A New Leaf
Jun had no trouble making up her mind that she was to pack her things and move in with Hawks quickly and covertly to escape the ever-present threat of the paparazzi. Hawks had been a great help as usual, as she only had a few more boxes to go, but even more expected was he had received an emergency call when they were almost through with packing. His lighthearted expression had faded into a more serious one as he gazed at the ID. One hand pulled his visors tucked in his shirt to put them on professionally while his other thumb went to work to dial someone. After that fateful flight with a certain feathered disciple of his, Hawks knew there was only one person in this entire world he could trust with Jun.
"I'll call Bird Bro, he'll help you finish packing," he announced hastily before cupping her face and gracing her with a doting smile. "I'll meet you two at my place," he beamed. "Dinner's on me."
Jun couldn't explain why, but she felt the need to lean her cheek further into his touch, but he pulled away in a rush before she could.
"Where would you like this to go, miss Tani?" Tokoyami asked. Both his and Dark Shadow's arms stretched with piles of moving boxes up to their heads.
"Uh, just put them near the doorway. Or the balcony, I dunno." Jun spared a hand to wave him off without turning from unceremoniously shoving as many objects as she could into various boxes and trash bags.
"Why did you agree to this? Our internship with Hawks ended months ago," Dark Shadow expressed to Tokoyami behind Jun's back, but loud enough for her to hear. His darker side was somehow less reserved than he was.
"Silence," Tokoyami lightly scolded his darker side. "This isn't for internship credit. If our former mentor needs assistance, we should be there to help, regardless of inconvenience."
Overhearing the discussion, Jun was almost offended by him unknowingly implying that she was an inconvenience. ""Well, I… appreciate the help, anyway. Even if it is against your will, guys."
At that, both Tokoyami and Dark Shadow puffed up in surprise and shame before turning to face her and bowing in humility. "F-forgive me, Miss Tani. I didn't mean to word it like that."
"Forget it. Just a few more boxes and we can head over to Hawks' place, okay?"
"Yes, Miss Tani."
Dark Shadow then whispered to his host, even lower this time. "Are you not even going to question why this girl is moving in with our mentor?"
"You know better than to question him. He did stress not to mention this to anyone, after all. We should consider that the highest honor," Tokoyami whispered back. "Whatever the reason is, it must be important."
While lifting yet another box, a dark spot near the leg of the table caught Tokoyami's eye. "What's this?" He picked up a lone puzzle piece. "We missed one. Where did we pack that puzzle?"
"Just toss it in this box," Dark Shadow implored out of boredom while plucking the piece from his host's hand and dropping it away. "She'll find it and put it all back together later."
"Well, I don't think it's any secret that the mission to recruit out newest member ended, erm, unsuccessfully." Mr. Compress initiated the uncomfortable meeting among the small group of villains. Each of them took their own stance while huddled around the shoddy walls of the hideout. Hawks and Spinner were the only two to stand, the former shuffled and dragged his boots in place while the latter chose to lean against the wall, arms crossed.
Twice scratched idly at his chin. "So what're we gonna do? I'm kinda torn here."
"Well since we are finally together again, exactly what on Earth were you thinking back there, Spinner?" Compress implored as the reptilian villain pressed his arms closer to himself while huffing passively, disregarding the poorly wrapped bandages around his head. "I understand Twice's error, but I can't imagine what Shigaraki might do if he found out about this without reasonable explanation."
Tucked away in the corner, Dabi scoffed. "Hell, that brat'd flip his lid even with an explanation."
"Aw, no need to be the bearer of bad news," Hawks shrugged cozily. "What's the worst that could happen?"
Twice and Toga exchanged resigned looks for a moment. "Eh, he's got a point there."
Clearing his throat, Mr. Compress added, "Regardless, Twice and Spinner did almost kill her, and likely would have, if our colleague Hawks didn't intervene. Now we have a chance to appease the cause with our recruitment efforts again. Good work, Hawks!"
At that, Hawks shut his eyes and formed a semblance of a grin while sporting a thumbs-up. "Anything for the cause!"
