Feeling her eyes glued to the floor, Hikari poured out her heart to the soldier next to her, knowing it was utterly foolish to do so. He probably didn't care about these kinds of things but whether she hated it or not, he needed to know about the past for the sake of destroying the liberation.

He needed to know why she freaked out back there, why she was terrified of her real name being uttered by Re-Destro and why she was so incredibly fragile right now.

So, she spoke about things forbidden until now, things she had forced herself to not linger on for the sake of her own sanity. "They found me and dragged me back, promised me that I could be stronger with their help. I was so desprete back then that I listened, I let them torture me and piece me back together for years in order to harden my weak ass heart."

Then the girl shakily pointed a finger towards her back, turning ever so slightly so her brother could see the ugly lines there. "You asked about the scars, didn't you? Well, that was his specialty, a reminder for each lost battle, each time I almost died."

And the reality seemed to hit Hawks immediately, his eyes glued to the terrible sight before sucking in a breath of terror. All his worst fears seemed to resurface all at once, picturing his little sister tortured for years without him knowing.

She must have been so scared, so terrified to go through something like that, to feel like she had to go through something like that.

His voice echoed with nothing but a whisper, cracking on every word as he spoke with horror. "Oh my god, Hikari...but there are so many...does that mean…"

Yet Hikari only cut him off, purposely turning back to rest against the sofa in an attempt to cover the unsightly scars with a bitter scoff. "Don't ask questions you don't want the answer to."

Knowing that basically confirmed his fears, Hawks felt his eyes start to brim with tears. So many lost battles, so many near death experiences, so many times he failed her. The scars were the physical reminder, weren't they?

She sensed his silence before continuing, knowing she would break down soon and wanting to avoid that. "One day, I was put back on missions, just like what we used to do for dad. I was the distraction, the diversion for them while they finished what they needed to do. Every single time, for years.."

Just then her voice stopped as thousands of unwanted memories and touches seemed to crash into her, Hikari's voice echoing with nothing but a whimper as she closed herself even tighter with her arms. "And for years...I..I.."

Realizing she was falling apart at the seams, Hawks immediately snapped out of whatever self loathing he had found himself in before scotting closer to his sister in concern. "Shhh, it's okay. Take your time. I'm right here.."

She felt her hands ball into fists at the very idea, forcing herself to try and speak again but finding it impossible. This was ridiculous, after all these years it seemed like she was just as pathetic and scared as always. Sure, she could try to pretend but Hikari knew better.

She knew she was still broken from the past.

Visions of unwanted touch and harsh whispers then began to creep into her mind as Hikari buried her head in her knees, scared to see her brother's reaction to her next words.

And then broken and small, she finally gained the courage to speak.. " I-I...I was forced to let anyone do as they pleased, let them fuck me and touch me and hurt me in order to distract them from whatever villainous thing the gang had planned. I was thrown away time and time again for a goddamn job, and I just let it happen, because I had nowhere to go. He made sure of that."

Anger pooled inside her chest at the very idea. Anger for Riku, anger for herself, anger for everyone in that goddamn gang or everyone that used her for their own personal gain.

For all the things she was forced to do, for every single time she told herself to get it over with. She hated it, she hated him for making her go through with it, and worst of all she hated herself for always being too weak to stop it.

From her own closed eyes, darkness started to pool across her vision as she tried to picture that night on the roof that kept her alive so many times. Touya's kiss, his kind words, his gentle and soft touch.

And although they were but a memory now, a vague outline of what once was, Hikari still recalled how much it helped her, even if she couldn't exactly remember how it felt all those years ago anymore.

And in the back of her mind the girl realized she probably should've stopped there, knowing she should lock herself back up before everything became too much again. That's right, Hawks weren't going to care about any of this. She was wasting her time.

You got it out, now get back on topic before he gets too close. Don't let him use your weakness to his advantage. Didn't you learn last time?

