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Hawks loved hugs.

But he was careful! He only hugged one new person each day, if that. After all, it would really be annoying if he'd hugged a bunch of new people all at once and one of them was his soulmate and then he couldn’t figure out who it was. Hawks shuddered--that would definitely be a nightmare scenario. How would he even deal with that? His body falling sick and yelling at him to go back to his soulmate when he wouldn't even know who he was supposed to find. No, hugging one new person at a time was definitely better, even if it left him a little starved for touch on some days.

The problem was that when every first touch had to purposeful, hugs weren’t exactly common.

It sucked.

Everyone was so used to avoiding touching each other that even after you’d touched someone it was rare to do so again unless they were family or a very close friend. Habits ingrained since childhood were hard to get rid of, after all.

But Hawks loved hugs.

Unfortunately, he also lived on his own, so it’s not like there was anyone at home he could hug.

So he gave them freely to everyone in his agency and to all the other heroes he knew. Endeavor’s face when he’d given him a hug had been priceless! Hawks had thought he was about to be yeeted into the stratosphere. It had been a good hug though. Very strong and warm. Exactly like Hawks had always imagined it would be, really.

Hawks hoped his soulmate gave warm hugs. Those were the best. Though hopefully they wouldn’t be as rock-hard as hugging Endeavor had been. No, his soulmate’s hug would be perfect. Hawks was sure of it. He had to have something to look forward to, right? And they would be his soulmate. His ideal match. Of course their hug would be warm and comforting, strong and supportive.

And one day he’d find them.

One day Hawks would have a connection that the Commission couldn’t predict or control. A connection that was his. Just that one part of his life where he could be selfish. Where he didn’t have to be the hero. Where he could go home and hug someone and have someone who just wanted to spend time with him; that wanted Hawks to be near for his company, not for what he could do for them.

But for now….

Hawks sighed, running a hand through his hair.

With this infiltration mission, he was supposed to get closer to the villains. That wasn’t a problem really. Hawks was a naturally friendly guy. The problem was that it was a bit too easy to be friends with the League. One thing led to another and now… Well, now Hawks found himself hugging villains, too.

Hawks knew he’d let his guard down too much. But they were all so….

Hawks’ wings flapped in agitation.

It was fine, really. He needed the villains to trust him. And Hawks was feeling more physically affectionate than ever since he was rarely around the agency or heroes long enough to give them hugs.

It had been bound to happen.

A logical consequence, that was it.

It didn’t mean anything.

First he had hugged Twice. It had been instinctual. The guy had such a kind heart and he’d been crying about Magne again and Hawks had just reached out and…

And he’d hugged him.

He, a hero, had hugged a villain.

Heroes were supposed to make people feel better, right? It wasn’t a big deal. Hawks was just doing his job.

The poor guy had bawled after that, practically clinging to Hawks.

Next it had been Toga-chan. She’d been moping about not being able to be able to be part of a mission. Hawks hadn’t thought about the fact that that she was probably moping because she wasn’t able to kill people or get anyone’s blood. He’d just seen her sad and that had made him sad and he’d reached out.

Hawks didn’t regret it, either. He’d done it to cheer her up, and it had worked. They were both definitely more open with Hawks than before, too, which was good for his mission. And if he kept hugging them both… well, there was no harm to it.

It was all for the mission.

Well, that and he really missed hugs.

But now… this next one would be on purpose. Hawks needed Dabi to trust him. He had to break past the villain’s walls somehow and this was his best idea.

So here Hawks was, standing on the top of Re-Destro's roof, watching the pyro as he leaned against the railing and stared out over the city.

Slowly, Hawks walked up. He paused for a second, but when there was no sharp command to back off or wall of flames, Hawks stepped closer. He reached around cautiously, winding his arms around Dabi’s sides while resting his cheek against the villain’s warm back.

Dabi stiffened at first, then gradually relaxed. “My turn, huh?”

Hawks let out a soft hum, keeping his muscles purposefully loose and unguarded. “What do you mean by that?”

“You aren’t subtle, birdie.”

Hawks shrugged. Man, this was nice. “You’re so warm…” He nuzzled his cheek against the pyro’s back and tightened his arms when Dabi didn’t resist. Hawks was positive a full on hug from Dabi would be amazing. Surrounded in warmth like that…

Dabi sighed. “I’m not hugging you or some shit like the others.”

Damn. “That’s fine. I’ll just hug you like this, then.” He could settle for this, though he still thought a full hug would be amazing.

Silence.

Hawks stood there, relishing the contact.

