His Caged Bird

A man with no shame. A daily basis that's forever unwinding from guilt cast out in the line of duty that had been subjected to him, a calling, from adolescence. Whether it be psychological acceptance from what was taught to be right from childhood, or bluntly that he hadn't had a care in the world to think for himself. The truth of the matter be that Hawks was not a man so carefree when it came to personal belief ironically enough, when it was compared to how thorough he worked in the dark streets. Preying on the wicked for the sake of strangers deemed innocent.

What was 'freedom'? The sorring of the breeze whipping past wings? Had that been enough to sustain such an abstract question?, or was it simply that he was Allowed to partake in that? Granted permission when others were not, all over the case of being a hero? Annoying. At times like these, when he sat on the ledge of the highest skyscraper in the city plundering his mind while unable to block out the constant nagging that forced words into thoughts that were better yet buried.

One should be grateful for the life he was given. The abilities to save life, preserve it and be told that you make a difference. Put smiles on people's faces. Give the children a peace of mind. In the end, he could grin about that. But it'd be a choice. Since his mind, in truth, was far from serene.

Hawks had been careful not to reveal that to anyone. Not like words could be used to express it regardless, because honestly he didn't really know why he felt this way. This lagging loneliness that had become a plague as of late, stabbing at his chest each time he was alone. The way his boss had described him hadn't done it justice either way, giving him a task to become an undercover agent for the enemy. Considering him a person without shame or guilt. Able to turn a blind eye because that's just who he was. Or granted, that's who they expected him to be. Would anyone else? Did anyone out there truly, know Hawks?

Prehaps that was his own fault, he thought, sighing heavily into his forearms that rested on his drawn up knees. Eyeing folks down below with a bored expression. After all, he had no other purpose than to be a puppet of society. Used so that these same normal people could go to work, and go home to their wives or husband's. Pick their kids up from school, doing something as small as family night at the movies. All feelings that had been utterly foreign to him.

It wasn't that he really wanted that life either. They were just ideas. Ones that pulled on the imaginary shackles bound along his ankles that tied him to the only life he had ever known. Undying loyalty to the HPSC. And if again, honesty had a play, he'd like to at least have that option of leading a normal life similar to those his sharp, bird-like eyes watched. The only honor being the number 2 hero and its importance. There wasn't time for this.

A beeping noise went off in one of his ears, catching attention away from such nonsense as he lifted a finger to it to answer. Tossing his head back lazily towards the ever blue sky.

"Have you made contact yet?," a female voice on the other end asked, trying to choke back a groan at the command he'd have to go do soon.

Running a hand through his hair, he answered, "Not yet. I'm going in not too much longer. He's supposed to tell me when to meet up really."

Hawks could tell the old woman had grown annoyed with his dull answers and not giving more information to the league of villains, though he dared say he was trying his best under pressure. All things considered, the town was an absolute wreck thanks to them and not given proper authority on either side to intervene. Knowing the truth but having to watch idly by as Endeavor was so brutally hurt, then do more of nothing as the people rebuilt with anxieties growing deep inside.

"Contact him now. Urge for the meet up. After earlier events, we are running out of time Hawks. You're lucky no one was killed this time. I won't have excuses. Do your job," she snapped before the line went dead.

He blinked a few times, scowling as he gave a frustrated shout into his palms. Just what was he supposed to do? They hadn't allowed him to make contact with the boss yet. And if he pressed his luck, Dabi would not trust him anymore. It was hard enough watching as the place was destroyed, holding his favorite hero in his arms that seemed so fatally wounded. None of this was according to plan originally anyways. It wasn't supposed to go down like this.

Standing, the red wings spread out largely before lifting into the air. Not in the mood to wave back at passing citizens who awed at his brilliance in the sky, swooping through building after building, heading towards a secluded meet up to apparently wait for Dabi's appearance there. At least it'd give more to do than people watch. And, he wouldn't be able to answer the old woman so that was a plus.

