Authors Note:
Yesterday I succeeded in one of my fitness goals. I leg-pressed 200kg, which, I feel is pretty good considering a year ago I was barely able to walk. I think that might be why I like MHA so much - or at least, why it means something to me in this phase of life - because of that positivity it has in its storyline that if you pick yourself up, and go beyond, you really can achieve something you might never have expected.
Anyhoo,
Thanks for reading,
Hope you enjoy this next instalment.
Chapter Three: Hold On
Bubbles thumped her way wearily up the stairs, fighting of a long yawn. Hm. Bed. A delicious, toasty bed, with fluffy blankets, and a mountain of pillows. That was what was calling her after a long night shift.
Bed.
She was going to fall flat into her bed in the lodge and not rouse for anything short of an emergency, or, a phone call from a reporter, or the mayor, or—no—no—she had to be strong—she could ignore her phone.
She could do that.
Raising a hand, she knocked it against the door to Hawks' office.
"Hawks. Sir…"
The door swung open, and Hawks leant up against the doorframe, squinting at her in his usual manner that indicated his eyes were struggling against the rapid change in light. "Good morning, Bubbles." He stifled a yawn, ruffling a hand through his tussled-up hair, attempting to settle it into something presentable. "What can I do for you?"
"Er…" Bubbles peered around him. Rilo sat on the couch, nursing a coffee. "Hang on, have you two been in here…all night?"
"Ah. Do you really want an answer to that question?" Hawks rubbed irritably at his shoulders, his new feathers twitching and flicking with tenderness.
Bubbles pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes at him. "Yes. Yes, I think I do want an answer to that question, sir." She put on her snippiest tone.
"Okay. Yes, Bubbles, we have indeed been here, all night. The couch is very comfortable…so is the floor." He spread his hands.
Her hair fizzled and popped. "Why not use the lodge?" She tried so—so—so—hard not to think of what they would have gotten up to all night, but no, nope, her mind went there and now every time she walked into his office, and looked at the stupid couch that's all she'd think of.
Thanks Hawks.
Thanks so much.
"Beds are overrated." He gave her a grin that told her he was well aware of her plight.
Bubbles slapped her face, groaning.
"I hate you so much right now."
"Aww, come on, Bubbles…I am just hanging out for the day you bring some guy around and I can be an over-protective dick in place of your father."
"Never happening." She huffed—though—the thought was kind of sweet. No—wait—what was she thinking. She didn't need any complications or nonsense in her life.
"Hey, you be you, Bubbles." Hawks tossed a hand back and forth.
"Keigo, your taxi is here." Rilo called out.
He dropped back his head. "Ah, shite. Humiliation here I come."
"Taxi? Where are you going?" Oh—oh no—he was doing it again—running around without explaining things. She could feel the anxiety in her chest building.
Hawks pointed at her as he backed into the office. "Listen, I'll return for night shift. Give Izuku my day work, yeah. He should be able to handle patrol on his own."
"What? He's thirteen!" Bubbles protested.
"So?" Hawks grabbed a gym bag. "At some point, he must be thrown off a building to fly. So, let him fly." Hawks swung the bag over his shoulder. He paused by Rilo, cupping her cheek and bending over to kiss her. "Love you."
Rilo gave him a gentle pat on the backside. "Go do hero work. I'll be fine."
"Wear your veil. Don't go anywhere without Dabi."
"I know, I know."
"Babe, this is important. Porcupine is still out there."
"Keigo, I promise. I wouldn't put you through that sort of worry."
The look Hawks gave her wasn't quite disbelief, but it did border on it.
"Stop stalling." Rilo made a shooing motion. "Your chariot awaits."
Hawks slipped out the door, giving her a smile. "Bye Bubbles. I want my city in one piece when I get back."
Bubbles nursed her head. "No, sir, I'll blow something up, just for you."
"Oh, was that a sarcastic quip?" She heard his shout from the foyer below. "I am so proud!"
Rilo hoisted herself off the couch, picking up one of Hawks' jackets to slip around her shoulders. From the ruffled state of her clothes, she must have put them on in a bit of a hurry.
Bubbles bit her lip, trying very hard to hold in her amusement.
Oh well—
At least the two of them were alive.
Things could have gone either way really.
So, if she had to endure Hawks mixing his personal life with the agency, then that was fine. At least she still had a boss, and at least her boss still had a wife.
Rilo joined Bubbles by the door, her smile was tired, but it was stunningly beautiful to see her glow as Hawks had described it to be. To have seen the woman go from the statue state, that had been near lifeless and drained of all colours, to such a vibrant, crackling, galaxy of energy was very gratifying.
"Did you just get back in from patrol?" Rilo asked.
Bubbles nodded. "Night shift always throws out the internal clock."
Rilo hummed. "Hawks is having trouble sleeping again…" she sighed.
"I could try to—"
"Oh. No, no." Rilo quickly waved her hands. "Don't worry. I'll sort it out. It's not something you need to concern yourself over Bubbles. You just need to look after yourself." Rilo startled bundling up her long, silver hair. "Would you like breakfast? I can make breakfast. I have about an hour before Dabi picks me up."
Bubbles shoulders relaxed back. "You know, a cooked breakfast would be really lovely, Rilo."
Rilo slapped her hands on her hips. "Then that's what we'll do! To the kitchenette!"
Rilo didn't just make breakfast. After she'd finished preparing a beautiful breakfast of rice, eggs and fish, she set about preparing several lunches that she stashed away in the fridge, leaving small little notes on each bento.
Bubbles sunk back in her seat in the lounge, watching as the woman finished drying the dishes, sorting them away to keep the area neat and clean.
"You know, Rilo. You don't have to do this."
"No, I don't, but I want to, and I enjoy it." Rilo smiled. "You and Hawks, you can protect people by being strong and brave, by risking your lives every day…me…I can only do my best to support you."
"Oh Rilo…" Bubbles eased onto her feet. "Thank you."
Rilo shifted, looking out across the agency and Bubbles followed her gaze outside. Across the street, Izuku was running along the sidewalk, heading straight for the agency, and a bright red convertible car was driving slowly along behind him.
Rilo heaved a sigh. "Gah, Dabi…" She snatched up her little All-Might handbag.
Bubbles followed her. The red convertible had pulled to a stop right outside the agency, and a tall, dark-haired man swung himself out. Bubbles watched as he pursued Izuku through the agency's glass doors.
Izuku flung up his arms in victory, spinning around and whooping.
"I win!" Izuku shouted.
"Cause I let you." The man scoffed.
"I still win!" Izuku bounced.
"Yeah, yeah. Fine." The man fished about in the pocket of his heavy black coat and pulled out several coins, passing them to Izuku. "Don't spend them all at once."
"Yes!" Izuku twirled around happily, heading straight for the main stairs.
"Oie, Broccoli-top!" The man called out, causing Izuku to freeze immediately on the spot. "Don't you fucking do anything stupid today. If I get a goddamn phone call from you, whinging about needing saving, I will spank your arse during training."
