"Hawks what are you doing?" Groaning, Katsumi furrows her brow, wiping away the sleepy dust in her eyes with the back of her palm. She notices the cool crisp chill coursing down her shaking spine. Slowly, she opens her eyes as she blinks a fair few times, her arm reaching out to the male by her side only to jolt up at the empty seat by her side.
"…" Silently, Hawks stares out at nothing, a darkness washing over Hawks darkened features concerning Katsumi when noting the still silence form the chirpy chatterbox by her side normally but here stood Hawks, holding a pillow close to his chest, staring out at who knows what….
"Hawks?" Softly, Katsumi calls out to him but…
"…" Silently, Hawks simply stares ahead as Katsumi's feature falter sadly staring at the back of Hawks, bowing her head.
"You had a nightmare again?" Attentively, she whispers, brow furrowed remembering well a fair few times he would have these moments of black out, of not being there, she never questioned it, she never asked it was clearly something he wasn't comfortable talking about. Most of the time she would simply stay up with him or gently reach out to him, talk to him, try to bring him back to bed…
"…" Quietly, Hawks shakes his head.
"What's going on?" Tentatively, she shuffles over to his side staring at the shirtless blonde before her.
"They hate me." Miserably, he finally breaks the still silence rejected.
"Hm?" Katsumi furrows her brow befuddled.
"Your parents." Pointedly, Hawks snaps sharply scowling at her indifference.
"They don't hate you dumbass." Sighing, Katsumi tells him assuring him.
"You brother and mother acted like it." Hawks furrows his brow.
"Hawks my family are just…protective." Pain, Katsumi sighs eyeing her stump.
"And your brother?" Hawks asks making her grimace that was another hole to wonderland she wasn't exactly joyous to leap into.
"My brother's an ass. I'm not trying to defend them but to be fair Hawks who wouldn't with the track record of their kid nearly dying at the loss of their other kid's arm to just recently having their kid be kidnapped by a villain and early killed." Calmly, Katsumi tries to paly devil's advocate.
"…You do make a point." Hawks sighs leaning back plopping himself down into the plush pillows behind him.
"Do I? I had no idea I knew something about my folks." Jokingly, Katsumi smirks smugly down at him.
"I just…I don't like this." Frustrated, Hawks confesses, his fingertips digging deep into the fabric of the bed bawling said material.
"And I don't like how they treated you. Look Hawks not everyone is going to like you. I didn't." Sighing, Katsumi joins his side, lying on her side as she speaks to him.
"At first." Feebly, Hawks points out making Katsumi scoff rolling her eyes endearingly at the rascal before her.
"Yes well…" Katsumi begins but…
"What do I have to do?" Desperate, Hawks asks taking her back.
"Huh?" Katsumi blinks baffled by the sheer intensity of distress he puts himself under alarming her.
"To get them to like me!" Hawks lunges at her clutching her making her feature falter sadly at him.
"Hawks not everyone is going to like you, you do know that right?" Worriedly, Katsumi points out, clearly concerned for the blonde.
"…But they aren't just everyone, they aren't…" Angrily, Hawks begins brow furrowed scowling at her taking her aback.
"What makes them so special?" Scowling, she questions Hawks lost.
"They're your folks." Firmly, Hawks states.
"…So?" Katsumi furrows her brow taking Hawks aback.
"Hawks if I listened to every single thing my parents said to me I wouldn't be where I am today. I wouldn't have met you I would be wasting away living off on some benefit rotting away like a corpse." Crudely, Katsumi deadpans stating the fact firmly.
"…" Silently, Hawks simply stares at her.
"Look not everyone is going to like you but that's okay it only makes those that do like more see things that others don't." Softly, Katsumi reaches out to him, placing her hand on his cheek rubbing her thumb against his cheek.
"…You think so?" Softly, he whispers leaning into the plush pillow of her scarred palm.
"Yeah besides they only hate your hero you." Smirking, Katsumi points out.
"Hero me?" Mystifed, Hawks furrows his brow.
"Hawks you weren't you in there you were on the job." She says to him.
"…" Silently, Hawks stares at her wide eyed making her sigh tiredly.
"Look it's like I said before they want to know the real you like I do. They don't want hero hawks, they want you, they want the guy who scurries into the bathroom thinking he's Edgeshot ad stealing the biscuits in the cupboard." Coyly, Katsumi smiles softly at Hawks.
"You…you noticed that?" Hawks whispers weakly earning a small snicker from Katsumi oblivious to the heavy hue upon his cheeks from her heckle.
"Hawks sweetie those feathers of yours really do need to dust the crumbs off." Softly, she places her hand on his head ruffling his blonde roots.
"…Kat…I'm…I'm not dragging you down right?" Hawks asks taking her aback.
""Of course not. I'm glad I found someone who can catch up." Smirking, Katsumi teases.
"And if I couldn't?" Softly, Hawks whispers taking Katsumi aback.
"I'd wait for you. Just as I know my family will." Confidently, Katsumi smirks at the surprised Hawks.
"You think so?" Softly, Hawks asks a faint flicker of hope swelling in Hawks chest at the thought.
"They want to know the right who lazes around all day, who likes eating nonstop, who likes wearing nothing but boxers on." Fondly, Katsumi brings Hawks into a side hug his cheery crimson heat only further feasting upon his cheeks.
"Not my fault it gets hot in here." Hawks nuzzles into her side shakily sighing, feeling his muscles ease at her touch alone.
"…I'm sure. Regardless what I'm trying to say is they can't get to know the real you until you let them. Get it?" Katsumi attempts to explain to Hawks.
"…I guess?" Hawks shrugs.
"Look you got to stop fretting about this you got a big day tomorrow remember with the monster mash?" Katsumi reminds Hawks.
"You sure you can't come?" Childishly, Hawks whines climbing up to nuzzle into her neck.
"I'm sure. Now come on." Katsumi gestures to the bed by her side.
"Fine….Hey Kat." Hawks asks after a moment of drawing it out as Katsumi drapes the duvet over the two curling into one another.
"Yeah?" Katsumi exclaims.
"…Thanks." Hawks shyly dives his head into the crook of her neck.
