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It's been a while since Hawks secretly switched sides. They learned many things; they learned that Toga was bullied and treated like a monster by her parents. They learn that she only ever wanted to live a normal life and be happy in her own way. Despite her quirk and all.
Twice only ever wanted a place to belong; his quirk made him mentally unstable and lowered his self worth. He has his place among the league of paranormal something. It's really good for him; he's cared for and has found his spot in life.
Hawks learns of Spinner and late Magne and Mister Compress. Shigaraki remains a secret; as do some other members but that's fair. All of these villains... they all have their reasons for doing their thing.
Especially... Dabi. They don't like putting it that way, but his past is probably the worst out of everyone's. They still don't know why he's opened up to them at all.
He's definitely not the type to, all mysterious and distrusting of everyone. They're... still part hero to him. Even if they have switched sides. No one knows that. It's too complicated to explain.
After hearing all of Dabi's story... and after starting to care about him so much... they'll just slowly shift towards villain life. They'll help him in his revenge because they find they also have reasons to quit being a hero. To change to the darker side.
They never lead a happy life. Up until they were about eight years old, they lived with a poor family, two parents and a sibling that died of malnourishment. A drunkard of a father and a terminaly ill mother.
Then the commission got their fingers on Hawks and it was hell in another way. The things they had to endure... they never questioned those.
"It's a better life than your previous one." They were always told that... but their body hurt. They were sad. If they didn't train enough, they wouldn't get food. And they were trained until passing out and almost dying daily. Without the local healer and her quirk they'd have died countless times.
That's actually really fucked up. But they were held captive by... fear.
"If I angered anyone in the commission... they threatened me. They said they'd stop paying for my mum's treatment. That they'd send her back to... father." Hawks says to Dabi. They're sitting in their home's living room with him. No lights on. The sun has set hours ago. The floor is cold.
And they don't want to move.
"You're with us now." Dabi firmly states. "And we won't stop until all of us reached our goals of revenge."
"Yeah." They smile, glad he's not seeing them. Their eyes must be showing some vulnerability. They never told anyone their story. Not even Miruko. It... feels odd. Maybe a little relieving. Odd how that works.
Probably should speak more often.
"Thanks Dabi. For not falling asleep." They pull a cushion off their couch and hug it. "Must've been boring."
"It wasn't." He raises his voice a bit. They have to smile; he really means that, huh?
"Oh I forgot." They pluck at the pillow's seams. "Do you know I don't actually have a name? They took it away. Gave me a new one."
"You don't remember what you were called before?" He asks.
"Not really. It's weird, but since they refused to call me that I kinda forgot with time." They stretch their wings. Ah... tired.
"Do you want to find out what it was?"
"Someday... probably."
He yawns quietly.
"Hey, can you sleep over?" They feel a little... weak in the oddest ways. They don't really want to be alone, no matter how stupid it sounds.
He's a kindred spirit to them. Their stories aren't that different. Hah.
"Sure." He agrees swiftly.
They use a feather to switch the lights on and he squints. A groan escapes him.
They muster his scarred body and wonder once more. His... his quirk is unsuited for his body. They figured that out a long time ago. The fire he wields... it's too hot. His body can't take it.
One day he might die from lung damage and they're pretty sure he's partially blind already.
They... really don't want him to die. They want to help him.
"Stop staring." He growls and crosses his arms.
They instantly avert their gaze. "Sorry. Was thinking of something..."
"Well, enlighten me." He gets up and stretches the tiniest bit, wincing as a staple pops out of his skin.
Enlighten huh. Gross.
"You don't have to explain or anything but..." They also rise to their feet and toss the cushion back on the couch. "You're dying, aren't you?"
He jolts and raises a brow at them. "I'm already dead."
Hawks frowns. Already... dead?
"No, you're not." They decide and walk up to him. "You're alive."
"For now, I guess." Dabi shrugs. "What's it to you?"
"See, I don't want you dead."
"I don't care about living after I did what I want to do."
"You'll live." They bite back. "I'll make sure you live."
"You're weird."
"I'll kill Endeavour for you."
"No. That guy's mine." He frowns heavily. "Don't you dare."
"Okay, listen." They put a hand on his shoulder and take a deep breath. "I'll do it. We both live. I'll get you to a tv station that airs across the nation so you can list everything crime he's committed and... we'll show off his dead body."
"I'm not that flashy." He musters their hand on his shoulder. "And I don't have any reason to live besides my goal."
Hawks lets their gaze drop. He does. He deserves to live. He's got so many reasons to stay on earth.
"You do." They disagree. "You have a mother. You have siblings. The league. Everyone cares about you. And I..."
He fixes them and they look up. And...they?
What were they about to say?
"Mum." He bites his lip. It starts bleeding immediately. "Yumi, Nacchan... Shou..."
They dare wrap their hands around him. "They miss you. They love you."
He takes a shaky breath. "I'm a criminal."
"It doesn't matter to them." They assume. "You're still you."
"Bullshit it doesn't." He weakly mutters. Seeing as how he doesn't resist, they hug him tighter.
"You don't know that." They scold half heartedly. "Just please... live. For yourself first of all. You're not a tool for revenge."
He doesn't reply, completely still. Hmm...
"There's things you like, right? A favourite dish... books... cats..." They keep talking. Maybe something is gonna stick out. If not they'll keep trying. "You make sure Twice doesn't drink himself to death. You're essential for the league's success. You... you like the stars, right? And the sunrise, you..."
They fall quiet as soon as he returns the embrace.
He grips them tight.
"I like pretty birds."