Shigaraki squinted in the dim light of his candle.
It's been a couple of hours since dinner and the moon has been out for hours now. Most of the crew was sleeping in their room apart from those on lookout duty and Shigaraki who was in the dining hall keeping Kuroigiri company as he filled out the captain's log
No he wasn't doing it because he felt a bit sorry for his captain who had looked absolutely lost and devastated with the unconscious Hawks in his hands, and stayed by side the entire day, not even coming to dinner.
He wasn't.
He was simply keeping Kurogiri company and found that task to be ridiculously stupid and mind-numbing without something to do.
So he started filling out the Captain's log as a way to occupy himself.
Yeah,
that seems like a reasonable excuse, which most idiots on the crew won't look into too deeply.
Kuroigiri was also keeping himself busy with all the glasses that he needed to polish.
It wasn't unusual to find them together in the dining hall at an ungodly hour like this.
Shigaraki often had trouble falling asleep and Kurogiri's schedule ensured that he was always the last one to go to bed.
The silence between them was one of comfort and was often broken by the clinking of glasses and the flipping of pages.
That was until they heard a loud rumble coming from the pantry behind the bar.
Crewmembers getting a midnight snack was nothing new, but it was unnerving how neither Shigaraki or Kurogiri noticed that someone was in the hall with them.
Sharing a glance with each other they nodded in unison and cautiously made their way over to the pantry
Kurogiri was armed with a knife and a candle while all Shigaraki had was his quirk. Hopefully whoever came to raid their food supply would flee when they've been caught, otherwise it could turn messy real quick.
Kurogiri handed his candle to Shigaraki before placing his hand on the door handle, and turning to face Shigaraki. Once more they nodded in unison.
one
two
three
Quickly and swiftly Kurogiri slammed the door open and not a moment later did Shigaraki stomp through the door with the candle to get a look at their thief.
And they saw
...Hawks.
Hawks knows that this wasn't exactly smart of him to do, but he was starving. He couldn't tell how long he'd gone without food. Long enough to get black spots in his vision and to stumble through his steps because he constantly feels dizzy.
Leaving Dabi alone was probably the most dangerous and reckless part of his plan. It doesn't take a genius to know that if he wakes up and doesn't see Hawks right there and then, that he'd freak and possibly, probably, start setting shit on fire.
Which would be very bad news seeing as they are on a ship made of highly flammable wood in the middle of the ocean with no immediate islands nearby.
But Hawks didn't wanna wake him up for something as trivial as food, plus he knew the ship like the back of his hand, (He'd snuck up multiple times while the crew was awake and nobody had ever caught him apart from Dabi,). So, in theory he could just quickly grab something from the pantry and be back in the infirmary before Dabi even wakes up.
Most theories are in fact false
and Hawks learned that the hard way as he was stared down by some of the strongest pirates in recent history.
Luckily for him they weren't moving.
Hawks didn't know exactly what they know about his relationship with Dabi but he can guess that they do know that Hawks isn't a threat.
Hawks wasn't going to fight them. He couldn't. He was still too hungry and tired to properly throw a punch, nevermind going against Shigaraki who could disintegrate his wings with a single touch.
But they weren't moving.
They weren't attacking but at the same time they weren't retreating. They were just standing there in the doorway with a knife in Kurogiri's hands and a candle holder in Shigaraki's.
And Hawks wasn't the one to retreat first. Even with how injured he was, his pride could never bring him to back down from a fight even if he knew he'd lose.
Call it conditioning from the marines, but Hawks will never allow any pirate to catch the better of him.
'Fuck me.'
Was the first thought that popped into Shigaraki's mind as he saw the famous marine general in his pantry.
He couldn't move, too afraid to make a sudden move that would lead to his untimely death.
Every pirate and man knew it, if you ever find yourself in a fight with Hawks you will lose. To normal people that means they get humiliated in front of a crowd, to a pirate that means you have 30 seconds max to come to terms with your death.
And barging in on him with a knife looks like a very clear threat.
Shigaraki hoped that since they technically saved him, that he wouldn't kill them outright.
No one on the ship was sure what the relationship between their captain and the marine was, and they couldn't find out since Doc prohibited anyone from entering the infirmary unless they were injured.
At the time that seemed like a good idea since some people,
Twice
Toga
Spinner
and some others, would've definitely bothered Dabi while he was in way shape or form ready to deal with them.
