With Time

"Hawks, what's the meaning of this surprise appearance?" Mr. Compress posed as sharp, intimidating feathers sieged him in bundles, closing in on him after each passing moment.

"It wasn't your job to go after her." Hawks' tone was grave, as if the villain before him just made the biggest mistake of his life. "Who told you to make the move? Was it Dabi?" he demanded.

"Now, now. It was a collective decision, I assure you." Unfazed, the villain attempted to step forward a fraction of an inch, setting off the pro's hero instincts and triggered a defensive but hostile reaction out of caution. Angry red feathers pierced through his showman garment – as thin as pinpricks – before slamming him against the wall of the dimly lit dungeon-like corridor.

"What do you think you're doing-!"

"I was this close to earning her trust, Compress. And you almost blew it." Hawks wasted no time in his interrogation as piercing golden eyes studied the villain. "What do you know about her, and what makes you think she'd listen to you? What are we even planning to do with her?"

"We?" The elegant criminal chuckled, his scornful expression concealed behind his mask. "I must remind you to remember your place – you are not officially in the League yet. You were tasked with something so simple as to fetch us an unsuspecting civilian, but you couldn't even do that. Not even at your 'trademark top speed,' hm? Unfortunately, we had no choice but to carry on with the show on your behalf."

In response, crimson feathers, as red as blood, darted to clutch Mr. Compress' necktie to draw him closer. "Clearly you weren't paying attention, so I'll gladly run it by you again – she is off limits. I'm the one recruiting her to the League."

"Is that so?" The villain made a show to scan around the room in an exaggerated manner. "I don't see her."

Hawks remained silent, choosing to glare at Mr. Compress with an unamused frown and furrowed, agitated brows.

"I want this alliance of ours to work, truthfully I do," the villain said with a hint of warmth behind his words. "We wouldn't want any more actions we may regret here. I beseech you – cease now, and we can forget about this brazen display of needless aggression, and move forward with our plans."

Hawks allowed a brief moment of respite to back off and inhale covertly, and to formulate how to transition back into his happy-go-lucky persona. "Sorry, man. I'll agree to that, but just one thing - do not approach her again – you'll ruin what I've been working on. Just let me handle this for the League, and stay away from her," he cautioned to the elegant villain, fooling him into believing he was going above and beyond for the League to make a good impression; though concealed deep within him was his true intention of his intrinsic need to protect Jun.

"Oh, cut the hero act." Another familiar voice permeated the mildew-laden corridor as a figure with tarnished skin and staples on their face paced behind the pair. "If you really plan on pledging to the League and meet the 'boss,' then you should be leaping on the opportunity to let them help out with the plan."

While positioned sideways, Hawks allowed both hands to slip into his jacket pockets, feigning a lowered guard. "Do you think this is a joke?" His wing flicked over in Mr. Compress's direction to point at him from a distance, all while still trapped against the hero's feathery confines. "Involving others was not part of the plan," Hawks' seething voice commanded with startling authority while his sharp eyes dug into Dabi's unfeeling ones.

"Thought you wanted to be on this side," Dabi noted almost condescendingly. "You're not making a convincing argument for yourself."

At that, Hawks' aggressive demeanor diminished slightly in an effort to recompose himself. "Don't forget that to everyone else, I'm a pro hero. I'm playing with major fire here. I can't screw this up and rouse suspicion by being so forward about bringing her in." A permanent frown conquered Hawks' features as avian eyes narrowed fiercely at the unfazed villain, his tone growing increasingly venomous after each excruciating moment. "I have my own methods. That's why I won't let you get careless with this. I'm not helping you scare her into joining. And guess what? You're not gonna make me, either."

"Huh," Dabi stated simply. "The world's fastest hero taking the slow route for a change. How ironic," he remarked passively before turning to walk away from the scene, only to stop in place a few steps after. "I find it odd why you even care if the League tries to expand their forces, especially when you're a wannabe villain yourself…" he concluded with a suspicious ring to his tone before shooting the pro hero with an alarming side-glare, his dead, soulless eyes examining Hawks suggestively. "Unless you have a problem with what they're doing."

"Nah," replied Hawks passively as the hold his feathers had on Mr. Compress loosened. "Course not."

