Chapter Text
Morning comes softly with the warm glow of the sun bidding everyone a good day. Specs of dust slow dance in the light from the window. From a mound of blankets, you stir from your cozy cloth den like a groggy bear. With a lazy hand you turn on your phone to check the time. Only around 8:30. Not too bad all things considered. You fling your legs over the edge of the bed, doing a little stretch before standing. Sauntering down the loft stairs you think about the events of yesterday. ‘My garbage watch screwing up, one rejection, and jumping out of a building. I wonder what today holds for me.’ You scoff at yourself, but truly hope the day is calm. You meander to your tiny kitchen and open the fridge. With your lack of work, and thus a lack of an income, your fridge is quite baren.’Guess I’m gonna have to go shopping later…’ you sigh. The money you saved for years in the states isn’t going to last forever. You’re going to need to look for a job soon, regardless of your ambitions. You take a seat at the breakfast bar and check the group chat. Not too many new messages.
…
6:00 PM [tep tep]: (Y/n), do you know the name of the hero that saved you?
6:03 PM [Scrubward]: Were they cute ;))
8:36 AM [Mangaka to be]: (sorry for the late response, kinda passed out) He called himself Hawks. And idk if he was cute or not, I didnt really get a good look at him cause, yknow, almost died and all.
8:40 AM [tep tep]: almost
8:41 AM [Scrubward]: I don’t know much about japanese heros. Whats his rank?
8:42 AM [Mangaka to be]: I’m actually not sure. I’ll check rn
Your curiosity nags you until you open up a search and type in Hawks’ name. Your jaw drops. The Winged Hero Hawks is placed in second on Japan’s Top Heros chart. And he saved you. You almost feel honored. You send the ranking link to your friends and the chat blows up. Rolling your eyes you put your phone down to begin your morning routine. Some coffee sounds nice right about now. Maybe breakfast at the cafe down the road will do you some good.
The streets are alive with the average morning bustle. This time of day is Hawks’ favorite time to patrol. Not too many people are out which means fewer fans around to mob him. Not that he dislikes the attention it’s just mornings after fights he would like to take things slow (especially if he’s technically not supposed to be patrolling). He’s not even in his uniform, opting to wear a plain shirt and leather jacket. The blond keeps an ear out for trouble, but on a day like this nothing too crazy is likely to happen. His mind is lost in thought until something, or rather someone, soon catches his attention. The one who jumped out of a building is seated at an outdoor table of a small cafe. With a long since finished coffee, you sit with your nose in a sketchbook. He stops for a second, and redirects himself towards the table.
”Hey there!” Hawks approaches raising his arm in a wave. You’re snapped out of your creative trance and look up, surprised to see the winged hero again.
”Oh! Hiya!” You set your pencil down, “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
”Heh, yea I was just patrolling the neighborhood. Saw you here and thought I’d check in. Didja get that nap yesterday?” He says humorously.
”Yea. I fell right asleep when I got home.” You let out a chuckle.
“I don’t think I caught your name before…” Hawks trails off.
“Oh, it’s (Y/n).” You pause and then notice his wings. You could’ve sworn they were bigger. The man notices your gaze and unfolds the bundle of crimson feathers.
”I used a lot of feathers yesterday. These bad boys will grow back in no time though. All a part of my quirk.” He wiggles the almost nubs. “Speakin’ of quirks, what’s yours?”
“Quirk? Oh, I uh…. I don’t have one.” You rub the back of your neck and gaze back down to your sketchbook. Hawks tilts his head, steps closer and gets a better look at the drawing.
“With art like that? No way that was done without a quirk.” He leans a hand on the table.
“No quirk here. Just an art degree and a long kept passion…” You look up to him, “That was nice of you to say though.” The two of you look at each other for a second or two. Without his visor you get a better view of his amber eyes. You break eye contact, trying not to have things get awkward. Hawks then gets an idea, though he hesitates for a second to verbalize it. Some internal conflict and what not.
