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“Hey.”
Natsuo turned around at the semi familiar voice and his eyes widened when he saw who was walking closer.
“Hawks. What's the Number 2 hero doing here?”
“You're Todoroki Natsuo, right?” Hawks grinned as he wrapped one arm and one bright red wing around Natsuo's shoulders. “I wanted to get to know you! I ran into your sister once when I had to bring papers to your dad after a mission and she mentioned she had a younger brother in college! You on your way to class?”
“Just got out, actually, why?” Natsuo flushed as Hawks pulled him closer.
“Because that means I'm taking you to lunch! My treat! What are you in the mood for?” Hawks grinned as he pulled Natsuo along with him. Natsuo laughed and followed.
“Well if you're paying, I could always go for some sashimi,” Natsuo chuckled. “But really, anything is fine.”
“Oh my god, sashimi sounds so good right now though! C'mon, that's exactly what we're getting! I know just the place, too!” Hawks lowered his arm to go around Natsuo's waist and extended his wings.
Before Natsuo could object, Hawks had lifted them into the air. Natsuo scrabbled to hang onto him, and Hawks laughed as he put his other arm under Natsuo's knees and carried him bridal style.
“Sorry! But I knew flying would be quicker than walking!” Hawks grinned, but hesitated when he felt Natsuo's hands clenched in his shirt, and his face press into his neck. “Are you afraid of heights?! Do I need to set you down? Shit, I didn't think this through all the way...”
“No, we're already in the air, keep going, just...hurry.” Natsuo's voice came through clenched teeth. “And warn a guy next time you're going to pick him up and start flying because yeah, I'm scared of heights.”
Hawks flushed as he flew to the restaurant as quickly as he could, shifting Natsuo in his arms so he could rub his back in a manner he hoped was soothing. When they finally landed, Natsuo quickly put his feet on the ground and grabbed Hawks’ arm tightly for stability as he took deep breaths. It took a long minute, but then Natsuo started to laugh
“If you hadn't already said it was your treat, you'd definitely be buying my lunch after that.”
Hawks started to laugh as well and nodded. “Tell you what, I'll get you dessert too.”
“It's the least you can do,” Natsuo smirked as they went inside. He didn't even blink as the hostess scrambled to get them a table, and sat in the private booth they were offered. He ordered a water, and Hawks did the same.
“You must be pretty used to the high life,” Hawks chuckled. When Natsuo's brow furrowed, he laughed again. “Usually if I take somebody to lunch, they freak out about the way the host makes a mad dash to give me special treatment.”
Natsuo's expression soured before he forced a smile. “Oh, well most people on the street don't recognize me as Endeavour's son, thankfully, but restaurants like this that cater to a lot of heroic clientele usually can identify immediate families of at least the top fifteen. So I try not to take advantage, but I am pretty familiar with it.”
Hawks paused at how stiff Natsuo's posture had become and tried to ease the tension by laughing again. “What a great guy! I don't know a lot of people who wouldn't milk that for all it’s worth. I like you, Todoroki!”
“Natsuo.”
“Huh?”
“Everyone calls me Natsuo. It...helps me keep a lower profile,” Natsuo shrugged. “I like people to call me that instead.”
“Then I like you, Natsuo,” Hawks smiled.”So, your sister didn't tell me what you were in school for! What are you studying?”
“Medical welfare,” Natsuo smiled softly. “You know, like making sure the patient is okay, not just healed. And preventing involuntary admission for people who don't need it.”
“That is so cool!” Hawks grinned. The waitress came by to get their orders and dropped off their waters. “Didn't want to take the hero route like your old man?”
Natsuo stiffened again and his smile was even more forced. “Couldn't if I'd wanted to. Hero high schools only just started accepting quirkless students, and I've already graduated.”
Hawks paused. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to broach a sore subject, I just-”
“You're fine! Don't worry about it! I didn't want to be a hero anyway so it's not a big deal. Any classmates that might have given me shit for it knew I could kick the crap out of them anyway, so nobody ever bothered me.” Natsuo took a deep breath. “I just hate people assuming I just didn't become a hero because I was quirkless. I just...have no interest in that life.”
Natsuo fell silent and Hawks tried to think of a response. But every question he came up with seemed much too loaded, so he tried to change the subject.
“So...I...don't know anyone who actually went to college! What's it like?” Hawks crossed his arms and leaned onto the table with a nervous smile. It seemed he was hitting all the wrong buttons, but he didn't know what buttons those were. He let out a sigh of relief When Natsuo grinned.
“It's pretty great. I'm trying to focus on my grades for now instead of parties, but I still go to some. For now I just supervise my friends and make sure the drunk girls in my dorm building have a sober escort home. Usually it's two or three, but last month one of them called me to bring them home and there were 15 girls from our building. Getting them all home was like trying to herd cats.”
Hawks laughed and laid his head on the table. “Oh my god, that's great!”