But now some of that information would've been very welcome to have.
As previously mentioned, Shigaraki wasn't moving and neither was Kurogiri who must have come to the same conclusion as Shigaraki.
The best way out of this situation possible would be for Hawks to simply retreat back to the infirmary and not come out unless Dabi was with him.
And that may seem a bit cruel, but Shigaraki doesn't want any of the crew to come in contact with Hawks until he's sure that Hawks won't kill them or turn them in.
Shigaraki would've loved to share his plan with Kurogiri but as that required him to move and talk, it quickly became clear that he shouldn't do that.
And so he relied on Kurogiri to follow his lead and stay still.
And they stayed still.
And they stayed still for a little longer.
And Shigaraki could've sworn he hadn't seen Hawks blink even once, which was freaking him out big time.
But they stayed still.
Until Hawks' stomach growled in hunger.
Shigaraki was ready to take this as a sign that he'll retreat.
But Kurogiri must have missed the telepathic signs Shigaraki was throwing his way because he started to talk.
"If you wish, our cooks made a larger amount of dinner since they knew that we had…" he paused for a moment, not knowing how to continue with his words, "guests."
It shocked Shigaraki how Kurogiri was speaking, while the older man was always the best spoken on the ship, he never referred to someone with that much caution.
After Hawks didn't say anything Kurogiri continued, "Or if you would prefer to eat in the infirmary that would be fine as well."
Shigaraki almost shat himself when Hawks snapped his head around to look at something behind him, his head was practically turned 180 degrees but he didn't seem to mind.
It took him a moment before he slowly turned his head around to face them, "The dining hall's fine," he answered with a smile on his face and Shigaraki didn't know whether to be glad or shit-scared that Hawks was smiling in his direction.
"I wouldn't want to bother you this late at night," he added, the smile never fading.
It was unnerving to say the least but Shigaraki was no bitch. If he was able to tell Dabi straight to his face that he was an asshole and come out of it unschated he can do the same to Hawks.
Obviously he wasn't gonna call Hawks an asshole straight to his face, Shigaraki wasn't that insane, but he won't allow Hawks to walk all over him.
"This way," Shigaraki piped in and nodded his head backwards, he wanted to wait until Hawks began to move but all he did was just gesture for them to go first.
'That fucking prick.'
'Fine. This is the only time I'm listening to anything you tell me to do.'
Shigaraki took a moment to glare at Hawks before turning around and exiting the pantry. Being back in the dining hall he returned to his previous place at the bar.
From where he dutifully watched Hawks' every move.
'Why is he staring at me,' thought Hawks as he walked beside Kurogiri to the bar.
'He does know that only 2 people fit through the door.'
Hawks smiled when he sat down on the chair that Kurogiri pointed to, he left with a simple, "I'll be back with your food."
Kurogiri was nothing but polite when talking to him, even overly polite which had always unnerved Hawks by making him think that he'd come off as too aggressive.
But Hawks would take the overly politeness over the unearned rudeness any time of the day.
While Hawks being a marine would automatically set them apart, Hawks had never attacked the Cremation nor had he ever sought out to kill any of its members.
Ever since Touya formed his crew, Hawks always did his best to be far away from him to prevent any fights from occurring.
Any and all fighting that he'd done with this crew was always under the watchful eyes of his fellow corporals and secret supervisors.
That leaves Hawks alone in the room with a grumpy 2nd in command that could very well destroy him, but on the bright side at least he's away from them…
Was Shigaraki being subtle in his staring, no, did he care, also no.
The safety of his crew ranked higher than the feeling of the marine that his captain seems to know.
'But seriously how the fuck do those 2 know each other.'
Kurogiri came back with a bowl of steaming stew. It wasn't anything special but good enough to satisfy an entire crew of pirates.
Shigaraki did not let a single detail escape him during their brief interaction. He watched with a watchful eye as Hawks took the bowl from Kurogiri and placed it in front of him and said his thanks.
Shigaraki watched as Hawks grabbed a spoonful of the broth and brought it up to his lips.
Shigaraki watched as Hawks turned his head over to look at him.
Shigaraki watched as Hawks and Kurogiri glanced at each other before both of them turned to face him.
Shigaraki watched as Hawks asked him, "Are you going to continue to stare at me while I eat?"
Shigaraki did not answer.
