The minute that all hell broke loose, Hawks couldn't help but stare still in utter disbelief, watching as Hikari and Dabi mercilessly took down the thugs in front of him like it was second nature to them.
And now he was in the middle of all of the chaos, dodging underneath various villains and thugs before using his feathers to shoo away others. He hadn't found his sister or Dabi yet in this mass of people but the bird could just barely make out the light blue glow of a familiar quirk in the distance.
Just great. Everything was a mess now, because of them.
What the hell was their problem?! They could have avoided all of this, they could've stopped everything if they just listened to him.
It's almost as if those two were asking for a fight when they looked at each other and Hawks couldn't begin to understand why that was.
Probably because they were both insane, that's what.
Groaning in exasperation, Hawks then shook his head before quickly knocking one of the villains out next to him as his anxiety seemed to overtake him immediately.
Hikari was still in this mess somewhere, his sister needed him, he just knew it.
It didn't matter if she hated him now, Hawks was determined to get his sister out of this before she got hurt. The fact was whether they liked it or not, everyone in this entire place now wanted them dead.
And that wasn't overly different given what he usually dealt with, but with his little sister it was different.
Because the last thing he wanted was for her to be in danger, villain or not.
Quickly dashing across the space, he just barely made out the outline of Dabi's black jacket in the distance, the villain smiling maniacally as he burned a group of people in front of them, his joy for the sight clearly visible.
A small bit of bile worked into the hero's throat seeing the display. He didn't understand how someone could be so utterly disgusting to the point of smiling at someone who was being murdered in cold blood as their charred disfigured bodies melted away into nothing before that guy's eyes.
Turning his back to burn a couple more attackers, Hawks then watched as a man ran up behind the stitched man when he wasn't looking, a gun drawn in the direction of his head with malicious intent.
He then watched as the guy slipped a red quirk-erasing bullet into his jacket pocket a moment later, confirming Hawks' suspicions that they probably aimed to shoot Dabi in order to test out their new horrible product.
Clearly thinking he had won, the man then lowered his brow before his finger danced over the trigger just as the stitched villain seemed to notice his presence.
Although, that's when they heard a loud voice carry over the crowds a second later, as loud heeled steps approached the area without a second thought. "Five."
The hero watched Dabi's face change ever so slightly at that, the man lowering his hand and stepping to the left, just in time to miss the body that ran past him a moment later.
Hawks then watched as his sister hopped onto the bar table just inches away from Dabi before jumping a couple feet in the air in order to kick the thug in the face full force with her heels, causing him to stumble back a couple steps in pain.
The man and the gun fell full force onto the ground with a groan before Hikari jumped down as well, standing over them with a sick smirk. "Well well well, what do we have here?"
Hawks' eyes couldn't help but widen at the motion, wondering what he just saw. That move, it was so calculating and precise, almost like it was rehearsed.
Hikari came at that table with full force and if Dabi hadn't moved out of the way in time, they would've rammed into each other for sure, but they didn't.
It was strange, as if with some kind of random number the villain alrighty knew exactly what she was talking about, like he knew which direction she was coming from just from that one word.
Then a sudden realization crossed his face without permission. Dabi said they knew each other, that they went way back. Maybe this was something they taught each other?
Like some kind of secret code of some sort.
But that didn't make sense, Hawks had known Dabi for months and if he knew one thing, it was that the villain wasn't a trustworthy person. He wouldn't trust a random person's judgement like that, it was out of his character.
Were the two really that close, close enough for him to trust her in a fight?
Dabi didn't even trust Hawks in a fight yet, and they knew each other for months.
The very thought seemed impossible given what he knew about the villain and if Hawks hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would've called you crazy for even suggesting it.
But now he wasn't so sure.
Hikari on the other hand, watched as the attacker wiggled on the ground before seeing the gun in the distance and using his body to reach for it without a second thought as the girl's heeled boot pushed itself into his back, causing him to freeze.
Her voice was mocking and cruel, eyeing the struggling man with intent. "You didn't forget I was here, did you?"