Izuku pouted. "You're worse than Hawks."
"Hawks gives a damn, I don't. You want to be the best fucking hero ever, then expect that I will beat you senseless, you little shite."
Bubbles raised her brow as Izuku dashed past her and Rilo, beaming in warm greeting. "Good morning Bubbles, good morning sis! I'll report to Medusa, and then I'll come for my assignment."
"Um…ah, okay." Bubbles blinked in shock. Er. So, when had he been schooled on agency protocol? Had Hawks already drilled that into him? Just how much did the brat already know? Okay—now she was extremely curious.
Though, currently, her curiosity was stuck on the scarred man lingering in the foyer. He was heavily scarred, in a manner that could only be explained through a brutal backlash of his own quirk. Years of attempted skin grafting surgeries had made unscarred skin thin and icy. She couldn't figure out if the metal staples holding large sections of skin taunt were there for a purpose, or simple body modification. Bubbles swallowed nervously. He sucked in the sunlight that made their agency golden and warm, almost as though he was a blackhole—and that was terrifying. Hawks was a sun, and so was Izuku.
This man then—
He was their polar opposite.
Not a moon.
No—
A devourer of suns.
Every inch of her felt compelled to lash out at him. Her quirk clawed to be released in a tsunami, to roar downward and smother the man where he stood, smoking in the foyer without a care in the world.
But a sharp pain of awareness halted her need to attack.
Dangerous.
As much as she knew this man was a villain, on a power-level equal to her boss, so did she know she'd accomplish nothing if she attacked. Her skin crawled at the horrid image of him boiling her alive, and her steamed, roasted corpse dropping to the ground in a blistered pile of arms and legs.
Bubbles twitched.
What was this villain doing standing in their foyer?
"Oie! Princess! I ain't got all day!"
"I know. I know. I'm sorry."
Bubbles sucked in a sharp breath as Rilo squeaked and was spurred into action.
"Bubbles. Please look after Izuku today, you have my number if anything goes wrong." Rilo bowed. "Thank you."
Rilo quickly dashed down the stairs, running up to the tall man, who flipped her veil over her head to hide her away.
"But Dabi…I'll be fine."
"Oh, no. Don't you fucking use that cute-y tone on me. I am not risking getting my arse beaten by your husband if the Bureau decides to retaliate. You wear the veil, if you don't, I'll paint the whole apartment a gorgeous death metal black."
"You wouldn't."
"I will."
"You're pure evil." Rilo grabbed his arm, shaking him.
"Bask in it, princess. This is the face of a mad man."
A mad man?
So—
Why was Hawks trusting this man with Rilo?
Bubbles nursed her head, watching the two leave through the glass doors.
"Bubbles! I'm back!" Izuku was suddenly right in front of her. Bubbles jostled in surprise. Okay. That had been fast.
"Medusa said I'm all cleared. What do you want me to do?" Izuku saluted.
"Oh…um…" Bubbles furrowed her brow. Right. Hawks had said to give Izuku his route. So—that meant—wait—Izuku was a child—
Bubbles breathed in deeply.
Okay—
It was okay—
She could do this, she could see him as another sidekick. He wasn't a kid—that she had no idea how to relate too—he was a sidekick. That was manageable in her head.
"I want you to start on a sweep of sector nine, and finish the day with a sweep of sector one."
Izuku frowned in thought. "So, basically, you want me to circle from nine to one continuously, unless I come across a problem."
"Well done, yes."
"That's a lot of ground to cover…" Izuku mused, appearing to mutter calculations under his breath.
"Hawks believes you can do it." Bubbles assured. "I'll be asleep for at least six hours, but I will have my phone near me. Medusa will be on call here, and Canary will be doing a sweep of sector ten to twelve with some of the officers on his patrol unit. If you, at any time, feel, or see, or encounter anything, call it in."
"Do I pursue or engage?" he asked.
"I leave that entirely up to your judgement." Bubbles covered her mouth, yawning.
"Okay." Izuku inclined is head. "Thanks Bubbles."
He started to turn away.
"Wait, Izuku…" Bubbles held out a hand, stalling him.
"Yeah?"
"Who…who was that man?"
"Dabi? Oh, he's our pet cat." Izuku shrugged.
"Pet cat?"
"Yup." Izuku laughed. "It's an avian aviator thing."
"But you're not…" Bubbles frowned.
Izuku smiled, his eyes shining with warm mirth as he twirled away. "No. Not yet."
00000
Hawks had mentioned parkour in passing during one of their training sessions. Something about it being similar to sky-dancing, only, on the ground, and that perhaps it would be good to look at videos online. Upon doing so, Izuku immediately found himself intrigued.
It was like sky-dancing, but it wasn't just on the ground. It was a way of moving fast through the city, over buildings and through streets, by the sheer strength of momentum. This had to be why Hawks had mentioned it—as the next step in his training.
And the whole of Fukuoka was now his gym.
A part of him felt like he'd been unleashed, and the freedom was a bit daunting.
Izuku stared across the gap between the two buildings.
It was time to test a theory.
He slipped his feather pendant off his neck, wrapping it around his wrist until it formed a bracelet.
"Okay." Izuku clapped at his cheeks. "Okay. I can do this. I can do this."
He ran, deliberately missing the jump and falling into the alley below. He had a momentary second to think that maybe, this had been a really stupid idea, before he jerked to a halt, caught by the feather around his wrist.
Izuku stared up at the single feather, holding his weight a few inches from the garbage bin he'd been aiming to land in to break his fall.
"Whoo yeah!" He whooped. "I'm not dead!"
He flicked his wrist out and the feather jerked him forward. He landed roughly on the ground in the alleyway between the two buildings, rolling and bouncing up.
Izuku burst out laughing. It worked! His theory was right. Hawks' activated feathers responded to danger, even if they weren't connected to his telepathic swarm.
"Ohhh…the possibilities." Izuku stared down at the feather clasped in his hand. This meant, if he was safe about it, he could parkour the high buildings and if he fell, he wouldn't die.
Izuku grinned.
He vibrated in happiness.
The task Bubbles had given him of sweeping sectors nine through to one had just become so much more interesting.
He scrambled up, resetting his visor and headset. With renewed confidence, Izuku strolled out into the bustling street of the business district.
He took a deep breath, and he ran.
00000
Hawks climbed out of the taxi, so grateful to have his feet back on solid ground. He could not stand the momentum; it was making him feel queasy. He was surprised he survived the plane flight without being violently sick. Taking a deep, centring breath, he slung his gym bag over his shoulder and looked towards the Bakugo residence across the street.
Alright.
Time to do this.
He was lucky the Bakugo's were even home. From his research on them, they usually took the time off over the spring break to go camping, or hiking, or do some family related activity with Katsuki. But it seemed Katsuki's recovery from the tranquilizer had been deemed top priority by Mitsuki.
