Chapter 8

The bright light overhead had woken her sooner than usual, forgetting to turn off the main one and use the bathrooms instead during the night. It was just such a distracting situation with Hawks arriving covered in blood, barely conscious. And still it plagued worry as her eyes squinted open, groaning at the aching feel of her body from sleeping on the floor, back muscles strained on the hardened surface. Along with a foreign weight pressing down hard on her chest, snoring contently.

Ochako glanced down, red wings pooled on either side of them with he lying almost completely on top of her. Legs tangled together, drooling into her cleavage with his face nuzzled firmly onto her shirt. Still asleep to rest off from the fight yesterday, which gratefully she'd awoken with the man still alive after all that and not dead in her arms. The only dead was his weight, practically crushing her smaller form.

Though she accepted it, giving a warm smile as she raised her arms to embrace. Running fingers slowly through the golden locks with the other holding his shoulder. Careful not to dread too close to the feathers, less he woke up angry. Blood deeply stained her undershirt, noticing dried bits still gracing the side of his face, a harrowing gash dried but rather worry some. Enough to want to clean it up and dress it.

A small groan was heard from him, scowling to keep his eyes closed. A powerful headache already creeping in the second his mind woke, only soothed by a gentle caress, aware of who the culprit was that so kindly remained by his side even now. Though her motions halted once he made a sound, as if not to disturb.

"Don't stop," he said low with a cracked voice, nudging his head under her hand to continue the strokes. It felt too good under all the pain, body wrecked to all hell and somehow he could tell the time was too early. Then again after yesterday, he'd need a whole day's sleep to recover.

Ochako began stroking the strands again, running them through the silky untamed hair. This time following it with her other hand to move circles along his back, goosebumps shooting throughout his body from being cared for, surely these gestures unknown. There was a throb rising from his ribcage at laying on his stomach for so long, wincing from just how much damage was truly taken due to that villian. Regretfully today, he should've gone to a hospital instead of worrying her. But in that, he'd risk taking too long and putting her safety in even more jeopardy at the hands of Dabi's cruelty.

"Why'd you stay on the floor all night," he asked in a near demanding tone, unable to fully wake up just yet with agitation seething. Not that he meant to sound that way, and hopefully she knew that. The soreness was beginning to hurt was all.

Dragging her nails along his scalp, he growled in pleasure, pulling her firmer against him. "I could ask you the same thing."

Hawks scoffed in amusement at the strange answer, a seductive hint that this girl would dare let him into the same bed to sleep beside one another. Never in a million years guessing that, but then again after tonight, it didn't seem far fetched. And, another positive was checked off that he actually woke up, instead of being killed in his sleep.

"Thanks for not murdering me while I was out."

"If I did that then who else would bring me mochi?," she teased, with him scoffing in return. Trying to weakly weigh himself onto his elbows. Almost whining at the ache all over. It'd be a long day to hide out in here, away from Endeavor's wrathful voice lecturing for the next few hours. Or the HPSC bombarding with missed calls, sending signals to keep an eye out for him to any other heros in the vicinity. Going unheard for so long was irresponsible, but for right now it'd be put off, truly not wanting to deal with it.

"Speaking of that, did Dabi feed you yesterday?"

Her stomach growled widely since yesterday evening but she didn't want to add concern with the injuries needing to be tended to first. "I'm not hungry right now so it's okay."

Hawks lingered over her, examining her eyes for an indication of a lie. Which wasn't hard, she was always so transparent under those birdlike irises, scowling down at her.

"You don't gotta lie," he whispered, grunting as he tried to sit back. An arm jolting to his side in agony as she gasped lightly, immediately sitting up beside him. Brows furrowed in sight of the wounds, knowing this man was in no shape to fly.

His face held all the emotions that could be hidden with his body in turmoil, clenching his teeth to keep from complaining as she gently tugged him back, allowing his forehead to lean onto her neck. Arms draping around once more to coddle.

"What happened?," she asked softly.

"A villian. Nothing to worry about."

Ochako gave a confused expression, eyes glancing around the room in thought. "Aren't you on their side?"