Eventually Dabi spoke again, “I’ll set you on fire if you do this in front of the others.”

Hawks grinned. That meant the pyro was fine with hugs in private! “Ok!”

He lingered near Dabi’s warmth for a few more seconds, then with a flap of his wings Hawks was airborne, twisting around to salute the villain. “Got to run! Errands to do, people to save, you know the drill!”

Dabi rolled his eyes and held up his middle finger as Hawks turned and flew off.

As the evening wore on, though, Hawks had the worst headache. And he felt fucking exhausted, which didn’t make any sense. Sure, he was working a lot, but it wasn’t any harder than he normally pushed himself.

Shit, he’d even thrown up after subduing that one monkey villain!

The thought of his bed kept him going, though, and Hawks even felt a little better as he approached the villain hideout. His actual bed would’ve been even better, but that wasn’t an option right now. Not unless he wanted to fly for several more hours.

Hawks groaned at the thought, finally collapsing onto the rough sheets.

He didn’t have the energy to shower right now, but at least he felt better. Hawks let his brain shut down, finally relaxing after being on overdrive with hero work for the past few hours.

“I’m tempted to roast you alive, you damn bastard.”

Feathers flew at the voice, stopping milliseconds before reaching their target when Hawks realized who it was.

Why was Dabi in his room? How had Hawks not noticed him? Was he that out of it? Shit. He probably was. Just because he felt better didn’t mean he wasn’t exhausted.

Hawks sat up with a groan, rubbing a hand over his face. “What do you want, Dabi?” Why was he mad? They’d been fine earlier.

Flames flickered to life, burning through Re-Destro’s bugs that were attached to Hawks’ wings. “To not feel like shit.”

Huh?

What did that mean? Why had Dabi destroyed the bugs? Not that Hawks wasn’t thankful, but Re-Destro was not going to be happy about that. At least they’d know to blame the pyro and not Hawks—blue flames weren’t exactly subtle.

Whatever. Thinking about it wasn’t going to do anything.

Hawks opened his eyes. “That hurt, you bastard.”

Dabi was curled up in a ball against the wall, drenched in sweat.

Cold blue eyes glared at him. “Oh, I’m the bastard? Fuck you, you dick.” Dabi’s legs uncurled, his whole posture tense and angry. “You hugged me and then you had to feel like charred horseshit, but you kept doing your damn hero work? Who the hell does that?! You weren’t the only one that was feeling shitty, asshole, and I couldn’t even try to find you!”

What? Dabi had…

No.

That couldn’t be. That would mean—

“We’re soulmates, dumbass.”

Hawks stared at him.

His wings twitched in confusion.

Soulmates.

He had been feeling bad for a reason.

Dabi had felt terrible, too.

Hawks’ exhaustion and headache and nausea and everything had been because he’d left Dabi, not because he was overworking himself.

…

Hawks didn’t understand.

His soulmate was a villain?

How… how did that make any sense?!

Soulmates were supposed to be your perfect match! Hawks was a hero! How could a hero’s perfect match be a villain?

Dabi was standing now, blue eyes evaluating him. “You didn’t even figure it out, did you, birdbrain?”

Hawks swallowed, then slowly sat up. He should be sitting up for this. He needed to give it his full attention. “I was thinking about work, not the hug. I’d been pushing myself hard recently, so I just figured…” Hawks’ voice trailed off. In retrospect, it had been a stupid assumption.

Sure, the headache or exhaustion might have been from that, but there’s no way he’d pushed himself hard enough to throw up.

Dabi scoffed. The villain strolled past his looming feathers to reach his bed. Hawks watched him, still confused. This couldn’t—

Dabi’s hand was in his shirt, yanking Hawks to his feet.

Hawks stumbled, bracing his arms against Dabi’s chest.

“What the hell, man?” Hawks looked up, angry at being rough handled, but he froze at the annoyed look on Dabi’s face.

Hell.

That expression.

Those eyes

Hawks’ brain did not want to work properly right now. It was still lagging from earlier and he’d always thought Dabi was hot, but now with this new knowledge—

“We don’t have the luxury of pussyfooting our way through this shit. You have your missions, and I have mine, and there’s no way I’m telling the others about what’s going on.”

Hawks frowned. It wasn’t ideal, but, “I can’t say I disagree.” His eyes flickered down to Dabi’s lips. To stop the side effects, though, they’d have to kiss. That was how it worked.

Dabi smirked, pulling Hawks closer by his shirt. “You gonna do the honors then, Hero, or should I?”