“Hey...” ‘Probably shouldn’t ask this… I’m a hero. I shouldn’t get involved in civilian affairs,’ The angel on his shoulder whispers. “Wanna go get some lunch with me?” ‘It’s… fine. It’s just lunch after all.’ The little devil reasons.
“Lunch?” You check your phone for the time, no longer trusting your watch. It’s a reasonable lunch hour. Boy does time fly when you draw to your heart’s content. “Sure, why not?”
“Awesome! I know a few good places around here, but if you have something in mind I’ll eat anything.” He says so cooly. You’re baffled at how sudden and smooth this is going.
“I still don’t know the area too well,” You gather your things and place them in your satchel, “so I’ll trust your cuisine judgment.”
“A newcomer, eh? No wonder I’ve never seen you around before. You a foreigner?” You take a spot by his side, letting him lead the way.
“Yeah, I just moved here from the states a few months ago. Grew up on Japanese media and all. I thought ‘hey, I’m still a weeb. Why not?,’ and here I am.”
“How’s Japan been treating you?” Hawks asks.
“It’s everything I dreamt it to be… kinda. Certainly not exactly like the anime I’ve seen, but such is life.”
“And the art?”
“Oh god I was hoping you wouldn’t ask.” He laughs at your feigned distress. “I’ve shown my comic idea to a few publishers, but none have really liked it… I suppose the premise was a little dark for the companies I went to…” Hawks hums in acknowledgement.
“You’ll have to tell me about your comic sometime.” He says, but before he could continue two young kids, a boy and a girl, run up to him. They look starstruck.
“M-mister Hawks!” The boy stammers, “We’re your biggest fans!”
“Could we get a picture with you?” The girl politely asks, holding a phone out to Hawks. The hero gives a kind smile to the two.
“‘Course you can.” He carefully takes the phone and crouches down a bit. You take a step back to give them some space. The kids are both nervous and excited; understandably so. “Alright. On three.” He pauses, “One… Two… Three!” And with a flourish of his small wings, Hawks takes a photo or two, and then hands the phone back.
“Thank you!” The youngins say in unison. The girl scampers off, but the boy stays and gives Hawks a hug.
“Thank you Mister Hawks.” The boy is teared up but smiling. Hawks pats him on the head.
“No problem, kid.” The blond says with such softness. The boy then chases after the girl. Hawks turns back to you. “Sorry, heh”
“No no don’t worry about it. All in a days’ work for Mister Number Two.” You nudge him playfully. The two of you resume your trek for lunch.
“Heheh, the restaurant isn't too far from here.”
One block later and you two arrive at a small noodle shop. The sign is simple and the exterior exudes a traditional yet casual feel. Hawks opens the door for you and you nod in thanks. A little bell sounds off upon your entry. There’s almost no one in the dim restaurant besides an employee behind the counter and a few older gentlemen at the end of the bar.
“Yo Hawks, it’s been a while! What can I get ya?” The man behind the bar says. “Who’s your friend? Someone you rescued?”
“Two orders of the usual, and this is (Y/n). I helped em out the other day.” Hawks nudges you with his elbow. You roll your eyes. ‘Helped’ is an understatement.
“What, do you dine out with every person you save?” Your tone is sarcastic.
“Only the ones that jump out of buildings.” Hawks smiles when you let a few giggles out. You two take a seat at the edge of the sunlight being let in from the large shop windows. The employee gets to work behind the counter.
“So what’s ‘the usual?’” You ask Hawks with a side glance.
“Chicken udon. Yuno makes a mean bowl of the stuff. You gotta believe me when I say it’s some of the best udon on the planet.” He says with such enthusiasm that you can’t help but get excited and hungry.
“You flatter me Hawks.” The middle aged man, Yuno, says while working.
“I’ll take your word for it.” You say looking over the bar and watching the master in action.
