A dull burn throbs as Hawks weaves his way past his colleagues; he smiles to himself- if it wasn't for the ache, Hawks would've convinced himself that last night had been nothing but another one of his fervor dreams. He's no stranger to the morning smart after a fling, but the burn from Dabi's touch is on a whole new level for Hawks- it leaves him wanting more, needing more.

He flops down on his office chair and shifts around, trying to find a more comfortable position. Hawks finds it nearly impossible to do his paperwork as his mind keeps wondering back to Dabi. He keeps stealing glances at his computer's clock and taps his fingers impatiently against his desk. One hour down, seven more to go.

"Hawks," The receptionist's voice crackles through his intercom, "Endeavor is here to see you." Even Endeavor could not ruin Hawks' good mood. His finger hovers over the button as he pauses. Will he even be able to look Endeavor in the eyes after a particularly busy night he had with the man's estranged son? He supposes he will have to face the hero one way or another. He just hopes that Endeavor keeps this meeting short and sweet. Before he can give the go ahead to send Endeavor to his office- his window slides open.

Hawks spins around and a scarred hand shoots out, covering his mouth before he can let out a startled yelp.

"What the fuck are you doing here?!" Hawks hisses from behind Dabi's hand. Hawks stares unbelieving at Dabi, his office is on the top floor and unless Dabi launched himself up with his quirk, he must've taken the fire escape. Hawks surmises that would explain why Dabi is covered in sweat and slightly out of breath. The other man shrugs and takes back his hand, leaning against Hawks' desk.

"I had nothing else better to do."

"Nothing better to do? Aren't you a villain? Don't you have like a bank to rob or streets to jaywalk?" Dabi snorts, crossing his arms he shoots Hawks an amused smile.

"Well this is certainly a first, I thought heroes were supposed to tell us bad guys to not do crime. Yet, here we are. You encouraging me to actually do my job." Hawks' wings flutter in panic, he has no idea why of all days, Dabi decides to visit the exact time Endeavor actually agrees to a meeting.

"Hawks." The voice crackles again, now tinged with a hint of irritability, "Are you there?" He blinks several times at the intercom before rushing over to his desk, trying his best to ignore Dabi's touch as his fingers slip through Hawks' feathers.

"Yes, I'm finishing up a report now. You can send him up." He knows he's on a time crunch and turns off the intercom before turning back around to Dabi.

"Okay, you need to leave." All this earns him is an arched eyebrow.

"Oh?" Hawks feels a headache creeping up and he massages his temples.

"Yes. I have a meeting with Endeavor and he's up on his way to my office. Like, right now." Dabi doesn't bat an eye and instead his grin grows into something a little malicious, he cracks his neck and rolls back his shoulders.

"Good." Hawks shakes his head and shoves Dabi towards the window.

"Not today satan, I'm not going to deal with you pulling a reverse Inigo Montoya. I refuse to have my agency become a pile of ash." Trying to move Dabi is like trying to herd a cat. Impossible.

"What?" Hawks momentarily stops pushing against Dabi and stares at him curiously.

"Wait- have you never seen The Princess Bride before?"

"You seem to think that I had an ideal childhood where I could just sit around watching movies all day."

"Okay, well I guess I know what we'll be doing later." Dabi slumps against Hawks with a defeated sigh.
"Why can't you just let me continue to live like the uncultured swine that I am?" Before Hawks has a chance to reply, a knock at the door catches them both off guard.

"Goddammit, Dabi. You're gonna be the death of me." Hawks whispers angrily, he gives up trying to wrestle with opening the window and instead shoves Dabi under his desk, "I swear, if you so much as make a peep... you'll regret ever being born." Dabi rolls his eyes and flips him the bird.

"Joke's on you, I already do."

"Shut up already you fuckin' edge lord." He sends Dabi a final glare before opening the door to greet Endeavor.

"Ah! Endeavor, what's up?" Endeavor looks around Hawks' office. Hawks prays to whatever entity is up in the sky that Dabi will behave. He clasps Endeavor's arm and gestures to one of the seats in front of his desk.

"Please, sit down." Endeavor shakes off Hawks hand with a huff. Reluctantly, Endeavor sits down on one of the chairs and Hawks watches, with a poker face, as the chair groans from under the weight of Endeavor. His chairs are meant for average sized people. Endeavor certainly isn't an average sized person, Hawks bets that Endeavor even got an offer to play The Mountain from Game of Thrones. He wouldn't even have to act! Hawks thinks, because he's already shitty enough as it is.

Hawks sits down at his own chair and pulls into the desk, careful not to roll over Dabi's fingers. A familiar warm hand grabs hold of Hawks' calf and Hawks finds himself praying again that he'll be able to get through with this meeting without giving away the fact that Dabi- one of Japan's most wanted villains is in the same room as the nation's top two heroes.

"So-" Hawks begins, "What brings you here?" He already knows the answer of course but decides to indulge himself. Endeavor clears his throat and studies Hawks with his sharp eyes.

"I am here to give you my answer." Hawks feels Dabi's fingers tighten as Endeavor replies, "I assume that your manager had already relayed this to you." Hawks leans back against his chair and briefly looks down to meet the stony gaze of the second Todoroki. He brings his attention back to Endeavor with a smile.