Yet she surprised herself when even more words tumbled from her lips a moment later, like she couldn't stop them. "So, I coped. I built these walls in my mind in order to keep myself safe. I created an identity, something so far from myself that they could abuse in place of me. I got used to it, the touches, the orders, the numbness. And eventually, it didn't hurt anymore, simply because the naive, scared Hikari was buried so deep inside herself that she didn't even notice anymore."

The information was so private, so hidden that the moment she spoke it outloud Hikari found herself freezing. Crap, why did she say that, why was she telling him these things? It wasn't like her, pouring out her heart like this.

And why to Hawks of all people? To the man that flat out rejected her, that used her and stepped on her feelings more times then she could count. What was wrong with her? This wasn't the plan. She was just supposed to tell him enough to take down the liberation.

It must have been because of what happened tonight, it was making her more emotional, more dangerous than usual. That's why she couldn't keep her mouth shut. How pathetic and embarrassing.

Surely her brother would laugh at her because of it.

So much so that Hikari cringed to herself in disgust before finally lifting her head to find her brother staring at her with so much raw unkempt emotion, the pure power behind her words causing thick tears to cascade down his cheeks.

He stood silent as the discomfort of her own vulnerability made her want to hide away, purposely turning back to stare at anything but him. Why are you looking at me like that? Yeah, I know it's disgusting, I know I'm weak and pathetic. Stop it, stop doing that. Just leave me alone.

And when his voice finally returned, it was small, barely whispering towards her with utter and complete heartbreak. "H-Hika.."

Yet his kindness was something she didn't want. She couldn't take his lies right now, he opinions on the horrible life she lived. No, Hikari already knew he was probably disappointed in his "perfect kid sister".

So instead, she forced herself to turn back to him and frown, beating him to the hurt. "Don't say it. I already know it's fucked up, I know he fucked me up, but what else was I supposed to do? What else could I do but cope with what I had been given?"

Blinking away the tears that tried to creep behind her eyes, Hikari then found herself looking down, staring at her fingers, the ones that once held Touya's cheek so lovingly.

The shadow of a kind touch still lingered into her aching heart as she absentmindedly ran her fingers across the surface of her palms in silent memory. "Someone once told me that my mind, my decisions are my choice, not anyone else's. I refuse to give anyone else that power, the power of breaking me like that. I may be forced into something but I have the choice to decide if it counts or not, I decide what's mine to give."

Her lips played with a ghost of a smile at the reminder, never forgetting it even until this day. The boy she loved, he was still ever present in her mind, even if he was dead now.

And whether he realized it or not, the words he uttered that night saved her repeatedly. Sure, he could deny it all he wanted but Hikari knew the truth. Touya was her savior, he was her hero, time and time again.

Just then, her smile turned into a dark chuckle as a new thought entered her mind. And this time, she didn't dare try to stop it, knowing the utter hurt behind her words. "Do you know why I hate you, Hawks? Like really hate you..?"

He didn't answer but she didn't expect him to, only carrying on in her own madness with even more broken giggles. "Because you and the commission and every single goddamn hero are the same kind of crazy as him. The same one track mind, stopping at nothing to get what you want, not caring about the carnage, about the destruction of everyone else."

Taking in her statement, Hawks couldn't help but feel a swirl of discomfort in his chest. Yes, it still hurt that his little sister hated him, but that wasn't what he lingered on the most.

No, he seemed to notice it immediately. The way she said him, like it had so much power and hatred behind it. It was hard to ignore.

So much so that the bird couldn't help but question, wondering what kind of person would force her into these unspeakable acts, who could earn that much hatred from his sister. "Who's him?"

Then all at once, his sister's entire aura grew far more murderous than before, her voice suddenly strained as her once bitter joy turned heavy and sad. Come on, just say it, say his name. Stop giving him power. He's nothing. Just say the name and move on. Don't tell him anything more.

And after what seemed like forever, she finally hissed back a response, except it wasn't just his name. "R-Riku, sometimes you remind me of him. You wear my brother's face but then act so much like him. It scares me, makes me so confused all the damn time. I feel like I'm back there, where he threw me away over and over again for a job."