"Hm." Satisfied with the exchange, Dabi twisted back around to leave but then paused before the exit. "If you value even a shred of who the League is or what they aim to do, you'll stop playing pretend boss around here. This isn't your agency. Let's hope this talk here has finally gotten it through your head."

The villain spared Hawks one final unsettling side-glance, displaying a clear psychotic glint in his eye.

"You have no control here. You're in a whole other league, hero."


When the last autumn leaf of the season had finally descended, it was the ripe time for winter to begin rolling in. It was only a month or so until the holidays, and, despite not having a family to share it with, the bubbly atmosphere of the holiday season still brought joy in Jun's otherwise suffocating solitude.

Just means more hot cocoa for me.

Something about this year was different, however. As those cheery days grew closer, so did her desire to share those warm moments with another individual. A certain pro hero who, to her knowledge, had no family of his own, either. Surely heroes can take a break for the holidays, couldn't they?

In that time, Jun had managed to persuade him into telling her a bit more about himself, starting and ending with his birthday. Even then, he didn't disclose the exact date, but rather, he flippantly insinuated that it was closer than she'd think. Hawks urged Jun to promise to never share that with anyone else - claiming it was because he didn't want his fans to catch wind of it and pile him up to his wings in gifts, though the true reason was so someone couldn't use it to begin tracing and tracking down his real name. That was when Jun learned that poor Hawks was cursed with having a birthday so close to the holidays. So she decided to try her luck. After all, she had nothing more to lose.

Meanwhile, Hawks had just sauntered home after another exhausting night overlooking the city. All day he was bustling between his agency and other public relations, making certain to maintain that charming yet strained smile, but his mind and actions did not coincide – his thoughts were busy juggling his increasingly suffocating burden as a hero, and as a spy. Hopefully he had bought himself some time to formulate how to keep Jun out of this mess. While lazily kicking off his boots, his exhausted expression perked up upon his personal cell ringing from his pocket, shocked but ecstatic to be receiving a text from her. Junhad texted him first!

'Hi Hawks, it's Jun. Are you up?'

'Hey chickadee, where's the fire? The world must be ending if you're texting me first!'

'Shut up. Anyway, I have something I wanted to ask you.'

What she had messaged him next almost made him drop his phone right then and there.

'I was wondering something… do you… have a family?'

A family? Such an odd question, especially coming from Jun of all people. He pondered the idea for a moment while solemnly scanning the emptiness that was his dimly lit home, before his fingers went to work to respond, a modest pink blush dusting his cheeks.

'Afraid I have an empty nest, dove. Why the sudden interest?'

'Really? Even with all the fangirls hanging off you? I'm really shocked that you haven't… you know… picked one.'

'Hah, I bet I got something that'll blow your mind,' he quipped through text. 'To be perfectly honest with you… what if… I told you that…'

He deliberately sent two messages back to back after a brief delay, for 'dramatic effect.'

'An opportunity popped up here and there, but that life never really appealed to me – but don't tell anyone, I gotta keep up my appearances. Fan service is important haha'

'Wait, what? Are you saying you've NEVER had one? As in, never had a girlfriend? You?!'

'Nope. I told ya my schedule – think I have time to juggle a family into the mix?'

Jun couldn't explain why, but she felt her heartrate speed up at the knowledge that the No. 2 was just as inexperienced with relationships as she was, though for entirely different reasons. She had left him on read for the next half hour, struggling to muster the courage to ask him after knowing something as groundbreaking as that.

'Dove?'

Hawks should have been used to being left on read by Jun, but this time was different. Sharing such an intricate and personal part of his life like that had put the hero on edge. His nerves were burning just as intensely as hers was at that moment.

Man, since when was it so difficult to ask the Number 2 Hero on what essentially was a date? No, it wasn't a date, Jun struggled to remind herself. He said so himself that he doesn't have time for sappy shit like that. But he was her friend and friends were supposed to invite each other out to do things. Jun was feeling guilty that it was almost always Hawks who would initiate meetings with him for the most part. It was time to switch things up for a change.

'Sorry. Back on topic. Does this mean I shouldn't, um, invite you over next week? You don't have to bring me anything – I figured you'd ask. But I wouldn't complain if you picked up some of those chicken skewers along the way. I'm prepared to bribe you with some hot cocoa for your time. 😊'

He found it absolutely adorable that Jun would put in the effort to write out 'um' in her text message. And that smiley face at the end? How could he say no after that?


