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“Hey there, Dabi-”
“Oh god, would you piss off already?”
In all the time he’d known the man huddled in on himself on the building’s edge, his short remarks have never been a bother. If anything, Hawks is always surprised that his partner - he swallows involuntarily around the bitter word - never tries harder to deter him. To make him retreat into the silence of his own company. To throw him off the side of a burning ship and watch him drown on the truths of himself.
He wishes he would.
Hawks is persistent, determined, and fully able to admit that he’s more than a little infuriating when it comes to pestering those around him; he’s made sure of it. Being anything less isn’t something he can get away with anymore. He isn’t entirely sure what that version of himself looks like.
He may not have to interact with Dabi on a daily basis, and he couldn’t be more grateful of the fact, but he did have an image to uphold. An act to continue in front of a man he can’t stand. Dabi is broody. Just on the wrong side of quiet, with a harsh word tied to his tongue whenever his lips pull into something more than a vacant line or subtle, eerie smirk. Being around him for too long make the act of happiness a little harder, making the hole Hawks resides just above become more and more appealing to dive down.
But the night brings with it a sense of peace. The air easier to breathe in and the truth is simpler to hide. The late hours are dipped in darkness and lain out to dry, inkblots seeping across stars and shining on the glow of a city that never sleeps. Neon lights and the gentle hum of conversation mulls from below; distant, but not quite far enough away. Not enough to forget it’s existence forever, but almost. With eyes squeezing shut and a little determination, the world might just be willing to fade away.
Although if he were being completely honest, Hawks isn’t entirely happy to see that his favourite place to perch is occupied.
Hawks doesn’t let the seething retort of a bitter charcoal man phase him. His smile, so carefully constructed that the cracks were almost impossible to see, is unwavering as he watches Dabi across the roof’s expanse. He takes a deep breath, settling his nerves and swallowing his need to kick and wail and scream. That can come later once he’s alone.
Just a few more months of this, he tells himself, then I’ll never have to deal with this guy again. I’ll be able to do something fun with my evenings. Maybe get a good night’s sleep.
Hawks waves his hand, lackadaisical swatting away Dabi’s protests to his presence as they cling to the scent of food vendors below. “Now, now. That’s no way to talk to a friend-”
“It’s a good thing we aren’t friends then,” Dabi growls, back still turned to him. Figure almost lost to the darkness. “Take the hint, would you?”
Hawks smiles, the banter seeing the expression feign genuine. “You’re breaking my heart, you know that? My poor, gorgeous heart.”
“Good,” Dabi responds a little too fast, his shoulders curling further over his bunched up knees, body sinking in on itself. His forehead dips into the crook of his elbows, hands buried in blackened hair. If Hawks tries hard enough, he can almost pick up on the odd flash of red hugging the roots. “Then why don’t you go and cry to someone else? Can’t you see I’m busy?”
“No one listens like you do,” Hawks laments dramatically, the sound of his shoes scuffing across the ground seeing Dabi tense. The blond stops for a moment, noticing the shift. The tension he is met with is unfamiliar. Unsettling. Not at all like the usual aloof behaviour that he has grown almost comfortable with. “Besides,” Hawks continues, slower this time as he pulls up to the edge, peering down into the bustling streets, “what makes you think I’m here to talk?”
Dabi groans unhappily into his arms. “Because all you fucking do is talk, bird brain.”
“True, I’ve got a lot to say most days,” Hawks admits, as though his need to fill the silence with his constant chatter is something that doesn’t drive him crazy. A bad habit that glares at him from the corner of every crowded room. That picks at his nerves whenever he’s in the presence of another. “I guess I could think up some topics just for you, though. Because you’re just so sweet on me.”
“Shut up. I don’t have time for your shit.”
“Then leave.”
Dabi’s fingers tighten in his hair, shoulders hunching further as he tries to clamp down on his frustration. “How about you leave?”
Hawks shrugs. “Nah,” he muses, “I don’t want to.”
“How about I make you?”
“I’d like to see you try.”
Genuinely, Hawks would love that. To be blasted right off the roof so he could topple to the ground below. With flames roaring through his wings and the promise of a quiet night at the bottom.
Dabi struggles a little, settling on raising one of his fingers from his hair and flipping the man off. Hawks chuckles, and the offending finger ignites in warning.
“I’m not talking to you,” Dabi insists in a drawl, his tone catching like knees against gravel. “No matter how much you beg or flirt or pretend like we’re friends.”
“Right.”
“And you’re not going to talk either, got it?”
It’s quiet for a beat. “I wouldn’t mind some peace and quiet.”