Hidden behind his calm and collected expression, he felt his heart grow heavy at the notion. Tucking his emotions away, Hawks peered over at Dabi, the arrogance in the feathered hero's expression wordlessly flaunting, 'Am I good, or what?!'
Bemused, Dabi pulled out his phone halfway out of his pocket, typed with his thumb, and slipped it back in, with Hawks' going off a moment later.
'Body,' was all it read.
"You know what she did." Spinner finally found the opportunity to get a word in to address Hawks, his voice and demeanor being much calmer and more rational.
"Aw, Give her a break, will ya? She's new here," Hawks offered cordially. "I'm willin' to let bygones be bygones, and I'm sure I can vouch that she is, too. No hard feelings, right, man?"
Spinner sighed in a mix of defeat and acceptance. There was no denying that this winged man had the uncanny ability to encourage the peace, despite the powerful force of his restraining grip that day. Spinner knew he had no leg to stand on. It was him who attacked first, after all.
"Let's be sure that we keep our emotions in check from now on," advised the elegant villain before turning in Twice's direction. "And be more careful where we step as well."
"I'm sorry," replied Twice in a genuinely culpable tone. He was still battling the demons from his trauma, and 'little' mistakes like that were extra prone to happen. It was a work in progress, but he was thankful to have people to help him through it.
"Hey, you don't gotta pretend like you all haven't tried to kill each other once or twice, am I right?" The confident ring of Hawks' voice interjected, swooping in to their defense. "What's a little scuffle between pals?"
Spinner's downcasted eyes perked up at that, finally feeling invited to chime in. "Yeah, let's face it. Twice could wreak some serious havoc around here if he wanted to. He has more potential than he knows what to do with."
"Ooh?" the winged hero exclaimed, concealing his true intentions under enthusiastic intrigue. "A big ol' softie like him? Nah, you can't be serious."
"It's for real, I –"
"Enough, Spinner," Dabi's raspy voice cut through the dimness in the corner.
"Meeting's over. Consider yourselves dismissed."
The directions on Tokoyami's phone took him and Jun to the nicer side of the city, but in a reserved area with absolutely no passerby around. A lone one-story house soon came into view out in the distance, quiet and discreet, a perfect place for a popular hero to settle down in peace. This had to be it. But something didn't feel right. From the outside it looked like a standalone penthouse, fancy and clean. And yet, it just looked so small to be fit for the Number 2 Pro Hero. To an outsider, such a humble home would be unfitting for a cocky hero like Hawks, but getting to know him better made Jun realize – this little place was perfect for him, and for her.
Other than loads of molted and discarded old feathers and empty coffee can scattered on his floor, Hawks' place was rather barren, displaying just how little time he actually spent leisurely at home. The interior of the home matched that of its exterior in its proportions. It was not oversized; it was just the right amount of space Hawks needed for himself. That probably would explain why he only had one bed.
Damn it.
Upon returning to the darkened living room, Tokoyami's cell phone had begun to ring, prompting him to step inside to the other room in private. Jun had to give silent praises to that 'bird bro.' They had managed to finish clearing out her apartment and move them safely to Hawks' home. The next challenge, however, was unpacking the intimidating towers upon towers of boxes. Cringing at all the work still left to do, Jun decided that it was about time to call it a day. But there was just one more thing she had to put together first. It was disturbing that she was rather excited about it.
Hunched over on her knees, Jun dragged a large, rectangular box and began digging out pieces to snap her cot together – right smack in the middle of Hawks' otherwise barren living room. The metal sounds clanging together as she struggled to put together the frame soon mixed with the opening and closing of the home's entrance nearby.
"Heyo," Hawks called out happily as he walked through the doorway, takeout in hand. "Got'chu guys some food for a job well done. I – uh, where's Tokoyami?"
"I think he got a call about class. I wouldn't be surprised if he has to leave. It's cool. I'm just-" Clanging sounds continued to reverberate around the room. "– about done anyway. Check it out."
"Done? All these boxes beg to differ," the hero jested, setting down the food before inhaling through his mouth to speak again, only to pause quizzically while watching Jun, his head barely cocked to the side. "What're you settin' up there?"
"What's it look like? I need a place to sleep, right?"