He wondered if he was going to be getting an earful from the woman about putting her son in danger. He probably deserved it. He wasn't at all qualified to teach or be near teenagers, and yet, he was a hero, all he seemed to do was be around people he shouldn't have been near.
Life was weird.
He didn't even knock on the door. It simply swung open and Mitsuki was there.
"Hawks! You're okay!" Her arms flung around him. He staggered back.
Right. So—not the reaction he'd expected.
She was a head taller than he was and it was a little awkward to be smothered by a woman he'd not really expected to be so touchy-feely. Maybe he'd read that wrong. Actually. If she was anything like he was—
Oh—
He supposed he had read her wrong then.
"Ah. Mitsuki…"
"Sorry." Mitsuki stepped back, giving a light cough as she pulled herself together. "I was a ball of nerves. You can read about people being fine, and see things on the news, but it's not the same as physically seeing them…you know."
"I know." He smiled as he stepped inside, slipping his boots off.
"Oh gosh, your wings…" Her breath hitched. She almost reached out instinctively to touch his back, and he smirked at her quick snap back as she realised what she'd been about to do.
"They're coming along nicely." He offered in consolation. "I should be able to use fierce wing by tomorrow…which will alleviate my poor sidekick's fears of a villain uprising."
Mitsuki led him down the hallway. "That's not something to joke about, I'm sure they're thinking about it."
"In my city?" Hawks scoffed. "I'd like to see them attempt it."
"Careful what you wish for, sweetie." Mitsuki chided.
Hawks placed his gym bag down before giving a small bow of greeting to Masaru.
"Hawks, how is Rilo?" Masaru greeted him from the kitchen.
"She's doing…she's okay." Hawks managed a weak smile.
Masaru nodded. "That sounds like our Katsuki. He's okay too."
Hawks eased onto the sofa. "Has he had any obvious effects from the tranquilizer? My sidekick was also hit with one, and he's been a little under-the-weather from it."
"He's been alright. I think, mostly thanks to the antidote." Mitsuki offered. "He locked himself in his room the first day. Masaru and I let him have his space. I think Masaru hoped maybe this whole thing would deter him from the hero route."
"Really?" Hawks looked to the man in the kitchen, making their coffees.
Masaru shrugged. "I live in hope for a peaceful resolution to all solutions."
"I wish I had your faith in humanity, Masaru." Hawks shook his head.
"Katsuki came out of his room even more determined than ever to be a hero." Mitsuki grinned. "So, I won the bet."
"Yes, yes, you won the bet." Masaru rolled his eyes. "Hawks, do you walk milk in your coffee?"
"No, I'll be fine with just straight black." Hawks eased back. "Well, maybe he and Izuku are coping with it all better than Dabi and I." Hawks mused. "It could be the age difference."
Mitsuki's frown was basically a request for explanation.
Hawks shook his head. "What we found in the facility they were holding Rilo in wasn't what I expected. I was a little worried Katsuki might have been having trouble processing it, as it did seem to throw both him and Izuku off at the time. However now…in the aftermath, Izuku seems to have internalized the whole thing and set his resolve firmer."
"Sounds like Katsuki's reaction." Mitsuki rubbed her chin. "But not yours?"
In a fretful motion, Hawks dragged back his hair. "I'll sort it out eventually. If you both feel that Katsuki is doing fine, I'll take that and file away one less concern."
"Oh, you poor darling." Mitsuki tapped her knee. "You've had a bit on your plate."
Hawks reached down, opening his gym bag, pulling out a file. "On that note, reason number two for my visit. I talked to you briefly about it on the phone, but, here is his file…"
Reaching out across the coffee table, Mitsuki took the papers from him. She stared down at the small photograph of a blond-haired boy clipped to the top of the file.
"He's not yours, is he?"
"Can people stop presuming that all blond-haired kids are mine. Please." Hawks huffed.
Mitsuki smirked at him.
"You and Rilo still trying?"
"The trying is easy, right, the actual producing the kid is the hard part. Rilo's hormones are fucked. It might be six months, or even a year, before they settle down enough for ovulation." He couldn't explain her hormones were fucked due to the mod-hancer, but for all Mitsuki knew, Rilo could have been on long-term birth control, the kind heroines used, which according to every heroine he'd ever spoken to, took years to recover from—some never did. Sometimes, he really didn't like that he was an obsessive seeker of knowledge.
"Well, at least you know it will happen eventually." Mitsuki looked up as her husband settled a tray of drinks down between them. He offered Hawks his coffee.
"You're both young, Hawks." Masaru assured. "You have plenty of time."
Hawks rolled his eyes. That was such a typical parent response. Gah. He suddenly felt his twenty-two years. Oof, right in the gut.
Masaru chuckled. "Don't rush things, fastest hero in Japan."
"Funny. Haha. Funny."
"I'm just saying," Masaru shifted forward, "enjoy this time that you and Rilo have together, alone. It will change, and you'll never get it back again as it is now. Every season in life is precious. Don't ever rush through them. Even the most difficult, awful season, always teach us something."
"Careful, dear, his eyes are glazing over with that bored, teenage boy look." Mitsuki glanced up from reading one of the sheets in the file.
"Why thank you, I like to think I perfected the look while sitting in board meetings, listening to airheads wax on about financial budget blowouts."
"I see being a hero isn't all about fighting villains." Masaru looked hopeful.
"I have a feeling Katsuki will make it all about fighting villains." Hawks chuckled. "He might even need to hire a whole team to work on his PR to improve his image if he keeps up that sort of mentality."
The two stared at him in confusion.
Hawks motioned to Masaru. "In a way, you're right. Obsessive violence only appeals to a certain subsection of the population. I tend to score high on the popularity chart is due to having a wide demographic, but that's because I work hard at creating that wide demographic."
Mitsuki nodded slowly. "You relate to all ages. Interesting."
"It's similar to Best Jeanist and All-Might. A lot of heroes make the mistake of narrowing their demographic a little too tight. Izuku has a friend, Eijiro, who adores Crimson Riot. Crimson Riot's issue is he's very popular, but only with a very select group."
"Is that a problem?" Masaru asked.
"No, if you maintain your agency, keep consistent, you'll always draw in a certain paycheck, but rising in the ranks is more difficult without the mass of votes."
"Will Katsuki learn all this at hero school?" Matsuki worried.
"He will. It isn't all just about fighting villains. He'll learn nutrition, and finances and so much fun and boring things that I totally skipped." Hawks flashed a grin.
"Yes, Inko mentioned you have a terrible diet."
"It's a bit better of late." Hawks sipped his coffee.
"We've drifted off topic…" Masaru eased forward, collecting the papers from the table. "Am I to presume the father is giving up all rights."
"Yes." Hawks looked away briefly.
Mitsuki sighed. "This is so sad."