Once again, the minute the words escaped her lips Hikari immediately sucked in a heavy breath before twisting her eyes in shame. What was wrong with her? It's like she couldn't stop speaking, like a part of her wanted to tell her brother everything.

But that was foolish. It wasn't like anything would change or matter.

This oversharing, it was pathetic.

Although to Hawks, hearing his sister compare him to such a disgusting man caused his wings to suddenly raise with anger and fear. What was she even saying?

The way she described Riku before, it was like he was a monster. Heroes weren't like that, he wasn't like that. He loved his sister. "What are you saying, I wouldn't.."

Yet that's when she laughed again, cutting through his heart as she bitterly replied. "Don't lie Hawks, I've seen it myself, or did you forget when you sold me out for information on Valkyrie? I'm sure that wasn't the first time you pulled something like that either."

Freezing immediately, Hawks felt himself crumble ever so slightly. Wait, now that he thought about it, she was right. He was cursing this Riku guy for what he did to his sister but didn't he do the same in a way?

He stepped on her, he forgot her, he sold her out, he just stood there in that club when she was being assaulted because of a mission in the back of his mind.

And it wasn't just her, Time and time again he seemed to repeat that sin. Ignoring villainous acts to keep his cover, allowing such awful things to happen to please the president and the commission.

It wasn't any different and all, wasn't it?

Feeling himself start to grow sick from his own realization, Hawks twisted his eyes in disgust. Of course his sister was afraid of him all this time, of course she didn't trust him. He wouldn't have trusted him either after his track record.

Hawks then slumped his shoulder in defeat and the tears blurred his tired eyes once more. "I...you're right...that wasn't the first time..."

And as the liquid began to fall onto his clasped hands, the bird nodded his head in utter self loathing. "S-Shit, you're right Hikari, I'm so awful and disgusting just like him. I did the very thing you were afraid of, I hurt you just like he did, didn't I?"

Although his sister didn't seem to be bothered by his breakdown, her sadistic smile dropping as she watched her brother cry for his mistakes. For some reason she didn't like it tonight. "I told you Hawks, I'm numb to it now. I've gotten used to it."

Her broken logic didn't make him feel better in the slightest though, shaking his head. "That doesn't make it right."

And although Hikari didn't disagree, she still felt sad, leaning forward on her knees with a sigh. "No, but it does stop the hurt, doesn't it?"

A new realization seemed to cross her brother's face then. That's why she acted so dismissive to everything all the time, why she never let anyone close. Because she was afraid to get hurt, to be let down and used again for her emotions.

That must have been how Valkyrie was created, wasn't it?

But before he could ask about any of that, Hikari only shrugged her shoulders, shoving down all of her lingering emotions in order to focus on something she could control.

Hikari didn't have this sob session for no reason after all. It was all for a purpose, the only reason she was telling her brother all of this was for the job, and all of this oversharing was making her uncomfortable.

She hated it. This feeling of vulnerability, of emotional oversharing that made her want to break down completely in front of her brother.

It was close, too close to herself and that wasn't something she was going to give Hawks. He needed to see the walls and the deflection, the villain and not the little crybaby behind that facade.

Because closing that distance, trusting him with her feelings was both incredibly dangerous and outright terrifying.

So she refused to do it, instead choosing to change the topic completely into something "Valkyrie" would want. That would surely distract her from this suffocating comfort.

"Look, I'm not telling you this because I care about your feelings and fuck ups, I'm telling you this so you can understand what we are dealing with, with who we are dealing with."

Then she forced herself to stand up from the warmth of the sofa in order to get to business as her brother watched with confusion. That's right, just get back into business. Ignore it and move on. Shove it down and pretend it's not there.

Lowering her lips into a frown, Hikari then continued before he could answer. "Re-Destro, I don't know why but he knew my real name. That can only mean he knew me while I was still in Riku's gang, and given the nature of his "test" it pretty much confirms one thing.."

The idea was utterly terrifying in itself, Hikari looking back towards her hands before shivering all at once. "He saw me on a job, he knows about me being a "distraction" which also means he probably already suspects I'm Valkyrie. He just doesn't have any proof to confirm it."