The following week was quiet but full to the brim with anticipation up until that fateful night. Jun had been brewing something in the kitchen as she hummed along contently to the radio, reflecting the unusual bout of energy that had mysteriously wormed its way into her. Jun's surroundings lit up with festive decorations to reflect the upcoming holiday season. The bell to her door burst to life as she gasped in fright; its withered and rusty chime felt so foreign to her from severe disuse.

Creaking open the door, Jun was shocked to find Hawks there, and as always, eager and happy to greet her. She wasn't sure what was more surprising – that he had shown up early, or that he used the actual door versus breaking through the window, as was the norm for him. A pair of fluffy red earmuffs replaced his usual yellow earphones, and his usual light brown hero getup was instead a dark blue jacket. It was buttoned all the way up to the high collar to shield him from the bitter chill in the air as he clutched a takeout bag firmly against his torso to sap in the extra heat.

"Heyo, chikad- whoa."

He was pleasantly caught off guard by the fluffy, oversized sweater Jun had on – its soft burgundy color almost matched that of his wings. It was so large on her, or rather, Jun was so small, that it draped down to tastefully cover her thighs and upper legs. It was so oversized and fuzzy, not to mention her slipper socks with little pom poms dangling from them that would jingle as she pranced around. That look was adorable on her, he mused in delight.

"Do you mind, you know, coming in before standing around gawking like a fool? It's freezing out," Jun joked while chilling goosebumps surged up her bare legs.

"I'll just say, I'm not the one who decided to go pants-less in 30 degree weather," he countered while Jun watched him take a leisurely stroll and plop himself onto the lounge, his arms crossing behind his head as he reveled in the gentle patter of her slipper's chime.

"Who wears pants in their own house?" she quipped back while fetching a special mug hidden deep within the cabinet before adding her own blend of hot cocoa to it. And by her 'own blend,' Jun's secret was obviously just the store-bought mix. "So, you don't have to eat it if you don't like it, but I want you to try - huh? Oh." Jun's words were cut off as a bundle of impatient feathers surrounded the mug and whisked it away before she even had the chance to turn around.

"Oh, no way, dove. Heh, you serious?" An appreciative chuckle broke apart his words as Hawks examined the cup specially prepared for him. On it was a character who he had looked up to his whole life, and the one to inspire and further cement his dream of becoming a shining light for everyone. "You gotta tell me what company was brave enough to print a shot of Endeavor that doesn't look like he wants to hurt me. Half-grinning almost looks good on 'em," he voiced with his eyes shut in genuine glee. His tone was not unlike that of a fanboy's. "So you're a fan too, huh, chickadee? Just when I thought you couldn't get any cooler."

"Pun intended?" Jun hummed while her heart sang from his praise. "Didn't know a pro hero like you would be so open about your competition. You nervous about meeting him at that billboard rally soon?"

"Can't say it'd be the first time, not exactly," Hawks murmured while further studying the bright orange mug, his mind wandering to that fateful childhood present given by his mother.

Jun didn't quite catch what the pro hero had muttered, and her abysmal social skills barred her from asking Hawks to repeat himself. So she stood there awkwardly, tapping the tips of her fingers together repeatedly.

"Sorry I don't have much to do at my place."

"You're kidding, right? This place is full of amazing stuff like this!" Feathers briskly coiled around the bright object as Hawks' free hands gestured and waved ecstatically around like it was a proud display in a museum. "Makes for a great conversation starter, if you ask me!"

It was as though a lightbulb just flicked on above Jun's head. "You know… if it really brings you that much joy, you can have it."

"You're pullin' my wing, babybird," he whispered in hopeful disbelief.

Honestly it was difficult for Jun to part ways with that Endeavor mug. It was limited edition, after all. But seeing the pure energy and happiness it brought to Hawks' face… it was almost enough to match the joy and adoration he brought to her every day.

At that, she grinned warmly while a matching heat singed her cheeks. "It's yours."

"Alright, I submit. What's the catch? What're you planning here? 'Cause at this rate you're about a feather's length away from getting an entire store's worth of puzzles."