Hawks chuckled at the innocence behind that question, sighing heavily with hot breath hitting her neck. "We aren't all in the same league babe."

Her face reddened at that answer, the cute nicknames always apparent obviously no matter what state he was in, sure to try and strike a nerve.

Feeling her shift, he leaned back to watch what she was up to. Carefully pulling away to stand as she made her way into the bathroom.

"Don't come in!," he heard her hollar, slightly smirking to himself followed by the sound of the leather jacket being zipped open. Too weak to take a peek anyways, heavy lids wanting nothing more than to slip back into sleep even if it was on the ground.

Ochako let it slip off her shoulders, placing it down for a second to take the tank top off next. The white coloring on it faded red from blood, already dirty and stained anyways so it's not like it mattered. She then slid the jacket back on to zip up, covering her exposed chest, running the shirt under tap water to dampen.

Hawks patiently waited, nodding his head from exhaustion with the ends of his disheveled bangs falling forward onto his brow. Dried blood still sticking other strands to it all the way down his cheek. Some days being a hero wasn't even worth it with the amount of death one could face daily like this, wanting nothing more than to curl up and spark a blunt on top of the tallest skyscrapers. People watching with a good book, or better yet the best tasting food to go with. Living a leisurely life. It almost seemed ideal, until she emerged from the bathroom still clad in that jacket ever since he'd given it to her. Heart flipping the closer she got, back onto her knees in front of him.

Her small hands held his jaw, leaning it to the side as she began to wipe the blood off. Tenderly less not to hurt him, slit golden eyes staring at her the entire time, trying not to pay it any mind. They bored into her blankly, with no readable expression on his face other than the fact that he was purely studying her. Skimming over every detail of her face.

Ochako nibbled on her lip, growing nervous from it the higher she raised the damp shirt. Peeling off blood best the material could although it stained his tannish skin. He didn't even hiss when she ran it over the cut, her eyes flickering to his for a second to catch any reaction. Though still, he held that same look.

"W-Why are you staring at me like that?," she stuttered, suddenly feeling vulnerable.

Hawks face was serious, a voice monotone for once and if she hadn't known better, she'd guess that he was upset. Similar to the time they'd angered each other, shaking off the flashback.

"Because I want to."

"Well stop it. I can't focus."

Gasping, her movements were halted as he caught her wrist. The hold kind without malicious as he held her gaze. Slightly frightened eyes met with a sheer analytical pair.

"Are you scared of me?," he asked, a weird question catching her off guard.

"N-No."

A shiver down her spine with the air growing intense, heartbeat pounding like trapped prey. His eyes never left hers as he leaned down, pulling her arm closer as he softly kissed her wrist. The warm feel pressed there longer than usual, inside not wanting to pull away with the blood flow increasing under his touch. Though her breath hitched, startled by the sweet gesture that was unlike him.

"You should be," he murmured against the skin, slowly pulling away to stand. Right now he had to leave, if not just for a moment before he'd cross a line that wasn't meant to be. They, weren't meant to be. And he'd remind himself of that each time the smallest touch sent shocks throughout his body. Plagued dreams filled with her cries of pleasure with her legs around his waist or despair from all the times she'd cry here in this room that harbored no hope. Torn between selfish want, and the need to do the right thing with these newfound emotions he wasn't ready to face. These sensations very private, unshared for clear reasons as he punched in the numbers on the door, exiting once they slid open.

Ochako could only sit there, like the world had come plummeting to force the air out of her lungs, a shaky breath meeting the room. His kiss still burned her wrist to hold it against her heart, eyes wide at the image of his back leaving in hope that nothing was wrong. Was it just in his nature to act that way? Or was there more to read in between the lines that before she chose not to, holding a shield over her heart that was held out on a sleeve in case he'd shatter it. Maybe it was all in her head, losing her mind in here like a caged rat. A simile fitting under the protection of a bird.

Hawks stalked down the hall feeling agitated with himself. Self hatred fuming to contain itself while he entered the living quarters. Though he just barely entered to see Dabi with his arms crossed over his chest, leaning against the counter near the sink. Right where he intended to go.