Gritting his teeth in fury, the man reached his hand out even further, his fingers just barely gracing the tip of the gun as Hikari hummed in interest, slowly removing her hold before stepping around to the other side slowly. "Oh, I see. You're a fighter, aren't you? What are you going to do now, shoot me?"
The gun started to slide into the villain's hand a second later, his gritted teeth cursing at the blonde haired mystery girl. "You bitch, I'm gonna make you regret that. I'll make you a quirkless nobody, and then I'll kill your ugly little villain boyfriend.."
Although, Hikari didn't seem intimated in the slightest, taking in his words before the two locked eyes, the thug just now noticing her crazed aura. "I see, but there is just one problem with your little plan.."
Not understanding, he watched as the blonde haired girl stopped right behind his outstretched hand before smirking. "You can't shoot me if you don't have any arms.."
Widening his eyes in realization, the attacker didn't have time to react as Hikari's smile melted away a moment later before her heeled boot stomped down on his outstretched hand, so much so that a sickening crack was overheard throughout the space.
A loud scream echoed through the room as the man held his arm by his side, wiggling on the ground in extreme agony before Hikari leaned down and grabbed his shirt, forcing him to meet her eyes.
And what he saw there was a mix of concept and cynical enjoyment, her words causing him to shake immediately as she played with her prey. "Let me give you some advice before you pass out from blood loss.."
Lowering her expression, the scared man then watched as Hikari made her way over to his ear, whispering with playful malice. "You threaten Dabi, you threaten me, understand? And I don't take lightly to anyone that threatens me."
Hikari then pulled away before smiling. "Now, where were we?"
Lifting her finger up, the attacker just barely noticed a flash of red before feeling something cut through the bones in his good arm, lodging itself in there and swishing around painfully as he screamed.
Not understanding, he then saw the flash of red appear once again before disappearing into Hikari's fingers as a heavy wave of blood loss and dizziness washed over him a second later, watching the girl play with the feathery object a moment later.
Wait, a feather? He was stabbed with a feather, but how was that possible?
He didn't get an answer though, falling onto the floor a moment later, Hikari watching with slight amusement before seeing his fading eyes as they gave into the darkness..
The girl then scoffed before carefully whipping her bloody feather with her fingers before slipping it back into her pocket. "Don't worry, you won't die. I made sure of it, so you can remember my advice forever.."
And the least thing he witnessed before he slipped fully unconscious was her cruel amused tone and a pair of eyes that practically begged him to slip up again. "Maybe now you'll have a change of heart, Hm? I'd hate to have to come back and finish the job…"
Then she watched as the man fell fully unconscious, knowing he'd remember her words.
Dropping him like the pathetic weakling he was, Hikari then rubbed her hands together in order to get rid of the blood before shouting across the room to Dabi with a triumphant smirk. "Maybe I should start calling you Princess, considering I just saved your ass yet again, you crusty piece of bacon.."
The villain only responded with a slight head shake as he finished off his current prey before chuckling under his breath, far too low for her to hear. "She takes down a couple thugs and thinks she's all that. I'll never hear the end of that one.."
From the distance, Hikari only saw his head shake in response, causing the girl to proudly prop her hands on her hips and sigh. "Now, where is that brief case.."
Turning to her left, the girl then met her brother's terrified eyes from across the room, realizing that he was watching her the entire time, witnessing her destroy that man single handedly.
Hawks stood in silence, everything around him growing still in his own mind as he truly saw what kind of person Valkyrie was, what kind of villain she was.
It was too much to process, the sweet little girl he knew was now completely gone, instead soaked in the blood of someone else's cries of pain and suffering, almost like she was proud of it, like she reveled in his misery.
Her eyes were distant yet slightly amused at the interaction, Hikari lowering her brow only slightly as if to silently say. Are you disappointed brother? I bet you are.
Although she didn't have time to think for long as a large burst seemingly swept her off her feet suddenly, throwing her across the room and into the bottles of alcohol that lined the walls a moment later.
