Chapter 29: Restless Feathers
Hawks backs against the corner. Unable to see through the smoke, he screams for his father and the others, no longer caring about being found by Dabi.
"Keigo!" Jean screams back desperately. He races towards her voice. Another loud explosion slams him to the ground and hot flames engulf him.
Coughing, Hawks rubs his eyes for temporary relief from the smoke. Through the light of the flames he sees Dabi towering over him. Dabi's foot digs sharply into Hawks' back. "The great number two, look how pathetic you are."
Hawks opens his mouth to scream but is unable.
Dabi's hand grasps Hawks' head, "you overrated, underperforming fake. All these people you care about so dearly and you can do nothing to save them. I will make sure you die last so you can watch each of them perish."
"No… please don't."
Hawks coughs, tossing to his side into the raging fire. He screams as the mansion is illuminated by blue flames.
"No!"
Hawks' scream lodges in his throat as he jolts upright, throwing his sheets to the ground. Feathers shoot from his wings, nailing the wall. His chest heaves and he begins coughing harshly. Reattaching to his sweating, trembling body, Hawks' Fierce Wings curl protectively around him as he rises out of his bed. Opening his bedroom door, he shakily steps into the hallway, peering around the corner before doing so.
"Keigo!?"
Hawks whips his head around to see Jean jogging up to him with Professor X following her.
"Son, what are you doing awake?"
Relieved to see Jean and his father alive, verifying his dream was just that, Hawks tries to hide his emotions. "Hey, dad, Jean I was just uh… just getting up to get some fresh air."
Jean cups Hawks'cheek. He leans into the warmth of her hand.
"You're shaking, Keigo," Jean says, her voice laced with tender concern. Hawks whimpers as her thumb strokes his cheek. He quickly pulls back to compose himself.
"I'm okay, Jean. Really. Hey, what are you two doing up this late?" Hawks asks, hoping to divert their attention.
"Jean and I were just going over some training techniques. We were just wrapping up when we heard you scream."
"Sorry to disturb you two, I am going-"
"Son, hold up. I think we should talk. All three of us."
"No, really, it's late and we all need some sleep." Hawks says, hoping they will let him go.
"Keigo, what happened?" Jean, as typical, cuts through Hawks' defense.
Hawks keeps his eyes set on the ground for fear he will begin crying if he makes eye contact with any of the four eyes staring back at him. "I- it was just- I, I had a dream…"
"Uh, Keigo, I hate to break it to you, but a dream is, like, unicorns and puppies. People don't tremble like that from dreams. You had a nightmare. Do you want to talk about it?"
"No." Hawks replies, eyes still glued to the ground.
"Are you okay?" Jean continues.
"No-" Hawks replies ashamed.
"How can I help?"
"I- I"
"Kei, do you want to sleep in my room with me?"
Hawks blushes, nodding his head slowly, still looking at the ground.
Jean takes Hawks' hand in her own, leading him to her room. Hawks' wings slowly uncurl from his body. He can feel them brushing against Jean's body as he walks alongside her. Professor X grabs Hawks' hand while they pass him.
"The greatest heroes have the biggest hearts, my son. You are a great hero and a great son. Don't be afraid of the power of your heart."
"I love you, dad." Hawks says tearfully.
As they take off down the hall, Jean's hand slips into Hawks,' entangling her fingers with his while giving him a gentle, comforting squeeze.
.***** **** *****.
Jean opens her door and enters the room. Hawks stops before entering and scans the room. Out of all the times he had been in her room, this one felt different.
"Keigo, are you coming in?" Jean asks, snapping Hawks from his trance.
"Yeah, sorry." Hawks walks into the room, closing and locking the door behind him. His heart beats more quickly as he watches her move towards her bed.
"Come lie down, Kei."
Hawks walks up to the cozy looking bed. Is she really letting him sleep here… with her?
Hawks lies on Jean's bed on his side with one arm folded behind his head like a pillow as he faces Jean. He closes his eyes, engulfed by the soothing melody coming through Jean's speakers. Hawks reopens his eyes to the sound of Jean thumbing through a drawer, muttering to herself.
Maybe I should tell her.
"Jean I have some-"
"Found it."
Hawks raises his eyebrow in confusion as she walks back over to him.
"Here! These came two days ago and I have been dying to give them to you."
Hawks' heart skips when he sees the yellow goggles and gray, black, and yellow headset Jean is holding.
"How— How did you get those? I thought Dabi broke them." He takes them from her, admiring the goggles, realizing these are replacements, not the originals. These new goggles were more diamond shaped than his previous pair, mirroring the design on his hero shirt.
"I asked Deku to get in contact with someone from UA. She made them more durable than your last pair. Do you like them?"
Hawks places the goggles on his head and headset around his neck, grinning widely.
"Like them? No. I love them. You're seriously amazing." He grins, shifting the goggles on his head again.
Hawks relaxes into the bed, closing his eyes again. As the music lulls him, he breathes in the sweet smell of her bed and nuzzles into the soft warmth of the blanket. As Hawks drifts off to sleep, he feels something soft press against his forehead, warm and tender. "Sleep well, Kei."