Screw it.

Hawks had never been about taking things slow, and he wasn’t about to start now.

He wrapped one hand around the back of Dabi’s head, pulling him downward until their lips slid together.

Damn that was nice.

His wings stretched out and were about to curl around them when Dabi’s hand pushed back against Hawks’ chest, making him stumble a bit before his wings regained his balance.

“There. Now we can both do our shit like normal.”

Hawks stared at him, his brain still rebooting. “Like normal?” Dabi wanted to ignore this?

“We’re villains.” The pyro turned toward the door, weaving through Hawks’ feathers. “Life doesn’t give us flowers and romance.”

“But it literally just—” The door slammed shut.

Hawks stared at the wood

What the hell?

No.

No!

This was not how they were leaving shit! Hawks didn’t care how tired Dabi was. First thing tomorrow Re-Destro would find a way to put more bugs on his wings, and then there’d be no talking about it—not unless Dabi chose to burn the bugs again, at least, since it would not be good for the mission if Hawks removed them himself.

Hawks was out the door in seconds, his feathers finding the villain and pinning him to the wall, then disappearing in a rush of flames.

It was too late.

Hawks grabbed Dabi’s shirt before he could run again, glaring at the villain. “We are talking about this, damn it! I’m not going to just ignore it!”

He’d waited too long for this.

Dabi glared right back.

Hawks could hear whispers all around them. People wondering what was happening. Shit, he hated living in this villain dump. Hawks dragged Dabi back to his room. “Don’t give me that glare! If you’d just stayed put I wouldn’t have had to make a scene.”

Hawks shoved Dabi back inside the room, closing and locking the door behind him, then setting up a few feathers to listen for anyone who might try to spy on them.

Dabi huffed, crossing his arms and still glaring at Hawks. “Look, birdie. I don’t trust you and I don’t trust this magical connection or whatever. I’m not going to suddenly be your best friend, much less your lover.”

“Did I say that’s what I wanted?” Well, it was. Kind of. Eventually. They were soulmates, ok! He’d been waiting for this his whole life! But first—“We need to talk, and now you’re the one being a dumbass about it. You’ve already burned the bugs, so now’s probably the best opportunity we’re going to get. Unless you want to make burning those things a habit?” Hawks would certainly appreciate it if he did, but that would probably be pushing his luck.

Dabi raised one eyebrow. Silence stretched across the room.

Finally, Dabi crossed over to Hawks’ bed and sat down on the edge. “Alright, I’ll stay.” The villain leaned back, cool eyes regarding Hawks. “You want to talk? Then talk, hero.”

Hawks huffed, annoyed at Dabi’s attitude. He understood the guy being angry about Hawks working longer and making them both feel terrible, but now the pyro was just being annoying. To be safe, Hawks positioned some more feathers by the door to keep the villain from leaving.

Dabi smirked. When he spoke, his voice was low and sardonic. “You know those can’t stop me, pretty bird.”

Shiiiiit.

Since when could Dabi flirt? Hawks fought not to react. That tone of voice. That nickname. Hawks was doomed. He managed to keep his face blank, though. “Pretty bird? You said you didn’t want anything out of this, so why the new nickname?” Dabi thought he was pretty?

“Thought it might be fun to rile you up.” Dabi’s voice had a lilt to it that should be illegal. “I was right.”

Kill him now. Hawks took a deep breath. Ignore the teasing. Just establish the basics. “Alright, so you want to mess with me, but you don’t want to actually mean anything to each other.”

“You got it. Sorry birdbrain,” Dabi shrugged, “I’m not opposed to having fun, but getting attached just isn’t smart.”

Hawks frowned. Just because it wasn’t smart didn’t mean it wasn’t possible. Yes, he was a hero. Dabi was a villain. Yet…

Hawks had always thought the Commission wouldn’t be able to have anything to do with his soulmate. They’d always been frustrated by that wildcard, made plans trying to predict it…

They’d never predicted that it would be a villain.

Don’t think about that. Not right now. “So you’re not going to distance yourself? Everything will stay the same?”

“No, you dumbass chicken, I won’t distance myself. That would only make people curious, and I’m not an idiot. Curious villains are never a good thing.”

Hawks ran a hand through his hair, his wings ruffling in frustration. “That’s for sure.” As a spy, he was well acquainted with the difficulties of avoiding curious villains.

Dabi stood up, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Is your little heart reassured enough that I can go now, birdie, or are you going to chase me down the hall again?”

