A/N: Hello everyone! I hope you are all ready for the new year! Here is my last chapter for 2018. I just want to say thank you all so much for being so interested in this story. What started as just a way to vent out my frustrations about a difficult situation, has turned into something I look forward to writing more for you each day. Here is to 2019! Let's bring in joy and cheer.

Love,

Traditional Twist

Chapter 13

"You are being quite irrational," Aizawa told Hawks at the gates to U.A. It was eight in the morning. The winged hero decided to arrive at the gate to get the small girl. Aizawa has seen how Sora behaved around Hawks earlier that week. She seemed to enjoy the young man's company. He wasn't worried about the girl, he was more worried about Hawks. At twenty-two years of age, did he really understand what it means to be a guardian.

"You're too uptight, Eraser," Hawks said. "I'm going to have a wonderful day with that little red bird."

"You do realize she is a child? You can't just take her places you want to go. This isn't like a date."

Hawks laughed. "You are too much, you know that? Of course, I'm going to take her to place that kids love: the carnival."

Aizawa stopped in his place. "You're taking her somewhere that public? You will cause a huge racket being there! That kid isn't used to that kind of attention."

"You think too little of the public. They will awe over how cute she is and then move on. I have a good relationship with my fans."

Aizawa sighed. "How can the number two hero be so naive? Tell me this, do you have a contingency plan if your need to do some hero work? I don't know like another nomu attack? That happened the last time you were out in public."

Hawks stumbled in his steps. "That won't happened."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Shit. I didn't think about how it would look to the League what I'm doing. I'm an idiot," Hawks thought. "Man, you are being a real downer. Look I just want to show this little bird that I'm a safe adult. Whatever I gotta do I will do."

"I hope so," mumbled Aizawa. "You've agreed to be a parent."

"Yeah, yeah. It will be fine. My paternal instincts are impeccable," Hawks said.

"I hope so," said Aizawa, handing Hawks a small paper with a phone number on it. "Don't hesitate to call, for Sora and Tokoyami's sake."

Hawks pocketed the number and gave thumbs up. "You got it, Chief."

Tokoyami could tell that Sora had on a brave face as she sat patiently in the main room of the dorms. Tokoyami looked at the bag he had packed for Sora. He had packed clothes, snacks, lighters, and her music. There was a steady feeling of uneasiness filling his stomach. Tokoyami couldn't help but think about all the times Hawks yelled at him for being too slow and just leaving him behind. Would he do that to Sora?

"Hey, Tokoyami. Hey, Sora." A cheerful voice croaked.

Tokoyami looked up and saw Tsuyu standing behind the couch. "Good morning, Tsu."

"What are you two up to this morning?" Tsuyu asked.

"Sora is going out," Tokoyami said.

"Oh? Ribbit. Where are you going, Sora?"

Sora shrugged, but didn't look up from her coloring. "I don't know where Hawks is taking me."

"Hawks?" Tsuyu repeated.

"Yes, me!" Hawks cheered as he entered the dorm along with Aizawa. "Where is my fellow red bird?"

Sora rapidly scribbled on her paper before picking it up and running it over to Hawks. "Look, it's you!"

Hawks took the picture with a smile. "Wow! It is me! I can't wait to hang this up at home."

Tokoyami brought the packed bag over to Hawks. "Here is everything she may need for today. I threw in some extra lighters for her in case she gets hurt."

Hawks took the bag swung it over his shoulder. "Great! We are going to have a fabulous day. Right Sora?"

Sora glanced at Tokoyami. She could sense his appreciation. She didn't want to let her brother down. She nodded. "Right."

Hawks grabbed Sora's hand and pulled her towards the door. "We will see you later Fumikage!" He picked up Sora. "Red, have you ever flown before?"

"Like on an airplane?" Sora asked.

Hawks laughed. "No, like a bird." She shook her head no and Hawks smiled. "Well you are about to. Hold on tight."

Hawks spread open his wings as he held the girl tightly against his chest. He ran out the doors, flapped his wings, and soared into the sky.

Tokoyami stared longingly after the pair. Aizawa places a hand on Tokoyami's shoulder. "It will be fine," he assured his student.

"I hope so," said Tokoyami.

"If it makes you feel any better, I'm willing to take you both in if Hawks doesn't pan out."

Tokoyami smiles. "Thank you, sensei."

Aizawa removed his hand and placed both in his pocket. "Go do something to keep your mind off things. It's the weekend, after all." Aizawa walked out of the dorm, leaving Tokoyami with a very patient and quiet Tsuyu.

"So, Shoji kissed you," the frog girl stated.

Tokoyami recoiled before turning around. "How did you know that?"

"Shoji was acting a little odd at breakfast, ribbit. So, I asked him what was on his mind, and he kind of just said it."

"Oh. I hope it wasn't a troubling experience for him," said Tokoyami, rubbing the back of his neck.

"He was more worried about you, to be quite honest," Tsuyu said, putting a finger to her chin.