Widening his eyes in fear at the action, Hawks immediately felt his body reignite before forcing himself forward in order to reach her, terror making his heart completely stop. "H-Hikari!"
Yet as soon as he took a step in her direction, a group of men seemingly surrounded him a second later, pushing him backwards before they completely blocked the sight of his sister.
Shit, he couldn't go anywhere like this! He had to fight these guys first before he could reach her! Hikari, hang on! I'm coming for you. Just hang in there!
Crashing into the glass, Hikari felt the objects stab her skin before hissing out a pained breath, already forcing her body to move as she heard her attacker speak a moment later. "You caused me a lot of trouble young lady. You better be ready to pay for it."
The blonde haired girl then looked up to find the dealer staring back at her, briefcase in hand and his quirk at the ready as she spit out a chunk of blood with a cough.
Well, on the plus side, at least she found the case that Dabi wanted.
"Oh really? And how are you going to do that exactly?"
The dealer found her words funny though, his eyes narrowed to his target. "Well, first I'm going to start by killing you, and then I'll drop your deceased corpse at your little boyfriends feet and see the terror in his eyes. And then, I'll kill him too.."
And to anyone else, his words would seem rather threatening. Although to Hikari, she only saw the challenge in them. "Ah, how romantic. What a tragic ending. Although, I can't help but be disappointed in you for that Mr. Dealer…"
Not expecting such a response, the man couldn't help but respond. "And why is that?"
Standing onto her shaky legs, Hikari then forced her lips into a smirk before shrugging. "Because I thought you were better than that. I mean, you walk in with this badass energy but what you described is a pretty basic plan, if you ask me. What, are you some kind of Disney villain or something, where's the creativity?"
The dealer couldn't help but blink in disbelief at her words. Was she criticizing him for his methods of villainy? Well, that was a first. What kind of ordinary person would even do that? It's like she wasn't satisfied with his threat.
And that was new, he had never heard anyone say something like that before. They were usually scared or pleading by this point but not this girl. No, she seemed rather disappointed with his words.
Who the hell was she?
Clearing his throat of the wandering thoughts, the dealer then lowered his guard ever so slightly, curious to hear what she was going to respond to his next question.
"Alright then, if you're so smart, what would you do?"
Although, it seemed like HIkari had expected this from the beginning, her lips playing in a small smile before taking a step forward with knowing intent.
And as the words escaped her lips, she watched as the man grew pale with every sentence, every heeled step to him, she watched him crumble before her very eyes.
"Oh that's easy, I would make my victim suffer. Like really suffer, to the point where they want to die but then not give them that option or the kindness of a way out. I would make them live in fear for the rest of their lives, looking behind every corner in case I was there. I would make them wish that I killed them when I had the chance. I would make the simple idea of living the punishment, I would make their very existence become a prison that they can't ever escape from.."
Becoming so entranced in her sick twisted words, the man didn't even notice that in her speech she had moved even closer to him, the two only a couple feet apart as Hikari giggled.
"...or something like that."
The dealer felt an unexpected chill appear up his spine then, taking in the girl's unbothered stance before staring into her cold and uncaring eyes. They were locked on him, almost with some kind of intent, and that's when the man knew.
He had judged this girl so incredibly wrong. Whoever she was, it wasn't just some no named prostitute or bimbo that Dabi had found that night. No, this girl had the eyes of a killer, of a calculating true villain.
"W-Who are you?"
Hearing his voice crack slightly only caused Hikari to cross her arms over her chest before turning her head to the side, something she got from her brother. "Ah, that is the question isn't it? Have you figured it out yet? That you were wrong, dismissing me as a threat…"
It's like the girl was inside his head, reading his very thoughts, causing the dealer to feel overly self conscious, his anger seeping out ever so slightly. "Don't screw with me! You think you can threaten me?! Half of Japan sits in my pocket! You don't understand who you're dealing with right now!"