Hawks glared at him. “I’m not going to ignore this, but I won’t make the fact that we’re soulmates obvious to anyone else. Deal?”

Blue eyes narrowed as Dabi scowled. “Fine, I guess. If you want to try and persuade me or some shit, knock yourself out. I still say relationships and all that aren’t for villains.”

Hawks grinned, “But I’m a hero, remember?”

“Right.” Dabi rolled his eyes. “Keep telling yourself that while you sleep in a villain’s headquarters. I’m sure it’ll work well for you.” He walked toward the door, but paused before he left. “You’ve had your talk. Don’t follow me this time.”

Hawks stared at the door as it shut behind his soulmate.

His soulmate.

He’d always been so happy that the Commission wouldn’t be able to pick them or control them. That Hawks could have just this one thing.

But could he?

He was a hero. The Commission would tell him that Dabi was right. That this would never work out and he should just ignore it and settle down with someone else. People did that, after all. Not everyone found their soulmate, and some didn’t believe in it.

Apparently like Dabi.

But Hawks had looked forward to this for so long….

He needed something for himself. Something that had nothing to do with being a hero. He couldn’t just—Hawks swallowed, collapsing backwards onto his bed.

He stared at the flickering fluorescent lightbulb.

Was his life really his if he didn’t have something personal? Something he could control? Something that had no relation to saving people but was just there for him?

Hawks’ hands clenched tight around the sheets. He couldn’t give up without trying.

For now, it would be easy to justify getting closer to Dabi to the Commission. He could flirt and act like he just wanted to fool around with the pyro. After that… well, Hawks would figure that out later. He didn’t actually know how loyal Dabi was to the League itself, and that would factor in a heavy deal.

As for the fact that his soulmate was a murderer, well… Hawks didn’t like that, but he would hear him out. There had to be a reason Dabi became who he was today. Listening to his soulmate’s story was the least Hawks could do.

Well, if Dabi would ever talk about it.

Hawks sighed.

One step at a time.

The next day (after, of course, more bugs were “slipped covertly” onto his wings; he didn’t know why they tried to be secretive about it—how could he not notice them?), Hawks found Dabi in what functioned as the villains’ cafeteria.

“Hey there, hot stuff.” Hawks promptly dropped himself into the pyro’s lap, grinning at him.

Dabi stared at him, then sighed. “Is this going to be a thing now, birdie? I told you I would roast you if you pulled this shit.”

“It’s totally going to be a thing. And you said you’d roast me if I hugged you. I’m not hugging you.” Hawks leaned into his soulmate (and shit, if that wasn’t still odd to think about). He definitely would prefer to be hugging him right now, but sitting in his lap was still good.

“I meant this physical affection shit. And don’t you have work to do?”

“I’m doing it.” Technically, at least. He was getting villains to trust him by being affectionate with Dabi in a large central area of their headquarters where plenty of people would see them. It made sense.

But mostly it was just comfy. Who knew someone so bony would be so comfy?

Hawks also counted it as a personal victory that he had yet to be shoved onto the floor or set on fire.

“You’re clearly not.”

“Am too!” Hawks stuck his tongue out. “My feathers are assisting people as we speak!” Also true. They were helping Twice carry a bunch of boxes somewhere.

Dabi closed his eyes, rubbing at his forehead in frustration. “Why are you like this?”

“Me next, me next!” Hawks looked over to see Toga bouncing toward them. Damn it. He couldn’t deny her; he was supposed to become friendly with all of them.

Wait. Hawks’ eyes lit up with an idea. “Jump on!”

“Hell no.” Dabi shoved Hawks off his lap, and it was only with a quick flap of his wings that Hawks managed to avoid falling on the floor.

Hawks pouted at his soulmate. He’d lasted so long, too. “Now why’d you go and do that?”

Dabi stood up with a stretch and Hawks’ eyes did not fall down to the midriff that showed as Dabi’s shirt rose. “Because unlike you, I actually have to go places myself to get work done.”

“Booo.” Toga jeered as her arms wrapped around Hawks and he automatically returned the hug. At least some people appreciated them. “You can join our hug parties now, though!”

“Pass.” Dabi waved a hand over his shoulder, boots clodding against the floor as he walked away.

Damn he was hot.

“Ne, ne, Hawksy-kun, do you want to go meet someone with me?”

Shit. It was never good when Toga ‘met’ people. “Sounds like fun!” Hawks gave her a wide grin, and she smiled back, that crazed look in her eyes that always made Hawks’ skin crawl.