Obviously realizing the whiplash in conversation, Hawks couldn't help but remain silent. She was doing it again, wasn't she? Deflating, ignoring, distracting herself.

Just like back at his agency when he asked about the commission.

She was running away again.

And although Hawks realized this, the overwhelming information couldn't help but make him stop. Wait, did she just say that Re-Destro knew about Hikari beforehand?

Snapping his body upwards to look at her, her brother couldn't help but connect the pieces in his mind. Did that mean that Re-Destro saw Hikari in some kind of order and recognized her during the attack?

And after knowing what he knew now, Hawks realized that his sister's reaction to Re-Destro's words seemingly made sense. He used her abuser's name after all, implying that he was friends with Riku.

He couldn't blame her for freaking out after that.

Blinking in surprise, the hero seemed to push himself back on track as well, trying to understand the situation they were in. He couldn't help it, the hero was just desperate to know more, to understand what happened tonight. "Is that why you showed him your wings?"

Hikari only nodded though, her tone strictly business as her lingering feelings disappeared with it, the numbness returning as she shrugged. That's it. I knew you couldn't resist new information. Just stick to that.

"Yeah, it's pretty fucking pointless to hide em if he knows about me already. It doesn't matter, he can speculate about me being Val all he wants but he'll never get proof. The only people that know are Alpha, you, Dabi and my victims that were blackmailed and sworn to secrecy."

Although she saw nothing wrong with that, her brother couldn't help but pause at the explanation. And no, it wasn't because of a blackmail part, even though that was concerning in itself…

It was because of who she mentioned.

Because as much as Hikari so obviously believed in Dabi, Hawks couldn't help but have reservations. He had been working together with the villain for months after all, and he knew how easy it was for him to turn on everyone.

Maybe he was the one that told Re-Destro everything, maybe he was the one that gave him the information. It was possible. That wouldn't have been out of character for him. "You don't think Dabi would have.."

Yet almost immediately, his sister cut him off, her tone deathly serious for the very idea. "No, he wouldn't. He may be an asshole but he knows where we draw the line. He wouldn't spill anything to that liberation freak, not about me."

He still didn't seem convinced though, leaning forward in explanation. How could she have so much faith in that guy? Hawks could never understand. "How can you be so sure? He's a villain."

Hikari seemed to shut him down again a moment later though, true honesty and annoyance in her response. "I told you, we have history. He wouldn't, end of story."

Her words, they seemed so final, so sure of herself. It was almost like she had with undying faith and trust in him for him to keep her secret. But why Dabi out of all people?

Hikari was known to push people away, that was her specialty. That's what she did a couple minutes ago after all. So out of everyone in the world, why did she trust Dabi, why did she allow him in and no one else?

The answer seemed impossible at first, that was until Hawks recalled the fight between his sister and Dabi a couple hours ago. That villain's words and what she was telling him now, it could only mean one thing.

Voicing his thoughts a moment later, her brother couldn't help but feel his eyes sadden. "He knows, doesn't he? About what happened to you, that's why he acted like that tonight..."

And suddenly it all made perfect sense, why she trusted him, why Dabi was so against this test from the start. It's because he knew, he knew everything.

Hikari's face seemed to confirm his suspicions as well, her eyes lighting up with surprise before her once calm calculating nature turned fragile once more.

It was like just mentioning him was enough to tip her over the edge in emotion.

Because of that, she felt herself speaking without permission once more, the memories on that rooftop flashing across her vision. "We were together, the night it happened. And as much that I fucking hate it, I'm gratfeul to him, for his presence. It was the only thing holding me together back then, the only thing remotely good in my life."

Seemingly lost in her thoughts, Hikari's voice then began to crack, her lips curving into a sad gentle smile for the way he helped her. "He was my lifeline, even in my darkest moments he was always there, never leaving me alone to face it. Even when he wasn't there physically, he was always just there."

Although that's when her happy little memory twisted into something darker, recalling the utter heartbreak and destruction she felt when she saw him about to sleep with that other woman.