Yet his words only caused Hikari to snort with amusement. "Oh please, why do you think I'm even wasting my time with a whiny man baby like you in the first place? I know the power you hold Mr. Dealer, and that's why you're so useful to me."
The words grew dry on his tongue, shallowing them a second later before blinking in disbelief. First this girl was criticizing him and now she was claiming that she could use him?! That's it, this was going to be over right now.
It didn't matter who she was, he wasn't going to let her do what she wanted.
Taking a challenging step closer, the dealer then activated his quirk again, showing Hikari that she was going to use violence if she didn't back down. "Useful? You think you can use me? Who do you think you are?! You talk really big for some no named slut.."
He meant it as an insult but the man was certainly surprised when Hikari started laughing at the blatant name before taking another step closer, not caring that his quirk had the intent to kill. "You want a name? Fine, I'll give you a name, since you asked so nicely.."
Then she leaned in closer before whispering back. "Have you ever heard of Valkyrie, Mr. Dealer?"
At the sound of her villain name, she watched as the man's face turned incredibly pale, his head turning to meet hers for any kind of lie or manipulation in her stare. Why was she bringing up that monster? "What…"
Yet before he couldn't finish his sentence, Hikari lowered her eyes before giving him a fake innocent smile, her eyes still hungry for his torment. "Ah, you have. Well, It's nice to meet you. Now that we've introduced ourselves I'm sure we will be able to work together splendidly, don't you think?"
The words felt like thick poison in his mind, suffocating around him as he tried to process each one. Did this woman just say that she was Valkyrie? No, impossible. There was no way. That made absolutely no sense. This was just a girl, not the head of a large underground network.
Trying to catch her bluff, the dealer couldn't help but scoff. "Do you honestly expect me to believe that? Who are you really?"
Yet Hikari didn't move a muscle, her silence enough of an answer for him to feel his heart drop into his chest. She wasn't serious, was she? "N-No, it can't be.."
Hearing the slight crack to his voice was music to her ear though, the girl turning her head to the side once more before letting her hand drift over the crystal pendant around her neck.
"If you think it's a lie then go ahead and attack me Mr Dealer, just know that I will be very disappointed in you if you do.."
And as much as the man told himself that she was lying, he couldn't deny the tiny bit of self doubt in the back of his mind, the moment that made him rethink his entire choice. She was defenseless right now and taking her down would be easy.
So why hadn't he done it already?
He could've taken her out immediately and yet he was still here, talking to her in the midst of all the chaos. It's almost as if he hadn't realized it, trapped in the confines that this girl had built up.
He clearly had the upper hand, so why did it feel like he had already lost?
Hikari watched his confusion with delight, eyeing his every move to see what kind of choice he would make, and what kind of action he would have in these next few seconds.
Sure, she couldn't use her quirk fully in such a public place, but this guy didn't know that. He only saw her perfectly placed facade of a challenge, and because of that she knew that he wasn't taking her lightly.
Smart choice, she had him right where she wanted him.
Although, her silent victory was soon shattered when she heard a deep voice to her left, his rough tone carrying over everything she had silently built. "Five."
She knew what that meant, that Dabi was coming whether she liked it or not, that she one had one chance to move out of the way before the villain literally burned her alive with no mercy.
The numbers, they were the only chance they ever gave each other. Ignore them, and it was your own fault. It was a rule that was established long ago.
But this time, Hikari remained still, her throat ringing with a heavy annoyance. No, he wasn't going to take this away from her and ruin everything. She was so close to getting a big advance in the underworld, to getting him to bend to her.
No no, don't you dare. He's mine. I'm not moving, take the hint Dabi.
Of course, it wasn't like Dabi cared though as her feathers just barely registered a large chunk of fire approaching her a second later, causing the girl to internally curse under her breath before it almost touched her skin.
Giving up her stance, Hikari then had no choice but to quickly use one of her feathers to prop up the table next to her in order to duck behind the surface in order not to be burned alive. "Shit.!"