The statement is simple, but enough to snap Dabi’s attention over. Hawks can’t quite pinpoint why the words slip past his lips, uncertain as to whether it’s his own desperation for silence or the small flash of pain that decorated Dabi’s expression as he fiddles with an uncomfortable piercing, but he says them all the same. Cyan eyes rake over his features, and he does his best to remain calm. To avoid acknowledging the tension caught between Dabi’s eyebrows, or the remnants of blood on his cheek.
“You’re kidding?” The charcoal man scoffs, peering suspiciously at the blonde who’s turned his face to the stars. “You, not talking? Being quiet? I don’t believe it.”
Hawks lets his face ease into one of his trusted smiles. Gentle enough to seem genuine, as though he’s truly listening, but easy enough for his seams to stop aching. “I’m not talking right now.”
“You’re responding to me, asshole.”
“Well…” Hawks shrugs, his eyebrow quirking as he watches the clouds try and mask the moon. He’d rather not glance down, happy to forget about the crowds for as long as he can - even if it means sitting with less than savoury company. “I’m being polite,” he continues, “it’s rude not to respond to such lovely conversation.”
“For fuck sake.”
“You told me last time I ignored you that you’d kill me.” Hawks taps his chin thoughtfully. “A tempting offer, really.”
“I hate you.”
“Join the club.”
Hawks didn’t think it were possible, but he’d finally found someone more uncomfortable with silence than him. Dabi fidgets incessantly as Hawks sinks onto his haunches, perching on the ledge and staring at the sky. It’s pleasant; the wind in his wings and the stars watching over him. If he tries hard enough, he can mostly ignore the suspicions and scowls thrown at him by his reluctant companion.
Until eventually Dabi can’t contain himself. Snark sneaks between his lips, a snarl setting his features. “This is fucking stupid.”
Hawks closes his eyes, willing the silence to last a little longer. For the peace to completely cleanse him before he has to glare at the menace at his side. “Well, it was nice while it lasted.”
“Shut the hell up, you overgrown chicken,” Dabi bites back, “everything was fine until you came along.”
I could just arrest him , Hawks catches himself thinking, no one in the League would have to know. I could have him at the station or on Endeavour’s front door before the hour is out. Then I could get some food and settle-
“-and now you’re just sat there all high and mighty.”
“I’m literally just sitting here,” Hawks mumbles, unwilling to tear his gaze from the stars. “But go off I guess.”
“No,” Dabi rejects, jabbing an accusatory finger in the blonde’s direction, “you’re judging me. If that’s what you came to do, you can fuck right off.”
Hawks couldn’t find Dabi even if he wanted to, the villain had made sure of that. Their meetings generally occurred in abandoned buildings or the darkened corners of a grimy city, and usually at the most inconsiderate times for the young pro hero. Just once he’d like to go home and crawl into bed knowing he won’t have to leave it until the sun rises. Preferably not until lunch has passed.
A few more months then it’s all over. I’ll be able to sleep. I won’t have to see another one of their damn faces again. I’ll be able to fly as far away as possible and just… just breathe.
“It seems like you’re the one that can’t be quiet, Dabi. Is there something you want to talk about?” Hawks flashes him a bright and teasing smile, keeping his attention away from the blood cracking around the glinting jewelry holding the man’s skin together. “I’m always here for you, you know. That’s what friends are for. We could have a sleepover. Hold hands, talk about boys...”
Dabi look positively insulted. “Like I’d talk to you about anything. How about you get the fuck out of my face before I push you off this damn building?”
“Do it. Yeet me into the sun or something. End my suffering.”
The charcoal man groans, so frustrated that Hawks can see his expression consider folding into oblivion. “Why are you like this?”
“Someone has to be.”
“Yeah?” Dabi almost laughs, but cruelty makes it sound more like a bark. “You’re just annoying. No wonder you turned to the League. Bet the heroes can’t stand you.”
Hawks shrugs, unwilling to admit that that one stung a little. “You need to lighten up, my guy. Take some memes and get some sleep or something.”
“Sure, I’ll get right on that.”
“I have some,” Hawks offers conversationally, knowing full well that Dabi’s tone tells him he’d rather die than continue the conversation. “Memes, that is. I’m a meme god.”
The more volatile man pretends to consider this, sighing when he’s done keeping up the act. “Whatever, Big Bird. Message them to me if you’re that desperate to help me with something that doesn’t exist. See how fast it’ll get me to kill you.”
“But I don’t have your phone number.” Hawks frowns.
“That’s the point,” Dabi hums, drawing to his full height and retreating from the roof edge. “So stop bothering me.”
Hawks watches him go, determined with every step he takes until the night swallows him whole and peace takes his place.