"Don't mention it dumbass." Shyly, a small smile crosses Hawks lips from her words, returning to her side nuzzling into her, holding her, wrapping his arms around her. His wings hover over them both, protecting them almost as they hold one another, seeking solace and comfort within one another's arms as they descend down into the dark depths of their subconscious.
"You ready to go?" Katsumi asks brow furrowed when finding flimsy feathers scattered all over her place making her grumble glaring at the ruby red feathers falling flat to the ground. She kicks a fair few to the side trying to form a path through her living room where she finds Hawks in a suit looking over at the mirror struggling, clearly trying to put his tie on. She arches a brow bemused by the sight of his flighty feathers from his wings ruffling up as he puffs his cheeks out like a chipmunk almost as he pouts, grumbling under his breath bitterly, trying to tie his tie.
"A bit…" Bitterly, Hawks huffs his blonde locks ruffling up in frustration as some stray strands of golds poof out.
"Struggling are we?" Smirking, Katsumi makes his way over to Hawks, joining his side by the mirror, a hand on her hip amused at the struggling sight of Hawks.
"…No?" Meekly, Hawks feebly tries to lie only earning a small chuckle from Katsumi.
"Come on give it here." Katsumi places her hand on his shoulder turning him to her.
"How do you…?" Perplexed, Hawks furrows his brow befuddled as she easily takes hold of his tie.
"I did the same for Katsuki when he was younger." Calmly, Katsumi informs him a furrowed frown smeared upon her frowning facial features from the murky memory of her little brother whining, whimpering, wailing, refusing to have anyone touch him if they weren't family. The two would model often of course they didn't like it at first but they adjusted and got used to it in their own little way.
"Your brother right?" Hawks furrows his brow noting her flinch from the mention of said blonde boy.
"Yeah…we did some modelling back then. Katsuki didn't like anyone in his personal space but when he couldn't do his tie dad or mum would do it then I learned a thing or two when we had asks to model from other companies." Sombrely, Katsumi sighs exhaustion etched into her tired tone at the memory of him bawling his eyes out thrashing wailing his arms around, teeny tiny explosions emitting from his palms only hurting him even more as he demanded for someone to be with him, he hated being alone with strangers so she'd stick to his side.
"You were a model?" Surprised, Hawk's yellows widen when hearing the news.
"I was." Casually, she shrugs as Hawks eyes the newest prosthetic of hers it wasn't her normal one, but it did its job. It was still a beta for Katsumi to use for work. He didn't know much on the support system for heroes but she seemed unfazed by the new arm.
"Why don't you do it anymore?" Confused, Hawks quirks his head to the side bringing a small smile to Katsumi's lips unable to compare it to anything else but a curious owl or a bird even fascinated by the topic before him.
"Hawks we've been over this." Tiredly, Katsumi sighs, her smile falters, furrowing her brow she knew he meant well, especially when she would roll her sleeve down to hide the prosthetic. She remembered when she first had it she put a glove over her prosthetic wanting to make it look as normal as possible even if this was her new form of normal.
"Come on." Whining, Hawks sighs furrowing his brow disappointment drenched in his tone, furrowing his brow.
"No one wants this eyesore in the way." Scoffing, Katsumi chuckles hollowly looking over at the slick silver arm in her arm sleeve.
"I think its rather pretty." Perkily, Hawk's golden hues glisten, gleam at the sleek silver sure he had preferred her gold and black accented one but this black and silver one would do if she liked it.
"And I think you're being delusional." Deadpanned, Katsumi scoffs brushing Hawks off, stepping back, looking over at the tie.
"But…" Meekly, Hawks begins brow furrowed when watching worriedly as she eyes the tie. His hues warily watch her, seeing the shy simmer in her ruby reds, pained to see her so sad, so solemn, so…pained, it was almost like a sad sombre anguished acceptance of reality as she stares at her arm.
"There we go. Now you're ready to go to the mutant month ball." Pleased, Katsumi places her hands on her hips.
"Oh joy." Grumpily, Hawks huffs, craning his neck back, brow furrowed scowling.
"Oh come on you get to drink and you're not alone you're going with Miriko after all." Annoyed, Katsumi furrows her brow warning him.
"But she's not you." Hawks whines leaning over her, draping his from over hers.
"She's still your friend." Frowning, she reminds him.
"Yeah but if you came they would be all over us you know mutant non mutant relationships." Hopeful, Hawks asks.
"Need I remind you that this isn't a relationship?" Sternly, Katsumi snaps scowling at him.
"Not now maybe." Mischievously, Hawks honks.
"Hawks." Warningly, Katsumi snaps scowling.
"Kidding, just kidding…unless…" Hawks places his hands up in the air.
"Unless you want your balls to be chopped off I suggest you shut the fuck up." Firmly, Katsumi snaps sharply.
"Yes mam." Obediently, Hawks complies.
"Good now go have fun." Katsumi smirks at him.
"But nothing's fun without you." Whining, Hawks wraps his arms around her making her roll her ruby reds at him.
"I doubt that now come on just enjoy yourself but not too much we don't need another drunken chicken scurrying about the place." Playfully, she reaches up ruffling his gold locks making him whine leaning into her touch.
"Meeean…" Childishly, Hawks whines craning his neck back, pouting, puffing his cheeks almost as he looks up at the ceiling standing above him as Katsumi tugs him back by his collar.
"Just don't drink too much okay?" Sighing, Katsumi fretfully furrows her brow concern clear in her tense tone as she tells him that.
"I don't know it can get a bit stuffy in those sorts of places." Pouting, Hawks grumbles glaring to the side.
"For me?" Hopeful, Katsumi asks.
"…Fine. " Hawks gives in slumping his shoulders just as his phone rings.
"Atta boy now go and have fun." Smirking, Katsumi steps down much to the reluctance of Hawks.
"I'll try…" Hawks sighs slumping his shoulders.
"That's the spirit." Katsumi sits down on the sofa turning on the tv just as Hawk heads towards the door, the phone to his ear as he takes off, heading to the mutant mash.
"Well, well if it ain't bird boy." Mischievously, Miriko smirks smugly at the blonde before her, the two standing side by side as the camera frequently flash before the two on the crimson carpet of velvet. He poses for the camera casted before the two-standing side by side smiling professionally at the camera as they head inside.
"Miriko" Coolly, Hawks acknowledges the rabbit girl, the crowd cheer, gushing about her, Hawks nods his head politely acknowledging his fans.