Hawks watched Jun innocently spread out a blanket over the cot to iron out any creases before stepping back to proudly admire her 'hard' work. His hand landed on his hip while the other tucked in his coat pocket. With his brow raised, one corner of his mouth pursed in a strange dissatisfaction. She deserved better than that piece of cardboard she called a bed.
"Take mine," he stated boldly, shocking Jun into whipping her head in his direction.
"I… beg your pardon?"
"My bed. It's as good as yours." His eyes shut in glee.
Hawks skillfully read the dumbfounded look on her face. "Haha- no – no worries, dove. It's not like I'm not used to crashing on my couch. I'm not even home most days! 'Sides, my patrols can eat up the better part of the night. I wouldn't wanna wake you by having to scoot by you every night. It's totally fine, seriously!"
Before Jun could even begin to protest, Tokoyami slipped back into the room. "Forgive me, I can't stay much longer."
"No worries, bud!" Hawks beamed. "Appreciate the help." He then passed both of them a Tsukune stick before happily plucking one up for himself.
"Chicken on a stick? Your inner predator's showing Hawks." Jun's dorky smile made Dark Shadow groan.
With his brow raised, Hawks exclaimed, "A bit 'on the nose,' dont'cha think?"
"No, but this is." One of her fingers tapped the tip of the hero's nose, dolloping it in sweet soy sauce. He stared wide-eyed for a moment as Jun broke down in a playful cackle, with him joining her with his own hearty chuckle, his shoulders rising and falling with the action.
It was at that moment in the throes of joy that Jun's attention caught the smile on Hawks' face. She noted how on all those modeling shoots and the rare interview Hawks' signature grin never felt entirely genuine – but with her, he had a pure, wholesome smile. Jun didn't notice until now how Hawks' luminous eyes creased in joy any time he found her in his presence, and how the muscles in his cheeks scrunched in the most delightful way possible when he laughed.
All the while, Tokoyami observed their blushing faces from afar as Hawks came down from his laughing fit to offer Jun a genial smile while reaching to comb his fingers through his messy swept-back hair. He couldn't help but notice just how unguarded Hawks' body language was around her.
"Is what I'm seeing true?" he muttered under his breath in disbelief.
"Hmm," Dark Shadow added. "Guess you were right. This must really be something important."
After dinner and getting settled in, Jun decided to celebrate a job well done with a nice, hot bath. The sight of the large, clean tub with working hot water was almost enough to make her cry. Leaning over the side of the tub, a damp washcloth rested on the top of her head as she scrolled through infinite videos on her phone, until one with an irresistible title caught her eye.
'WATCH: BIRD BOY STUMBLES THROUGH LIFE – AND THROUGH A WINDOW'
Its contents were a fuzzy and a quite frankly archaic clip of Hawks himself, appearing to be in his early teens – maybe 12 or 13 at the most. He was caught from a distance soaring through the skies before crashing into an office building window, bouncing off its surface like a windshield, before stumbling to regain his composure midair then speeding off before anyone could point and laugh. An insuppressible snort vacated Jun's throat before erupting into a deliciously blissful laughter at the sight as warm bubbles rippled and popped all around her.
Just outside the bathroom door, Hawks idly observed his lively new living space, marveling at the idea of another living, breathing body sharing this space with him. The feeling was bittersweet - both exhilarating and terrifying, like the feeling of flying for the first time. His heart battled his mind over which polar emotion should take precedence – until the rapturous sounds of Jun's happiness clouded any and all thoughts, easily influencing his heart to win and lift him up into a serene mood, if only for a brief period of time.
Her laughter reminded him what he was working towards - what his ultimate goal was as a hero. Hawks couldn't help but sing a passive tune to himself as he strolled around his house with reawakened energy.
While walking through his living room, he spotted a single puzzle piece sitting alone in a corner of an empty box he was about to toss out. "That was close. It's your lucky day, little guy," he said comfortably before placing it on the corner of a nearby table, picking his voice back up where he left off.
It started as a low hum, then a lovely cooing of sorts that flowed into a pleased tune that Jun caught and listened to intently in silence. For only one brief moment, Hawks was allowing himself to sound so… calm. Relaxed. Content.
And that was just how she liked him.
