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The world changed after the assassination attempt on Endeavors life. Sure, he fought villains on the regular, but the assassination attempt hadn’t come from your run of the mill thug or even anyone within the League. No, the assassination attempt had come from another country, an ally country.
That was a real threat. A threat that required each member of the family to have a hero escort at all times. Fuyumi Todoroki almost felt guilty at how happy she was to have gotten the number two pro hero Hawks as her own personal escort.
While the two hadn’t spent much time together she had admired him from afar, had for years in fact. Natsuo had given her crap after discovering her crush, plaguing her desk at work with feathers, mailing her the fan-girl magazines.
But it was more than that. She’d known Hawks for years, albeit indirectly. He had come by the house on more than a few occasions, they’d crossed paths at the annual Heroes Gala and other charitable events, and had even bumped into one another at a coffee shop near the school she worked at.
“Hello?” his voice pulled her from her thoughts, the metronome beeping of the heart monitor having allowed her to daydream.
She looked up, seeing him standing in the doorway, his goggles pushed up on his head. Rather than the usual carefree smile she had associated with him she saw the same look she had seen on everyone’s face who had stood in that door. Fear.
Love him or hate him, her father was the number one hero. If he died that would mean the world would lose three top heroes in less than a year. Fear wasn’t so much for her fathers benefit as societies.
“How’s he doing?”
“He’s stable,” she answered, her eyes on the series of tubes and monitors hooked up to the colossus of a man. Healers had tried everything but the bullet had been imbued with some unidentified quirk, until they knew what it was no healer would touch him.
“That’s good,” he tried to sound reassuring. “Have you been here the whole time?” Fuyumi nodded her head, her fingers resting on her father's forearm. “Have you eaten?” he asked.
She looked back at him. Even in the fluorescent glow of the hospital lights he was gorgeous. Golden, ethereal, disheveled. A combination that could only work for him. “They wouldn’t let me leave.”
“Well I’m here now. Let’s go.”
She leaned over and kissed Enji on the forehead before going to grab her bag. He opened the door for her, motioning to the guards to let her through.
“What are ya feeling? Pizza? Sushi? Chicken?”
“Chicken?” she asked, walking beside him.
“Love chicken,” he said.
“Isn’t that a little...odd?”
He looked over at her, brow raised. “Because of the wings?” She nodded. “Promise you the rest of me is all human,” he laughed, causing her to blush.
“I’m not really that hungry,” she said quietly. “Coffee maybe?”
“I know a great place,” he said, turning towards a large open window, twelve stories high. Fuyumi stopped, staring at him. “Paparazzi are everywhere downstairs.”
“And the news helicopters?”
“Government put a no fly order over the hospital,” he held out his hand to her. “Do you trust me?”
Fuyumi looked at him over her glasses, his carefree smile back. The fact was she did trust him. Trusted him with her life, her father’s life. Hell, her father trusted him with his own life...that was saying something.
But she wasn’t about to squander a perfect opportunity. The fact was, for better or worse, if anything happened to her father the protection order would be lifted. Which would mean either Hawks would become the number one hero or he would set off to hunt down her fathers would-be assassins.
Her time was limited.
“How am I supposed to trust you when I don’t even know your name?” No one knew his real name, according to all of the trashy magazines her brother sent her it was Hawk’s most well guarded secret.
“Enji never told you?” he smirked, leaning up against the wall.
Her father knew?! Of course he knew, she told herself. All of the top heroes probably knew.
Fuyumi shook her head no.
“Com’ere,” he motioned for her to come closer.
Her heart skipped a beat. You’re reading too much into this. He just doesn’t want anyone to overhear. She stepped closer. He leaned down towards her ear, his stubble tickling the side of her cheek. Oh gods, he would smell good too.
“You have to promise not to tell anyone,” he whispered in her ear, his voice low.
He could have asked her anything in that moment and she would have agreed. “I won’t.”
“Keigo Takami.”
Fuyumi leaned back, a wide smile on her face. “That’s--”
“Shhh!” he motioned for her to keep her voice down.
“So pretty!” she squealed, unashamed at how girly it made her seem.
Keigo paused, a blush creeping up his neck and ears. “Pretty?”
“Well I mean all of you is pretty,” she began to ramble. “It’s only fitting that your name would be too.”
“Miss Todoroki?” he asked, his face scarlet.
She froze, realizing she’d just given herself away. “Oh gods,” she covered her face with her hands. “I’m an idiot,” she muttered to herself.
“You’re not an idiot.” he said. She peeked at him between her fingers, seeing the soft smile on his face. “I just didn’t expect…” Keigo trailed off, his face burning brighter.
Change the subject dummy! “Only my students call me Miss Todoroki.”
Keigo arched a brow at her quizzically. “I didn’t want to be presumptuous.”
“You’re not.”
“Oh,” he breathed. “Good.” He straightened himself out. “Coffee?” he asked, holding out his hand once more. She lowered her hand, taking his, trying to not focus on how soft his hands were. His gold eyes blinked at her. “Ready?”