"I told him it was nice," said Tokoyami.

"Is that really the response someone wants after their first kiss?"

"I'm the wrong person to ask, Tsu," said Tokoyami.

"You realize he just confessed his feelings to you, right?" Tsuyu asked.

That froze Tokoyami. In all honesty he hadn't truly processed what had happened in that moment. Now that he thought about it, there had many clear signs lead to this moment. The confession of sexuality. Shoji staying with him in the hospital. He held his hand. That kiss had been in the works whether Tokoyami was aware.

Dark Shadow popped out of Tokoyami's chest. "Do you need to sit?"

Tokoyami shook his head. "I'm just processing."

"Ribbit!" Tsuyu was blushing on the couch. "You really have been focused on Sora if you didn't think a kiss was a confession. I'm embarrassed for you."

"Thank you, Tsu," Tokoyami said sarcastically.

"So… what are you going to say to Shoji?" Tsu asked.

"Say?" Tokoyami repeated. "What do you mean say?"

"Well, ribbit, do you reciprocate his feelings?"

"I'm not sure?" Tokoyami questioned. "I've never really felt comfortable enough to even consider a relationship."

"Well, at least you have something to think about while Sora is gone." Tsuyu's tongue poked out from her mouth.

"Thanks." Tokoyami glared and began to walk away.

Tokoyami wasn't watching where he was walking and ran straight into someone. "Watch it!" Bakugou yelled.

"Apologies, Bakugou. I was distracted by someone," Tokoyami shot another glare at Tsuyu.

Bakugou growled as he looked around the room. "Where's Pipsqueak?"

"She's actually out for the day," Tokoyami said slightly grim.

"Out? Who the fuck took her out?"

"Hawks," Tokoyami states.

Bakugou's eyes widened. "This part of your guardian bullshit situation?" Tokoyami nodded. "Tsc, fine. She better come back fine."

"My sentiments exactly," agreed Tokoyami.

Bakugou began to walk away. He stopped at the door. "You're doing nothing else today, right? I'm going to be at the gym. Stop by, and I'll help you with strength building. Your arms are too tiny to be hero." Bakugou exited the dorm.

Tokoyami states as the blonde left. "What just happened?" Tokoyami thought.

"Bakugou just called you weak and tiny," Dark Shadow cackled from within.

"Tokoyami," Tsuyu said interrupting his thoughts. "Did Bakugou just ask you to the gym?"

"Yes," said Tokoyami.

"And you don't find that odd?" Tsuyu asked.

Tokoyami thought about what Dark Shadow said. "He called me tiny." Tokoyami sighed. He stared at his arms. He had been working out with such vigor, yet he was still so small. "Perhaps I should join him."

"Ribbit! It's funny when your self-conscience," Tsuyu teased.

"Shut up!" Tokoyami said storming off to his room.

Sora stared at the crowd of people with excitement. She squeezed Hawks hand so tight as they stood at entrance of the carnival. "Are we going here?"

"Yep," said Hawks. "We are going to have so much fun!"

"I've never been to the carnival before," said Sora.

"Really? Then what did you and that brother of yours do for fun?" Hawks asked.

"Fumi and I would sing. He would cook for me. He also read to me. Sometimes when he picked me up from school, we would go play at an arcade before getting dinner." Sora said.

"Did you not eat dinner at home?" Hawks asked.

"Mom doesn't cook, and Dad's girlfriend only cooks when she spends the night," Sora explained. "They were really noisy at night and it made me really uncomfortable. Mia always says touches dad the way Grandma would try to touch me or Fumi. She made similar comments about dad as well."

Hawks winced and grabbed a hold of the small girl's hand. This young girl spoke about this so casually. "Well, maybe when you've gone to one of these, Fumikage can take you out more?"

"That would be fun!" Sora skipped alongside Hawks as they walked through the entrance. Guests turned around and waved at Hawks. Phones were taken out, and flashes of cameras filled the air. People began to yell at Hawks to smile and look at him.

Sora gripped Hawks hand tightly. "Why is everyone watching us?"

"Well when you are with the number two hero, you have to expect some attention. No one will hurt you. Just stay by my side, and keep ahold of my hand," Hawks instructed.

Sora did so as she and Hawks walked passed a large crowd. Girls were cheering and screaming. Sora's grip tightened and tightened. People became adventurous and began crowding around them, halting their walk, throwing papers and pens in his face to sign. Hawks smiled brightly and signed a few papers and pictures shoved in his face.

Sora grabbed onto Hawks' leg and began to shake. Hawks felt the trembles and looked down. The girl was clearly frightened. He frowned. "Maybe this wasn't a good decision," Hawks thought.

Hawks stuck his hand out towards the crowd. "Excuse me everyone. As wonderful as it is that you are all excited to see me, I am here with someone very special to me. If you would please give us the time and consideration to just be two normal birds just having a great time at the carnival, I would appreciate it."