"Yup, we had a meeting about that yesterday actually. We were told that you suggested to all of the agencies to team up." Of course Hawks isn't salty about Endeavor taking credit for his idea, why would he ever be bitter about that?

"Well yes, I decided that as Number One Hero it would only be right," It would only be right for Endeavor to be a pile of steaming shit. But hey, to each their own opinions Hawks thinks, "After all, I've been reading all of the Nomu reports your agency sent me while I was in the hospital after I took down High-End. Pairing up would be for the best... for everyone." Claiming all the credit once more, Hawks wants to bash his head against his desk. Had Endeavor forgotten already that without his assistance, Endeavor would most likely be dead?

"Good to see that you came to that conclusion." Endeavor grunts and idly runs his finger over his scar. Hawks wishes that Dabi could see the full extent of the results from the Nomu Dabi sent them two months ago. No doubt Dabi would find it hilarious.

"Yes, I'd hate for more unnecessary hero deaths," Endeavor pauses and looks down at his hands, "Snatch is already too much. We should strive for zero casualties. Once I track down that- that villain that killed him... I'll make him pay with his life. And eye for an eye, as they say. In this case, a death for a death." The hand tightens more against Hawks' leg and he fights to keep a straight face.

"Yeah." He doesn't really know what else to say and thankfully Endeavor continues.

"Regardless, keeping the Nomus back is our main objective. Catching him will only be an added bonus." Endeavor stands up and Hawks follows, "I will be back here tomorrow at six a.m. sharp. I expect you here then as well." He turns heel and marches out of Hawks' office. Oh now he's giving orders, in my own agency? Hawks bitterly thinks to himself. He sighs and slides back his chair, Dabi doesn't move out from under the desk but smirks at Hawks.

"I've always loved the game of cat and bird."

"Uhh, I think you mean cat and mouse." Dabi takes hold and Hawks' legs and pulls the chair closer.

"No, I think 'bird' is better." For the third time in the past hour, Hawks finds himself praying. He prays that no one will barge through his unlocked door as Dabi's hands creep up his thighs.

"There just isn't any room for people like us in this society. We never asked for this life, yeah. From the day we were born, we were labeled for failure. All we want is a chance to live life easily. Why do we have to constantly fight just to be able to live?" Hawks has been curious for the past month of meeting up with the League and finally decided to ask why had they all decided to become villains in the first place. He was not prepared for Twice's honest answer; he feels a twinge in his heart as he sees Toga and Spinner nodding along to what Twice said.

"Because," Shigaraki answers from his seat, "We're the products of who the heroes couldn't save. Instead of taking responsibility for their failure, they simply just cast us to the side and label us as villains. So we were saved by people who just stood on the opposite side of the coin. I think what you should be asking instead is: what is the difference between a hero and a villain?" He says nothing more as the rest of the League echo in agreement.

What truly is the difference between a hero and a villain? If asked before Hawks agreed to be a double agent, he would've confidently answered with: "Heroes are brave and just, they always make sure to save the day and ensure the villains never win. Villains are nothing but evil doers that thrive off of chaos and pain of others."

However.

However after infiltrating the League and getting to know them Hawks is not so sure of his answer anymore.

How could a hero even be called a hero when they've willingly turned a blind eye against people who needed help the most? How could a villain be called a villain for just trying to survive after being rejected by society? How can the hero system be so skewed in the first place? He wonders what would've happened if he hadn't saved that couple so many years ago. Would he have fallen through the system as well? Would he have been actually part of the League as a villain and not as a hero? Would he have grown up as a murderer, a robber, a drug lord? His eyes land on Dabi who's sitting next to Shigaraki, reading a book- either oblivious to or ignoring the conversation around him.

How could Endeavor even be crowned as Number One Hero after all he put his own family through? He'd expect that action from a villain but a hero?

Hawks comes to the realization that a hero and a villain are truly two sides of the same coin.

"It's nice to meet you Hawks!" A slight woman stands next to Hawks' boss and bows deeply to him. He awkwardly bows back, he's always hated such formalities. His boss chuckles and gently touches her arm, she straightens out and sticks out a hand. Hawks shakes it and to someone with less observance, they wouldn't have picked up how her eyes widen slightly or the fact that his boss smiles at their handshake.

"She is my intern, learning the trade of management. Please pay her no mind for the time being." She blushes and looks down, refusing to meet Hawks' gaze, "She's a rather big fan of your work so please excuse her unprofessional attitude. We'll get that corrected in due time." He finds himself at a loss for words and just nods to what his boss was telling him.

Hawks can't help but shake the feeling of being watched. He knows that Dabi is out with the League in another district today so there's no way that he's being watched by him. Yet, the feeling doesn't leave.

Author's Note

Energy drinks have since been banned in my house, my room mates saying "It's bad for your health." and "They're gonna kill you one of these days." or "You're gonna have a heart attack." Jokes on them, I get unlimited coffee at both jobs!

I'm working both jobs this week so updates will be a bit skewed but I'll try to aim for my normal daily updates. If not, please bear with me! Until then, fairwinds.

Reviews are always welcome!