How foolish she was, thinking she was something more than just a distraction.

Always just a distraction.

Her lips then began to change, frowning as a tidal wave of hurt coursed through her without permission. "Well, I shouldn't say always there…"

Hawks couldn't help but be confused by her sudden change though, the past fight echoing as the bird just barely whispered back. "You said you loved him."

All at once, the darkness in Hikari's mind started to dissipate before looking bitterly towards the floor. She said that in a fit of anger but that really was the truth, wasn't it? Even if she didn't want to believe it, even if she was ashamed to admit it, it was the truth.

She did love him, she loved every version of him.

She loved the soft and gentle Touya, she loved the erratic unexpected Dabi, she loved them both because whether he didn't want to believe it, there was slivers of each other in the tiniest smallest moments. He wasn't always Touya and he wasn't always Dabi, there was a grey area sometimes.

And that was the part that made Hikari insane, knowing she shouldn't still have these feelings after so long. It was obvious he didn't feel the same way, not in the way she loved him anyways.

But what could she do? He was still her everything, even after so long.

Scoffing at the utter idea of love. Hikari then lowered her voice, the sadness and bitter tone taking up the entire space. "That's such a shitty word, isn't it? Considering that's what fucked everything up in the first place. How ironic, I loved you, I loved him and then everything fell apart…"

Hawks couldn't help but see every bit of devastation that crossed her face then, like the very word haunted her in some kind of way. Weren't people supposed to be happy when they fell in love? If that was the case, why did she look so shameful?

Yet before he could question it, Hikari seemingly snapped back to reality, forcing her to shut down again in order to distract herself. This wasn't good, she was starting to fall in that same trap. This was too close, she needed to back up.

Shaking her head, the girl then turned around before puffing her wings out as Hawks noticed her anxious twitching feathers."Whatever, it doesn't matter anymore. Now we have to figure out how to take on that pointy nosed freak. I have a few ideas already and I.."

However, this time Hawks refused to go along with her games. He refused to just ignore everything in front of him as the hero felt himself rise from his spot on the sofa in concern.

No, he wasn't going to let her run away again.

"Hikari, forget the job. That's not what matters right now."

Hikari didn't seem to agree though, immediately frowning before the numbness started to spread across her body once more. "But that's the whole reason I told you this. We are wasting time, we have to.."

Although that's when she felt a warm hand touch hers, lightly grasping onto her as he simply shook his head. "Shhh, enough of that. Come here for a second little sis…"

Feeling herself being pulled forward, Hikari then widened her eyes as her brother seemingly wrapped his arms around her small frame in a delicate hug, curving his wings around her all at once.

She immediately stiffened at the touch, freezing when she finally heard his voice, soft and gentle. "Hika-chan, I am so proud of you."

It was so small, barely above a whisper, so much so that Hikari felt eyes widen and her heart twist at the words. What was he doing?

Yet her brother didn't seem to pay any mind rubbing his hand across her back lovingly as he clung on tighter with pure honesty. "You are so incredibly strong, suffering for so long like that. It must have been hard, being so alone all these years. I can't even imagine what you felt like, having to cope all by yourself."

Suddenly that uncomfortable feeling of warmth and kindness seemed to creep across her soul before heavy emotions of loneliness began to overtake her. Stop it, what are you doing? Let me go, this is too close, I don't like it..

So much so that Hikari tried to pull away a moment later, her voice growing more unhinged by the second. "W-What are you..s-stop it..."

Hawks didn't listen though, only continuing his words, the very passion behind them overwhelming. "And I'm sorry I can't make everything disappear, I can't take away your hurt and make everything better. I can't do any of that sis, and I'm sorry. But I just want to say that I'm proud of you, for still being here today, for staying strong for so long…"

Feeling herself start to spiral at the very idea, Hikari sucked in a heavy breath before annoying tears began to block her vision only for her to shake them away.

The warmth, the comfort, it was suffocating her. She couldn't do this, it was destroying her. Why was he saying this, why was he saying the things she wanted to hear most? Why was he reassuring and supporting her? Why was she making it impossible to ignore?