"Hey where's your little girlfriend?" Teasingly, Miriko asks brushing a stray strand of snow white to the side smirking.
"Miriko I told you she isn't my girlfriend." Tiredly, Hawks huffs slouching his shoulders making his way inside where he is offered a slick silver tray of champagne, he takes the glass before him, eyeing it.
"Oh come on I've seen the way you are with her." Mirko smirks swiftly grabbing a glass downing it then another.
"…I don't know what you're talking about." Annoyed, Hawks furrows his brow staring down at the swirling substance of the drink.
"Man I got to admit it must suck forever in the friendzone." Merrily, Miriko offers another glass over to Hawks, his brow further furrowing shaking his head, raising his hand refusing said drink from Miriko making her arch a brow.
"I promised I wouldn't drink." Pointedly, Hawks tells Mirko making her smirk slightly.
"Oh ho, someone's whipped." Amused, Miriko winks.
"I'm not whipped and I'm not in the friendzone." Firmly, Hawks furrows his brow at Miriko.
"Come on you let your instincts take over." Mirko takes out her phone.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Aloofly, Hawks glares grumbling to the side.
"Dude your timeline shows it. But hey it's not your fault, you can't control your instincts sometimes. Holding back on these instincts will only make it worse in the long run." Smirking, Miriko leans over Hawk's side showing his feed or trying to.
"Okay Miriko what are you on about?" Hawks scowls gently placing his hand over Mirko's wrist trying to lower her hand.
"Do you ever wonder why there aren't any many mutant and non mutant pairings?" Miriko quirks her head to the side,
"Why would I know?" Hawk's gold glare into her amused ruby reds, feeling his feathers sputtering around the area, tighten almost sharpen even.
"Because the mutant tends to have their instincts kick in deeming that person as mate and come off as way too strong you can't help how you feel though." Tiredly, Miriko shows him a tab, Hawks eyes widening when seeing the feed feeling a sharp sting of guilt in his chest at an old post of a clearly uncomfortable Katsumi glaring into Hawk's camera as he draped an arm over her shoulder, smiling at the photo of the two.
"Yes we spoke about it and I am learning to tone it down a bit." Briskly, Hawks sighs, crossing his arms over his chest, feeling the faint tinge of guilt, shame hit him even at the old posts showing a clearly annoyed uncomfortable Katsumi with him smiling.
"Good to see you got one of the good ones. "Softly, Miriko takes note of Hawk's furrowed frown staring at the past feed.
"…She is…too good for me." Hawks whispers softly sighing bowing his head scratching the back of his neck.
"Oh come on don't say that." Miriko sighs at him.
"I was a freak when she first saw me…" Honestly, Hawks confesses feeling nothing but shame, embarrassment even at the memory.
"So you came off as strong some people like that." Miriko offers optimistically.
"I was just lucky she gave me a chance after that ." Truthfully, Hawks sighs slumping his shoulders.
"Still struggling though?" Miriko smirks.
"What do you mean?" Hawks' eyes narrow noting her get to his latest timeline feed.
"Come on Hawks I know you, you're the hero that's too fast and from what I've seen on your feed, it must be annoying to see her slowing it down." Smirking, Miriko drapes her arm over Hawks leaning over him showing said screen to him.
"I…well it can be annoying at times but I got to admit it's…nice. Just stopping, taking a step back, I never knew the joys of simply enjoying it you know? Sure I'd like it to be faster but you know me…I'm impatient. " Hawks smirks sheepishly scratching at his cheek with his forefinger from the memory, feeling a faint hear to his cheeks at the memories of their quiet moments where they wouldn't bicker, where they would simply have a lazy day, no words needed as they simply stood there watching the TV simply enjoying one another's company.
"And you like a challenge." Cheekily, Miriko teases.
"Heh not wrong there still it's nice having someone tell me to take a step back, it's made me enjoy it all the more." Hawks chuckles at the thought.
"And what is it?" Miriko asks making Hawks grimace, furrowing his brow.
"Don't…" Drained, Hawks sighs.
"Come on do you guys even have a word for it?" Miriko sighs shaking her head at him.
"Friends." Frowning, Hawks answers.
"So friends have a smoothie dedicated to them? They have fan art made of them." Miriko arches a brow not buying it one bit.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Hawks huffs glaring to the side once more.
"Just as I noticed how quiet the Endeavour stan account has been." Bemused, Miriko snickers.
"…" Silently, Hawks freezes from the question, feeling his fingertips flex around the glass.
"You seen this Bombarda stan account, they go into huge detail about the whole her saying she didn't like you." Miriko smirks smugly twirling a stray strand of white in her hair.
"Really? Never noticed." Hawks shuffles slightly to the side.
"Course not, I mean it's not like you liked it…oh wait what's this?" Miriko mockingly gasps gesturing to the huge post of words in the phone.
"Aw come on don't pout. I think it's cute you made a Bombarda stan account for her using your real profile to hide that fact is hilarious." Snickering, Miriko chuckles coyly.
"…Please don't tell her." Hawks begs worriedly his voice cracking breaking briefly.
"I ain't making any-hey you smell that?" Annoyed, Miriko begins but soon falters from it instead perking up, her nose twitching as Hawks furrows his own brow now that she said it, something did seem off…perhaps it was the candles or…
"Thank you all for coming today now let's us celebrate the unity of mutants and the people of the world, to show equality through-" The sharp sound of feedback echoes throughout the room making all eyes turn towards the announcer as next thing they knew.
"GET DOWN!" Sharply, someone screams making Hawks' gold widen as next thing he knew just as he and Miriko were about to strike something is thrown their way as next thing they knew bright blue lights coil around everyone as they are thrown to the ground, immobilized.
"What the-YOU SON OF A-" Angrily, Miriko madly snarls seething baring her feral fangs as she squirms struggling against the tight restrains of sorts, high tech Hawk notes as he looks up at the flimsy feathers above.
"Down" Disgusted, someone calls out as the next thing the two knew, they hear the swift snap of fingertips before being thrown down to the ground. Hawks hues widen when seeing his flimsy feathers floating high in the air come crashing down to the ground alongside Mirko. The two alongside everyone else feel a sudden heavy weight fall upon them all helplessly to the robed figures rushing in.