“Then half of them had locked their keys inside their dorms and I didn't want to wake the maintenance guy to open eight rooms at 2am, so I took them back to my room and five crammed into the bed, one in the recliner, and two on the couch,” Natsuo chuckled. “I slept on the floor and they were all so embarrassed when they woke up, but I was just glad they were safe.”
Hawks grinned and sighed. “That's really cool of you. You're a really neat guy, Natsuo.”
Natsuo shrugged and smiled softly. “Good deeds don't have to be real big and flashy. It's just important to help each other out.”
Hawks’ smile softened and he nodded. “I like that. That's a good way for people to think. Sometimes doing good things feels really...hollow for me. Because there are people who think it's all an act.”
“For some, it is all an act,” Natsuo set his jaw and swirled his water in his glass. “I know that's not the case for most heroes, but the way the system is set up, you're bound to get a sociopath or two with delusions of grandeur who are willing to do whatever it takes to be known.”
Hawks fell silent and bit the inside of his lip. “I… yeah. I can see that being the case. Is there anyone in particular that has...shown that side to you?”
Natsuo froze and quickly shook his head. “No! I just… I've got… friends… that have had… you know, bad experiences.”
Hawks cursed internally. Apparently he'd set off another land mine but he still didn't know what he was doing wrong! And he didn't believe Natsuo when he said he hadn't personally been wronged. But he couldn't force it. They just met after all.
The food came soon after that and Hawks brightened. Sashimi did sound really good, and Natsuo seemed just as excited as Hawks did about food. He let the conversation lapse as they worked on their lunches, and he smiled as Natsuo savored the food in front of him. When they were finished, Hawks ordered dessert and bit the inside of his lip again.
“So if I haven’t been too much of an asshole, putting my foot in my mouth and all, I’d like to hang out again sometime,” Hawks smiled sheepishly, and couldn’t help laughing when he saw the way Natsuo’s cheeks turned pink, and he looked a little bashful himself.
“Yeah! I mean, if you have time to!” Natsuo shrugged. “Sorry I’ve been kind of touchy, just...personal stuff. You know?”
Hawks nodded and grinned. “I get it. So. How about you let me walk you back to your school, and we can trade numbers on the way?”
Natsuo flushed more and he shook his head with a laugh. “You don’t have to walk me home, I’m sure you have more important to do.”
“Nope, my schedule is clear for the day, and it’s about time someone was there to be the one making sure you get home safe,” Hawks laughed as well and leaned in. “What do you say to that?”
Natsuo pursed his lips before he leaned in as well and smirked. “I’d say it sounds an awful lot like you’re trying to impress me, Hawks.”
Hawks flushed, and he could feel that he was turning as red as his wings, and Natsuo started laughing harder, making Hawks scowl at him. “Yeah, yeah, laugh it up, maybe I am trying to impress you, huh?”
Natsuo’s laughter tapered off as he blushed as well, and Hawks grinned. “So, what do you say? Would you like me to walk you home?”
“I suppose, if you want to impress me so bad, I can let you escort me,” Natsuo sighed and rolled his eyes with a smile. “But next time, instead of getting food, we’re going to do something. Sports, a movie, the arcade.”
“Sounds like a date.”
Both men fell silent at Hawks’ declaration, and after a minute of gaping at each other, Hawks trying to figure out a way to take it back, and Natsuo trying to find a way to up the ante again, they both started laughing to the point tears were streaming down their face.
“Sounds better than the dates my friends keep trying to set me up on,” Natsuo wiped his eyes with the heel of his hand and shook his head. “The girls they like are sweet and all, but not my type.”
“Oh? And what is your type?” Hawks raised an eyebrow and smirked, using a napkin and his reflection in the napkin dispenser to dry his face without smudging his eyeliner.
Natsuo smirked back and leaned forward on the table, as close to Hawks as he could comfortably get. “Guys. I mean, girls are nice and all, but I definitely like guys better.”
Hawks hesitated before continuing to dry his face. “I like both. Everyone is so pretty and I suffer all the time, every day.”
Natsuo laughed and leaned back in his seat as Hawks grinned at him. The dessert came then, matcha ice cream with mint cookie wafers decoratively balanced on top and Natsuo smiled.
“Well I'm glad out of all the people you could have taken to lunch today, you picked me,” Natsuo smiled softly. “This has been nice.”
“I am genuinely glad you feel that way because I was worried I was being a dick without meaning to,” Hawks chuckled and shrugged.
Natsuo flushed at that and shook his head. “No no, I'm just...I guess I'm just touchy about a couple things. Not your fault, you couldn't have known.”
“Still, I'm glad you want to hang out again,” Hawks smiled as they started picking at their ice cream.
“Well, of course,” Natsuo tried and failed to stifle a giggle. “I mean after you were so kind as to offer to walk me home and take me on a second date, who could say no?”