The flames quickly consumed the side of the table as Hikari heard the dealer's loud shrieks and screams of agony from the other side, looking over the top only to see his charred flesh fall to the floor in the lifeless lump, dead.
Seeing the blue start to dissipate, the girl heard herself give a growl of disapproval before turning to Dabi with annoyance as he silently picked up the briefcase. "What the hell Dabi?! Are you trying to cremate me, right after I saved your ass?"
Yet the villain only shrugged before replying plainly. "You know the rule Princess, if you stay then it's your fault. Or did you forget that?"
Scoffing his words, Hikari frowned. "Of course I didn't forget idiot, that's not the point.."
She didn't get to even finish her sentence though as a hand ripped into her scalp a moment later, pulling her backwards with a stumble as a shrill annoying female voice responded. "Y-You this is all your fault..!"
Quickly turning around, Hikari then found Cherri glaring back at her, the woman's eyes clearly out for blood as the blonde haired girl narrowed her brow in disgust. "Oh, it's you.."
Cherri only pulled her back a couple more feet though, silencing her words as Dabi watched the interaction with interest, his lips playing in cruel amusement. "Well, good luck with that Princess…"
And then, just like the asshole he was, he turned around and left her with the crazy jealous girl, fully expecting her to defend herself as the villain focused on another fight.
Although, Hikari wasn't surprised, knowing that this was something that he had done for years on end. It was second nature to him now after all, leaving her to solve her own problems.
Sure, when it first happened Hawks' sister was rather heartbroken but things were different now. She didn't expect him to help, unless it benefited him, that's always how it was.
Hikari rather preferred that though, knowing that he was expecting her to get away on her own, to use her own strength rather than be some kind of damsel she used to be.
Because if she died tonight then it would be her own fault, her own failure.
Dabi didn't take responsibility, he never took responsibility for her safety. If she couldn't win then that was that. She'd just be dead and then he'd go on like nothing had ever happened.
Charming, right?
But his neglect always brought something else inside of her as well, a sort of an unknown challenge, a hidden amount of spite to prove him wrong and walk away from whatever horrors he had left her in.
And it was the same now, Hikari turning around before gripping into Cherri's arm and bending it in an unnatural way in order for her to let go. "Ow, let go..!"
Yet she didn't let go, the blonde haired girl only squeezing tighter before the pink bimbo huffed in annoyance. "Did you see that? He just left you alone. Guess you aren't as special as you thought you were, huh?"
Hikari knew she was referring to Dabi, how he walked away like nothing. Perhaps she thought that it would spark some sort of hurt and anger in the blonde haired woman, that she would break down in tears or fury.
But what she didn't know was that those feelings dried a long time ago, and what she was looking for no longer existed.
Cherri waited for her to deny the claims or burst forward in anger at the idea that the man she shamelessly threw herself at didn't in fact care for her back. She waited for her world to crumble around her and the devastation in her eyes.
Although, when she did speak, it certainly wasn't devastated.
No, it was rather calm. "Oh please, you act like I don't already know that."
Staring her down like prey, Cherri felt herself take a step back at the newfound intensity around the space as Hikari eyed the pink haired woman with an unknown expression.
"I know I'm not special, I've known that for a long time. Maybe you should take a look at yourself in the mirror and realize that too."
Pressing her lips together in fury, Cherri gasped at the words before lifting her hand in order to slap her across the face with full force. "Y-You..I'm nothing like you! So, you better shut your mouth, you eyesore!"
Yet before her hand could make contact, Hikari only chuckled before catching her arm between her fingers in a single motion as she flashed her a sadistic grin. Wait, how was she that fast?!
Then, the blonde haired villain leaned in closer before speaking hidden intent, so much that it immediately made Cherri's heart drop in her chest at the implications.
"Oh, I'm an eyesore? Well, let me help you with that then.."
Huffing out a breath, Hawks watched as his last attacker fell to the floor unconscious before wiping his head around only to find that both Dabi and Hikari were gone from his sight again. Where the hell did they go now?!