Quietness sets in. The few men in the back left not long ago which leaves you, Hawks and Yuno to some idle chit chat; moreso you and Hawks as the chef prepares your meals. The street outside begins to teem with people, but the noodle shop inside feels equivalent to a library. Eventually you are presented with your bowl of udon. Thick noodles swirl in a honey brown broth topped with tenderly cooked chicken and green onions. The blond looks at you expectantly as you take your chopsticks in hand and carefully pick up a wad of noodles. As you eat a flurry of flavor serenades your taste buds. Your eyes widen.
“Oh my god.” You can’t help but say after you swallow, “I will never doubt your taste in food.”
"Well that's good. There's plenty of food joints I wanna show you."
“Please do.” You can’t help but laugh in eagerness.
“You said you still don’t know the area well?” Hawks turns to you after you both finish eating your heavenly bowls of udon.
“Yea, I know where some basic stuff is like the convenience store, but if I’m not careful I will no doubt get lost.” You tell him.
“Why don’t I give you a tour?”
"You'd do that?" The day is one pleasant surprise after another.
"'Course." He smiles at you as Yuno takes your empty bowls. "There’s a lot of hidden gems in this city."
Dusk lays its cool blanket on the city, the sun slowly being tucked away whereas the moon is wide awake. Hawks showed you several parts of Fukuoka, minus where the Nomu attack happened. He taught you how to use the subway far more efficiently than how you were doing it. He even showed you a small shopping district with a plethora of stores you could willingly get lost in. Now the day was drawing to an end, the pinch of the night’s breeze was nipping, and the hero walks you back to your apartment building.
“Honestly… it was pretty fun hanging out with Japan’s second most popular hero. Is this what it’s like in a casual day for someone of your standing, Mister Number Two?” You ask, playful tone a little tired from being out all day.
"Sorta. On my off days I generally spend time at home, but the day was too pretty to sit inside." Hawks says. "It was nice to take things a little slower today."
“It was nice! Well I suppose I should head in now.” You turn to enter the apartment lobby, but Hawks grabs your wrist. He looks up at the building.
“You have a balcony, right? Which one is yours?” You give a questioning look.
“It’s on the fourth floor… left side of the building. I have a few potted plants, some string lights-.” In a heartbeat the hero pulls you into himself.
“Hold on tight.” He smirks.
“Wha-?” With a strong jump he forces the both of you into the air. His wings are small but they still have the strength to carry two adults. Swiftly he finds the landing zone and sets you gently behind the railings while he perches on the other side, feet between the bars. You look at him bewildered.
“Uh… w-wanna come in? I think I still have some tea…” You try to be nonchalant to which Hawks laughs
“I’d love to, but I should probably head back home too. I’ll be sure to hit you up on that offer, though.” He says with a wink. He flaps his wings making himself airborne again.
“I’ll see you around.” And with that Hawks is off, flying into the night. You smile to yourself, watching as his form becomes obscured by the haze of city lights. Today was so much more fun than you anticipated. You turn and open your sliding door, striding to the light switch so you can see better. You step over to your couch and pull you phone out. You’ve missed several messages, mostly your friends wondering where you were.
…
7:50 PM [Mangaka to be]: Sorry for being dead all day. Funny enough, i was hanging out with that hero
7:54 PM [tep tep]: a date? with hawks OwO
7:55 PM [Mangaka to be]: Nowo. he just showed me around town. We did also have lunch. It was a pleasant day uwu
7:57 PM [Scrubward]: thats what they all say before they fall in love
You roll your eyes. ‘Damn dorks’ you think. Out of nowhere you hear a grumbling; your stomach calls for the kitchen. You meander to the sacred room and take your place in front of the shrine of cold goods. Your mind begins to wander, thinking of all the things you could make. A sandwich? Maybe noodles? Your mouth waters as your hand reaches for the handle. The gentle caress of the refrigerators cool interior envelopes your body, but it also reveals a near empty stock of food.
“Aw shit.”