“Ready,” she inhaled.
He pulled her close, scooping her up to cradle her in his arms before his wings stretched out. In an instant they were airborne, speeding away from the hospital. Together they flew over the ward, heading towards less populated areas. Fuyumi squealed the whole time, loving every minute of it.
Keigo laughed, taking her high before they plummeted down into a small shopping center. She screamed, wrapping her arms around his neck, burying her face in his chest. “You’re insane!” she laughed.
They landed with a soft thud. “Nah, just showing off.”
He set her back down on her feet, letting her fix her glasses and smooth down her hair. “Showing off?” she asked, her smile bright.
Keigo blushed again. “Most people don’t like to fly like that,” he explained, rubbing the back of his head.
“Well I loved it!” she cheered, adrenaline still pumping through her.
“Yeah?” a smile split his face as he held open the coffee shop door.
“Absolutely! What I wouldn’t give to have a quirk that affords you that kind of freedom!” Fuyumi turned to find Keigo still standing in the doorway. “Are you okay?” she asked, noting the look on his face.
He nodded, letting the door shut behind him. The two made their way through the cramped coffee house, avoiding the gazes and whispers of the other patrons. Keigo pulled out a chair for Fuyumi to sit before taking his own seat across from her, his wings draped casually over the back.
“What is your quirk?” he asked, the same look still on his face. “If that’s not too personal?”
Fuyumi blinked. “Of course not,” she smiled, tilting her head. “You shared with me.” She glanced around before grabbing the small vase of flowers sitting on their table. Touching her fingers to it frost spread, covering the hydrangeas inside, freezing the water solid. “It’s not much, but it’s handy to keep drinks cold.”
“Are you kidding? That’s awesome!”
“You’re kind but it’s really not. It’s nothing like Shoto’s. Or even my mother’s.”
“Don’t say that,” his brows furrowed. “It suits you.”
“A weak quirk?”
“Who told you it was weak?”
“Who do you think?” Fuyumi couldn't help the edge in her voice.
“Well he’s wrong.”
The waitress came over and took their order. Typically she didn’t drink very hot drinks but thought tea would at least help soothe her nerves.
“So Fuyumi,” Keigo began.
“Yumi,” she corrected him. “My friends call me Yumi.”
“Am I your friend?” he asked, tilting his head.
She bit her lip. “Do you want to be?”
“Very much so,” he smiled. “So, Yumi, did you go to UA?”
“Father wouldn’t allow it,” she admitted. “To be honest I only think he keeps me around to take care of the house since mom is gone--” she cut herself off. Why was she opening up like this?
“Rei, right?”
Fuyumi nodded, “Your turn.”
“My turn?”
“You asked me a question now I get to ask you one.”
“I asked you one because you had already asked me one,” he smirked.
“That was to establish trust.”
Keigo leaned forward. “And do you trust me now?”
“I flew with you didn’t I?”
“Not what I mean,” his eyes flashed.
“Wait! How did you turn that around?” Fuyumi’s jaw fell causing Keigo to laugh.
“Sorry,” he kept laughing. “Habit of the job. I’ll stop. Ask your question.”
“No,” she snapped her mouth shut. “You’re just going to turn it back around on me again.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
Fuyumi eyed him. “Do you have any brothers or sisters?” she asked.
“Nope. Only child,” he answered. “My turn. Do you have a boyfriend?”
“What?!”
“Lover? Friend with benefits?”
“No!” her face burned again. “Why would you ask that?!”
“Is that your question?” he leaned in further still.
Fuyumi paused. It was like a game. “No,” she answered calmly, noting the surprised expression on his face. “Do you have a girlfriend?,” she paused, “or boyfriend?”
Keigo smiled. “Girlfriend. And no.” Fuyumi gestured for him to go again. “Do you really think I’m pretty?” He rested his face on his hands, smiling at her innocently.
“Yes,” she admitted, refusing to let herself blush again. “Uhm,” she cleared her throat. “When’s your birthday?”
“It was yesterday,” he answered.
“What?! Really?”
“It’s not your turn,” he teased. “What do--”
“No, no no!” Fuyumi waved her hands. “You missed your birthday!” He had been with her father when he was shot the day before. After that the government stepped in and kept him quarantined, much like herself, no one released until the next morning.
“Not that big of a deal. Really.”
“Yes it is! We should do something to celebrate. Even if it is a day late.”
“Protection detail, remember?” Fuyumi’s face dropped. “Oh hey, don’t be like that. This is a million times better than what I would be doing. Your dad is the worst when it comes to filing paperwork.”
She couldn’t help the smile that crept across her face.
“That’s better,” he said quietly. “Your smile is really pretty.”
Fuyumi shifted nervously in her seat, her heart racing. “Who’s turn is it?” she asked, trying to redirect the conversation.