"D-Dammit the hell is with my body!?" Baffled, Mirko furrows her brow seething, grinding her teeth together, frustration flowing through her veins as her raw reds glare, glower at the robed figures standing strong, tall, towering over the tied up mutants.
"Just my quirk helping putting you animals in your place." Pleased, the cult leader smiles softly down at the confined mutants before him wearing a snow white cloak contrasting to the coal cloaks behind him.
"The fuck you say ba-" Crudely, Mirko demands scowling when seeing a follower shoves a gun to the speaker's head making them whimper.
"Such a loudmouth for a bunny…do you know how many of the younger generation you taint by existing? You corrupt the young children into thinking only of sex, not of the importance of life of studies distracting them." The leader stretches his arms out to the crowd.
"…Fuck off!" Mirko repeats roaring.
"What do you hope to gain from all this?" Hawks furrows his brow at the group.
"We hope for the world to open up their eyes and see what quirks have done, have created such loathsome beasts with this display the world will finally take the ARC seriously!" Sternly, the leader explains to the group.
"You really think you fuckers will ever be taken seriously?" Scoffing, Mirko rolls her eyes exasperated.
"We have it on good grounds to believe so." Smoothly, the leader places his hands behind his back.
"We'll see about th-ARGH!" Mirko seethes only then to grunt, falling flat to the ground, her body shaking spasming, sweat sliding down her tense temple.
"I really wouldn't do that your bones have become 10x the normal weight of a bone one wrong move and you could break every bone in your body." Bemused, the male chuckles coyly at Mirko trying to fight back.
"What is wrong with you?" Mirko questions lost.
"Wrong? We are not the one with sin, we are not the ones afflicted with the ailment that you lot have been cursed with having these strange abnormalities. You think yourselves to be like us to be human but you are nothing but demons, wicked creatures god warned us of coming when the world would end. We as the animal rejection clan refuse to stand by as this mutant month concludes with your provocative bodies on display making it seem as if having such sinful abnormalities to be normal by fetishizing these animals you taint the younger generation, indoctrinate them into doing such unmannerly things when they could be doing so much better things for the community for society." Sternly, the leader informs the group.
"…You guys are fucking insane." Incensed, Mirko seethes snarling baring her feral fangs at the group.
"It's a shame but understand such lowly creature could never comprehend such ideals I mean these things think they're human, them human! "Humans don't have mating seasons, humans don't crave inhuman things to eat, to devour, humans don't such abnormalities. Not one bit." Tutting, the leader proclaims, shaking his head at the two whose eyes narrow.
"Boss we need you to overlook the bombs!" One of the cloaked followers holler.
"Of course." The leader nods his head and leaves.
"The bombs these fuckers have bombs!" Seething, Mirko scowls.
"Mirko calm down." Hawks sighs at her.
"How can I come down don't you hear what they said!?" Snarling, Miriko scowls at him.
"I heard clear enough." Hawks exclaims.
"And you want to stand here?" Huffing, Miriko argues.
"Of course not but being rash won't do anyone any favours." Firmly, Hawks tells her.
"So what do you suggest?" Snippily, Mirko demands from Hawks, his gold narrowing at the plan forming in his head. He closes his eyes sensing the fluttering feathers scattered around the building place, seeing the figures garbed in coal cloak wander through the hallways of the building, armed and ready for whatever is thrown their way or so they thought. Hawks concretes as his feeble feathers fly down tucking into the shy sleeves of the cloak, ready to at least deal with the guards outside, maybe if he's lucky one of them will come back and just as they enter the room, he can have his feathers from outside attack.
"You're back?" Startled, Hawks jolts up at the voice, furrowing his brow when feeling a presence presented before him.
"Apologies but I must ask you're Hawks no?" The leader exclaims as he kneels before Hawks whose gold glare at the skeletal mask.
"And if I am? Sorry but I ain't exactly in the position for a selfie." Smirking, he jokes.
"Oh no, not a fan but I must do research for my friends and we know all about your quirk." Cockily, the leader gestures as another arrives flames flickering in the hand of one of his followers.
"…Do you now?" Coyly, Hawks raises a brow bemused only then to hiss harshly at the movement alone.
"Yep. Your quirk allows you to control your feathers you think we didn't see the feathers around the building." Bemused, the leader waves his hand as Hawks hues widen when suddenly followers stand towering over Hawks grabbing him pinning him down.
"What the hell are you doing?" Mad, Miriko snarls seething at the group.
"We must eradicate abnormalities!" The leader proudly proclaims as Mirko's ruby reds dilate as the figure's flame hand grows close to his wings despite his squirming trying to flee from it.
"Hawks!" Mirko cries out as she stares horrified as the fierce flames slamming down upon the ruby red feathers below, steam spewing out as crimson currents come gushing out, pooling on the floor.
"So…you just let him go?" Confused, Kane furrows his brow at Katsumi simply staring at the screens below them, the two on either side of the sofa, their legs lying side to side as the two venture through each other's worlds. Kane eyes the painting proud on display while on the other hand Katsumi happily throws her lure into the washing waves below.
"Well yeah has nothing to do with me." Katsumi shrugs leaning in slightly when seeing the shy shadow appear from the water.
"You think he wanted you to go?" Kane furrows his brow when peering up noting her focused furrowed features.
"Doubt it. He knows I'm not a party person." Pointedly, Katsumi scowls down at the fish bobbing against the lure.
"I guess but don't you think this is important to him, I mean this mutant month is…" Awkwardly, Kane begins brow furrowed only to curse when accidentally paying for the portrait groaning.
"Kane Hawk's done nothing but complain about it." Irritated, Katsumi scowls, her grip tightening anxiously around her switch.
"True I mean it hasn't helped that most of the villains we've been fighting have been mutants." Kane points out grumbling as he turns off his switch swiftly resetting.
"What no they…oh shit you're right." Katsumi curses when said screen freezes from it making her huff turning to glare glowering at Kane.
"Yeah weird right…?" Oblivious, Kane remarks as Katsumi's ruby red twitch tiredly.
"Well I mean we had that train guy who pretended to be a mutant." Katsumi decides to play devil's advocate.
"Yeah but why? Weird how all this happened during mutant month. Kane sighs.