Hawks choked on his dessert and Natsuo started laughing while Hawks glared weakly at him.
Hawks took a deep breath after he finished his coughing fit and smirked. “So this is a first date, huh? Good, because that means one less date before I get to kiss you.”
“Wh-what?” Natsuo sputtered as he turned red and Hawks started laughing.
“You know! Like first kiss on the third date? Come on, man! Get with the program!” Hawks had to hold his sides, he was laughing so hard at the flustered expression on Natsuo's face. Natsuo glared and took a large bite of his ice cream as Hawks cackled to himself.
“Who said you had to wait till the third date to kiss me?”
Natsuo's face was still burning, but the way Hawks stopped laughing made Natsuo grin. “What's stopping you from kissing me right now? Are you old fashioned or something?”
It took Hawks a moment to regain his composure, but he shrugged almost shyly and chuckled. “I guess I am. I mean we did just meet this afternoon. I'd hate to take things too fast, but if you never know where the day might lead.”
Natsuo laughed with him and they fell into a comfortable silence as they finished their ice cream, and Hawks paid the bill. The hero stood quickly and smirked as he held his arm out to Natsuo, who rolled his eyes and looped his arm through Hawks’, gently holding Hawks’ forearm. They talked a little bit as they walked, both so absorbed in the conversation that Hawks didn’t see the villain rising into the air just one street over, didn’t see other things starting to float as well.
First it was small things, litter and fallen leaves and a few odds and ends. Then flowerpots and small garbage cans. Hawks finally took notice when he felt a churning in his stomach and heard a few people start to scream as they rose into the air. He looked around to find the source of the commotion, and he spotted the villain floating towards the jewelry store nearby, the objects and people in his radius following slowly behind.
He was about to take off, flying after the villain, when Natsuo’s grip on his arm tightened and Hawks realized Natsuo was being caught in the quirk and lifted off his feet. Natsuo’s face was white, and he was frozen in fear. Hawks looked around quickly and saw a nearby lampost that had decorative features that would make easy handholds. He ran to it -each step taking them further than usual, as if there was no air resistence- and he guided Natsuo’s hands to the metal. Natsuo gripped the lightpost like a lifeline, and Hawks cupped his cheek to make Natsuo look at him.
“I am going to fix this, Natsuo. Hang on tight, and I promise I’ll be right back. Just take deep breaths until I get back.”
Natsuo nodded quickly and squeezed his eyes shut as he held tight to the lamppost. Hawks squeezed his shoulder before taking off much more easily than normal. It took him a moment to adjust to the lack of gravity in the area, but he was able to follow the villain easily.
Too easily.
In trying to catch the villain, he completely overshot and tumbled about in the air, stomach roiling from the unfamiliar feeling of being in the air and not under his own power. He managed to turn around and fly at the villain again, but overshot once more.
He cursed as he unzipped the zippers on the shoulder of his jacket, allowing him to take it off before he flew at the villain again. He managed to wrap him in the jacket to pull him close briefly, but he was quickly shaken off.
After a few more clumsy attempts at capture, Hawks was getting more and more frustrated with the villain's ease of movement despite the lack of gravity.
When a plume of flame rose past him and barely grazed the villain's arm, he looked and saw Endeavor at what appeared to be the edge of the villain's anti-gravity influence. Another shot of fire hit the villain in the thigh, and everything in the area dropped about five feet.
When a few children screamed at the fall, Hawks changed strategy. “You keep that up, I'll make sure the civilians are out of range!”
Hawks took advantage of his artificially induced speed and maneuverability to glide and grab three or four people at a time before dropping them off on the sidewalk. It only took a few passes for him to get everyone out of range and turn to the villain now trying to escape from Endeavour’s flaming blasts. It was all too easy to wrap him in the jacket and lock his wrists in quirk-cancelling cuffs. Hawks used his wings to stop their fall and set the villain down.
“Thanks for the assist, Endeavour! It would have been a lot harder without you!” Hawks laughed as he looked up at the current top hero.
“Seems to me it would have been impossible without my being here.” Endeavour scoffed and crossed his arms. “I'll handle the police, you go… Check on the civilians.”
Hawks nodded and chuckled as he went around to the kids first to make sure they were okay before he moved a street over to check on Natsuo, still clinging to the lamppost. Hawks gently took his hands off the post and squeezed them carefully.
“You’re fine, Natsuo. The villain is done, you're okay.” Hawks hesitated before pulling Natsuo into a hug and wrapping his wings around him. He'd learned early on that was comforting for people, and it was second nature at this point. Natsuo clung to him and too a few deep, shaking breaths before pulling back from the hug.
“Thank you. I just… Hate that feeling.” Natsuo laughed shakily and gently punched Hawks’ arm. “And thanks for offering to escort me home. I'd hate to be floating in the stratosphere right now.”