The people in the crowd began to mumble. Someone pointed to Hawks legs. They seemed to notice Sora, hiding. The people nodded and slowly turned away, leaving Hawks and Sora at peace.

Hawks placed his hand on Sora's head. "They will give us space now, don't worry."

"Are you sure?"

Sora's frightened voice bounced against Hawks' chest. He squared down beside the girl. "I'm very sure. Sometimes people don't know they are doing something that makes you uncomfortable. They don't know to stop unless you tell them." He moved his hand from Sora's head to her shoulder. "I need you to do the same thing. I don't know you as well as I'd like to yet. That means if something or someone is bothering you, you need to tell me. Okay?"

Sora stares into Hawks' large brown eyes. They were so kind and sincere. She nodded her head. "Okay."

"Fantastic!" Hawks stood up and clapped his hands! "Let's go have some fun!"

The pair ventured through the crowd. They played carnival games, rode rides, and laughed as the day went on. Hawks won Sora a large stuffed rabbit by successfully placing rings on a variety of bottles. Of course, he missed the spirit of the contest and used a few feathers to guide each ring, but nobody was going second guess the number two hero's method. They stopped for candied apples and looked for a place to sit and eat.

"Carnivals are fun," Sora declared. The stuffed rabbit flopped in her arms. It was almost too large for her to walk, almost.

Hawks laughed as the pair stopped at a bench. "I'm glad you had fun."

Sora tossed the rabbit on the ground and grabbed onto the wooden bench to pull herself. "Ouch!"

Hawks looked down at the girl's hands. They were bleeding! "Red, what happened!" He moved the two candied apples to one hand and reached for the first aid kit on his belt.

"The wood is splintery," Sora explained. She reached at her hand and plucked out the wooden shards with her fingers. She winced with each pluck, eyes watering over hands.

"Kid! Stop! You're going to- "Hawks was cut off as he watched the tears from Sora's eyes hit her hands. The blood stopped, the skin began to close immediately, tiny splinters that she missed were pushed out of her skin.

Sora wiped the blood on her pants. "All don. Can I have my apple now?"

Hawks nodded and handed the child the treat. She happily nipped at the fruit. Hawks just stared, impressed. "You really are something special, Red," Hawks looked up, opening his mouth to take a bite of his apple, when he caught sight of someone staring at him from the far edge of the crowd.

The man was tall. He had black hair and bright blue eyes. His arms and face covered in dark purple scars. Staples lined his mouth and the collar of his neck.

"Dabi," Hawks thought.

The villain nodded at Hawks and turned away.

"Shit! What is he thinking? I need to find him." Hawks moved his head to See Sora still munching. He couldn't drag her after Dabi, but he needed to move, fast. His eyes flashed up to the nearby restroom building.

"Hey, Sora. I need to go to the bathroom. It is right there," he pointed to the bathroom. "I can't take you in with me, and it also looks like you are really enjoying that apple. Can you be a good girl and stay here while I'm in there? I won't be gone any longer than five minutes."

Sora nodded as she took another bite. Hawks smiled. "Great! Here, hold my apple too. If it is longer than five minutes, you can eat it."

Hawks raced behind the building before shooting off as fast as he could in the direction Dabi went. He had to be fast. The hero took sharp turns right, left, left, right. Finally, he saw the villain standing in front of a black portal.

"Cute kid," Dabi Spoke coolly. "I didn't realize you were such a caregiver."

"Look the kid doesn't have anything to do with what we are doing," Hawks said.

Dabi smiled. "But she could be so useful. I saw what those tears could do. We could use someone good with healing, and I know many people that are good at making kids cry." He placed one foot into the vortex. "Later." The portal closed leaving Hawks in a panic.

"No, no, no!" Hawks stomped his feet. He really didn't think all of this through. What was he supposed to do with Sora?

"Sora!" Hawks looked at the time on his phone. He had been gone for three minutes. He needed to hurry back.

Hawks rushed back as fast as he could. He walked out from behind the bathroom to see Sora kneeling away from him doing something. He kept over to the small girl. "Hey, Red! I'm back!"

The small girl turned to him, tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry."

Hawks looked at the ground. He was in her hand was his candied apple covered in diets and rocks. Sora's hands were stick and covered with dirt. He grabbed the stick from her and plug a hand on her head. "It's just an apple. It is no big deal."

"It is a big deal!" Sora cried. "What if I keep doing things like this? You won't like me. Then you won't want to take care of me and Fumi!"

"Woah! Little bird calm down." Hawks pulled the girl into a hug. "A dirty apple wouldn't make me not want to adopt you. I'm doing this." He laughed. "Man, I've been worried you wouldn't like me. That's pretty funny, right."

Sora nodded against Hawks' shoulder. He moved her head up from her. "You know, I think we started too big. How about I show you where I go when I'm not being a hero? We can order pizza, play a game, and do something quiet. Sound good?"

Sora whipped her eyes and snuggled. "That sounds good."

Hawks smiled. "Let's get going." He picked up the girl, spread his wings, and flew towards home.