Keeping his head low, he made way to run the water. Slashing it over his face to roughly scrumb off the excess blood. Feeling cold blue eyes nearby in judgement.

"So," he began, already in a scrutinizing tone that no one was in the mood for. "You two have gotten pretty close."

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said back sternly, letting the water drip down his chin as he rested over it. Trying to clear his mind.

"Kinda strange to find you two cuddled up on the floor like that. A little far to go just to, what was it? Get to her mentally or something like that?"

Hawks wheeled around, his face bewildered while Dabi's remained collected. Ready to brew an argument just to get under the birds skin.

"You were spying on me?"

"Kinda hard not to come check being as you staggered in, completely out of it covered in your own blood. You know the floor had a bunch of drops just leading to her room. So I couldn't help but wonder, opening it to find you there like an idiot."

They stared each other down, Hawks trying to recall the events feeling stupid for not thinking straight. Not bothering to cover tracks or even considering the fact that one of them could've been present in this area while he entered. There was only one thing on his mind at the time, uncaring about surroundings.

"You said I could do whatever I wanted with her right?," he challenged, giving a cool look to change the panicked demeanor.

Dabi laughed, pushing away from the counter. "That's true. Just don't get too carried away. After all, Toga has been practically begging me to let her take over. Ready to carve that girl's face into a whole different new one, to a point that not even her parents would recognize her."

It was a clear threat, point blank that physically struck a nerve as Hawk's eye twitched, one that he noticed. Eager to get more of a reaction than that, and foolishly this man was falling for it. Stepping up to the flame user with a stern face.

"Go ahead and try."

"Oh yeah? What are you gonna do about it?"

The air tensed like lightning sent from both of them in a man's game of pride. And Ochako was in the middle of a tug of war for her life.

Hawks took a deep breath less not to lose his cool. Running a hand through his hair, "Well I'd do my job. After all, all of this would amount to nothing if the goods got damaged right? Who knows, maybe Shigaraki would take more to me, being as then I'd obviously be the smarter one to pick from. Don't you think?"

It was a risky move antagonizing this already sly man who was all too anxious to destroy every bit of Hawks. Dabi wasn't stupid. He could see through the nice guy ploy that this guy was a traitor, a true hero. Nothing like their bunch. But if he had to give a compliment, he'd say that Hawks wasn't incompetent. Or to be taken lightly. If a fight ensued, he had no doubt the number two hero would win. And he would too, just for this girl, blow the cover to protect her. They both knew it without saying a word as Hawks waited for a reply.

Dabi grinned, not uttering another word as he walked past him. Onward to the hallway down to their spare bedrooms in defeat for now.

I'm such a fucking idiot I swear to God.

Once again running his face under the cool water, he wanted to scream. To curse the world at this pathetic predicament that could be handled so simply if they'd just give the word to get her out of here. Not having to deal with these fools anymore, or to lie and cheat around things. To expose who he really was to someone like her, watching the girl go back to her normal life before this hell hole came into play. The modeling job offered more than enough money, and he was seriously considering quitting this to live that life. Not that it wasn't a thought before, the only problem was truly, could he do it? Leave behind a life long work that got him out of living in squalor?

The door slid open and he found everything back in place, the single pillow on the bed and the bag opened. A game of chess sitting in the middle of the mattress with her next to it, knees curled up as she immediately looked up at him with parted lips. Waiting to ask something, questions wheeling in her eyes at his strange behavior.

"I thought you left," she said quietly, watching him step up not far from her. Shooting a flashy smile in contrast to how he was a moment ago, washing away the worry. Or at least for now, camouflage it.

"No, but I will in a bit. Not for long, just to get you something to eat."

"No no don't worry about it," she added, patting the bed for him to sit. "You're still hurt."

He held that smile, doing as she gestured. "Wanna hear a secret?"

Ochako curiously nodded, lifting his arm to point at his back.

"I'm Always hurting cause of these. These large bastards do a number on my back you know."

The worry dropped, raising an eyebrow unsure if that sentence was truthful or not. In fact, he used sarcasm the same way he said normal things with a velvet, charismatic charm.