Hawks smiled and nodded, keeping a wing around Natsuo gently. “No problem. Let's get you home.”
Natsuo just nodded and leaned into the wing around him. Hawks smiled and they walked in silence until they got to Natsuo's dorm building.
“See you around, Hawks. Here's my number, text me and we can set up our second date.”
“Your wish is my command, Natsuo.” Hawks smirked and leaned in to kiss his cheek as he grabbed the paper. “You're right, maybe I am too old fashioned. If you want me to kiss you again next time, just say the word~”
Natsuo laughed and shoved him, even as he blushed vividly. “You ass! Give a guy some warning next time!”
Hawks chuckled and shrugged. “I mean if you say so! Coming in for another!”
Natsuo yelped and laughed again, pushing Hawks away. “Not right now, you goon! I have homework to do!”
“Later then,” Hawks winked and grinned. “I'll leave you to your homework. See you around, Natsuo.”
He waved and smiled as he walked off, and Natsuo rolled his eyes as he opened the door to the building. Hawks was a character, that was for sure. He actually seemed pretty nice for a #2 hero.
------
Hawks wasn’t sure how it happened.
Maybe Natsuo leaned into his personal space one too many times.
Maybe he leaned into Natsuo’s personal space one too many times, and that cute blush he always got cast some sort of spell.
Maybe Natsuo wasn’t really quirkless and had some sort of yet-unidentified Charm Quirk that made people fall in love with him.
But no matter how it happened, Hawks was sure.
He was in love with Natsuo Todoroki.
It hit him all of a sudden after they’d been hanging out for a few months. The play flirting had increased on both sides and they were sitting on a bench looking at the stars that night. It was windy, and when Natsuo shovered, Hawks put a wing around him, which had become second nature by then. But this time, Natsuo sighed and leaned into Hawks, resting his head on Hawk’s shoulder. Hawks had to stop himself from kissing the top of his head as the realization crashed over him that he wanted to kiss Natsuo for the sake of kissing him, not to tease him.
Instead he just put an arm around Natsuo’s shoulders as well and leaned his head on the college student’s. He’d walked him home -that had become routine, and he was pretty sure Natsuo’s neighbors thought they were dating- and gone home himself and stared at the ceiling until dawn.
He was in love with Natsuo Todoroki.
Then a few weeks later, he was at Natsuo’s dorm when he learned something that changed everything.
“Naaaaaaaaaaat! Are you done yet?! I wanna watch this movie!” Hawks stretched out in the chair, and looked to where Natsuo was hunched over the desk.
“Almost, I have two more paragraphs,” Natsuo chuckled and rolled his eyes. “Why don’t you tell me about your day while I finish up here?”
“Oh man, okay! For one thing, you know that villain with the, uh...the kitten quirk? Like she was turning guards at banks and stuff into little kittens and it lasted three hours and they were adorable but everyone was losing a lot of money?” Hawks grinned and sat up. When Natsuo laughed and nodded, he continued. “Well, your pops and I took her down, and dude, your dad is the coolest. I love working with him. It must have been so great growing up with such a cool guy for a dad.”
Natsuo stiffened, and Hawks didn’t catch what he mumbled, so he stepped closer and bit his lip. “What’d you say, Nat?”
“I said no. It wasn’t.” Natsuo’s hands were curled into fists above his keyboard, and there were tears in his eyes. “That house was a living fucking nightmare, and it was all his fault!”
Hawks stopped, and his eyes were wide as Natsuo turned to him with rage all over his face.
“Sorry to burst your bubble, Hawks, but as good as he is at hero work, that’s how badly he failed at being a good father,” Natsuo got up and started to pace. “First of all, he only married my mom to get a kid with a quirk stronger than his because he realized that he’d never overcome All Might himself. And it’s not like he tried to actually woo her or anything! No! He basically bought her from her family because oh, of course he’ll make her happy! He’s rich!”
Hawks had to sit down as Natsuo continues.
“Then as soon as they were married, he started trying to have kids, and he got Fumi and...and Touya. Touya had a fire quirk like dad, and dad could tell it was a lot stronger than his own, so he started ‘training’ him. By beating the shit out of him when he wasn’t perfect. Of course he was knocking mom and Fumi around too when they tried to protect him. I came along a few years later, but I was a quirkless loser so he basically ignored me my whole life, and then Shouto was born a few years after me. By then, Touya was really strong, but he was...dad said he was too much like mom. He had a fire quirk, but his body was better suited to an ice quirk, and he was so kind, just like mom. Dad made sure to put an end to that as quickly as he could. One night, Touya ran away and we haven’t seen him since.