Shigaraki watched as Kurogiri told him, "He's right, you are being really creepy and invasive. Would you please stop?"
... What?
"I'm not being creepy," Shigaraki defended.
"Yeah you are," Hawks replied before finally eating.
His confusion must have been clear on his face because not a moment later did Kurogiri shove the captain's log his way and tell him to occupy himself.
Shigaraki doesn't listen to a lot of people, but Dabi and Kurogiri are the only people he makes an exception for. So he shuts his mouth and gets right back to writing.
Finally Hawks' allowed to eat in peace.
He's been waiting so long for this moment that he could be shoveling straight trash into his mouth and he would still be grateful that his stomach is getting full.
But Hawks was controlling himself, there were other people in the room and first impressions are always important. So he minded his manners, ate at a reasonable pace, didn't ask for seconds even though he was still hungry and thanked them for the meal.
Just as he was about to get up and leave the dining hall, someone slammed open the door of it.
That someone turned out to be Dabi.
Really it shouldn't surprise Hawks that he'd woken up, Hawks was taking his sweet time to get back.
And from the looks of it Dabi was fucking seathing.
His face was beat red and he was panting, unable to catch his breath.
He took a good long glance over the room before his eyes finally settled on Keigo. Face softening in recognition he placed a hand over his heart and muttered a quiet "Thank God."
Strutting his way across the dining hall, he remarked, "You are gonna be the death of me if you keep disappearing like that."
"I was on the ship the entire time though," Keigo quipped quietly as he watched Dabi come closer to him.
"You know what I mean," the reply was quite serious and not what Keigo had expected from their usual banter.
He wanted to say something about it but was stopped as Dabi wrapped his arms over his shoulders and brought his head into the crook of his neck.
It had taken a moment, but soon Keigo realised that he hadn't touched Touya in such a long time. This morning on the ship didn't count as Hawks was far too much in pain to be properly happy that his lover was holding him.
This time however, he was able to fully enjoy the radiating heat that always comes off him and the skilled fingers that made their way into his hair and were scratching just the right places.
A quiet but melodic song made its way through Keigo, it made Touya chuckle and Keigo just had to pull him in closer.
He finally moved his arms and placed them around Touya's waist and, careful of his talons, Keigo squeezes him closer. His healthy wing also wrapped itself around Touya, or at least it tried to, with the limited space it had without being pushed against the counter top.
"You really scared me there Birdie," he whispered lowly in Keigo's ear.
Feeling bad that he's the cause of Touya's fright, Keigo immediately began to apologize, "I never meant to-"
"I know," Touya cut him off, "obviously I know that you never meant to get kidnapped, but that doesn't mean I was any less terrified when you started talking on the ship." It was quite tragic how their happy reunion had to be cut short by such heavy memories.
They both knew what Touya was referring to, but Keigo was the one in denial.
"That was just the adrenaline crash," he once again stood behind a weak argument.
Dabi sighed and nuzzled his nose into Hawks' hair for a moment before finally acknowledging the other two people in the room.
"Kurogiri, you wouldn't mind bringing us dinner in the infirmary?" he asked, not bothering to spare more than a glance at Shigaraki.
Before Kurogiri could even open his mouth, Hawks answered for him, "I already ate," he said.
Dabi looked over him and saw the empty bowl that was on the bar top and then looked back down at Hawks. "You're not hungry anymore?" He asked for clarification.
Hawks shook his head as he hummed in response.
Funnily enough not a second later and his stomach growled again.
Face turned away in embarrassment, Hawks was silently praying that Dabi would just let it go.
But no.
Grabbing his chin and forcing him to hold eye contact, Dabi remarked, "Since the last time we saw each other you've really grown a knack for lying," he leaned in closer until his lips brushed against the lobe of his ear, "unfortunately for you, I always know when you're lying."
He dropped his hand from his chin and continued his previous conversation, "Will that be fine?" He once more asked Kurogiri.
"Yes," The man replied easily.
"Great," Dabi half-heartedly remarked at them before he snatched Hawks' hands and quickly led him out of the dining room.
As the dining hall door got shut on its way out Shigaraki turned to face Kurogiri and to finally say something after all that he saw.
"I think it's safe to assume that they're friends." He stated with absolute certainty on his opinion.
"Yeah," Kurogiri smiled at him like you would to a child, "I guess they are."
