Chapter 5

"In the mean time the emperor held frequent councils, to debate what course should be taken with me; and I was afterwards assured by a particular friend, a person of great quality, who was as much in the secret as any, that the court was under many difficulties concerning me. They apprehended-, "

Ochako yawned loudly, uncaring about her rudeness as it had drawn him out from the vague imagery of book, attention on her at once with a pout.

She sat leaning against the wall on the bed, with the tan jacket draped over her shoulders. A bath towel securely wrapped around her head to hold damp hair from an afternoon shower prior to his arrival. Yet in truth she hadn't wanted company, not now or within any hour of the day. The deep seeded sorrow of a loneliness Hawks wouldn't understand beginning to surface. Maybe he couldn't, being as she knew nothing of his background while he played the gatekeeper to the outside world.

And in all this, he brought a case of bottled water as promised, lunch that sat untouched, and a book. One that had been his favorites, which he happened to mention that several times before reading regardless of how painfully bored she was. Practically spoiling the contents before even starting, and here they were on chapter two.

"I don't see how you aren't interested! Gulliver's Travels is one of the best!," he snapped, shutting the pages and shoving it back into his other jacket he had brought. Allowing her to keep his main one.

"I just wish it'd get to the point," she replied, resting her cheek on her arm. There was a sense of sleep that wanted to take over, unable to stay doing so in the late hours of the night with the only light source being from the bathroom that she'd keep on as a nightlight. It was too quiet, and the mattress too stiff. There was absolutely nothing homey about this place either.

Hawks seemed to be put in a daze for a second, smiling softly while looking down at the floor. In thought, to recall the vivid moments that would best place things into a good enough perspective.

"Once the Lilliputians chain Gulliver to the building, he is finally allowed to stand up and view the entire countryside, which he discovers is beautiful and rustic. The tallest trees are seven feet tall, and the whole area looks to him like a theater set," he said calmly, a faint feel of familiarity behind those words. A character like he, who could view serene moments of nature from high above, and in times were spent beyond the clouds in a birds eye view. A rarity that no one else could relate to.

Ochako fixated on him, her lips parted with a face of wonder seeing him a little vulnerable as he described something meaningful. While also feeling foolish, immature in comparison at how this man could view things. He was strange at times, and she couldn't lie that it intrigued her. Wanting to know more about him, fighting with a guarded heart that warned not to get close. It was more dangerous than Hawks himself.

He suddenly turned to her with a bright smile on his face that made her blush, burying her face into the fluffy collar of his jacket. "I guess I'll give it a better chance when I'm feeling up to it," she whispered, shuffling over to lay down. Pulling the edges of it over her front better, with her bare legs behind him.

Hawks could tell something was wrong, not like she hadn't had every reason to be upset. Surely these past few days had begun to catch up to her, and he'd try his best to makeup for that today. But he learned a new thing about her, so that was a positive. It being that she wasn't a big reader, noted for later.

Gently he placed a hand on the side of her thigh, running his thumb along her skin to offer a small bit of comfort. To his surprise, she didn't refuse it, offering to hurt him or scream. Just remained staring at the far wall with a dull look.

"If you need someone to talk to, you can talk to me you know..," he soothed, scooting closer to her.

"Why would you care about my feelings?," she asked, skeptical of how odd he was. Behaving completely opposite to a villian, and if she hadn't known better, she'd say he was the greatest actor in the word. But it must be a facade, past that kind face and soft eyes was the devil. The same as the rest.

Hawks huffed, a gnawing feeling forming at what he could possibly say or do to make it easier. If he couldn't make it better, then he could at least do that. Adding happiness on the list of priorities when it came to her was a personal choice he took seriously.

"You know, your voice is the first thing I heard today that made me smile. So if I may, I'd love to return the favor," he added, trying to give his typical flawless grin to make her nervous, a new hobby he had begun to enjoy as of late.

But she only buried her face further into the collar of the jacket, pulling the fur up and over her eyes to hide the burning red tint of her cheeks from his comment. No matter how many times she'd chastise him, he'd still say things like that to simply get under her skin. "I doubt that," she spat, voice muffled under the layers, with a small quiver from it that went unnoticed.

To keep a fake composure during his presence that seemed to eat up more time than usual today was becoming unbearable, and all Ochako wanted more than anything was to see her parents right now. To hear her mother's voice saying tranquil words to remind that the nightmare was over, or her father's warm body hugging her tightly. In truth she had dreamt of them all last night, with the class of U.A. not far off. Running to them with expressions of worry, but also joy at her return. Once awake it all seemed like a fantasy that would never come true.

Though he let out a laugh at her cute behavior, leaning over to tug at the collar. "Hey don't hide from me! I know whatever I'm doing is working!," his voice sang out, causing her to jump a little, trying to keep from showing just how upset she was. Nor in the mood to play like this.

But he tugged hard on the collar, his face a few inches from hers as his smile fell at the sight of her hard glare. Eyes watery with tears, lip quivering. "Ochako.."

