Chapter 24: Word of the Wise

*Thud-thud-catch.* *Thud-thud-catch.* *Thud-thud-catch.*

Hawks, sitting on the floor between his bed and the wall, is barely looking at the bouncy ball as he bounces it off the floor, to the wall, and back to his hand, sighs as he replays his conversations with Jean and Hank from earlier in the day. Hank had left an hour ago, but time, like Hawks' emotions, seem frozen.

"Hawks, are you awake? I have dinner for you," Storm calls from behind Hawks' closed door.

Hawks, startled by the distraction, tries to scurry to his feet, only to fall back to the ground loudly. Hawks hisses under his breath, trying to stand again.

Storm charges through the door at the sound of Hawks' body hitting the floor. At the sight of Hawks lying on the ground, Storm fumbles and nearly drops the tray she is carrying holding Hawks' dinner.

"Hawks, what happened?! Did you fall out of bed?"

"What's with you people?! Can't a guy have some privacy?"

"Hawks, what are you doing on the ground? You were advised to stay in bed."

"Well I advise you to mind your own business."

"We both know you're not mad at me, especially because I'm delivering your dinner. Rumor has it you love to eat, and I'm sure you are famished. If you want to talk, I'm here, but you will not talk to me that way."

The sternness and truth behind Storm's words shakes Hawks out of his self-loathing. He glances apologetically towards her, then over to the food miraculously being held up by Storm's wind.

"Storm, you're the wind beneath my chicken wings. You're so uplifting... okay, now you're just showing off."

Storm, playing back at Hawks' badgering, looks back at him, then stops her wind briefly to let the tray of food almost fall to the ground.

"You better not drop that food. I'm famished."

Storm chuckles, then helps Hawks back onto the bed and hands him his plate.

"You're too good to me, Storm! It's still hot. I knew you were full of hot air. Seriously, though, thank you. This smells amazing."

Hawks' taste buds dance as he bites into the savory chicken. After a few days of soft foods, it tastes especially amazing.

"Hawks, slow down and chew!" Storm scolds while Hawks tears off more chicken from the leg.

"Hey, cut me some slack. I've been eating nothing but soft foods and soups since I woke up." Pointing at her with a half eaten chicken leg, Hawks continues. "I'm not saying I didn't like that stuff — the food here is awesome — but this! This is way better and damn more flavorful."

"Jean sure seems to be worried about you. I mean, we all are worried, but— I mean, I guess with everything she's been through it makes sense—but she-"

Hawks freezes in mid bite, anxiously awaiting Storm's next words.

The embarrassment in Hawks' face reminded Storm just how young Hawks is, despite his accolades.

"-I think I've said enough. I'll leave you to yourself. I'll be back in an hour, alright? Hawks are you listening?"

"Oh uh, what yeah, totally." Hawks points the drumstick once more at Storm grinning.

Hawks sighs as Storm turns to leave, frustrated she had not finished the second half of her sentence.

"I'll leave you to your privacy." Storm says closings the door behind her.

.***** **** *****.

Hawks sets the empty tray aside on the table next to his bed.

"Okay, you've got this. You've gotta prove to these guys you're not the weakling they think you are," he says easing himself upright using the backboard of the bed for support. His legs are dangerously shaking as he forces himself to stand.

"One- step at a time." he tells himself trying to move his legs, keeping a death-like grip on the bed.

"C-careful." Hawks loosens his grip from the frame slowly and takes a wary step forwards the door. His legs becoming shakier as he moves. "Almos—"

"—Keigo Takami! What on Earth are you doing?!"

"AGH!" Hawks cries out startled by the voice. His jello-like legs give out completely from under him, as his concentration breaks. Something grabs his waist and arms before he hits the ground.

He glances over his shoulder to find Storm at his side.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"T-trying.. to walk." Hawks' body slowly caving in, muscles screaming from the strain making him grit his teeth.

"Back to bed." Storm orders.

"Hawks, there's a difference between what we can do and what we should do. You need to be resting, not trying to do something your body isn't capable of."

"Hank helped me move earlier so I could see my injuries. It felt so good to be out of this bed and I need to heal ASAP so I can get back to my job and protect you guys here."

"You're going be more trouble than you're worth." Storm sighs.

Hawks chuckles, "really how much am I worth?" he gives a cheeky grin. Storm shakes her head at him yet cracks a smile.

"Look, if you want to get up and walk, at least ask for help. That's what we're here for, Hawks."

"I can get up then?"

"No, not on your own yet."

"But you said I can get up." Hawks pouts.

"I did, but not on your own didn't you hear me?" she gives a tired sigh. "You really want to get up?"

"Yesss..."

Sighing Storm shakes her head before offering a hand to him.

"So you're not gonna finish that sentence, are you?" Hawks questions as Storm helps him out of bed.

"I really recommend you lay low for awhile. When it rains, it pours."