“Then Shouto’s quirk manifested and dad realized he was the perfect mix of ice and fire, so the training started all over again but worse. At this point, mom was hanging onto the last dregs of her sanity and she tried protecting him, but dad wasn’t having it, and...I’m not going into detail because I don’t think it’s her fault, but she is the one who gave Shouto that scar, technically. But she’d never have done it if that flaming heap of shit hadn’t abused her so badly over the years! Then he locked her up in a psych ward where she still is today, and he made Fuyumi take over all the jobs mom used to do that he was too good for! She had to become mom to me and Shouto overnight when she was still a kid!
“That asshole ruined his family, and nothing will ever be done about it because he’s the #1 and it doesn’t matter how awful he is, because everyone loves him and thinks he’s the greatest and that’s exactly what he fucking wanted, and there will never be consequences for the way he abused his family because everyone thinks he’s so cool! ”
Hawks froze as Natsuo turned to glare at him, and there must have been something on Hawks face that made Natsuo realize what he just said, because he pulled back and wrapped his arms around himself as he tried to stop the sobs that were already bubbling over his lips.
“He abused the entire family and I was the lucky one. I just got ignored...”
Natsuo turned away and shut his eyes, as if not being able to see Hawks would keep the winged hero from realizing he was crying. Hawks was on his feet in an instant, pulling Natsuo into his arms and cradling him to his chest. Natsuo hesitated, but he clung close to Hawks and bunched his hands in the back of his shirt as he cried into Hawk’s shoulder.
Hawks had to blink back tears himself as he held Natsuo so gently and tenderly. “I’m so sorry, Natsuo. I had...I had no clue. But now that I do, I’m not going to let it slide. I am going to bring him down. Okay? He’s not going to get away with shit. I promise.”
Natsuo looked at him in disbelief, and before Hawks could say anything else, Natsuo was leaning in and Hawks couldn’t believe it when soft lips were pressing against his roughly. He turned his head and leaned closer, and Natsuo held him tighter. The kiss was sloppy, and there were too many emotions whizzing by, but Hawks still thought it was nice as he reached up and wiped the tears from Natsuo’s cheeks with his thumbs, trying to comfort him as much as possible.
Natsuo was trembling when he leaned back, so Hawks kept his arms around him and walked him to the bed so he could lie down. “Do you...want me to stay?”
Natsuo nodded slowly.
“Wanna watch that movie?”
He shook his head, and Hawks sat on the bed next to him. “Wanna talk about your older brother?”
Natsuo’s lip started to quiver again as he nodded and held his arms open. Hawks didn’t need a better invitation to cuddle close, and he tucked his head under Natsuo’s chin.
“Fumi loved to give Touya so much shit because she was older by 5 minutes...”
-----
After that day, there was no mention of The Kiss. Natsuo was too embarrassed to say anything about it, and Hawks wanted to avoid bringing up that day, as much as he wanted to ask about if it was a heat of the moment kiss or if it meant something more. They continued hanging out, and when he wasn't doing hero work or spying on the League of Villains, he was snooping around for something he could use to justify digging deeper.
He was reading an old article and leaning on an alley wall when a hand slammed onto the wall next to him and he jumped, his wings flaring in alarm. He looked up, and Dabi was laughing as he stepped back.
A sharp retort died on his tongue when he really looked at Dabi. He'd never noticed it before, but the slope of his nose, his eyes, all were familiar. Before he could stop it, a name spilled from his lips.
“Touya…”
Dabi stopped laughing abruptly and stood up straighter, grimacing as he grabbed Hawks’ collar and pinned him to the wall.
“Who the fuck gave you that name?! I'll give you one chance to tell me why you're digging around my past before I burn you to a crisp, birdbrain!”
“No! I haven't been digging around to find things out about you! Nat just told me he had a brother, Fuyumi's twin, and it just clicked when I saw you!” Hawks’ eyes went wide. He'd seen Dabi this mad before, but never at him, and he didn't want to call Dabi's bluff.
“And why are you hanging out with him if not to learn about me?” Dabi leaned in closer, still scowling.
“Because I think he's cool! I had to drop something off for Endeavour at his house, met Fuyumi, she mentioned a brother in college, I was curious so I introduced myself and we started hanging out because Nat's a nice guy!”
Dabi leaned in closer and scrutinized Hawks for any trace of dishonesty, but when he found none, he leaned back and crossed his arms with a chuckle. “Since when are you calling my little brother ‘Nat’?”
Hawks flushed and gaped for a moment before shrugging nervously. “I mean he had me calling him Natsuo from the first day we met and we've been friends for months so really it's not all that weird for me to be calling him by a nickname! I-it's a natural progression of our friendship, I think!”
Dabi threw his head back and laughed. “You are not slick. Does he know about your huge ass crush on him?”
Hawks opened his mouth to protest, and Dabi raised an eyebrow, making Hawks sigh in defeat and shrugged. “Maybe. I'm not sure. He kissed me like a month ago but he was really upset at the time and we haven't talked about it since so… Possibly?”
Dabi hesitated then shook his head. “Nope. Your romantic ineptitude is not my problem. I just wanted to tell you that Shigaraki wants you to meet us at the usual place tomorrow at midnight.”