"You're dumb."

He gave a shocked look, searching for pity in a playful manner. "You don't believe me!? I'm not lying."

Looking so heartbroken it made her giggle, earning a brighter grin at the sound of her laughter. Hoping for more times like this. It'd make day two without seeing her cry though it came close last night, and he intended to keep that streak.

Her fingers skimmed over the chess board, unsure if she could take him on with something so complicated. He appeared aloof, but she knew better being as he was the one to choose this. So it hinted that he had already knew what he was doing, his eyes searching hers in a competitive manner, reading her mind.

"You dare challenge me?," he teased, moving to lean on his elbow to get more comfortable.

He could tell she was thinking it over, nervous but also anticipating the possibility of putting this cocky person in his place. It couldn't be so hard, could it?

"And what if I do?"

Something flashed across the slited irises in the way she answered. It was that damn fine attitude, headstrong without fear that he was growing to adore so much. Knowing she had no idea what to do, but still chose not to back down. That's what he looked for in people that was a rarity.

ooo

The first request I made, after I had obtained my liberty, was, that I might have license to see Mildendo, the metropolis; which the emperor easily granted me, but with a special charge to do no hurt either to the inhabitants or their houses.

The book was held high enough that it only gave away his eyes, scanning the words to the only other entertainment in the room being the book he had left behind. Leaning his head against his hand in a lazy, bored fashion to allow her to take her time on the next move.

This would be round seven, not that he was keeping track in purpose. The hours just seemed to pass so fast when someone took ten minutes at a time to a make a single damn move, lulling him to sleep sooner than expected. It was sad, not even a challenge to admit at how pathetic she was at this game. Sitting there in near sweat, thinking hard before making a move that once he glanced over the book from time to time, he knew that she was in checkmate regardless. But, a bit of the sadist he was, it went untold. Letting her hash it out with herself, enjoying the mental torture.

He silently watched her when she wasn't paying attention, noticing the way she shook in stress while biting her thumb nail harshly until it bled. Ripping the skin near it off.

So she's a sore loser.. Noted.

"You're gonna hurt yourself if you keep biting."

"Too late," she snapped, nibbling on it further trying to pay attention to the pieces. Reaching for the horse as he stilled, waiting to see what she'd try to do. But then sighing quietly when she'd retract. Hell, even the book was getting tiring.

Yet it'd be insulting to give up the game now sure to win nothing more than an angry tantrum from her. So he flicked the book closed causing her to jump. Pressing his cheek deeper into his knuckles. "Stop biting your nails."

"Leave me alone. I'm thinking."

"And," he added, reaching across the board to grab her hand. "Bleeding."

She gasped at him, gently placing her thumb into his mouth to lick the little bit of blood off. Holding it there to apply pressure with his tongue as her face grew hot.

"That's gross!," she shouted, tugging it away from him.

Hawks shrugged, giving a loud yawn. "It's also gross to bite your nails. We can stop you know."

Her lips pursed at his rude offer, feeling rather offended that she'd give up so easily. "I'm not going to until I win! And I've found the perfect strategy just so you know!"

"Yeah?," he teased, raising a hand to the chess pieces. Pointing at each different individual on his side, explaining the scenarios to prove that no matter what she tried, it'd still be a lose. Again.

A small smirk was forming on his lips the way she reacted, too stunned in anger to say clear words. "I…. I hate this game!," she screamed, stomping her fist against her knees.

I guess I should've let her win since now she's mad at me.

oo

STORY SPOILING IN THE OFFER BELOW, DON'T READ IF YOU DON'T WANT.

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Okay! So I've been aware how I'm ending this story, which I've stated alot that it's not gunna be very long. But, I have began the sequel already, with the first chapter pretty much done for those who'd wanna skip ahead to their time of FINALLY being together officially after all this if some of you would wanna read that along with this, showing their development and after. Im trying not to rush things between them in this story. Since waiting could be frustrating, ik I am with my own story cause gawd I love them lmao lemme know if so through message or comment and if enough people want, I shall post. Yes it does contain adult situations such as sexual scenes and other mature content.