God, how long had she been longing for something like this, for the moments to return where her brother would give her those tiny words of encouragement to keep her going. How long had she been missing his gentle touch and unchanging presence?

He wasn't saying he'd solve all her problems or make the pain go away, but rather stay by her side through it all, allow her a safe space for comfort and tears.

And that's what she wanted all long after all, not a hero, but just her big brother.

The temptation started to become too much as even more tears seemed to work their way into her eyes, Hikari's breath turning shaky and quick with every horribly kind word he gave. "So you can relax now, you don't have to carry everything alone anymore, okay?"

Shaking her head against his broad shoulders, the girl felt herself suppress a sob as she felt herself growing closer and closer to her breaking point. "N-No, no don't do that, stop saying that...s-stop it…"

He didn't dare let go though, knowing that his sister was breaking apart with his very eyes and vowing to not let her do it alone, not anymore. "I'm right here, Hikari, and I'm not going anywhere. Let me help you, show me your pain so we can carry it together…"

All at once, he then heard his little sisters sniffle as tears started to escape her eyes and coat the front of his jacket, causing Hawks to grasp even tighter as she fell into devastation. "That's it, that's it sis, good job, let it out.."

Even after everything though, Hikari still felt the need to deny her tears, to try and shove her emotions into a box and lock them away so that no one could hurt her again. Why was she so weak, why was she so useless?

Yet as she tried to push him away, the girl found she didn't have the strength anymore, forcing herself to cry out a broken protest against his chest. "F-Fuck, no I can't, I can't...I can't be a crybaby, I can't go back.."

Hawks seemed to realize what she was trying to do in an instant, shaking his head lightly before reaching his hand up to rub the top of her head, just like he used to do as a child to calm her. "Shhhh, it's just me. No one's gonna hurt ya, no one is gonna judge you. It's just your big brother, your family, loving you unconditionally."

Hikari then felt herself start to tip even further over the edge.

All at once, a rush of emotions seemed to crash into the girl before she felt herself start to hyperventilate on her own air, the tears ever constant as Hikari began to shake from the will of holding everything together. "K-Kei...Keigo...I can't...stop it..I'm sorry…"

Keigo only held her tighter in response, already knowing what she was trying to suppress and rejecting it with everything as he whispered. "I know, I know you can't. You don't have to. Cry as long as you want. I'm right here."

And that seemed to be the breaking point.

The realization that he was finally here, the moment she realized her big brother was by her side was enough for Hikari to completely burst at the seams, reaching forward and burying her head into his chest as she allowed the tears to finally flow.

Her voice was muffled but Hawks could very clearly hear her broken sobs, coating his entire body as she broke down in his arms in a single instance.

Grasping onto her for dear life, Keigo felt his own eyes brim with tears at the action only for him to bury his head into her hair in devastation. All of this, all of this emotion, she was holding it in for so long. "Hika-chan, I'm so sorry. "

That's why she broke down all those weeks ago when he forced her to fly, it was because all of that unkempt anguish and sadness started to leak out. And even though it terrifying him back then it seemed that was only the tip of the iceberg.

Because as he watched his baby sister cry and scream in his arms, Keigo now knew the extent of the horrors she faced and the facade she always tried to display.

Fuck, it hurt, it hurt so bad knowing that she was abused and torchured for years. It hurt that he had absolutely no idea, it hurt that she had to unhealthily cope because of it, but mostly it hurt because the person she pleaded to save her, the hero she wanted was him.

And he wasn't there for her, not even once.

Feeling her legs start to turn shaky, Hikari fell to the ground a moment later, her brother holding onto her so they were now sitting on the floor in the same position as she cried, not daring to let her go.

She cried, she cried until her throat was absolutely dry, Keigo listening as her sobs turned softer and softer, the moments creeping on until it was absolutely silent.

Finally lifting his head up, the hero then looked down at his sister to see her face still buried into his jacket, hidden from him in every possible way. "Hika-chan?"