Well, wherever they were, he needed to grab them and get out of here fast before their little fight caught the attention of any heroes and police in the area. If he was caught in a place like this then everything would be screwed.
The bird groaned in exasperation before running through the club once more, dodging under various punches and hits along the way before using some of his feathers to push others away. He didn't have time for this right now, he needed to find those idiots and fast.
And it took a couple minutes but Hawks was just barely able to make out a flash of blonde a couple feet away, his chest twisting in fear and whatever danger she could've been in without him.
It didn't matter who it was, he needed to protect her from them.
Yet wasn't he surprised when he found the exact opposite, finally registering the fight as Hawks widened his eyes in pure horror.
And there she was, his sister literally trying to claw Cherri's eyes out with her hands as she pinned the poor whimpering woman to the floor with a heavy laugh.
That's when Hawks realized he had everything backwards. It wasn't his sister he needed to protect, it was everyone else...
He needed to protect everyone else from her.
Standing in shock for a moment, he watched the villain Valkyrie as she swatted away Cherri's hands as they covered scratched face before staring down at the broken and crumbling woman with so much satisfaction that it made the hero shutter.
No, he couldn't let her do this, he needed to stop this.
Running as fast as he could, Hawks then approached his sister just as her hand flew down towards Cherri's face once more before quickly wrapping a hand around her waist and pulling her up a moment later. "H-Hikari, stop it..! She's had enough!"
At the sound of his voice, the girl registered the touch as her brother before groaning in exasperation before watching Cherri whimper on the ground, large claw marks covering her eyes and face, courtesy of Hikari herself. "Come on! I was just getting started..."
Moving against his arms, Hikari then felt her brother tighten the hold before shaking his head in pure disappointment and horror. "W-What? What the hell is wrong with you?! We have to go, the hero's will be here soon..!"
He thought that would wake something up in the girl's mind, that it would make her rethink fighting against him. Although, too bad it only resulted in the opposite. "Good, let them come. I could use more of a fight tonight…"
Turning back in disbelief, Hawks felt his mouth drop open before ignoring her foolish comment and running off in the direction of the exit, carrying his insane sister in his arms so that she wouldn't hurt anyone again. "I don't care what you say, I'm getting you out of here..!"
The bird then chose to ignore whatever comeback she spat back before recognizing Dabi's blue glow in the corner of the club, causing Hawks to immediately move to him and shout at the crazy villain. "Yo Dabi, we have to go, now. Unless you want to go to prison today..."
This caused the stitched villain to lower his hand slightly before glancing to Hikari and then to the exit behind him. "Well, at least it would mean I would be away from you."
Rolling his eyes at the inability for the villain to take anything serious, Hawks then used one of his feathers to grab into Dabi's jacket and pull him back. "Very funny, now let's go."
Once the man felt the pull though, Dabi turned around before using his fire to burn the single feather before his half lidded eyes moved back to the chaos around them. "Whatever, these fuckers are low level anyways. How about you get that hero stick out of your ass and enjoy yourself for once?"
The loud sound of shouting and flashing lights suddenly caused all three of them to stop before Hawks' face visibly paled. Crap, the heros were here. They had less time than they thought. "Shit, they are here already. We are so screwed."
And that seemed to be the breaking point for both Hikari and Dabi, the two exchanging a look before all three of them moved towards the back entrance a moment later as Hawks' sister hummed in disapproval.
Feeling his wings take off through the area, the bird clutched his sister in his arms before hearing the shouts and whistles of the heroes just a couple feet away. This wasn't good, if he was caught here like this, then it would be all over, the mission, everything…
His hands absentmindedly tightened around Hikari's waist at the idea before the girl looked up at her brother's cloudy eyes with interest. "You know, if you let me go we could move faster.."
Yet it seemed like that offer was completely out of the question for the hero, recalling all the insane stunts she had already pulled. "No way, if I let you go then you'll go off and do something insane again! I'm not letting you hurt anyone else, not while I'm here…"
Hikari took in his response before scoffing in disappointment, leaning against his arm with a sigh. "But that's part of the fun. You're such a killjoy, you know that?"