"The quirk-less dissidence movement is getting a bit…rowdy." Hawks cocked his head to one side. "The poisonous ideology of the elite in our society, up here, on the top," he held up his hand, "is finally making its way down into the cracks and crevasses. I do not yet know if this is on purpose, of if it is just a natural happenstance of time." Hawks took up the picture of Kai. "Kai's father has been involved in the quirk-less dissidence movement since I first met him, years ago. He isn't a bad man. He has honestly, and earnestly tried his best with Kai. The whole community made a veggie garden just for the kid."
"Then why take him away from a place that he's obviously happy in?" Masaru frowned.
"I wouldn't say he's happy, and I wouldn't say he's flourishing, nor would I say he's safe." Hawks shook his head. "And his father knows this. He's already hyper paranoid that his daughter might just take a knife to Kai's throat, he's so worried, he's sleeping in the boy's room now."
"What?" Mitsuki gasped. "You cannot be serious!"
"It's getting this bad out there?" Masaru murmured. "You wouldn't know…"
Hawks scratched his neck. "Which is kind of why I'm here. Your family is a very safe family." He hoped they wouldn't take his words as an insult. "Your family is so safe, that Katsuki decided to rebel and refuse all the handouts he could have been given."
Mitsuki gave a small, nervous laugh. "Oh no, you figured that out."
"Oh, that was easy." Hawks waved a dismissive hand. "It was trying to figure out his anger issues that had me a bit stumped, and then, Rilo talked to me about how he acted with her at the Ranking Convention."
"Oh?" Mitsuki shuffled forward in interest.
Hawks continued. "If ever Izuku was involved, yes, he got defensive and bratty, but, on his own, he treated her very kindly and with great respect. Your son hasn't got an anger problem, he has a work-ethic problem."
"A work-ethic problem?" Masaru frowned.
"Yeah. He wants to be the very best, and he wants to do it by his own merit. He wants to work hard, and prove his worth, with his own hands, and his own feet. It's most likely, he's heard how you both worked hard all your lives to get to where you both are now, and wants to prove to you that he is just as capable of achieving the same thing." Hawks tipped his head. "I would have been very similar, if I'd have been raised by parents like you."
Mitsuki covered her cheeks, dabbing at the tears. Masaru wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"Oh, Hawks…" Mitsuki breathed out. "I wish I could have raised you."
"Then in my place, I hope you'll raise Kai."
Mitsuki laughed. "We will."
"I can provide you with an allowance—"
"Goodness. No, Hawks." Mitsuki grabbed his hand. "Sweetie. We don't need anything like that."
His tense shoulders eased.
"Are you sure…I'm asking a lot of you both." He rubbed at his eyes wearily.
"Honey, we're perfectly set on finances, I assure you." Mitsuki dismissed.
Hawks looked up. "If it doesn't work, I'll sort something else out. So…don't feel pressure to make it work, but…on short notice, you guys were the only ones I could think of."
"Why us?" Masaru asked.
"Honestly…at first…" Hawks picked up the photo. "It was the blond hair."
Mitsuki snorted into her coffee mug. "Hypocrite."
"But it was also that I know you're a nurse, Matsuki. I needed someone in the medical field, who'd be able to keep Kai's quirk away from the governmental system that would seek to abuse it. Also…" Hawks looked over his shoulder at Katsuki lingering in the entrance of the living room. "It was because of Katsuki."
The teen had been hiding in the hallway for the whole conversation, though, Hawks was sure both Mitsuki and Masaru had been just as aware as he was that Katsuki had been there. They'd all collectively let him listen in. They'd have let him join them, but he wasn't the sort of teen who wanted to be included in conversations like that, until he actually had a reason to make his own presence known.
Finally, he did emerge from the hallway.
Hawks smiled at the teen, amused to find him dressed in an All-Might themed tracksuit that almost put Izuku to shame. That was right, Katsuki was an All-Might fan, just less enthusiastic in his revelling for the mighty symbol.
"Me?" Katsuki murmured curiously.
"Yeah." Hawks nodded. "You're working to get into U.A. I don't think you realise how powerful your quirk is, Katsuki, compared to the general population."
"No, I know it is." Katsuki raised his chin.
"Yes, I am aware your ego is enormous. That's not what I'm talking about." Hawks waved the teen into the living room. "I'm talking about how difficult it is to get into U.A. and that if you achieve it, it will mean Kai will have an older brother who is in one of the elite hero schools. You immediately become a shield."
Katsuki glanced down at his hands, frowning in thought. "A shield?"
"I am presuming you'd have taken him in, if you could, right?" Masaru rubbed his chin.
Hawks sunk back on the couch. "I would, if I could…but I can't…" he glanced aside. "I'm afraid I am not the man I am portrayed as. My life is not my own, and I cannot bring a child into that. It's hard enough with a wife."
Mitsuki gave a small snort of amusement. "That's what wives are for, we exist to complicate the lives of our husbands, didn't you know that?"
Masaru laughed at his wife's words.
Hawks gave them both small smile. "Oh, really? I wish someone had told me that before I fell madly in love."
"Aww, he's so sweet." Mitsuki made a pinching motion at his cheeks. "Alright," she slapped her hands. "Katsuki, what do you think, dear?"
Katsuki eased down on the lounge beside his mother.
This might have been the most pensive Hawks had ever seen the usually abrasive and irritated teen. Taping his knee, Katsuki took a deep breath. "I think we should do it."
"It won't be easy, Katsuki." Masaru offered. "Bringing another child into our family, it will take adjustments, for all three of us."
"I know." Katsuki assured. "But the kid has no one else, right? His quirk-less parents are throwing him out like he's trash. So, fuck that, we'll take him and I'll fucking love him and shite."
Mitsuki wrapped her son in an arm, snuggling him tightly.
"Ew, Mum! Get off me!"
Hawks eased up. "Thank you." He bowed. "I am immensely grateful."
"Is there anything we need to do?" Masaru asked.
"I'll be back in a few days with the paperwork, and then, I'll bring him down."
"Wait…just like that?" Mitsuki blinked rapidly. "We can…just…have him?"
"Oh, fuck, no. It'd take months if we went the proper, ah, legal route. We're doing this the Underground way." Hawks waved a hand about in a tossing motion.
"The Underground…" Katsuki whispered. "That's real?"
Hawks chuckled. "Of course its real, kiddo. It's just a way to describe the parallel society that has developed beneath normal society." He held out his hands, forming two layers. "The enforcement of quirk registration drives a lot of people into the Underground, which breaks into more subcategories, and yes, some of those are villainous…but…not all that is done in the darkness is villainous. Sometimes, the darkness allows heroes to move unseen too."
Hawks flicked Katsuki's nose playfully. "Remember that, yeah."
Katsuki held his nose, pouting in irritation.
Hawks picked up his bag. Mitsuki lead him out of the lounge towards the foyer. He thumped into his boots, pausing from opening the door. He looked back at the woman.
"I know I'm asking a lot."