As he pulled away feeling guilty, she followed the lead and slowly sat up allowing the towel to fall . Rubbing her nose on the fur. "I miss my parents..," she said in a hushed tone, shielding her face from embarrassment with the ends of her bangs. "I miss the sun.. I miss school. I miss not feeling scared."

All of it stung, pain etched onto his heart at the words she spoke though also aware that she must feel much worse in all of this. And he was partially to blame. Hawks was a nervy person, he could always admit that. But never did he enjoy hurting others. It'd take years to shake off the karma he recently wracked up due to the league. "Ochako.. I wanna make it better in whatever way I can..," his hand on her thigh squeezed slightly. She shuffled closer to him, outstretching his arms with a bit of surprise at the idea that she'd allow him to comfort her.

But she let the jacket slip down her back, raising her fist into the air as he didn't bother to block. Allowing her to punch him repeatedly in frustration in the chest as hot tears poured down her cheeks. Teeth clenched, giving angry gasps per hit. Hawks hadn't flinched, he only stared at her with furrowed brows of concern. Hating himself even more at the sanity being lost in this young girl. "What's wrong with you!?," she screamed, growing further agitated at the way he was looking at her. Filled with pathetic pity. It reminded Ochako of the way the rest of the class viewed her, deemed with no admiring or adorning qualities. This situation was exactly what everyone had predicted if anything.

Her punches soon grew weak, hands clenched onto his muscle shirt as she panted with her forehead resting against it. Shoulders shaking in anger and sobs, self loathing consumed the tiniest bit of strength she had left. It was all exerted to nothing daily, each attempt foiled by this man. The league couldn't have chosen someone better for the job.

Ochako didn't even tense when his arms slowly encircled her, allowing the warmth to apply comfort. Nuzzling further into him as she cried, his nose buried into her damp hair that filled his senses with the same shampoo Hawks had grown to love. She could feel his hand running gently up and down her spine, with the other firmly holding her to him, letting out a shaky breath as it calmed her down. In a way she wondered if he was a mastermind of manipulation, always knowing what to do or say to get any reaction he wanted from her. And at this point breaking down further each day, it was growing hard to resist. Not to just give in until help arrived.

It was silent. An awkward moment that for once was not tense, but heart breaking. Goosebumps trailing along her exposed shoulders that he noticed through half lidded eyes, pulling her to him closer for warmth. In spite of the hatred, Hawks found himself trying to soak up each second with her that allowed him to be so close. Burdened by guilt and drowned in the bitter tone of voice she'd use each time. It was deserving.

"You're supposed to make me afraid of you.. Or do something cruel," she mumbled, sighing into the comforting feel.

"I guess it's become a hobby of mine to prove you wrong about me," he uttered, not up to be playful any longer. Finding himself at a loss of what to do, the seriousness of it all eating away at any positive notion there may have been prior. It'd grown tiring, her emotions beginning to get the best of him. And he'd find himself just as melancholy as she.

Her hands fisted his shirt tighter, struggling to fight back the lump in the back of her throat that screamed to pull away. To run, fight back. Not to give into anything he had to offer. But it was hard, more tiring on her mental state than she had let onto. Ochako was once a cheery girl and was not used to being so cold hearted and ugly towards another so often.

Soon she felt him shift, gliding his hands up her arms to place on her shoulders to force them to face each other. A faint smile tugging his lips in contrast to the lifeless look within her eyes. "Can you do me a favor?"

She nodded, nibbling on her bottom lip.

"Can you eat something? It'll make you feel better, I promise. Annnd I haven't broken any promises to you yet huh?"

She scowled for a second, an internal argument in the making at the thought of consuming anything. It made her stomach turn in a sickly fashion just thinking of it, the sorrow too deep to let up on it. And physical health following suit to her mental anguish.

Which his smile faded, aware that he had said the wrong thing, feeling her small frame tug away from him to turn. Now sitting beside him, a little ways off just enough that their bodies were no longer in contact, receiving no answer.

Hawks sighed, "Alright. You don't have to." He reached around her to grab the towel that had been left on the pillow, shuffling around to sit behind her before gently placing it near her head. Running the cotton through damp hair that she didn't fight against. Letting him dry it as lightly as possible. She shivered, feeling his fingers run through her scalp to better get to the wetter locks.

Reflecting, he couldn't think of any times in his life that he had to genuinely care for someone else. Not like this at least, one on one with a person who was of desperate need of social care, along with physical needs that must be met. Offering entertainment, and a bright expression. Usually the one to be lively as is, but to continue the front for so long that he had even lost sleep once away from her due to the severe worry that plagued his mind throughout the night. And he'd wonder if she too were awake, crying to the quiet air with no one to see.

"You've been around.. So tell me, do my parents or classmates know yet?," she asked suddenly, his motions halting with a surprised face. Careful what to say next or how he could explain.

Hawks didn't want to have this conversation. To be the bad guy more than is, to have to say yes. Or go into detail the horrid look of her parents faces as the police told them, with he watching from the distance along rooftops as her mother nearly crumbled to the ground. A police car parked nearby for their protection. Their house wasn't very upcept, a sort of rundown area with a bad neighborhood. Each time he was learning more about her life that he hadn't let slip in case it'd give her too much hope for now. Or assume he was a creep. Perhaps he was wrong about her or any student that attended such a nice school. After all, he was born in poverty. A dirty shack of a home littered with trash and beer bottles. They related more than she'd ever know.