Hawks ended up spending the ‘meeting’ hovering out of the guy’s eyesight and disguising his own voice while he tried to convince Toga not to kill the civilian. Annoyingly, she avoided mentioning her target’s name the entire time, but Hawks had managed to slip a feather into his pocket and was hopeful that he’d be able to catch the name that way.

Of course, this could always be a trap to see if heroes started tailing this guy after Hawks knew about him, but he couldn’t risk leaving it unknown. He had to track down every avenue of information.

After that, Toga had dragged him around to help her with various tasks until he insisted that he needed to do some hero work for the day or the Commission would become suspicious. The girl predictably pouted, but thankfully let him go.

When he returned to headquarters that evening, Hawks didn’t bother flying to the main entrance. He had other goals that didn’t involve mingling with everyone. Instead, he darted over to where he knew Dabi’s window was, easily unlocking the latch before slipping inside.

Dabi was sprawled out on his bed in his usual t-shirt and tight pants, his jacket and boots over by his door. Annoyed blue eyes looked up from a book.

Hawks grinned at his soulmate. “Thought I’d drop in!”

“Why?” Dabi’s voice was practically a growl.

“Because I want to get to know you more, hot stuff.” Dabi’s eyes flickered to the bugs on his wings, but Hawks didn’t care. So what if the villains heard them flirting? It would just be more evidence that Hawks was loyal. “You always act like you’re too cool for us lowly peons.”

Dabi frowned. “I like my privacy, birdie.”

“Too bad.” Hawks darted to the side of the bed, peering over the top of the book. “What’cha reading?”

The book snapped shut. “None of your business.” Dabi stood up, walking over to the door and putting his hand on the doorknob as if he was about to open it.

“Aww, come on, man! Give me something to work with here.”

“Why would I do that when I want you to leave?”

“Because you think I’m attractive.” Hawks smirked as Dabi glared at him. He had called him pretty bird, after all.

“Give me something better than that, you flying narcissist.”

Of course it wasn’t enough. Yet…Hawks stepped closer to Dabi, relieved when the villain let him close the distance. His hand circled around Dabi’s, pulling it back from the door. “You enjoy my company.”

He had to, right? They were soulmates.

Blue eyes studied him.

Hawks didn’t mind the silence that stretched out. He had to be right. Dabi was pretty vocal about what he hated, after all. The pyro was annoyed sometimes, sure, but he never actively pushed Hawks away.

“I told you I wasn’t going to do shit like getting attached.”

“One night of hanging out is hardly enough for you to get attached.”

“Bullshit. If I say yes it won’t be one night, and we both know it, you lying chicken.”

Hawks grinned. “Maybe.” He reached out with his other hand, curling their fingers together. “If you let me stay I won’t sit on your lap in public any more.” He liked teasing the pyro, but Hawks would prefer one-on-one interactions with his soulmate over public teasing any day.

“Tch.” Dabi scowled, then pulled his hands away and stalked over to his couch before plopping down on it with an aggrieved sigh. “Fine. We can watch TV or some shit. Even if I shove you out the door you’d just climb through the window again, anyway.”

“Yup!” Hawks let out a chirp of happiness, crossing the room in a millisecond and curling up against Dabi’s warm side before Hawks realized what he’d done.

Hawks froze.

He’d chirped.

He wasn’t supposed to chirp. The Commission didn’t want that as part of his public image. They said people wouldn’t like it.

But Dabi didn’t say anything. There was no reaction as the villain turned on his TV. He wasn’t even looking at Hawks.

Hawks let his shoulders relax.

Of course. Dabi was his soulmate. He wouldn’t care about Hawks’ more avian traits. Cautiously, Hawks leaned his head against Dabi’s shoulder and let out another soft chip when the pyro didn’t pull away.

Again, no reaction. Dabi just kept flipping through channels.

Hawks relaxed a little more, enjoying the pyro’s warmth.

A giant caterpillar filled the screen, its mouth chomping into a leaf and grinding it into small pieces.

Hawks wrinkled his nose in disgust.

The voice of some scientist narrated about how the caterpillar was happy and the leaf was his favorite food source.

Dabi set down the remote.

“This? Really?”

Dabi smirked at him. “You’re a bird, right? I figured you would be interested in learning about your food.”

“Ughhh. No. Change it.”

“Nah.” Dabi shifted, lifting his arm over Hawks’ shoulders and letting him lean in even closer. “Don’t think I will.”

Fuuuck.

For a brief second, Hawks forgot about everything. He forgot about the Commission, the bugs on his feathers, Dabi being a villain.

In that second, Hawks could have died happy.