"You are, yes, but…Masaru and I also know you wouldn't be asking if it wasn't for a good reason." She leant on the wall, folding her arms stoutly. She tipped her head back, giving a sigh. "We gave up trying for another kid years ago. It hurt me, a lot, not being able to have a second child. I think, selfishly, that might have been why I gravitated to Inko as a friend…with her husband away, little Izuku was also an only child…and I didn't have to suffer the pain of seeing babies everywhere."
Mitsuki gave a huff.
"I have no idea how she endures working as a midwife. Fucking iron resolve, that woman."
"Yup." Hawks smirked. "Sounds about right." He tensed up as he was suddenly hugged. It was completely unexpected, especially from Mitsuki.
"What I'm trying to say, Hawks…" Mitsuki murmured into his shoulder. "Is thank you, for a second chance."
He smiled into her hair. "Don't thank me yet. I actually have to pull off all the paperwork."
She gave him a shove towards the door. "I have great faith in you, Wing Hero."
"Hm. Hm. Keep up that faith, it keeps me in the air." He paused, glancing over his shoulder. "Well, it will."
"You must feel awful, how did you get down here from Fukuoka?"
"A plane." Hawks made a cutting motion. "My first time, actually, and I'll be frank. Might be up there with some of my worst experiences, which is fucking saying something."
"That bad?"
"It was awful." Hawks rubbed at his ears. "Felt like my head was going to explode."
"That's very odd, I thought you'd be fine with flying."
"I'm honestly not great with most manmade modes of transportation. It's a very weird kickback of my quirk. Talking to someone like Ingenium, who also has a speed quirk, it's not as unusual as I first thought, it just depends on the power level. General populous, wouldn't feel it so bad, someone like me or Ingenium…we seem to really feel it."
"You're both ranked high in your quirks." Mitsuki rubbed her chin. "How fascinating."
"I cannot believe I had to do it again in a few hours." Hawks tipped his head back.
"Would the train be any better."
"I prefer to get thing over with quickly."
"I do hope you don't have that mindset with sex."
Hawks cracked a laugh.
"Because that would be very disappointing for Rilo." Mitsuki wiggled her brow.
"Some things are worth dragging out." Hawks grinned.
"Oh, they are indeed." Mitsuki thumped the door, opening it to the spring day. "See you in a few days. Good luck with the plane."
Hawks bounced out, giving a wave.
Right—
He had one more place to hit before the dreaded plane.
And he was beginning to wonder if perhaps the plane would be easier, but he knew—he knew he had to sort several things out in his head, and there was only one person, other than Jeanie—capable of listening to his shite life.
He did just hate doing it to them.
0000
Hawks knocked on the door of the quant house. He hadn't been back here in a few years now. Not since he'd stopped his regular therapy sessions at—
When had that been—
Nineteen or something, right? Around about when he'd finally felt comfortable enough to start his agency.
Hizashi was a great believer in equipping someone with the tools to survive, and Hawks had appreciated that. He hadn't wanted to ever get caught in a cycle—he hated cycles, which was something Hizashi had obviously noted rather quickly in their first session.
He had a mind that could so easily fixate, that he forced it not too by distractions, and knowelage, and sometimes just blankness. Apparently—he'd saved his sanity by creating his own form of cognitive therapy while stuck in the torture of his isolation chamber.
At a point, there was very little Hizashi could offer, and so, he'd stopped coming—safe in the knowelage that if he did need it, he did have someone, far removed from most fucked up situations in his life, to ask advice from. That was all the reassurance he'd needed to step out and spread his wings just a little more.
The door opened.
Peering through square spectacles, Hizashi stared down at him. "Hawks?"
Ah, right, he did forget that he was awkwardly shorter than Hizashi. It was hard not to feel his youthful age when he didn't have seven-foot wings to compensate for his lack of height.
"Sorry for…er…dropping in unannounced."
"Oh my goodness, no!" Hizashi flung open the door enthusiastically. "You're always welcome. Come in, come in."
"I've only got like, four hours, or something, before my flight." Hawks sat down to remove his boots.
"Your flight? Wait…you took a plane?" Hizashi froze.
"I did. I don't want to talk about it. Or at least, it's not what I want to talk about."
"I see." Hizashi tapped his glasses. "Well, I'm glad you at least want to talk. That's a vast improvement."
Hawks heaved himself back up and followed Hizashi down the small corridor of the quant house. The walls were lined with old vinyl records, something he knew were extremely hard to get hold of these days. Hizashi's collection was probably worth a pretty-penny, and might have been what he poured most of his extra finances into. Everyone had something, he supposed.
He pushed through a curtain into the living room.
"I'm going to presume you want coffee?" Hizashi started filling up the pot.
Hawks eased down on a kitchen stool. "As I breathe."
Hizashi chuckled.
"Where is Shouta? Please don't tell me he's out working? I thought he was supposed to be cutting back, and that was the whole point of him doing that teaching gig at U.A." Hawks stole one of the homemade cookies from a plate on the counter.
Hizashi shook his head. "He's out with our new foster. The bed we had was a little small, so they're off to find a better one."
"How's it been going, you know, with the fostering?"
Hizashi washed out two mugs. "I wouldn't be able to manage it without Shouta. He's amazing with kids."
Hawks smiled. "He was an arsehole to me."
"You weren't really a kid, though. You were more…hmmm…" Hizashi pulled a face. "A weird combo of teen angst, authority issues, terrible self-esteem, self-mutilation due to having no concept of pain, a high drive for danger…actually, okay, yes, you were a brat."
Hawks raised his hands.
Hizashi's eyes narrowed at him. "Have you grown out of any of those?"
"Ahhhh, the teen angst is now just…deep seeded worry."
"Well, that's such improvement. Wow." Hizashi handed over a coffee mug.
"But you know, I think I am getting better at processing pain signals."
Slipping into a high seat on the other side of the counter, Hizashi removed his glasses so they wouldn't fog from the heat of the coffee he sipped. "Now that I am glad to hear. Am I to presume it is thanks to that pretty lady you showed off at the Ranking?"
Hawks couldn't help it. He smiled. "Rilo…yeah, she's been amazing at helping me disassociate pain."
"You trust her."
"Well, I fucking married her."
Hizashi chuckled. "What technique have you two been applying?"
"Hm, it is similar to how you treated me in the beginning…just…probably more on the extreme side."
"Association technique?" Hizashi's brow lifted. "Hawks, it took me months to get you to realise there was a difference between a cushioned couch and a wooden chair. You had one of the worse cases of quirk hyper-sensitivity that I'd ever encountered."
"Don't think that's actually changed."
"No…" Hizashi heaved a sigh. "No, you're right. It isn't something that truly ever goes away entirely." He brought a hand to his own ear, and Hawks knew he was commenting on his own sensitivity issues. "We can only alleviate it." His warm smile returned.
"Alright, if you're improving with your pain association, I suggest trying the next step."
"The next step?"
Hizashi nodded. "Hm, yes. Use a blindfold." He covered his eyes.