Dabi's voice then echoed behind him. "Oh believe me, he knows."
Grumbling at the inability to take anything serious, Hawks felt all of his feathers stand on end before shouting through the open alley. "Will both of you shut up! Do you understand what kind of situation we are in right now?!
And although they both did, none of them spoke on it, the group turning the corner before hearing the heroes and police chase rush right past them, completely missing Hawks and the villains as they were hidden in the shadows.
Once they were completely safe, Hawks felt himself let out a heavy breath before slumping against the wall, totally exhausted from tonight's events.
Yet, that's when he heard not one, but two fits of laughter echo behind him, now watching both Hikari and Dabi chuckle wildly to themselves as Hawks blinked in disbelief.
They were almost arrested and killed and yet these two were laughing, like it was some kind of joke, without a single care to the attempts on their lives a couple minutes ago.
But what surprised him the most was watching Dabi lean against the dirty alley as heavy chuckles escaped his lips, the tone far different then he had ever seen before.
Hawks knew Dabi like the back of his hand, in fact they had spent months together so the one thing that the bird knew most was his mannerisms.
His need to take everything like a game, his hidden defence that never let anyone in, the way he never let his guard down in case someone was trying to screw him over behind the scenes. That's what Hawks had seen time and time again, the very ideas ingrained in his mind.
Although what he saw now was a very different villain. Sure, to anyone else it might have not been noticeable but for Hawks, that small difference was absolutely plain as day right now.
The way that he leaned over with his back to Hikari, the way that his chuckles were far lighter and playful then the hero had ever heard before, and the way his eyes were almost slightly softened, unlike the uncaring half lidded gaze that the guy always wore.
If Hawks didn't know any better, he would say that the villain look, relaxed.
Which was absolutely insane given that Dabi never relaxed. In fact, he was always on edge, wondering who was going to double cross him next, wondering how to manipulate every conversation into somehow going his way.
But right now, Hawks saw no signs of that, the man only shaking his head before allowing his lips to curve into a light smile, nowhere as cynical as before. He almost looked like he was actually enjoying himself. "Damn, It's been so long since I've had a night like that."
And Hikari seemed to share in the energy, running a hand through her hair before placing a hand on Dabi's shoulder with a playful smile of her own and slight nostalgia in her eyes. "Yeah, I gotta say, it feels good."
Hawks knew he had to say something but he couldn't help but feel in awe at the sudden change of energy, like there was an invisible bubble around the two villains now, almost like they had forgotten that he was even there.
At her words Dabi turned into her direction as Hikari's hand was pushed off a second later. "And what do you know, you're not dead yet. You really know how to piss off a lot of people, don't you Princess?"
Rolling her eyes, the blonde haired eyes only scoffed before sticking out her tongue in a huff. "I know, how unfortunate for you, looks like I'm stuck with you another day. Oh by the way, thanks for that by the way, leaving me to deal with that crazy psycho chick. I'll remember that one for the next time you need saving..."
Yet as expected, the villain didn't seem to feel remotely guilty, his half lidded gaze staring into her with a reply. "Like that will happen. I'm not the Princess here, remember?"
Grumbling at his choice of words, Hikari frowned. "Funny, you could've fooled me. You certainly are high maintenance enough to be one, that's for sure.."
Hawks watched the interaction with interest before purposely clearing his throat to re-enter the conversation.
Those two, the way they were arguing, it kind of sounded like an old married couple.
"Hey guys, are we gonna talk about what just happened in there? We could've gone to prison tonight, do you realize that? Why are you two trying to pick a fight with the entire club?!
Hikari and Dabi then turned to the hero before both of their gazes clouded over, seemingly remembering his presence before Dabi spoke. "Here comes the goodie two shoes hero to ruin the fun. Lighten up chicken shit, we got what we came for and didn't get caught.."