Hawks frowned at the horrid indents on the structures from the damage from Nomu's. How much he tried to keep it casual, though there needed to be a little fear. Less his 'partner' grew angry due to the lack of casualties. It was bad enough just having to look at the guy, let alone be friendly.

Along the end part of the town sat a large, shabby storage container like building with a rusted metal roof. Overhanging debris threatening to fall at any moment, given vines growing up the sides, reaching into the holes of the ceiling. Quite the cliche villian meet up spot he thought, rolling his eyes as his wings began to flap downward. Easing his way onto his feet before looking around, observing his surroundings. Making certain sure that no one else was around, noise from the big city now distant in this unused space, forgotten by its peers.

Not far off were rundown boats, the river's edge threatening to take them at any time through eroded cement that the water traveled up, they misshapen on their sides. The doors to the outside of the rundown structure were obviously always open, with evidence of decay on the rims. Shadowy insides only illuminated by the holes in the roof. Barely giving light to other broken barrels and wooden boxes that appeared to be kicked in. Perfect.

Tucking his hands into his pockets, he chewed on the inside of his cheek before stepping inside. Scanning the interior, taking note of how disgusting it truly was.

Not my cup of tea.

It seemed barren for now. Hoping the others wouldn't take so long. The last contact he had with the league, there was something off about their tone. Dabi's usually bored demeanor sounding rather amused, hard to read. Hawk's had always been able to pick up on people, after all, humans were always so damn transparent. So when things changed like that, the littlest hints made him worry. Especially when the villain said there would be a surprise arriving, just for him. A way to Prove himself.

"Just for me huh..," he said aloud, voice echoing off the tin walls. Maybe he had assumed wrong and it was truly nothing worth fretting over. A small task for him to accomplish then Bam, onto the boss man. Nearly finished in surveying them. None of them seemed really all that bright anyways to conjure up anything too diabolical. One could say they had bored him to no end. A group of rag tag, pathetic misfits.

But, all of that would change the moment the sound of tires caught his sharp ears, pulling into the deserted area right outside the main entrance. Hawks turned around, trying to put on the usual fake grin.

It stopped, with a stranger walking out from the driver's side. Well dressed, tailored suit. Not the usual he noted. Watching as this older gentleman opened the back door. And out stood Dabi, bending out from the blackened car, though he tried to see past him wondering why the door was staying open. The guy eyed him for a moment, as if to say he didn't expect Hawks to be here. At least not yet.

"Took you long enough," Hawks teased as he approached the young man, waving off the tension. The way Dabi smiled at him made him uneasy, struggling to contain the curiosity.

Dabi clapped his hands twice. "I'm sorry if we kept you waiting long. We were preparing your surprise! Think of it as a final test to prove your loyalty to us!"

Hawks gave a small chuckle, forcing himself to appear more eager with a brightness to his eyes. He caught sight of a metal chain hanging from the inside of the car onto the cement. It dangled slightly, like something on the other end of it was alive.

"We sure did luck out yesterday. Boy was fate in our favor with this nice catch during all the panic in the city," He added, stepping close enough to the car to slowly lift the chain. Hawks eyed each move he made.

And as he yanked hard on it suddenly, a loud shriek was heard muffled and scared. Followed by the image of a young girl it seemed being slammed onto the cement out from the dark vehicle, the end of the chain connected to a collar fastened tightly around her throat with a clothed bag over her head, arms tied behind her back with rope. Dabi only smiled wider at him, enjoying the sight of Hawk's grin dropping completely. Unable to hold back the way his irises turned slanted immediately, a glimmer of panic on his face as he stared hard at the small girl who sobbed on the cold, damp surface.

oo

ENTRY! I usually always do my first chapters short just to give the reader an idea lol yes this is an Ochako x Hawks! Though for those who have read my other mha story, yes I'm working on those chapters. Just having a block as to how to go about writing it when this story had been stuck in my head for days now lol but no it won't be all that long tbh. Not Super Short, but definitely not alot compared to how much I wanna jam into the other.

Warnings are Minor Involvement, Sexual Themes, Abusive Situations.