Hawks drew back. Yeah—fuck no.
"Ah, see, that's why I never used it on you. As much as you like me, you'd never trust me that wholeheartedly, and it's fine, it's fine. I'm not offended." Hizashi waved quickly. "But, I'm quiet confident you and your wife would find it rather amusing."
Hawks squinted at him. "You're talking about some weird kinky sex game are you?"
"No, Hawks. Though, feel free to try that too. No, I'm talking about the association between our brain and nerves. When we remove sight, it can heighten pain receptors. If you can work around that, you'll be getting closer to…well…you'll never solve it, but you'll manage it better. Perhaps you'll get less angsty."
Hawks snorted into his coffee.
Hizashi folded his hands together. "Alright. So…" he shuffled about on his stool, getting comfortable. "What's the real reason for your impromptu visit?"
It was Hizashi's talent, knowing when a topic wasn't the real topic. Something about tonal inflections, and the subtle twitches in facial muscles.
Hawks puffed out his cheeks. "So, ah…my wife…you know…you know how she's the daughter of All-Might."
"Yes, you decided to make your life rather complicated there, not surprising for you."
"Okay. Ah. So…" Hawks dragged a hand through his hair, scrunching it up. "Ah. It's all a lie."
Hizashi stared at him. "Pardon?"
"Rilo isn't All-Might's daughter. I didn't meet her in America. We haven't been together for two years. I only meet her a few months ago. It's a long story."
Hizashi's eyes sparkled with sudden enthusiasm, his voice pitched high. "Ohhhh. Tell me everything."
Hawks hesitated. "Hizashi…this is…this is like the Commission, if I tell you this, you won't be able to unhear it."
The man tapped the countertop. "You came here because you needed another opinion, yes?"
Hawks stiffly nodded.
"And to give you an opinion, I need to have at least a grasp of the narrative from your point of view."
"Rilo says I'm an unreliable narrator."
Hizashi's brow lifted. "Oh, well, she has you pinned. I gather she sees right through every mask you wear, and that…that's what made you fall in love."
Hawks glanced away. "Something like that."
"Aw, look at you. So cute."
Hawks scowled.
"Okay." Hizashi refilled their mugs. "Tell me this story, right from the beginning."
Hawks sucked in a deep breath. "I was flying back from a meeting with Madam here in Musutafu. I decided to forgo getting dinner and…you know, collapse in bed…when I felt just…just the lightest twitch against my wings, and that sent me barrelling down at breakneck speed to catch a lightbulb falling from a balcony…"
Hizashi listened.
He listened through the insanity of it all, to the formulation of All-Might's new family, and Madam forbidding the involvement of anyone under the Commission to find Rilo. When he finally reached the underground facility, Hawks faltered.
"I left them there, Hizashi. All those women. I went in, I got Rilo out…but…but they're still…"
Hizashi slid off his chair, rounding the counter to encase him ever so carefully in an arm. "I know. I know, Hawks. I know. It never get easier."
"I would have saved them all."
"Don't put the pressure on yourself." Hizashi leant back on the counter. "You know that only leads to burnout."
Slumping forward, Hawks rubbed at his stinging eyes. True. It did lead to burnout, and right now, he couldn't deal with burnout, so why was his mind insisting on only heading in that direction.
"What about Rilo, is she alright? Did you manage to remove the mod-hancer?" Hizashi worried. "Should I call Shouta, he might have some of his old Underworld contacts."
Hawks managed a weak smile. Sometimes he forgot that he wasn't the only one who tiptoed around a very thin line. He wouldn't have called Shouta old by Gran Torino standards, but he had been in the business of lurking in the Underworld for a good while.
Most of his contacts where contacts with Shouta's contacts.
It was such a nice web.
"I had a contact, they helped remove the mod. Rilo's been recovering from the operation."
Hizashi visually relaxed. "Oh, thank goodness." Suddenly, he fired up. "Hawks! Why didn't you come and tell any of this to me sooner?"
Hawks tipped away at the sudden spike in Hizashi's voice.
"We had to keep it tight. We still do. I shouldn't be telling you anything, but I know myself well enough to know when I'm heading towards a wipeout. I was not going to fly all the fucking way to Tokyo to cry all over Jeanie, and Dad has enough on his plate."
"Dad? You…you call All-Might Dad." Hizashi melted.
Hawks' brow crinkled. "What else would I call him?"
"Oh…Hawks." Hizashi hugged him.
"Get off."
Hizashi slipped away. He picked up his mug, which Hawks noted had been very adorably hand painted, probably by one of the children the man had fostered.
"What are you feeling is the crux of your issue at this very moment?" Hizashi asked.
Hawks breathed in deeply. "It's that I put her in the situation. I did it. It was me. I orchestrated it, I fucking stood there, and I let them take her from me, knowing full well something could happen to her." Hawks swallowed. "Hizashi, she should hate me."
"Have you said any of this too her?"
Hawks shook his head.
"Then, as always, my advice is—"
"Fucking communication, I know." Hawks grumbled.
"Hawks, I think it's important to remember that if you hadn't come along, what you encountered would have been her eventual fate, perhaps even something much worse, by the sounds of this…Bureau of whatever-the-fuck, they don't have the best intentions at heart."
Hawks looked down at his twitching hands. He supposed that was true.
"Your intervention has altered—and saved—both your lives. You said it yourself; you'd always wondered why aviators of your calibre die so young, now you know. You're all missing an evolutionary piece that has been stolen from you."
Hawks felt his new, soft plumage ruffle at the reminder.
Hizashi smiled. "Hold onto that hope of your future together. These ripples we create, they can often have long and lasting impacts that we cannot see until we are long past the event."
"I know." Hawks murmured. "I just feel…I feel so useless. I see the pain she's in, and I can't help her."
Hizashi reached out, wrapping a hand around his. "You love her, Hawks, and that is the solid foundation you are building from. I guarantee, she feels the solidness of that foundation."
"I don't even know what love is," Hawks muttered shamefully.
"You know that isn't true at all." Hizashi huffed. "You are very much aware of what love is. You were self-aware enough when you were a child to understand that how your parents treated you was not love, and that the manipulations of Madam were not love either. You grasp that on an innate level, Hawks."
Hawks leant on his palm, sighing. "I suppose."
"What is important, is that now that you have found the trust and intimacy you always sought, the family you wished for, but never let yourself quite hope for, you will fight to keep it safe, and that, Hawks, is what is going to make you very dangerous."
Hawks raised his head. Dangerous?
Hizashi tossed a hand back and forth. "There is nothing more terrifying than a hero who knows what love is, and who is willing to bring the world to ruin for it."
"Well, that sounds like fucking awful advice, thanks, Hizashi." Hawks rolled his eyes.
Hizashi grinned. "Bring them hell."
"Will that stop the nightmares we've both having?"
"Unlikely."