Jun's searing blush returned full force. "W-well with the holidays coming up, I wanted to do something special with you…"

"Is that what this is for?" The winged hero gestured eagerly around the festive apartment, then to her. "Don't get me wrong, kid, what you got going on here is super cute, but you realize we're barely into November, yeah?"

"Well, with your hectic schedule I can't know if you'll be around during the holidays, or for your birthday. I just wanted to try and, play it safe, you know?"

Hawks' entire lighthearted posture dimmed to a more somber demeanor in response. That reminded him. Jun may very well have been right. He was to work for his entire birth month for the beginning of what may very well be the most crucial mission of his entire hero career. The mission she knew absolutely nothing about. The one he had no choice but to hide from her, his wonderful friend. At that recognition, Hawks blinked once, and his cheerful and carefree exterior returned full force. He passed Jun a loaded smile, this time minus the usual genuine gleam in his eyes. "Yeah. I gotcha."

A contagious grin brightened Jun's cheeks, and in her absentmindedness, completely missed the expertly hidden strain behind his otherwise lax eyes. "And while I'm thinking of it, I have something else for you too." Energetic hands pointed and gestured eagerly to Jun's bedroom.

"Come with me."

At that, Hawks' golden eyes grew wide; his mouth sealed shut in a hard line as every feather puffed up and reacted, each one shivering individually. If Jun didn't know any better, she would've sworn that his pupils had dilated. "Uh, whahaat?"

"Uh, I said… come… over here? Um, please?" she voiced innocently and almost uncomfortably, caught completely off guard by her upbeat friend's sudden uncertainty.

He hesitantly complied and shuffled behind Jun. Hawks' entire 180 in demeanor perplexed her. He was acting so… flustered. And his face… was it red? Hawks? Blushing? Had he somehow found out about the other gift she had stored for him under her bed? With someone as keen and savvy as him, it wouldn't have surprised her if Hawks had unleashed a feather to scope out the place for any other hidden gems like her once proud Endeavor mug.

Heh, he is a stalker, after all. Jun lightheartedly mused to herself. Well, there was only one way to find out if her internal accusations were true, she figured.

Even her personal haven was full of little trinkets and decorations to match the season. Cute little string lights hung around her bed and doorframe. Perfect for guests to come in and mutter in surprise, 'whoa.' The mess under Jun's bed was a different story. Immediately she shoved the upper half of her body into the endless void that was her bed – in search of that hidden coveted object.

Meanwhile, Hawks had trailed behind Jun after a short delay, acting eerily like a lost puppy, but felt his lax attitude return upon spotting her from the hallway digging noisily under the bed while muttering and cursing to herself upon smacking the top of her head against the bed frame. It aided in dampening the admittedly thick tension surrounding Hawks at that moment, but remnants of a blush still stained his cheeks. "Now kid, I'll be honest with you," he started while puffy wings brushed firmly into the doorframe. "I know I'm the fast type and all that, but-"

Something immediately caught the pro hero's eye and stopped him dead in his tracks upon stumbling into the room. Hawks' mouth dropped and he purposefully almost let his mug slip from his hand at the sight.

All the while Jun had remained on her hands in knees, her upper half buried under the bed in search of his present. What that loud-mouthed bird brain immediately ceased his chattering, Jun sensed that something was deathly wrong, prompting her to wriggle out from under the bed to inspect him further.

His wide, golden eyes were glued to the wall adjacent to the bed, and Jun's head turned quizzically to look in the same direction as his.

There on the wall, directly next to where she slept, displayed a prominently large poster – 'No. 2 Pro Hero: Hawks' with a shot of the hero in a battle stance with his two feathers acting as makeshift daggers, clearly done from one of his modeling photoshoots.

"Oh shit." The words tumbled from Jun's lips as an overwhelming heat rushed to her face. "D-don't look at that!" she yelled in vain, hoping that just this one time he would listen to her, though she already knew the damage was done and her secret was out for the world to see.

"Ooh, what's this? Turns out you're a… fan? Of… me?" Hawks voiced with a gentle yet entirely taunting tone. "All this time you tried so hard to have me believe you were some stone-cold loner – then you spring this on me?"

"Do you have a freaking hearing issue or something, you damn bird?!" Jun tried – and failed – to push him out of her room, the boiling heat inside her chest linked directly to her flustered face.