“I'll be there, don't worry,” Hawks rolled his shoulders to loosen up his wings. “And I don't think I'd want your advice anyway, no offense. I've seen the kind of guy you're interested in.”
“Fair,” Dabi snickered as Hawks walked past. “Hey. Don't… Don't tell Fuyumi or Natsuo about me. I want to reach out eventually, but just...not yet.”
“Not until your dad is out of the picture?” Hawks glanced over his shoulder and smirked at the look on Dabi's face. “Don't worry. I'm working on it.”
Hawks took off at that and pursed his lips. It would be a hard secret to keep from Natsuo, but he's have to explain how he knew him, and he didn't want to involve Natsuo in his mission.
-----
Natsuo slid to a stop in front of the hospital customer service desk. “What room is Hawks in?! My name is Natsuo Todoroki and he told me I'm on his civilian visitors list!”
The woman behind the counter jumped, but she checked the list and nodded. “He's in room 657, it's a corner room. He hasn't woken up yet, but he should soon. His injuries weren't too extensive.”
Natsuo was already bolting for the stairs and was only a little out of breath when he reached the sixth floor. He found the room and slowed down, creeping in so as not to wake Hawks if he was asleep.
Hawks was awake, watching the TV with a glassy look in his eyes. He turned at Natsuo's entrance and grinned widely, holding his arms out for a hug. “Nat! You're here!”
Natsuo sighed in relief and laughed as he moved closer to hug the injured hero. “Of course I did. I heard about you being here and I ran right over. Literally, I ran. I knew traffic would be terrible so I didn't bother getting a cab.”
Hawks giggled and sighed, melting into his bed. “That makes me happy. It means you really like me. I really like you too. I think I even love you!”
Natsuo blushed and gaped. “Wait, what? Okay, what do they have you on?” Natsuo was looking at the IV hooked into Hawks’ arm when the hero started talking again
“Yeah! I am… Totally in love with you. You're so cute and handsome and funny and then you kissed me that one time and I'm definitely in love with you.” Hawks nodded slowly. “I've wanted to kiss you since or at least asked you about it but I didn't wanna embarrass or upset you… Can you kiss me? Your lips were really soft…”
Natsuo hesitated before he laughed softly. “Tell you what. Once you're a little more yourself, I'll tell you what you asked and if you still want me to kiss you, I will. Okay?”
Hawks pouted and tried to cross his arms but he couldn't quite manage it, so Natsuo laughed and took one of his hands. “I'll hold your hand though, how's that?”
Hawks grumbled and shrugged. “Can you do the… The finger thing? That makes it closer?”
Natsuo looked at him in confusion before he laced their fingers together. From the way Hawks smiled and relaxed, Natsuo assumed that's what he'd meant. “Go back to sleep, Hawks. I'll be here when you wake up.”
Hawks nodded and let himself fall back into the bed, and within moments his breathing was deep and even and Natsuo smiled.
Hawks woke up hours later more clear-headed, and squeezed the hand in his before he opened his eyes. He didn't remember anyone coming in, so he looked blearily at the person holding his hand and his heart fluttered when he saw Natsuo, asleep in one of the awful chairs they kept next to the bed. Natsuo stirred when Hawks moved and smiled sleepily.
“You still want that kiss? Or were you just loopy when you told me you loved me?
Hawks blushed vividly and looked away. Natsuo's smile softened and he leaned into kiss his cheek. “For what it's worth, I...love you too. I was just so embarrassed that I kissed you out of nowhere. I really liked kissing you though, so if you really want to, I wouldn't say no.”
Hawks hesitated, then leaned in towards Natsuo. Natsuo met him halfway and both closed their eyes as their lips met. Hawks hummed into the kiss and Natsuo smiled against his lips before he pulled back.
“I don't want to overwhelm you while you're healing. You can get all the kisses you want once you're better.”
Hawks pouted and laid back with a sigh. “I suppose that makes sense. You better own up to that once I'm out of here.”
“Oh don't be dramatic, the nurses said you'll be fine, they're just keeping you for observation for a little bit.” Natsuo laughed and rolled his eyes. “But if you're so needy…”
Natsuo leaned in and kissed Hawks’ forehead gently, making Hawks blush and look away.
“What happened?” Natsuo pulled the chair closer so he could lean in and wrap an arm around Hawks.
Hawks shrugged and flushed. “Got careless. I thought for sure Kamui had one of the guys so I didn’t even look in that direction and he managed to send some kind of sharp projectiles at me. A couple got my legs really bad, but he didn’t account for the downdraft of my wings pushing them down. So my wings are fine, at least, but my legs got really hurt. Then, I mean. Right now I’m feeling pretty good.”
“Is that the IV, or me?” Natsuo smirked and kissed his cheek, making Hawks blush harder and push him away weakly.