Hawks gave a frustrated hiss. "Hizashi, she's having nightmares, and I'm having nightmares, and we're both fucked up. Hell, even Dabi is shaken. Frankly, the only ones who aren't fucked are the two teenage boys who I thought would be traumatized…"
"Dabi? Who is Dabi again?"
"Underground contact."
That was—kind of true. It was good enough of a half-truth to get around Hizashi. He wasn't going to tell Hizashi he was currently bunking with the current villain king of Fukuoka. That'd be a little hard to explain.
Hizashi's groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose beneath his glasses. "Okay…"
"What am I supposed to do, Hizashi?" He sounded too desperate—yeah—he did—but Rilo's trembling hands, and the fear in her eyes, being unable to take that away evoked more pain than anything physical.
"Hawks, you've experienced more than anyone should have experienced. You've done things no one should do, and despite the odds, you've maintained a relatively optimistic disposition, which has meant your psyche hasn't shattered. I know you think it has, but it actually hasn't." Hizashi raised a hand as he started to protest. "You have a very brilliant mind, and you do need to expect that at times, it will take all the things you've experienced and haunt you with them. Not sleeping isn't the solution."
Hawks pouted. He'd thought it was a rather good solution.
"Control your dreams, as you control your thoughts. It is simply another area of discipline to practice."
"And Rilo?"
Hizashi breathed in deeply, easing back against the counter. "Be there. Don't let her feel alone. I know it's hard with the workload, but, she's going to need the emotional reassurance. She'll look like she's coping, Hawks. Women mask up very well." Hizashi waved a hand in front of his face. "Especially after an assault. It's a defence mechanism, sometimes, they'll pretend it didn't even happen."
"Then what do I do?"
"In her own time, she'll talk, and you'll listen." Hizashi smiled. "That's all you need to do, just…be the rock in the storm that she can hold."
Hawks tapped his mug. "Can I kill the man?"
Hizashi shrugged. "You know, Hawks, if she's fine with your disposition, then I couldn't care less if you two decided that. Just be careful."
"I'm always careful."
Hizashi scoffed. "You took two preteens on a killing spree, excuse me if I don't think you're qualified to make executive decisions about what constitutes as careful."
Hawks held out his hero licence. "This apparently qualifies me for a lot."
"Give that to me so I can confiscate it." Hizashi snatched for the licence.
"Fuck off, old man."
"Did you just call me old?"
Hawks ducked behind the kitchen counter, grinning. Sometimes, Canary had the right idea, being a little brat was truly a joy in life.
"Hawks, this old man will burst your eardrums if you don't vacate the premises."
Hawks poked his head up. "What, not even a coffee to go?"
Hizashi flicked his forehead, hard and sharp. "Next time, bring your wife. I really would like to meet the woman who can put up with your antics."
"We'll have to make it a dinner." Hawks headed for the hall. "How old is your new foster? I could bring Izuku."
Hizashi followed him to the door and Hawks stamped into his boots.
"You know, I think they're about the same age." Hizashi leant on the wall lazily. "Hitoshi is adamant about aiming for U.A. Shouta is a little worried. Hitoshi's quirk is…well…it's…unusual. Unusual is probably the best way to describe it."
"U.A is popular." Hawks tipped his head to one side. Izuku had one more year before applying, and really, that didn't seem like enough—not—not when compared to the level of training the Commission had put him through.
But was it right to even compare the nightmare of his young life to anything a young training hero should go through? No. He didn't want Izuku to experience any of it, and yet—
He couldn't shake it—
He just couldn't shake the feeling in his wings—
That he had to prepare the babe birdie for something terrible.
"Hasn't helped that All-Might has returned. Shouta said that's boosted up the applications, however, that doesn't mean the young, idealistic hopefuls get in."
"Ah. Shattered dreams. How delightful." Hawks shook his head. "You still working part-time?"
"Hm, yes. Though, Nezu is pressing to make it a fulltime gig…and…he is a little hard to say no too." Hizashi pinched his fingers together. "Makes that cute little face."
Hawks arched an eyebrow. "Sounds like Nezu is wanting to keep you and Shouta close to home base."
Hizashi pondered. "Think Nezu's retaliating against the Commission? I mean, if he can get to the kids first, and the curriculum in U.A is different from the state curriculum…it…it could have an effect, I suppose. Not a huge effect, but, at least it's something."
"Well…it worked with you and Shouta, didn't it?" Hawks motioned to him. "And technically with All-Might. You've all come home to Nezu."
Hizashi's mouth parted in a small pop. "Oh. Oh…oh my…I never thought…I suppose it has."
"You don't make sudden changes after all, changes happen slowly, over time, through generations, right…" Hawks picked up his gym bag. "However, it is something to remember though, Hizashi. Nezu isn't thinking of them as kids…"
Hizashi frowned. "What do you mean?"
"He thinks of them as soldiers."
"What? No, he doesn't." Hizashi looked horrified.
"Oh, yes, he does." Hawks reached for the door. "You've been criticising how I've been training Izuku, yeah? It hasn't ever quite sat okay with you, which is fine. I always welcome your criticism and input. But if you think how I train Izuku is scary…just…imagine for a moment how an animal, who, we'd don't know the age of—he could be from several Upheaval's ago—that has been genetically modified, horrifically treated by those with quirks, those without quirks and everyone in between…what…what is his motivation. Cause, if I fucking hate Madam for everything she did to me. I wouldn't blame Nezu for hating humans, quirk or no quirk."
Hizashi's shoulders had slumped back in disbelief. "You know, Hawks." He breathed in deeply. "You really have a way of making the world seem like a horrifying dystopia."
Hawks arched an eyebrow at him.
"That's because it is." Hawks headed out the door, looking back. "Most people just don't realise we're living in one, because they're born into it."
"I like my bubble, Hawks."
"No you don't, Hizashi. You just think you like it, because they've told you to like it." Hawks waved. "Don't be fooled, break free."
"It's nice and comfortable, and I'm happy."
"Lies." Hawks spread his arms. "The lights don't even belong to us."
Hizashi threw a slipper at him.
00000
Shouta wearily opened the back door. The better half of the afternoon had been spent going from furniture shop to furniture shop trying to find an appropriate bed, and when they finally did find one, it required setting up.
Looking back down the small garden path to the small room that had once been Hizashi's studio, that they'd converted into a bedroom, with its own attached bathroom, Shouta smiled at the warm lights flickering in the evening shadows. It had been worth it, spending the time with Hitoshi, and finding something that made him comfortable in the room.
Now he had a mountain of work that needed to be done. The next years entire curriculum had to be thought about. He had new students to torture. It was time to figure out how he would make their lives hell, and teach each and every one of them the true dreadfulness of being a hero.
Shouta tugged off his scarf and tapped out of his shoes, halting as the door clapped shut behind him, making the world inside the house very gloomy.
He flipped off his protective sunglasses.
Nope. That didn't help. It was still dark.
Why—
Why weren't the lights on inside?
