in her chest. Holding her breath as she waited for him to call for the police to capture her. Waiting for Twice to shout as he was being arrested.
The moment never came. Hawks finished signing the weird new piece of memorabilia and handed it back to her with a sheepish grin. "It's always nice meeting a fan," he started, putting a hand on her shoulder again. He slowly leaned in closer to her and cocked his head to the side. "You sure everything's okay?"
"Yes." Kaere met his gaze directly and tried to ignore the warmth spreading across her face. He's too close. And he's…looking into my eyes like this.
"Alright. Well, take care." Hawks moved around her and started for the sidewalk; leaving the girl alone in the alley.
She was trembling and sweating with fear, but managed to go down the alley and around a few corners into another one before her knees buckled. Sitting on the cold, hard cement, she chewed deep into her lower lip as she clutched the autographed piece of medical supplies. Her stomach churned and she lifted her free hand to cover her mouth. The possibility of vomiting was very real.
"Kae-chan, are you okay?! What'd he say to you? Do I have to…snap those wings off?! No! I mean…you're…you're okay, right?" Twice fell to his knees in front of her and held the girl's shoulders. "Kae-chan, say something! Please! I don't like seeing you this way! I can't handle this! Kae-chan!"
The girl lifted her watery hazel eyes, her glasses sliding down her nose. Without a word, she threw her arms around his neck and pulled him close. That hero saw me! He saw my face! What am I going to do? What am I going to do?! He saw me! He knows!
"K-Kae?" Twice held her and lowered his head, resting his forehead between her shoulder and neck. "I'm not gonna let him hurt you! I promise! I'm gonna…protect you! I'm gonna cuddle you! No! I just…need to get you to safety. Back to the hideout. Or to your place. Or somewhere! I've gotta get you somewhere safe!"
She yelped as he lifted her in his arms, holding her bridal style. "W-wait! I was supposed to t-take care of other people-!"
"Screw that! I'm not letting him get you!"
Kaere felt her face turning pink and she lowered her head. Closing her eyes, she held onto the autograph tightly and gritted her teeth. I'm…slow. I'm not fast like everyone else in the League. Anyone else would have been able to get out of the alley before he showed up.
Remembering the way he looked at her, it sent chills down her spine. It was almost like he knew her and he was just playing a game. Pretending to be a stranger to keep up some weird act. But for who? No one was watching besides Twice…right? And I've never met that hero before. I've never even seen him in person before.
She slowly wrapped her arms around Twice's neck again and rested her head against his chest. That hero. Hawks. Even if he wasn't really messing with me. Even if he's just…strange…I don't trust him. Something wasn't right about the way he acted. Why didn't he ask more questions? Why didn't he stick around?
"I'm gonna take you to your place. It'll be safe there. Just hold on! Awww! I can't wait to snuggle! No! Ngh! Shut up…damn it! I'm keeping you safe no matter what!"
NeonHorizon: Before anyone asks...Yes. Hawks saw both of them. The next chapter will explain.