A brilliant smile split Keigo’s face. “Mine.” The waitress arrived with their tea, exchanging looks between them before she flitted away. “Do you not have a boyfriend by choice or because of your father?”
Fuyumi shrugged. “A little of both maybe. What about you?”
“The job mostly,” he said, leaning back in his seat to sip his tea. “That and it’s hard to find anyone who isn’t in it for the money or the fame.”
“I can imagine. I thought for sure Shoto was going to have that issue but he found Momo and seems to be happy.”
“That’s good. Kid like him needs to find happiness wherever he can get it. It’s a rough world out there.”
“And what makes you happy?” Fuyumi asked.
“I believe it’s my turn?”
“Does it matter?”
“No. I suppose not,” he smiled. “You’re really easy to talk to.”
“I was just thinking the same thing.”
“Can I tell you something?” Keigo set his tea down.
“Of course.”
“Ryuko was supposed to be on your protection detail,” he admitted, his eyes darting away.
“She was?” Fuyumi asked, confused. Ryuko was guarding her brother Natsuo.
“I kind of...I kind of asked her to trade.”
She blinked. “Why?” she asked softly.
“Because we never get to spend any time together.”
“And you want to...spend time together?”
Keigo smiled softly, the tips of his ears bright pink again. “We always seem to just cross paths.”
“I’ve noticed that.” Fuyumi hid her massive grin behind her cup. “Can I tell you something?”
“It’s only fair.”
“I was actually really happy when I found out they were sending you,” she paused. “Not for the reasons why--”
“Of course not.”
“But just the same. I’m glad it is you and not Ryuko.”
“Me too.” The pair jumped when Keigo’s cell phone began to ring. He broke eye contact to answer it, giving a few cursory answers to whoever was on the other side before his expression dropped. “Your dad is awake.”
“That’s good,” Fuyumi said, meaning it.
“He’s...he’s asked to see you.”
“Oh,” she said with shock in her voice. “I suppose that means we should head back.”
“Yeah,” Keigo made a face. He pulled out his wallet and threw some bills on the table. “Ready?” Fuyumi nodded as she stood to leave. Not half a step out the door and Keigo had her in his arms again, rocketing back into the sky. Unlike before it was a direct path, straight back to the twelfth floor window.
He set her down gently, a steady stream of doctors and nurses running through the corridor towards Endeavors hospital room.
“Did you want to see him?” Fuyumi asked, staring at the door.
“You should talk to him,” Keigo said. “I’ll see him tomorrow I’m sure.”
“Thanks for being here today,” she said softly, turning back to find golden eyes set on her. “And for distracting me.”
“I’m sorry we didn’t get more time,” he said, stepping towards her. “Not because--”
Fuyumi smiled, “I know.”
“I do,” he reached for her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers, “want to spend more time with you. Have for some time.”
“Me too,” she smiled.
Keigo leaned in, brushing his lips against her cheek. “All of you is pretty too,” he whispered against her.
“Miss Todroki?” One of the nurses called for her. “Your father--”
“Yes,” Fuyumi said, staring into Keigo’s eyes. “I’ll be right there.” The nurse left the two alone, the hallway emptying out.
“Lemme see your phone?” Fuyumi pulled her phone from her pocket, unlocking it to hand to him. He took it, dialing in some numbers before handing it back to her. “Call me?”
“Absolutely.” Fuyumi couldn’t have grinned any wider.
“As much as I love that smile of yours, you really shouldn’t head in there with it,” he pointed to the door that led to Endeavor.
“You’re right,” she tried to keep a serious face.
“You’re still smiling,” Keigo smirked.
“Yep.”
In a flash Keigo spread his wings, wrapping her up in them to pull her closer. He lifted her chin ever so slightly before kissing her softly. “There. He won’t second guess that look of shock on your face.”
“Wow,” she breathed, the feeling of his lips still lingering on hers.
Keigo lowered his wings, taking a short step back from her. “Call me,” he said, stepping towards the window, his fingers still laced with hers. “I mean it.”
“I will,” she promised as he dropped her hand. He shot out through the window, leaving her alone in the hall. Fuyumi turned, covering her mouth to stop herself from screaming for joy. Sorting herself out she stepped through the doors to find her father sitting upright in bed.
“Good, about time you’re here,” he gruffed. “What took you so long?”
“K--Hawks just brought me back,” she answered, walking to his bedside.
Endeavor eyed her. “Good to see they got someone competent to guard over you, even if it was just for a few hours.” Fuyumi blinked. Beneath the back-handedness was a compliment of sorts. “Ought to have him over for dinner to thank him for taking time out of his day.”
“It would be the polite thing to do,” Fuyumi gave an appropriate response, trying to not let her emotions show.
“Fuyumi?”
“Yes, father?”
“Thank you,” he breathed, his heart monitor beeping. “For being here.”
“Of course,” she smiled softly. It wasn’t the apology she had longed hoped for, nowhere near close if she was being honest. But it was a start.