I guess mutant month was made for a reason. Katsumi sighs placing her switch on the table below.
"Yeah but didn't it just do the opposite of what it was trying to do." Kane prods at his cheek confused.
"…You never do fail to surprise me Kane." Silently, Katsumi shakes her head amazed at Kane.
"Eh what can I say it's what I'm good at." Arrogantly, Kane smirks smugly leaning back against the soft sofa, draping his arms around the top of the sofa.
"You could say that…." Tiredly, Katsumi sighs furrowing her brow not quite sure what to make of it all as next thing she knew, she froze up feeling the faint frantic vibrations of her earring.
"Boss…?" Confused, Kane furrows his brow at Bombarda standing up, looking alarmed as she combs her fingertips through a stray stand of brown brushing it behind her ear hearing the faintl jingle of her earing, a feeble feather of ruby red descending down her ear. She pinches the flimsy feather furrowing her brow befuddled by the sight of the shimmering feather, noting the faint vibration in her ear. These vibrations they seemed more frantic, fearful even…something wasn't right, something wasn't right at all.
"Something's not right…" Shakily, Katsumi whispers under her breath brow furrowed, her tone gentle, trying to keep it firm noting the faint vibration in her stoic strong voice, the faint tinge of fear with the hint of clear concern in her tense tone.
"I'll phone Han." Slowly, Kane lowers the controller slowly standing stoically nodding his head as he gets out his phone while Katsumi heads into her room, ready to change, ready to fight, ready to head to the monster mash…
"This the place?" Kane questions, his brow furrowed as he stares at the tall tower standing over the three one who is currently on the phone while the other two stand, their eyes narrowing at the bustling building before them.
"Yeah Hawks told me in case I changed my mind." Katsumi answers as she flexes her gauntlet's fingertips trying to get ready for the fight ahead.
"Looks like he was right." Coyly, Kane smirks smugly at the scowling Katsumi, hands on his hips.
"Now's not the time Kane." Katsumi snaps sharply scowling at Kane.
"I phoned the police, backup will be here shortly." Haneul reports to the two lowering her phone.
"Han we don't even know if there is any trouble." Tiredly, Kane sighs.
"If the boss says there's trouble there's trouble." Truthfully, Haneul argues brow furrowed placing her phone in her pocket.
"Soundspark think you can check it out then?" Katsumi crosses her arms over her chest turning to him.
"I'll see what I can do." Kane nods his head placing his palm flat on the wall of the building brow furrowed focusing on the task at hand while Haneul forms a plump pillow of a cloud flying high in the sky to see for herself while Katsumi keeps lookout for them both.
"I hear footsteps I'd say about a fair few, a group maybe about ten." Kane furrows his brow slowly lowering his palm off the tower.
"And they're enemies?" Katsumi's ruby reds narrow at Kane.
"I don't know I can't confirm it." Kane sighs shaking his head.
"I can." Haneul lowers herself down using the puffy cloud of snow white.
"Haneul?" Katsumi arches a brow at Kane.
"They're wearing cloaks black and some skeletal mask." Honestly, Haneul gestures to her face.
"…Is there a goat with them?" Kane whispers worriedly, shaking shyly, shuddering, shivering at the thought.
"Really Kane?" Katsumi sighs crossing her chest exhaustion etched into her tired tone.
"Hey if I start hearing them chorus about the greater good or start drawing star symbols…I'm outta here." Honestly, Kane raises his hands up in the air.
"Good to know where your priorities lie Kane." Huffing, Haneul crosses her arms over her chest cross.
"Hey I'm not being a sacrifice okay!?" Defensive, Kane snaps sharply scowling.
"You think you're good enough for one?" Haneul scoffs smirking shaking her head, a hand on her hip.
"What's that meant to mean?" Mystified, Kane furrows her brow befuddled.
"Sacrifices came from good meat to give to gods, you think they'd give meat like you?" Honestly, Haneul elaborates.
"Hey I'd be great." Defensively, Kane huffs hands on his hips, offended almost at the thought.
"Both of you shut it." Incensed, Katsumi snaps sharply scowling, fed up, frustration flowing through her veins.
"Sorry boss." Both pros chorus bowing their head at the tired Katsumi.
Silently, Kazz places his forefingers upon them both focusing furrowing his brow as a small wave of purple washes over the three as they all then head inside. No sound escapes them, the only sound that escapes is the smooth sound of the door sliding as they all dive towards the cover that was the couch
"Gerald what are you doing?" One of the masked fellows asks.
"Hey we're not meant to use our names remember!?" The other masked one adds.
"O-Oh right! Still doesn't answer what you're doing." The masked fellow exclaims.
"Urgh I'm hoping to find the skeletal key." His lackey adds.
"For the boss?" The masked male mutters.
"Well yeah but also I wanna see what I can get." The grunt says.
"Get?" The masked figure queries.
"You know these riches places have champagne and all sorts of goodies in the fridge that they practically steal from customers seems only fair since we're here we take some for ourselves no?" The smug follower proclaims.
"…Fair enough I hope the boss won't be mad." Meekly, the cloaked figure squirms.
"How can he be mad when we give him champagne? Who gets mad at change?" Confused, the figure asks.
"Glucose intolerant people?" Perplexed, he offers.
"…Is…is the boss glucose intolerant?" Intrigued, the other asks.
"I don't know!" The lackey wails scared.
"Then why say that in the first place!?" Perplexed, the masked male demands.
"I don't know!" His lackey wails hands up in mock surrender.
"Urgh whatever I'm going…" The masked male turns his back to his friend fleeing.
"Hey hold on!" The other calls out to his friend unaware of both Bombarda, Kane and Haneul nodding their head in agreement as Kane and Haneul rush at them, their footsteps silenced. Haneul chops one of them from the back of their neck while Kane slams his hands either side of the other grunt, feeling their body buckle as they try to call out but fall flat to the ground, blood oozing out of their eardrums. Haneul and Kane nod at one another pleased by their accomplishment just as Bombarda approaches the two kneeling down. Bombarda begins doing hand signals gesturing to the plan ahead as the group knew that while Kane's quirk was great it had silenced everything, no words would reach the light of day for them as the two simply nod their heads, familiar with Bombarda's gestures as the group then looked over at the bodies below.