“Rude! You can’t tell me you’re not gonna kiss me, then do it just to tease.”
“You’re right, I’m sorry,” Natsuo leaned in to kiss his lips so gently and briefly, and leaned back with a smile. “Forgiven?”
Hawks sighed and huffed playfully. “I mean, I guess.”
Natsuo just laughed and rested his head against Hawks. “Thanks.”
-----
BirdBrain: hey
BirdBrain: hey dabi
BirdBrain: i’m so out of it I’ll probably regret sending this but your brother is really cute and he’s my boyfriend and I’m really tired but I wanted you to know I’m gonna take good care of him and love him and also wanted to let you know that I’m putting plans into motion about what I said I was doing the other day. About the big guy. Fuck i’m trying to be vague but I think I’m just not making sense.
Dabi groaned as he propped himself up on an elbow to look at his buzzing phone. He rolled his eyes as he read the texts and changed Hawks’ contact name to StupidDoofus and rolled back over to go to sleep. Tomura murmured in his sleep, and Dabi smiled fondly as he pulled him closer.
-----
“Good to see you out of the hospital, Hawks, did you need something?” Naomasa smiled as the hero walked into his office.
“Yeah, can I close this?” Hawks pointed to the door, lips pressed into a tight line. When Naomasa nodded, confused, Hawks gently shut the door with a soft ‘click’.”
“So I’ve been doing some reading on the Hero Accountability Act, and I need your help,” Hawks bit his lip, looking to the detective nervously.
“Oh! Well, don’t worry, as the number 2, the only heroes with authority to invoke that law are any heroes ranked above you -only Endeavor, as you know- and the hero ranked directly below you, who is Best Jeanist. And neither of them have given any indication to me of wanting to put you under surveillance. You have nothing to worry about, Hawks.” Naomasa smiled again, hoping he put Hawks’ mind at ease.
“No, I don’t think one of them is after me,” Hawks shook his head, and crossed his arms so Naomasa wouldn’t see his hands shaking. “ I’m invoking it. Against Endeavor. I think...no, I know for a fact he’s done some awful things behind closed doors, and I’m the only one who can legally watch him.”
Naomasa’s smile dropped and he was silent for a long second before he nodded. “And you read that you need to make a declaration of intent to a trusted officer who will compile the information as you bring it. Someone you know won’t run to the hero you’re investigating. Hawks...you do know the penalties if you don’t find anything?”
“Hero Accountability act, paragraph 265, part b and c: Any lesser hero bringing unfounded accusations against a higher ranked hero will lose their license permanently, no chance to reapply, and should the lesser hero be the #2, bringing charges against Japan’s top hero, a hearing will additionally be held to discuss motive, and whether or not the resulting loss of public trust in the hero accused classifies the accuser as a villain and if said accuser will face jail time no less than the rest of their life.”
Naomasa let out a shaky laugh. “You really did do your homework. Okay. First hand accounts are best, if you can get me recordings from people you know he’s wronged, that will go a long way.”
Hawks nodded and smiled grimly. “Thank you. I...also have access to medical records of the victims, correct?”
“Yes, full access, but you’ll have to tell the nurses involved why, and that runs the risk of them telling...the accused.”
“Necessary risk I’ll have to take. Thank you, Naomasa. I heard on the grapevine you knew about All Might, so I knew you could keep a secret, even if I can’t keep one from you,” Hawks smirked and gave Naomasa a small salute. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I know a person or two who would love to talk about this and see this fire put out.”
“I’ll see you later, Hawks. Thank you for trusting me.”
Hawks smiled as Naomasa opened the door for him, and waved as he exited. “No problem! Couldn’t think of anyone I trusted more.”
Hawks left the police station and smiled as he pulled a brand new recorder -still in the packaging- from his pocket. He hadn’t told Natsuo his plan yet, not wanting to get his hopes up before he looked everything over, but he figured it was time to let him know the shit storm that was coming.
-----
Dabi stared at him in shock. “You did what ?”
“Invoked the Hero Accountability Act. It’s never actually been invoked against anyone ranked over 100, but it has a special clause for if the #2 wants to bring charges against the #1. With steeper penalties, but I have a solid case if I can get firsthand testimony from his family. His entire family.”
“Yes, well, good luck getting to my mother,” Dabi scoffed. “She’s locked in the hospital with tight security.”
“Actually I just strolled right into the room,” Hawks chuckled as he pulled the recorder from his pocket and played a clip of Rei talking about the abuse she faced from the day they were married.
“How…?”
“Fuyumi held my hand and told the security guards that I was her boyfriend she wanted to introduce to her mom. Nat had a good chuckle about that after he told Rei I’m actually his boyfriend,” Hawks smirked. “Anyway, I have her, Fuyumi, and Natsuo so far. Shouto I want to talk to a little more before I ask him, but I figured you might like to help lock Endeavor away for good. You just have to start with your real name.”