Feeling his feathers stand on end, Hawks felt himself fume. "That's because I pulled you away! If I didn't you would've kept killing people! I mean, I know that's your thing but come on guys! If I hadn't stepped in we all would've been screwed!"
And although the bird was anxious beyond belief, Hikari and Dabi only looked rather bored, the two of them taking in his words before a look of realization flashed on the girl's face. "That's right, speaking of which.."
Then she turned around before slapping Dabi upside the head with annoyance, causing Hawks to feel his heart drop in his chest, what was she doing?! He was literally a murderer! She was treading on such dangerous water by hitting a wanted criminal.
"Why did you have to go and kill that dealer guy?"
The words brought newfound hope into her brother's eyes, wondering if she finally was having a change of heart about this whole villain thing after what happened. He supposed it was pretty scary, maybe she realized that she wasn't cut out for this..
Yet that's when he heard her next words. "I mean, you always do this. You're such a brute all the time. Why don't you ever think of the bigger picture! We could've used him, exploded him so much more, but of course you had to go and kill him. It was wasted potential!"
All of Hawks' hopes suddenly become shattered at her disgusting and manipulative words. Was she really serious right now? Hikari wasn't mad that Dabi had killed someone in cold blood. No, she was more concerned with mentally torturing him to get what she wanted.
They seriously were like kids, two little psychopathic kids.
Dabi didn't seem all that bothered though, obviously not believing in her ideals. "If we let him go then he would've squealed to everyone and then we'd risk betrayal. It's easy just to finish those fuckers off. I don't have time for mistakes.."
And this was a battle that both Hikari and Dabi knew they couldn't win. Their ideals were just different in that aspect. So whenever the topic came up, she knew to drop it because it wasn't going to end anywhere good.
Dabi believed in killing and Hikari believed in forcing them to live. Perhaps one was more cruel than the other but the two seemingly knew that they would never get the other to cave into their belief, and wherever they did try, it ended in an argument and a trip to the hospital for both.
Grumbling in annoyance, Hikari then crossed her arms before turning away from her friend with a huff. "Whatever. It's always the same with you. Let's just go.."
Although as she turned around, Dabi noticed something before immediately taking a step closer to her with newfound purpose and grabbing her arm with a firm touch. "Wait."
And Hikari did stop, turning slightly in question before the villain lifted his stitched hand and reached around to forcibly grab her chin only to find a small cut on her upper lip from when she fell into that glass bar cabinet earlier.
Hawks then watched as the two shared a look before the villain pushed his stitched finger over the cut with extreme insanity as he spoke low. "Idiot, see what happens when you leave my side…"
At his words, the girl sucked in a heavy breath given the distance. A small silence played between them as a thousand words and feelings passed through her before quickly slapping his hand away with a mutter
"Says the man that leaves my side any chance he gets. You don't have the right to worry about me anymore…"
Then Hikari turned around once before Hawks just barely made out her slightly pink and flustered cheeks as she called to them with even more annoyance than before. "Come on, I'm over this.."
And once she was gone, Dabi couldn't help but look at the hand that once held her cheek before bitterly shaking his hand in some sort of conformation. She was right after all.
After walking away and leaving her to fight her own battles time and time again, he had no right to worry about her.
It was cruel to do so, to give her hope that would be shattered in the next minute.
But of course, he was a villain after all, and being cruel was in his nature.
Heyyy, so don't hate me, but I gotta break this up again. I know I've been doing that a lot but my work schedule has been oof this month so I have limited time to work on fanfics right now. But I promised to update so here you go!
I was very excited for this one. Badass Hikari is the energy I strive to be.
Also if you like this story, don't forget to comment for faster updates. Sometimes if I don't hear anything I assume people don't like it and it takes awhile to get my writing for the fic again. Don't be afraid to express your opinions because I love hearing them. They literally make my day.
Next Chapter: Now we have the end of S1. Now that I broke it up I can expand the juicy stuff coming up also. Trust me, it's gonna get good.