Haneul takes off the mask alongside Kane, their hues widening when seeing gas masks underneath confusing them all, so many questions were floating in their head, eager to ask one another, were they equipped with tear gas? Was this to avoid a quirk of theirs? Or was this just in case of their plan going wrong? So many possibilities roamed through their mind at the thought. Kane jolts up surprising the group who watch him peer over the desk before beaming when taking out a pen and piece of paper from the desk as he writes, the two furrow their brow by the amount of effort he takes into said bubble writing, a part of Haneul and Bombarda wanting to berate the boy but having no time as he passes the note over to them.
You think this is due to someone's quirk? Bombarda and Haneul share a look as Haneul takes the pad.
Possibly. We need to know more first think you could search the area. Haneul writes down in slanted fancy writing that Kane's eyes narrow at looking lost, looking over at Bombarda to be the mediator who sighs to see said scrunched up letters all joint up.
Use your sound to scan the area find out any info or where the hostages could be. Rushing, Bombarda takes the pen and paper writing it and shoving it towards Kane who nods his head. The group then slowly make it over towards the corner peering over seeing guards standing outside an open room, armed as bombard gives the two a signal. Soundspark nods his head. Slowly, he and Bombarda make their way towards said guards simply standing there unknowing of their impending doom until a second too late as both of them wrap their arms around the robed figures flailing before going limp in their arms, their holds having submitted to them. The group remove their mask, furrowing their brow by the sight of gas masks once more as both Kane and Haneul nod their head putting said skeletal masks on, fearing for what was to come while Bombarda flicks her fingertips fidgeting, small explosions entwining out of her palms as her nose twitching at the faint stench of burnt sugar.
The group peer into the room, their hues widening when seeing the people glued to the floor some squirming in pain. Kane places his hand flat on the wall focusing furrowing his brow before removing said palm, writing something out for the group taking the pad to reveal…
They're talking about bombs,
Nothing about the leader's quirk.
Urgh…
Right then we can't go in unprepared.
"B-Bom-" Swiftly, said hero slams her gauntlet down upon his mouth muffling her scared scream as she looks over at Kane nodding his head. He slams the notepad in the figure's face as slowly Bombarda lowers her hand, her hand still flat threatening that one wrong move and she will blow her up.
"What is…?" Meekly, the figure furrows his brow by the notepad narrowing at the bubble writing of…
What's your bosses quirk?
"You think I'm going to give up the boss's quirk please?!" Scoffing, the lackey chuckles chortling at the thought as the heroes simply look at one another smirking. The group shove the mask less figure inside, a brief light engulfing the figure about to snitch or so they thought…
"Talis what are you doing here without your mask you fool!" Furious, one of the guards severely snap at the girl who cries out alarming the heroes when seeing her fall. They open their mouth about to scream pointing behind them only to gasp horrified when no sound escapes their lips looking like a fish flailing about.
"Did you join those morons on that champagne trip of there's? You know without the mask the boss's scent quirk will make you unable to move!" Annoyed, the grunt scowls down at the girl while the heroes simply share a look at that rather interesting info dump. The three smirk at one another as the figure flails about helplessly, tears freely falling from them as the grunt simply sighs.
We'll deal with you when things are over." Aloofly, the grunt dismisses the screeching, screaming girl, trying with all her heart to warn them just as Kane snaps his fingertips. The light engulfs the trio fading from them as they turn to Haneul nodding her head in understanding, furrowing her brow as she performs some motions similar to a dance almost as the air around them shifts, turns just as Kane and Bombarda rush in leaving Haneul to focus on the task at hand.
"Seems things are over then!" Surprised, the grunt jolts up at the voice turning only to gasp at the hand flat to his face firing a blast throwing them on the other side of the building bashing into some ice sculpture as their form smears across the deserts and foods on the buffet table alarming some of the guests.
"Goro! What is going-" Angrily, one of the men call out to the slumped over figure groaning.
"Hi." Chirpily, Kane smirks smugly as he appears right in front of said grunt's face swiftly elbowing him in the chest making the cloaked figure hunch over as small stray strands of his hair float as the figure falls to the ground below, Kane swiftly taking his mask off.
"You bastard! Argh!" Anguished, the male cries out grimacing at the sharp crisp crunch of bone breaking below.
"It would seem we have some guests." The male cloaked in snow white remarks turning to the group barging in.
"About bloody time." Mirko mutters grumpily under her breath.
"Police will be arriving shortly! So I suggest you put your hands up!" Kane advises the group, his skeletal mask on as Bombarda's ruby reds look into a similar shade to her own.
"Oi Bombarda! You took your time." Mirko smirks at the brunette but that isn't what gets her attention it's the scorched singed flimsy feathers scattered to the side some coated crimson, some coated coal and what makes Bombarda's heart break, shatter, crack is the sheer sight of the battered, bruised, bloodied beaten blonde before her feet, his back now nothing more than muscles protruding out of his back bare before the world, scorch marks with crimson currents pooling beneath him. Slowly, Bombarda makes her way over to him placing her hand on his back seeing him flinch as she feels her blood boil, bubble, burn.
"Boss?" Worriedly, Kane calls out to the eerie silence of the bombastic Bombarda simply staring down at the blonde below her, her features darkening. Mirko could taste the bloodlust emitting out of her., she could feel the rage pouting out of her, she could feel the fury flowing out of her.
Already fuckers who wants to die first?" Furious, Bombarda seethes snarling, her tone calm, cold, curt taking the others aback by the sheer amount of calm control in her tone. She shakily stands, her raw reds dilating at the people around her some flinching, some fleeing, some shaking from the sheer sight of the woman before her.
"Hear that Hawks, seems your knight in shining armour is here." Mirko smirks smugly seeing Bombarda lunge at the robed figures before her, explosions emitting one after another, the sharp screams of agony escaping each ad everyone one of their lips. Pleading, begging, beseeching for it all to stop as next thing everyone knew, Bombarda stands tall, the heavy ring of metal hanging heavily in the air as the blackened, bloodied, bruised bodies lay littered on the ground below groaning just as the police come rushing in, darting in the last thing Bombarda hears after all the roaring ringing is…
"POLICE FREEZE!"