He was cuddling on a couch. He was cuddling on a couch with his soulmate. A soulmate that wasn’t stiff as a board or pushing him away, but had actually wrapped an arm over Hawks’ shoulders.

Shit, this was nice. “Bug documentaries it is, then!” He chirped again without thinking. He needed to stop doing that. Whoever was listening to the tech bugs on his wings could hear him. Hawks couldn’t be this relaxed.

But he was so comfy.

And disgusted. The caterpillar was now pooping, and the camera was zooming in for a close-up. Hawks did not need to see that. There was no way he was leaving, though.

Dabi laughed, a low chuckle that Hawks loved. “You still want to stay, pretty bird? I’m sure I can find even worse things to watch.”

So that was his game. Hawks turned his head to look up at the pyro, raising an eyebrow. “Try to chase me out all you want, hot stuff. I’m comfy right here and I’m not leaving.”

Dabi smirked at him, but didn’t change the channel, apparently content to watch what was now a different bug vomiting.

Who the hell wanted to watch this shit?

Hawks never left, though. Despite the various disgusting as shit programs Dabi found (such as in-depth analyses of parasites and plastic), he stayed curled up against his pyro’s side.

In the end, Hawks may have fallen asleep during some show about the history of sewers in Japan. Dabi had been gone when he’d woken up, but there had been a blanket spread over him, which made Hawks blush and bury his head in it.

It smelled like burning charcoal.

Like Dabi.

Hawks had never found that smell attractive before, but he was already beginning to like it.

Shit, he had it bad. Hawks groaned, setting aside the blanket. He had to focus on the mission. Being with Dabi was nice, but he couldn’t let it distract him.

Yet on nights when Hawks found an hour or so where he could slip away, he made his way to Dabi’s window.

The pyro would always roll his eyes and make some snarky comment, but after a month or so there would be a smile along with the snark.

Of course, the one time Hawks commented on that, Dabi immediately denied it and the smile disappeared. Hawks didn’t mention it after that.

On nights after Hawks had a mission or event with Endeavor, though, Dabi was always in a pissy mood.

Hawks frowned as he perched on Dabi’s open window. The pyro had all the lights off and was watching a horror movie. Hawks hated horror movies, and the bastard knew it.

Hawks jumped off the ledge into the room, closing the window behind him. “I’m sorry, alright? I wasn’t even with Endeavor that long today! I just happened to see him and lent him a hand. He didn’t even need my help, really.”

“Then you should have done something to make the situation worse.”

Hawks sighed. “I have to at least act like I’m on good terms with the number one, hot stuff.”

No response.

Hawks rolled his eyes and dropped a plastic bag into Dabi’s lap. “There. I knew you’d be grouchy about it so I brought you some beer and curry bread from that vendor on the corner you like.” Dabi frowned as he glanced over at Hawks, but at least he opened up the bag and pulled out the bread. “You know, for someone that hates Endeavor so much, you sure are highly aware of everything he does.”

“It’s called knowing your enemy, birdbrain.” Dabi took a bite, his shoulders relaxing a bit as Hawks plopped onto the couch next to him and grabbed a beer from the bag for himself.

“Yeah? And why do you care so much about this particular enemy?”

Blue eyes glared at him. “Drop it, birdie.”

And so he did.

Endeavor was pretty much a forbidden topic, along with anything related to Dabi’s family, or anything related to the Villains’ plans, or Dabi’s childhood, or how many people he’d killed or why Dabi became a villain or…

Ok, there were a lot of forbidden topics.

They got along well, though! And Hawks enjoyed Dabi’s company. And his sarcasm. And warmth. And hugs. And making out. Fuck if Hawks wasn’t coming to love the asshole, yet the entire time Dabi remained his aloof self.

It was damn annoying, but Hawks couldn’t help himself.

There were small signs, though, that Dabi enjoyed their time together. Like how he didn’t tense up any more when Hawks barged in. Or how sometimes he’d have food set out for Hawks. And sometimes he’d turn on the tv to something Hawks actually liked instead of something disgusting.

Yet months passed, and Hawks wasn’t getting any further. Not only that, but his mission was approaching its end.

But then one night Dabi came to Hawks’ room, instead.

It was after a few long weeks—Hawks was busy preparing for the upcoming hero raid, and he didn’t have time to relax with Dabi. Plus he may have been avoiding the pyro since he didn’t exactly want him to realize that Hawks was in the middle of betraying the League.