Hawks hit the record button, making it turn red, and raised an eyebrow. Dabi sighed and rubbed his chin carefully.
“My name is Touya Todoroki, better known as the villain Dabi. I chose this life because being a hero meant being like my father, Enji Todoroki, better known as the ‘hero’ Endeavor-”
-----
“Are you ready, Hawks?” Naomasa looked carefully at Hawks, who looked a little sick.
“No. But I have to do this. I started it, I have to finish it.” He took a deep breath, and walked into the meeting room. His shoulders relaxed when he saw Eraserhead there, alongside a few other heroes and a lawyer. Having someone who could cancel quirks was a blessing in this situation.
Endeavor looked pissed, but Naomasa put his hand on Hawks’ shoulder and followed behind him.
“Thank you for coming, Endeavor. I’ve collected evidence of you abusing your family, and I have invoked the Hero Accountability Act to punish you for your crimes against your wife and children.”
All the others in the room went slackjawed at the declaration, and there was a moment of flames searing, but a quick glare from Eraser, and they were extinguished. Hawks sat across from his former idol and glared as Naomasa cleared his throat and handed him the file they’d compiled together of transcripts.
-----
“You two are gross,” Fuyumi smiled affectionately as Hawks and Natsuo, the former laying on the latter, kissed on the couch. Natsuo smirked against Hawk’s lips and made a rude gesture, Fuyumi gasped in mock outrage and laughed as the doorbell rang. As she stood to get the celebratory dinner, she gently swatted her brother’s head, making both boys laugh.
When she was out of the room, Hawks hummed and let himself melt into his boyfriend, tangling his finger in short, white hair as he deepened the kisses. Natsuo happily held him closer and stroked between Hawks’ wings, making the youngest Top Hero ever sigh happily.
Both of them jumped apart when they heard Fuyumi gasp and drop the takeout, and Hawks scanned the room for danger. He let out a scream and jumped back when he saw Dabi standing right next to the couch. He could see Dabi’s lips quirk up in an almost smile, but his eyes were fixed on his twin, his sister.
Fuyumi was equally frozen in place. Her mouth opened and closed a few times as she tried to find the right words until she settled on just one.
“Touya?”
He nodded slowly and held his arms out, and she hesitated before she threw herself at him, holding him tight and sobbing into his shoulder. Natsuo was on his feet in an instant, jumping over the back of the couch to sandwich Fuyumi between himself and Dabi, hugging the oldest Todoroki boy as well.
Dabi was the last to tear up, but he held his siblings close with shaking breath. “I’m sorry I left you both. But you have Birdbrain there to thank for giving me the opportunity to come back.”
Fuyumi and Natsuo laughed shakily, and Fuyumi gently elbowed Natsuo. “I take back every mean thing I’ve ever said about your boyfriend.”
“Wait, what mean things have you said about me?” Hawks’ brow furrowed, and the three siblings started to laugh, and he just pouted, making Natsuo break away to pull Hawks with him back into the hug. Hawks grumbled and hugged them all, feeling only a little awkward.
“Is Shouto here?” Dabi asked softly. “I...am not ready to talk to him yet.”
“No, he’s celebrating with his boyfriends tonight,” Natsuo smiled. “Midoriya and Iida seem sweet. They’re good for him.”
Dabi nodded and sighed. “Good. Also, I’ll pay for replacement dinner, if you guys want.”
Fuyumi looked to the floor, and shrugged. “Nothing opened onto the floor, it’s fine. Five minute rule.”
“I’m pretty sure it’s five seconds, and also disgusting,” Hawks laughed.
“Do you want to wait longer for food?” Fuyumi gave him a pointed look.
“You know? I think I actually have heard of a five minute rule, how silly of me to forget.”
“Damn straight,” Fuyumi laughed as she disentangled herself to pick up the food. “Good thing I ordered enough to feed an army anyway.”
Natsuo rolled his eyes and leaned in to kiss Hawks’ cheek. “Thank you for what you did. Love you, Hawks.”
“Love you too, Nat,” Hawks smiled and leaned in to kiss Natsuo, ignoring how Dabi and fuyumi turned to each other and pretended to gag before grinning at each other.
For now, everything was right with the world.
-----
“Fuyumi, you busy Friday night?”
“No, why?” Fuyumi looked up to where Hawks was texting, and looked at him suspiciously when he started to grin.
“You are now. You’re meeting Ryuku and Miruko at that fancy place that just opened up. They both think you’re super cute and want to date you and are willing to share. And I’ve seen the way you look at them.” He smirked and pocketed his phone. “So you’re welcome.”
Rei laughed softly as Fuyumi sputtered and blushed. “Just let it happen, sweetheart. It's about time you got taken care of for once.”
Fuyumi nodded and shrugged, still blushing brightly. “I… Guess so.”