"Don't worry, I'd be happy to sign it for you. I'll make it out to chickadee, my number one fan," he teased while closing his smug eyes in excruciating delight, all while sporting the goofiest, most sickening smile she'd ever seen. To Jun he was teasing her simply for the fun of it, though Hawks was screaming in pure joy on the inside. He would never admit that out loud, however.

"Looks like I'm off the hook with getting you something this year – with that poster pinned suspiciously next to where you sleep, I'm sure I've given you plenty of gifts," he winked in a confusing blend of mischievousness and seduction, but he somehow made the look work.

"I said get out of here!" Jun's very animated, borderline pleading, and utterly flustered tone made the situation ten times funnier to Hawks. His hand clutched at his chest as he bellowed and heaved in a whole-body laughing fit while his wing looped around to cover his eyes, emulating an amused facepalm. After receiving the brunt end of his antics for the next few minutes, Hawks had decided to humor her desperate request and exit the room, still with both corners of his lips reaching to his ears.


"So, it really sucks having a birthday so close to the holidays, huh?" Jun made small talk to her friend in order to stall, her back facing him while wrapping an object.

"Doesn't matter, honestly," he responded almost too quickly. "The nest's empty back home, anyway. To be honest with ya, I don't remember the last time I even had a chance to relax and do nothin' on my birthday."

"M-maybe while you're loafing around doing nothing… this could keep you company?" At that Jun presented the puzzled hero with a messily and poorly wrapped gift in a flat, square shape, topped with a deep red ribbon and smiling cat and bird stickers littered all over it. "Y-you see, one for the holidays, and the other for your birthday…!"

Jun's nerves were scorching as the noise from paper ripping filled the room. She watched as Hawks puzzled eyes set on the back of a wooden frame before flipping it over to reveal a framed photo of one of the selfies he had duped her into posing with him. Around the frame sported even more blushing cat and bird stickers, with even a couple loose red feathers glued on.

"Baby…bird," was all the pro hero could muster from his tightened throat.

"I know it's nothing breathtaking… but it's the least I could do… for everything you've done for me. Do you… care for it? If you don't then I could always take it instead…" Nervous, Jun tried to gouge any sort of reaction from her unusually somber friend. "Is it okay?"

"Hm, yeah." Hawks' low tone buzzed with affection. He was used to received presents from people all over by now, but this… her gift had touched Hawks to his very core.

"Thank you, Jun."

The staggering rush of pleasant emotions prompted a deep chill to run up her spine, and Hawks took notice of the goosebumps forming on her arms and legs as a result. That's when it occurred to him just how poorly insulated Jun's apartment was, and how it was constantly chilly regardless of the season.

"Hey," he voiced kindly, catching her full attention. "C'mere."

His head cocked to the side to motion Jun over while a lavish wing splayed outward as if he were holding up a heavy blanket, implicitly beckoning her to occupy the empty spot under his wing.

Anxiously, Jun complied and did as he asked. The moment her back made gentle contact with the opulent plush of his wing, another powerful shiver pulsed up her spine, but this chill was… different.

"This okay? Am I too close?"

Jun's eyes seemed to stir on their own will, forcing her to peer downward sheepishly to their corners with tinged cheeks. "S'fine," she hummed.

The air was still for a moment, granting Jun liberty to readjust by bringing up her legs to tuck them inwards into the couch, and allowing her to get acclimated to the intense flush of emotions engulfing her as the plush feathers tickled at her arms and shoulders. Not much later, the awkwardness of the moment was broken when Hawks chuckled breezily.

"You know, I'm extra happy that you decorated so early. It reminds me that I need to make time for the kid's holiday soon," the hero noted while stroking and tapping on the wooden picture frame in his clutch.

"K-kids? You have children, Hawks? I thought you said you live alone?"

"You gotta stop jumpin' to conclusions, kid," Hawks cackled. "Nah, what I do is every year I fly to children's houses and they get a hand-delivered present by their favorite hero. It's pretty great. I get the classic red hat out and everything," he winked and grinned warmly at the memories, heedfully leaving out the bitter parts surrounding them. "After all, the hero holidays program was always the highlight of my life as a kid. The least I can do now is pay it forward."

"Really? You find the time to do that for them?"

"Course! I know dozens of agencies that sign up for holiday programs like mine. Though the sign-up sheet's always stacks higher with my name."