Hawks didn’t know what to do about that, really. He had to betray them. He understood why they were upset with society but their actions would hurt so many and he—

Hawks didn’t have the energy to think about that. His wings were killing him and every muscle ached from overuse.

The second he’d made it to his room, Hawks had crashed onto the bed. He wanted to pass out, but he knew he had to at least put an ice pack or something on his shoulder—he was pretty sure he’d pulled a muscle from an awkward twist he’d made in the evening’s first fight.

Hawks groaned, sending out a few feathers to grab the ice pack from his mini-fridge as he sat up. He sighed in relief as he set it on top of his shoulder.

Damn that felt good.

And then the door was opening and Hawks’ feathers were darting toward it, but he pulled them back the second he realized it was Dabi.

The pyro raised an eyebrow, shutting the door behind him. “On edge?”

“No one ever comes to my room.” Hawks started to shrug, but winced at a particularly sharp pain that shot through his shoulder.

Dabi’s eyes narrowed. “What happened?”

“Nothing.” Hawks steadied the ice pack and let his hand drop down to his lap. “Just pulled a muscle or something by throwing a punch at an awkward angle. It’ll be fine in the morning.”

The pyro sighed, removing his jacket and boots and leaving them by the door. “You’ve been working too hard, you puffed up chicken. Your body can’t handle all of this.”

“I’m fine.” Though he definitely appreciated the concern. Dabi had never acted concerned before. Maybe the past few months of spending time together hadn’t been for nothing. Hopefully.

“Lay down on your stomach.” Dabi strode toward Hawks’ bed while the hero blinked in surprise.

“What?”

“Heat’s not the best for your shoulder, so I can’t do anything about that, but your back’s sore from the non-stop flying you’ve been doing, right?”

Hawks nodded dumbly.

“Then lay down. I’ll give you a back massage.”

Holy shit that sounded good.

Hawks was pretty sure he’d never laid down faster in his life.

Dabi snorted and readjusted the ice pack for him. “There good?”

“Yea—oooooh, fuck.” Hawks moaned as Dabi’s warm fingers rubbed into the muscles around his wings. “Damn, hot stuff, you have magic fingers.”

“Yeah? Used to do this for my siblings.”

Hawks’ dazed mind froze. “Siblings?” Was Dabi willing to talk about one of the forbidden topics?

“That’s all you’re getting, pretty bird.”

Hawks sighed. “I won’t say anything, you know.” Silence. “Fine. Just know that you can tell me whenever you’re ready.”

“Maybe you wouldn’t, pretty bird, but you’re not exactly ever alone.”

Hawks had never hated those stupid bugs more than he did right now. Dabi had as good as said he trusted Hawks but was staying aloof because of those dumbass bugs!

Hawks wanted to cut them to pieces so badly.

But the mission was almost over.

And Dabi probably wouldn’t want to talk to him any more after that, anyways.

Shit.

Hawks sighed, half in frustration, half in pleasure as Dabi’s warm fingers kept sliding across Hawks’ back, working out the knots in his muscles. Then Dabi was tracing over where Hawks’ wings joined his back, and Hawks couldn’t help the soft coo that escaped.

Dabi snorted. “That feels good, huh, birdie?”

“You have no idea.”

Hawks was in heaven.

Like this, he could forget about the mission. He could just focus on those warm hands running through his feathers, straightening them, ruffling through each one and making Hawks turn into a pile of mush. Shit, Hawks knew he should probably be yanking his wings away from those dangerous hands—they could destroy his feathers without even trying—but Hawks couldn’t find any desire to pull away.

A fog covered his brain. A fog of pleasure that he never wanted to leave.

It had been how long… years? Over a decade. Had to be. The last person to massage his back and wings like this and…

It felt so nice.

“You can’t keep doing this to yourself, pretty bird. Take it from the freak covered in scars. Your body can’t endure this shit.”

Hawks let out another coo. Words. He needed to find words. Dabi was being serious. He should respond.

So tired, though. And his hands felt so good.

Dabi sighed. Hawks let out a soft chirp of disappointment when the hands moved away. “Promise me you won’t keep pushing yourself like you have the past few weeks, and I’ll keep going.”

Hawks made a vague affirmative noise.

At least, he thought he did.

Another sigh, but the hands returned. “Dumbass. Good as I’m going to get, huh birdbrain? You’re a fucking idiot for running yourself down like this. What if someone else had walked through that door? Not to mention we need you in working order.”

Hawks couldn’t bring himself to respond.

He would’ve been fine.

His feathers always guarded him.

But Dabi’s fingers were rubbing along the base of his wings and Hawks couldn’t think straight.