Although that's when his sister forced her head back up, Keigo clearly seeing her embarrassed red puffy cheeks and frown. "I-It's stupid, I dreamed of this for years, of this moment. How it would feel, how much I missed you. I just wish I could believe it...because right now...I can't…even if I want to...I can't…"

It was bittersweet really, getting what she finally wanted and yet not having the strength to believe that it was real, that he would actually still want a villain as a sister. She couldn't believe it, that's why she gave up on that hope years ago.

Keigo didn't look bothered or disgusted though, only nodding his head once in understanding before removing his hands from her back only to lightly grasp her hands with a small squeeze.

And then, he spoke, just as gentle and kind and just as she had always remembered her big brother to be. "I know, I know you can't, and I honestly don't blame ya for that. But don't worry, I said I'd show ya, right? I'll show you until you believe it, without a doubt in your mind."

Feeling her heart twist with a mix of emotions, Hikari took in his words before shaking her head at the foolish thought. She didn't think she'd ever trust him again, not after everything.

Yet a small sliver of hope couldn't help but creep into her throat at the idea, the idea of her brother actually becoming real again. "That might take forever."

Keigo only saw her words as encouraging though, knowing she didn't fully turn them down. That meant that somewhere inside, she wanted that too.

Watching his lips curve into a beaming smile, the hero then lifted his wings outwards with pride. "Well, lucky for you, I got all the time in the world."

At the sound of his own passion, Hikari felt herself blink in surprise before her own lips started to curve into a smile, allowing a giggle to form before shaking her head with exasperation. "Idiot."

And whether she realized it or not, at that moment Hikari felt something she hadn't felt in years, something that was very dangerous, something she refused to see until it was too late.

Attachment.

She was getting attached to her brother.

Tucking his little sister into his bed for the night, Hikari's eyelids fluttered through sleep as Keigo felt himself give a small smile, pulling the comforters up before pushing in the sides so it was perfect. Poor girl had tired herself out by crying so much.

He then recalled back to their conversation, her sobs still very present in his mind as Keigo closed his eyes in knowing shame.

So much, he had missed so much while at the commission and she had to face it all alone. He hated it, the reality.

But this time, he didn't run from it, didn't ignore it or pretend it didn't exist like usual. No, instead he reflected on it as he leaned down and lightly kissed Hikari's forehead.

Tonight proved it, she needed him. Even if he didn't think he deserved it, Hikari very clearly craved his presence, his support so that's exactly what he was going to give her.

Anything to make up for all his mistakes and sins.

Sighing to himself, the bird then moved towards the door before taking one last look at his sleeping little sister before walking back towards the living room. He couldn't possibly sleep after all that anyways.

Just then, his phone began to ring wildly as he quickly reached forward and pulled out the surface with fear of waking his sister up by the noise.

So instead, he just answered the call, speaking quietly through the speaker. "Hello?"

The line was silent after that, Keigo narrowing his eyes in confusion before a voice finally echoed back, causing him to widen his eyes in an instant. "Just the bird shit I wanted to hear from. How did that liberation freak take the news?"

Dabi.

Feeling the bird's softness start to disappear with his voice, Hawks then cleared his throat before forcing his facade back up.

Of course he'd be checking in, that wasn't out of character he supposed. "Oh, yeah man. It wasn't really anything exciting. Re-Destro seemed impressed."

Dabi only hummed though, obviously distracted by something and completely ignoring his words, almost like he didn't care about them in the first place. "Mmmm I see."

Then all at once, he spoke again, almost over his own voice as his conversation trailed into something new, something he seemed far more interested in then the liberation. "How is she, after everything?"

Twisting his brow in confusion, the bird felt whiplashed with the conversation. "She's fine, just put her to bed. Why are you asking, aren't you the one that tried to kill her earlier?"

Almost immediately, the villain's voice filled with anger, seething through the phone with a hiss. "Fuck you, I didn't…"

Yet it seemed like he caught himself, the line growing silent a moment later before he finally gained his composure with a weighted sigh. "Listen, just keep an eye on her. The shit that happened tonight, it might affect her."

And that's when Hawks figured it out.