"Hizashi?" he called out. "Hizashi!"
He caught the sound of slippers on the creaking floorboards. Hizashi appeared in the hallway.
"Hey, welcome home."
Shouta slipped off his coat, hanging it on the wall rack. "What's wrong, why is the house so dark?"
Hizashi pressed back against the wall. "Hawks was here."
Shouta frowned. Hawks. That brat. He'd wing into their lives and then just bluster back out again. Hadn't it recently been announced that he'd married All-Might's daughter.
Mhm—
All-Might had a daughter.
Well, that came out of nowhere.
Shouta bunched up his shoulders, not entirely sure how he was supposed to process that information. All-Might had lived in the limelight, loving the cameras, and so willing to smile for them.
Had he been hiding a whole other side of himself all this time?
Shouta frowned inwardly.
Had his eyes missed something?
"Alright. I presume he needed a listening ear." Shouta leant on the wall opposite Hizashi.
"Someone removed from the situation, I think."
"Think you helped?"
"I hope so."
"Going to explain why the house is dark?"
Hizashi shook his head. "Confidentiality agreement."
"That's not stopped you talking to me before."
Hizashi had broken down in hysterics after each session with Hawks when the teen had first started seeing him professionally. Shouta had almost insisted on stopping the whole thing, but Hizashi was persistent. There were other ways of saving people, and heroes needed to vent to, and it required someone like Hizashi to listen to them.
Neither of them had been truly prepared for Hawks' background though. If anything was going to make someone violently ill, it was listening to Hawks emotionlessly explain having his nails ripped out by his handlers, just so he'd know what it felt like. His faith in the Commission had already been shaky, it had been all his hero life. He was sceptical like that. He disliked anything that claimed ownership over his autonomy and actions.
But it had broken Hizashi to learn that the governing body that handed him a paycheck every month was capable of stuffing a little fluff ball in an isolation chamber because he refused to assassinate children.
Hawks had changed everything.
It was because of Hawks that the two of them had started fostering.
"Hizashi…" Shouta reached out. "What did he tell you?"
The look he received was pained. "Does your father still have that old Before Era bunker?"
Shouta's brow lifted.
"We should think about stocking it with supplies." Hizashi flipped a hand about, as if he wasn't talking nonsense.
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm not saying we should go overboard; I'm just saying…we should…maybe…you know…start prepping."
Oh—
Shite—
What had Hawks said.
Was Hawks blustering into their life again—
To change everything—
Again—
00000
Hawks stared down at Izuku, lying slumped over on the couch in the lounge. Medusa had covered the brat in a blanket, and removed his heavy boots, so, at least he was somewhat comfortable.
"How long's he been like this?" Hawks looked over his shoulder at Medusa, sitting wearily in his usual seat at the circular table in the centre of the lounge. The medi-hero was nursing a large mug of coffee, having it pressed against one of his cheeks as if using its heat to keep himself wake. Because they were all so used to caffeine it basically didn't do jack shite to them anymore. Super healthy. Yup. They were all showing Izuku great health habits here at the Hawks Agency.
"Hmmm…about two hours I reckon. He had a good meal, then face planted straight into the couch." Medusa gave a yawn. "Apparently Bubbles had him do the Nine to One Sector loop."
"Yeah…I told her to give him my route for today." Hawks rubbed at his burning shoulders. His half-grown wings flicked in irritation. He could feel it, the building sensation of fierce wing beginning to idle again. His body was not happy with being grounded.
"You did?" Medusa arched a disproving eyebrow at him. He did find Medusa's older brother vibes rather amusing. "Hawks, he hasn't got an aviator quirk. It's hard enough to expect yourself to do that route on foot, let alone a quirk-less teen."
"Not at all. I can handle that route fine on foot, and if he couldn't figure out how to do it, then I'd be concerned about how he's ever going to adapt to receiving a quirk."
Medusa's lips pressed into a thin red line. "That whole notion also has me very worried, Hawks. The file you provided me wasn't exactly illuminating on the subject of this transferable quirk. How will it interact with his physiology? Will the transformation be painful? Will it require medical supervision?"
"You did burn the file, right, after you read it?" Hawks asked.
"Yes, yes, I did." Medusa sighed.
"Good. And, yes, all good questions, Med. Unfortunately, I don't know."
"Well, I don't like you not knowing things." Medusa muttered.
"I will endeavour to learn things for you, to ease your concerns." Hawks chuckled.
"Thank you, that is all I ask." Medusa returned to the book laid out in front of him.
Hawks eased over, carefully lifting Izuku into his arms. The teen briefly stirred, giving a muttering shuffle before settling down again.
"Alright, well, I'll tuck this little hero into bed and then head off on patrol. You staying in for the night, Med?"
"Hm. I'll be up for another hour or so, then I'll head to bed, but I'll be on call if you need me."
Hawks decided not to comment on Medusa's increased presence at the agency. He was sure there was a reason why the man was deciding not to return to wherever it was he called home. Sometimes the agency became a haven, even for them, the heroes. Perhaps Medusa was simply needing a place to bunk down for a bit, to ride out a storm of his own.
0000000
It was the early hours of the morning when Keigo nudged open the bedroom window of the apartment with a feather. It felt a little wrong, breaking into the apartment, but he'd stood outside of the tattoo parlour door awkwardly realising that he didn't have a set of keys. There was no way he was going to wake Dabi up this early in the morning just to be let in.
So, here he was, breaking in through the window.
He swung himself into the bedroom. Carefully he eased the window shut, wincing as it clicked loudly. His gaze shifted to Rilo, curled up tightly in the large bed, surrounded by a mountain of pink quilts.
She hadn't stirred.
Phew.
Safe.
He prodded off his boots, setting them beside the window. It took a little bit of work, but he eventually removed his hero costume without too much noise. That he folded up and set beside his boots. Now, his armour. Keigo sighed, looking at the ceiling in despair. One of these days, he was going to investigate investing in some new armour that didn't take so long to put on and take off.
Slowly he eased himself into the bed, tucking into the covers, and despite his best efforts, Rilo startled awake.
"Whoa, whoa, hon, it's just me."
She breathed out, curling up against him. "Keigo…you're home."
Home—
Yes. He was home, back with her.
"Yeah." He pressed a kiss to her head. "I've got a few hours before next shift, figured I'd try to get some sleep."
She brushed at his fringe and he leant into her touch. "How did things go with the Bakugos?" she asked.
"It was good. I think it'll work out."
"That's positive."
"It is."
"Did you end up talking to Hizashi?"
"I did." He brought the blanket over them and slipped his arm around her waist, hoisting her closer. "I'm here, alright. I'm here."
She nodded, her hands curling against his wing junctions. He swallowed at the warmth of her tears against his shoulder. Rilo whimpered, burying in deeper. "Keigo, I'm sorry. I'm still scared."
"It's okay. I love you. Hold on to me. I won't let go again."
Yeah—yeah, they weren't through this—but they would get through it.