Loudly, the police sirens scream, screech blaring into the open air resonating throughout the atmosphere as blue blaring lights flash flicking with hints of ruby red moving all over. Men garbed in their uniform chain the robed figures throwing them into the back of the a police van, barely there, some having iv's on them while others sway from side to side, scarlet splatters smeared all over the coats of them, the smooth skeletal masks now chipped, cracks, some barely hanging onto the masked followers while others don't have the chance to wear their masks, their masks beyond repair now nothing more than crisp chatted ruined remains of a mask.
"The attendees that were tied up were being treated by medics tending to their needs however not all of the accounted for were being treated.
"Boss your arm…" Anxiously, Haneul whispers watching her boss clutch cradle her throbbing spasming arm as she bows her head, grinding her teeth together, feeling her blood boil, bubble, burn at the agony flowing through her veins. She bites her lip, feeling a shy shudder course through her spasming body trying to deal with her arm. She feels a shy bead of sweat slither down her tense temple, trying to keep it together from the sharp searing sensation of burning almost in her veins.
"I know…I'm fine." Firmly, Katsumi sighs shakily needing a minute to compose herself, to calm herself, to deal with the nagging aching sensation below slowly shakily raising her gauntlet flat to Haneul dismissing her worry, concern clear upon her face when seeing her boss' furrowed frown.
"But…" Conflicted, Haneul sighs crossing her arms over her chest conflicted.
"Hawks…can you hear me? Hawks!" Urgently, Katsumi rushes over to his side, her heart aching breaking, shattering seeing said sight of Hawks, his feathers dampen smeared, coated crimson as she returns to his side, her arms around him, holding him close.
"Heh….guess you came after all. Sorry you had to see me like this." Hoarsely, Hawks whispers slowly opening one of his eyes, his gold glinting when meeting her shaking shimmering scarlet. Her hands are either side of his cheeks, her thumb brushes against his cheek, pain plastered all over her furrowed features when seeing the state of him.
"Hawks you…save your breath now you hear?" Huffing, Katsumi begins brow furrowing from her tone trembling, her voice quaking making her grimace, slamming her eyes shut trying to compose herself, trying to calm herself, trying to ease her nerves trying to stop the tears threatening to fall from his sad state.
"Boss the ambulance need to have a look at you." Kane rushes in, brow furrowed at the state of the room.
"Right…" Katsumi sighs attempting to stand only then to gasp when suddenly the arms she once held grab hold of her snatching her, pulling her back down.
"Hawks?" Befuddled, Bombarda furrows her brow by the sudden strange movement turning to stare stunned down at the blonde below her, feeling his arms wrap around her.
"…" Silently, Hawks brings Bombarda close to her chest holding her tightly to his chest curling in on her much to Bombarda's befuddlement.
"Hawks it's okay…" Gently, Bombarda's brow furrows, leaning down furrowing her brow when feeling his fingertips dig deep into her almost piercing her clothes almost as he holds her.
"…" Hawks remains still silent, delving his head into the crook of her neck as she simply stares at the blonde having no clue what to make of the normal chirpy chatterbox now nothing.
"We need to get your wings looked at." Frowning, Bombarda reminds Hawks squeezing her shoulder hopeful for her to reach him. Sure, she had seen him have blackouts from time to time but she'd normally leave him to it that is until he started curling in on himself, until he started shaking that was when she'd intervene and the two would hug, no words needing to be shared between both heroes.
"Hawks remains firmly locked around Bombarda brow furrowed further from his stubborn grip on her, holding her.
"Oh bloody hell Hawks you're wings were scorched. They could be infected." Incensed, Katsumi soon growls fed up with this trying to get it through his thick head.
"You better take him home.." Surprised, Katsumi jolts up at the voice turning towards Mirko looking fine a hand on her hip brow furrowing at the sight of the two.
"Me? He should be taken to hospital." Huffing, Katsumi argues annoyed.
"Look he's running on adrenaline he just had his feathers burned. Try anything and he may attack anyone who comes close to you." Frankly, Mirko explains to Katsumi.
To me?" Mystified, Bombarda blinks baffled by her words.
He still thinks he's under attack he still thinks you could be under attack." Annoying, Mirko crosses her arms over her chest cross.
Eh!? I don't need saving! I save-" Scowling, Katsumi furiously fumes but soon stops when feeling his grip tighten further on her, feeling her head delve deeper nuzzle into her neck making her sigh, the furious flame blazing brightly within her soon flickers feeble from the action alone.
Maybe but his survival instincts are kicking in. He wants to try to protect you both." Bluntly, Mirko sighs.
…He really won't let go?" Sighing, Katsumi furrows her brow looking up at Mirko smirking shyly down at her amused almost at the sight of the two.
Not until he thinks its safe." Smirking, Mirko mischievously reveals.
…Right." Bombarda sighs slumping her shoulders tiredly.
I'll talk to the medics you just head on home." Mirko tells Katsumi.
W-Wait won't I need something I mean…" Unsure, Katsumi gestures to Hawks state sure she had a first aid kit but…
"Normal stuff should work." Mirko assures her.
"…Right. " Sighing, Katsumi furrows her brow, turning to stare back at Hawks, his brow further furrowing.
"You sure picked one hell of a girl Hawks I'll give you that." Teasingly, Mirko merrily winks at Bombarda blushing faintly from her words feeling his grip only tighten further around her.
"H-Huh?" Bombarda blurts out lost.
"See ya." Mirko smiles softly at the two turning her back to them tending to the police outside.
Stretching, Katsumi cranes her neck to the side, hearing the crisp click of a bone, her pyjamas consisting of a snow-white tank top with ruby red boxer like shorts. She stares at the blonde before her on her sofa, her ruby reds softening sadly at the person perched upon the sofa, staring out at nothing. His arms wrap around himself almost as if he were holding something as if the empty air in his arms held something. Katsumi sighs sadly, he hadn't moved an inch, it was only when they got back to her apartment did he seem to ease off her. She still couldn't believe the glares he was giving to the police officers to pros and sidekicks as they left the building, she could feel his talons impale her clothes almost as if he were about to tear them off.
"Hawks…we need to get those clothes off you." Sighing, Katsumi decided to break the still silence hanging heavily in the air as she clasps her hands together, approaching the blonde on her sofa simply staring out at who knows what…
"…" Silently, Hawks stares at the open air, his once bright broad glistening gold now darkened, a shadow shrouding his furrowed facial features.