His face hardened, tossing the towel over onto the floor, staring at her back. "Yes."

He saw her tremble slightly, arms drawing to hug herself. "My mom must be really hurt.. And my dad a wreck. I'm a disappointment as a student..," her voice cracked, causing him to flinch slightly. Truly he prayed for an idea to distract her, but she wasn't an easy person to do that with.

So he sighed, softly resting his forehead onto her shoulder blade. She could feel his breath on her skin, hair barely hitting the groove of her neck and Ochako hated herself further for inviting the smallest of touches. Longing for any form of association with another person that was kind. Tender to know it was alright for now. Four days, locked inside white walls without sound was maddening.

He nuzzled his face against her, closing his eyes to think of something. "I don't think you are at all.. You've sure given me hell," he whispered, the feel of his lips moving against her back causing another shiver as her eyes fluttered for a moment.

She slowly glanced over her shoulder as he lifted his head to meet it, their eyes locking for a long moment in the depths of golden irises with the strong, born black eyeliner that made them appear striking. A natural killer look to them through the soft way they held her large, brown eyes that widened. Butterflies forming knots within her stomach that became so overwhelming past the red tint to her face that she swiftly had to look away growing nervous.

Hawks cocked his head to the side in confusion as she let out a loud yawn, pretending to be tired once more while she broke the contact. Scooting far away from him to crawl back into her normal spot by the pillow. "I'm really tired."

His brows furrowed, knowing damn well that this girl was extremely upset a second ago. Had he done something unknowingly that had made things worse? "I'm sorry if i-"

"You didn't do anything!," she snapped, the shade of red along her cheeks growing darker, waving her hands frantically in front of her. "I-I just want to be alone… Please."

He moved off the sheets as she began to yank them up, pulling them over her body all the way up to the underneath of her eyes, heartbeat pounding as he stared at her. Not even Deku had been so physically comforting and it was starting to make her feel weird the more this man offered it, even if she hadn't turned it down. It was nice. But, a tad inappropriate. And a smart way to take away from the fact that he was the enemy.

Accepting her strange change of demeanor, he stood. Pulling the book out from his jacket to place onto the mattress for later reading if she were to grow bored. "Now this is only to borrow," he teased, raising his index finger as a light warning. "Don't you dare damage it to get back at me in any way or like, I'll be super mad."

"U-Understood," she replied with a small nod, pulling the sheet tighter to cover her face.

Hawks smiled sweetly, shoving his hands into his pockets. The day was late anyways, spending the morning into the evening with her, a lot longer than usual just to keep company. Though now he wondered if that's what she wanted. Regardless it kept Dabi away, so that was the main goal. Soon enough he'd have to begin patrol on the streets, which left little time between them. And it was a problem he'd soon face.

"Good! Welp, I'll see ya tomorrow!," he sang, skipping off to the door and exiting.

Ochako let out a harsh sigh of frustration, throwing the sheet completely over her eyes. "What's wrong with me.."

It grew cold now on her own, with the thin fabric offering nothing. While consciously she reached around, shuffling to grab his large jacket to snuggle up to. The heavy weight of it similar to the warmth of his embrace that welcomed her earlier, humming contently into it. Burying her face into the soft fur and inhailing the strong odor of the outside, a smell of grass and whichever personal cologne brand he carried etched onto it. It was nice to use the excuse of the chilly atmosphere to use this thing. As long as she was here, she didn't have to let him completely in. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to at least act civil for now while the days passed.

Letting her fingers sneak along the interior leather, she felt something different. An odd item with a sharpened end as she pulled it out from the inside. Her eyes widening at the sight of the blood red, single feather left behind from the large wings he hadn't let her touch. Running her fingers over the silky ends, admiring how the light hit the shiny strands.

Hawks had just stepped outside the building after letting Dabi know he'd be gone for the day, when he felt it, not only her touch but the echo of her voice. A shiver running down his back with a lip parted smile, eyes closing at the pleasured feel throughout his body at how gentle she had held it. Purposely leaving a feather behind just in case, even though once far enough away it was useless. Another small, treasured piece of himself for her to keep during his absence. Half expecting her to rip it to shreds or carelessly toss it away. Though he felt everything. Each tender touch of her fingertips gliding along the smooth texture of his feather.

"My favorite food is Mochi by the way.. But. You'll have to figure that out yourself you dumb bird."

Hawks laughed out loud to himself in amusement, knowing that she was completely unaware that he could hear everything she said. This would come in handy. "Stubborn girl."

Known for being rude and a tad sneaky, she'd have to deal with it the same as he dealt with her stubborn personality. At least that's what he told himself before out stretching his wings, flying off into the dusk sky.

oo

Sorry if these chapters are short. I don't intend for this story to be super long. For those to keep up with my other story of Ochako and Aizawa, yes I intend to update it soon!