All the while, Jun had been gawking at Hawks in pure admiration and unknowingly her body instinctively inched closer to the comforting warmth radiating off his body.

"But wait… aren't those types of programs for kids in troubled homes?"

Hawks' naturally lidded eyes lowered further at her inquiry, recalling the times he had to celebrate in secret the very few instances he managed to sneak out, only to leave any and all gifts behind as to erase the evidence. At that, he passed Jun a firm nod. "I know I'm not the type to train the next generation or anything, but growing up right's important. If I can brighten up these kids even for the night, then I'm more than happy to do my part."

Astounded by her friend's utterly boundless compassion, Jun inched even closer to his inviting form, as if the benevolent nature of his very soul was signaling to hers. His wing began to curl inward to drape over Jun's back and shoulder as a response, the tips of his feathers soothingly brushing her arm and stomach, subconsciously caressing and sheltering her like a thick, heated blanket.

"That's so beautiful Hawks… I – wow," she managed to blurt out as Hawks responded with a prideful but gentle grin, a light pink blush tinting his cheeks. It took Jun a moment to register that she had been leaning her entire body against his, not just on the hero's feathers, but his chest as well. It was that moment her attention shifted to the accelerated thumping in his chest, loud and strong, as if his heart was racing. Protective feathers continued to press her skin and heedfully supported the rare, tender contact.

"I-I'm so sorry!" A mortified hand was quick to press against his chest to use as leverage to try and push herself away, but Jun's actions ceased in shock and disbelief the instant that one word left his throat.

"Please." Entreating feathers protested and pressed Jun's body gently back to him in earnest, firm enough to convey his voiceless yearning, but delicate enough to communicate that she could break away freely at any time. The pure vulnerability in his voice and actions reignited that surge of warmth to erupt from their bodies. "It's alright. Stay with me, okay?"

Jun leaned back into him guardedly, this time with a hand strumming over his taut chest, unsure of where else to lay it. But something about that alluring rapid beating in his chest drew Jun closer, soothing her, comforting her. She couldn't help but sense the vibrant auras reverberating around the two of them, because Jun could practically feel them. The air encasing Hawks and herself seemed to sparkle and crackle with energy, and for a brief moment, it felt like she was laying right under the warm embrace of the sun.

The room stirred with the gentle patterns of breathing, both Hawks' and her own. The inviting warmth of the feather blanket shielding Jun soon elicited a modest yawn, and while dosing off her head dipped to the side to make gentle contact with Hawks' temple, causing the hero's breath to hitch and the beating in his chest to hasten at her sudden display of vulnerability. The weight of his head began to match hers as he melted carefully into the touch. Their heads rested together, leaning on each other for support. His second wing had since joined the other to cloak the both of them, encasing Jun in a protective cocoon of tenderness and warmth. His feather-like golden tufts tickled at her cheek, rousing Jun back to semi-consciousness.

"Hmmhm, Hawks?" she purred, the intimacy behind her hushed tone resonated in him like an enchanting song. "About the kid's holiday program… I was wondering something..."

Hawks' eyes, once shut to relish in the tranquility of the moment, slowly stirred open in suspense - but still maintained that precious contact as he listened intently. He had decent indication of where she was going with this.

"...how was… your family?"

He recognized that Jun was testing him delicately – silently inviting and encouraging him to open up to her about a sensitive topic on a new, personal level. He stared at the floor for a moment, unblinking, before offering simply, "How was yours?"

"Hm, message received," she nodded weakly in acknowledgement, and nothing more.

As she bid her feathered guest safe travels for the night, gifts in hand, Jun watched his traveling silhouette faze into the night. A crisp wind blew briskly across her face. Its calming streaks coursed through Jun's hair as she breathed it all in and rested her arms on the railing overlooking the neighborhood; precisely on the spot where her winged hero would save her from debilitating loneliness whenever he could.

It was strange. Something about the dreary landscape seemed rather alluring that night, or rather, every night for the past few weeks, at the very least. There was something… almost beautiful about the calming aura surrounding Jun, the one that blanketed and comforted her each time she allowed that annoying pest she called a genuine friend to soar through her head. The last few hours spent warmly with him was heavy on her mind, and she was strangely content with it. It was as though she felt… at peace.

It was a foreign, yet welcome change.