"Hawks…can I take these off you?" Gently, Katsumi sits down by Hawks' side.
"…" Softly, she reaches out to him only for him to flinch from her hand making her grimace.
"Right." Pained, Katsumi bows her head trying to ignore the sharp sting in her chest from said reaction, grimacing.
"I'm fine." Firmly, Hawks snaps sharply making Bombarda blink baffled by his harsh hiss of sorts standing up from his seat.
"Hawks your wings are…" Annoying, Katsumi furrows her brow at him, concern clear in her tone trying to reach out to him, trying to get him to see reason, to see sense.
"Gone I know the world shouldn't feel reassured seeing my back." Briskly, Hawks brushes Katsumi off furrowing her brow.
"Yes well I'm not the world and you know that's not what I'm getting at. Listen to me those flames could have done severe damage and since you're not keen on hospitals I brought you back here so the least you could do is let me help you." Severely, she explains trying to warn him, trying to get him to understand that this could be worse than he realizes, he could have to have his wing removed or his wings may never grow back or he could have nerve damage on his back, severe burns that left untreated could become infected. It could lead to much worse fates if it not treated soon.
"…I said I'm fine." Frowning, Hawks huffs at her annoyed.
"Hawks please let me help you." Sighing, Katsumi pleads to him hurt to see him in such pain.
"I don't need you to." Hawks brushes her off.
"Why not? It's just your back! Your wings! Do you understand how severe these wounds are left untreated!?" Unapologetic, Unfazed, Katsumi continues brow furrowing sharply snapping at him, frustration flowing through her veins.
"I just don't need it okay? What's for dinner?" Desperate, Hawks tries to change topics making Katsumi sigh.
"I thought you ate already." Angrily, Katsumi snippily snaps crossing her arms over her chest cross, hating every single second of this argument.
"…" Hawks winces from the sudden sharp sting to his back as he finds himself sat down on the kitchen table, leant over brow furrowed.
"Hawks I can't help you if you don't talk to me." Meekly, Katsumi sighs softly, her features faltering softening even as she slowly makes her way over to him, slumping her shoulders, bowing her head, shakily sighing exhaustion etched into her tired tone.
"Well who said I needed your help." Haughtily, Hawks crosses his arms over his chest.
"Your earring did." Sighing, Katsumi slips down onto the seat, brow furrowing as she brushes a stray strand of brown behind her ear revealing the ruby red feather making Hawks hues widen when seeing said feather.
"…What?" Hawks furrows his brow befuddled by said earring.
"Your earring it was actually how I found it. it vibrated I thought it was a warning I mean I've never felt it do that before so…" Unsure, Katsumi shrugs her shoulders, not quite sure what else to really say.
"…" Silently, Hawks gold glisten perking up lighting up slightly at said glistening gem of an earring seeing the ruby red feather flutter.
"Hawks please I just want to help you. Let me please. Let me do this for you." Sighing, Katsumi places her hand on him.
"You've done enough." He shrugs her off.
"I want to do this dumbass." Scowling, she reaches out flicking his nose.
"…" Silently, Hawks stares at her before sighing, slouching his shoulders hissing as he nods his head giving in bringing a small smile to Katsumi's lips grateful. She stands up, getting out the first aid kit form the kitchen opening it as she helps Hawk out of his shirt and jacket alongside his tie, feeling him nuzzle into her side now and again as she gets out the bandages and salve, scowling seething at the battered beaten bruised display of his back.
"See now was that so hard?" Softly, she asks Hawks as the two sit down on the ktiche counter.
"Sorry…" Hawks sighs as she shuts the lid.
"Hm?" Katusmi hums turning the first aid kit to the side turning her focus on him.
"You had to see those things…" Hawks gold glance over at his back making her sigh.
"Hawks whether your wings are featherless or feathers I don't care." Resolute, Katsumi tells him, her raw reds gazing into his glistening gold.
"…Don't they look weird?" Meekly, Hawks argues brow furrowing.
"Not really no." Katsumi shrugs.
"No?" Hawks raises a brow befuddled.
"Nah. It looks sort of cute like chicken legs you know like in those ads where you see a roast chicken dancing. It's cute." Coyly, Katsumi smiles softly at the thought bringing a small smile to Hawks own lips only then for it to falter, sighing sadly bowing his head pained.
"…My dad." Hawks whispers brow furrowed.
"Hm?" Katsumi perks up at Hawks words.
"He…he used to kick me mainly in my back." Hawks reveals to Katsumi.
"…What?" Katsumi's crimson dilate at the news.
"I was in his way and…" Anxiously, Hawks bows his head at the memory.
"Hawks…" Tenderly, Katsumi's ruby reds soften sadly at him.
"I was a brat as a kid." Hawks dismisses.
"Hawks don't give him an excuse hutting you, raising his hand or foot is not right. " Sternly, she tells him.
"…I'm still sorry you having to save me…" Miserably, Hawks smiles strained.
"I wanted to save you dumbass." Deadpanned, Katsumi sighs shaking her head at him leaning forward to flick him in the temple.
"Eh?" Taken aback, Hawks blinks baffled by the hit holding his head.
"You always save so many people someone has to save the heroes now and again no?" Smirking, Katsumi shrugs unaware of Hawk's hues staring shakily at her, his hues shimmering slightly, the dam threatening to fall from her words alone as he bows his head, composing him.
"…Keigo." Hawks whispers, his voice cracking briefly before placing his hand over his mouth.
"Hm?" Katsumi hums perplexed.
"Keigo Takami…that's…that was my name." Hawks reveals to Katsumi staring stunned at him, a heavy silence falling between them both, Hawks shaking, quivering, quaking from the intense stare from Katsumi.
"…Well then Keigo my name is Katsumi. It's nice to finally meet you." Katsumi smiles softly offering her hand out to him making his hues expand at the offer.
"…It's…It's nice to finally meet you too." Tentatively, Hawks smiles softly shyly at Katsumi, shyly sliding his hand over hers, the two shaking hands, happy to be by each other, no words needing to be shared between them both, their presence being more than enough for them both.
*Yep...he said it. So what did you think of that reveal? Would love to know your thoughts down below! What do you think about Hawks revealing his name to Katsumi?*