He didn't call to check in about the liberation, that was only a front.

No, the reason he called was to check on Hikari, wasn't it?

He was worried about her, whether he wanted to admit it or not, Dabi was worried about Hikari after their fight. That's why he called so suddenly, why he seemed uninterested about the liberation even when he asked the questions.

It seemed like all he cared about was her. How interesting.

And Hawks would have never thought of the serial murderer as "soft" in any means so the realization was something rather strange to him. He never thought Dabi would ever do something like this.

Perhaps that just showed how much the two cared about each other, even if they pretended not to notice.

Because of that, Hawks felt his eyes lower before recalling the past conversation between Hikari and him, realizing that Dabi was right once again. Tonight did affect her. "I know, she told me everything. About what happened to her, but you already knew didn't you? You were there when it happened."

At the verbal attack, the line grew silent again, almost as if Dabi wasn't expecting Hikari to spill such private information to the bird like that. "Why does it matter to you?"

His tone sounded rather defensive, causing the hero to frown before throwing even more revelations at him. "It doesn't, but it sure mattered to her. She said you kept her alive, did you know that? That you were the only thing good in her life.."

Almost immediately, Dabi seemed to grow frantic once more, his voice dropping with hidden warning as he scoffed at the craziness of her words.

Calling him good in any means, what a fucking joke that was. She was the good one, not him. When would she ever realize that? "That idiot doesn't know what's good and what's not."

Hawks wasn't about to let him go though, continuing his speech through narrowed, knowing amber eyes. "She also said that you were her lifeline, that she was grateful to you for back then.."

Once again, the villain immediately shut him down, just like how he shut Hikari down during their fight, his voice painfully strained. "Stop it, shut up…"

Yet once again, the bird spoke, twisting the invisible knife of his own words even further. "That you kept her going, even in the darkest moments.."

Scoffing in utter fury, Dabi's voice then turned unhinged, like he couldn't take anymore. "Listen bird shit, I would shut the fuck up if I were you before I.."

Hawks only ignored it though, sucking in a heavy breath. "So for that, I just want to say.."

Then before Dabi could react, the hero said something that made the villain completely freeze, the pure honesty and gentle tone piercing his nonexistent soul.

"Thank you, for protecting her when I didn't."

The line became deathly silent at that, Hawks pulling the phone away from his face with slight wonder before finally hearing Dabi scoff loudly on the other end, a bitter chuckle escaping his lips.

"Protecting? Is that what you call it? God, you and her are both the same kind of stupid, aren't you?"

And although Hawks didn't fully understand that sentence, the bird was too exhausted to analyze it, his voice lowering in a defeated sigh. "Call it what you want Dabi, but you're the reason she's here right now. So, thank you."

Sucking in another breath, the hero then let his shoulders slump before voicing his true feelings, knowing that Dabi was the sole reason Hikari was alive/remotely okay right now, and that was something he couldn't help but be grateful for.

"Thank you for taking care of my sister."

After his declaration, the line turned dead as Dabi numbly held the object close to his ear even though there wasn't anyone on the other end as his emotions swirled in a thousand different ugly ways.

Then all at once, the villain let the phone fall down to his side before he sat down on the side of his bed, staring blankly at the wall.

Taking care of her? Protecting her?

The utter idea made a dark bitter chuckle escape his lips. Both of those shitty birds, they were so clueless so utterly fucking clueless that it was almost hystrical.

Gazing down towards the floor, Dabi then shook his head, shame and discomfort taking up his entire features before his eyes grew cloudy with darkness.

They acted like his actions were so righteous, so pure.

Oh, how wrong they were.

"Don't thank me, bird shit. Trust me, that's the last thing you wanna do."

Short chapter but I wanted this to be its own thing since we have brother/sister bonding time. Things are finally looking good for our bird siblings. But of course it was very dangerous because Dabi's whole plan was to kill Keigo and now Hikari is getting attached.

Uh no. This can only go bad.

Also some small Dabi interaction. Can't reveal too much but it's all for the grand plan!

Next chapter: An unlikely duo