“Get some actual rest, pretty bird. I’ll keep watch.”

Oh.

That was… that was nice. Hawks never let himself fall completely into a deep sleep. He had to keep himself half-aware and able to react at a moment’s notice….

The feathers hidden throughout the room slowly drifted back to him.

But Dabi was here.

His soulmate said he would watch for threats.

Hawks could relax.

With all of his feathers in place, he let himself drift off to sleep.

Waking up with Dabi’s warmth right at his side was definitely something Hawks could get used to. It was just so comfortable.

Hawks never wanted to move.

He couldn’t open his eyes, because the second he did, Hawks knew it would be over.

He just wanted to stay like this forever.

No upcoming raid. Just him and Dabi.

“I know you’re awake, birdie.”

Hawks’ wings twitched, but he tried to remain still and keep his breathing deep and steady.

“It’s nine am you lazy chicken. We have work to do.” Dabi shifted, and then Hawks yelped, springing up as flames licked at the base of his feathers and then disappeared.

Hawks glared at his soulmate.

The villain was in the same loose white t-shirt and black pants, his jacket draped across Hawks’ chair where he’d put it the previous night. He really had stayed here the whole time, then.

Dabi really did care about him.

Hawks probably shouldn’t comment on that. “What gave me away?”

“You stopped drooling.”

Hawks huffed. As if. “I didn’t drool, you jackass.” And if he had, it was perfectly normal. He had slept really well and didn’t need to deal with Dabi’s snark.

“Keep telling yourself that.” Blue eyes narrowed as Hawks rolled his shoulder. “It still hurt?”

“Just a little tender.” The pain was barely there, honestly.

“You said it would be better today.”

Hawks raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “And you believed that?”

“Tch.” Dabi snorted. “Yeah, I guess I deserve that.” The villain reached over, ruffling Hawks’ hair. “You have to take care of yourself, you dumb bird.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Hawks stretched, yawning as he replied. “Back at you, hot stuff.”

Hawks ginned as Dabi rolled his eyes.

Dabi cared about him. Hawks couldn’t actually believe it. He’d managed to weasel his way into the aloof bastard’s affections.

And now he was going to betray him.

He…

He couldn’t.

Hawks couldn’t turn against him.

This was his soulmate. The one thing the commission wasn’t supposed to ruin.

There had to be a way out of this mess, he just had to find it.

He had to.

Hawks tried to keep his voice carefree, “Hey, handsome.”

Dabi raised an eyebrow, pausing as he put on his jacket. “What do you want?”

“Remember when we had that fight months ago and watched that bug documentary? You want to watch it again?”

Dabi was staring at him. Please let him understand. If Dabi would get rid of the bugs, then Re-Destro wouldn’t be suspicious. Hawks just needed a few minutes without them, then maybe they could talk freely for once. Yet… did Hawks dare admit he was a spy? Dabi was in the League for a reason, and Hawks still hadn’t figured out why that was, though it probably had something to do with Endeavor.

Finally, Dabi spoke. “I guess we could do a re-run. Do you know if the bug shit is supposed to be airing sometime soon?”

Hawks grinned. Best. Soulmate. Ever. “It’s supposed to show on Monday morning! But that means we wouldn’t be able to work until after lunch.” With a flap of his wings, Hawks was in front of Dabi, his hands resting behind his soulmate’s neck. Hawks smirked at Dabi’s cautious expression. “You wanna call it a date, hot stuff?”

Immediately Hawks was shoved backwards. “You have weird tastes in dates, pretty bird.”

“That’s not a no.” Hawks chirped, then laughed as Dabi half-heartedly flung flames in his direction before bending down to put on his boots.

“That’s because it doesn’t even deserve an answer, you piece of fried chicken.”

Hawks hummed noncommittally. “It’s ok, I won't tell anyone about your bug obsession.”

“Fuck off.” Dabi raised his middle finger and stalked out the door.

Hawks’ grin fell from his face.

The raid would happen on Monday. He’d see Dabi that morning and…

And what?

Talk?

He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. He’d figure it out later. Right now he had work to do.

Until then, Hawks would treasure each night with the pyro. He cherished the warm hugs and the teasing and the occasional kisses and… damn it. He knew he was acting strange. Dabi kept giving him confused glances and hadn’t turned on horror movies all week.

Hawks didn’t want this to end.

But he had to do this.

And after Monday Dabi wouldn’t want anything to do with a traitor and spy.

On Sunday night, Hawks couldn’t sleep. He hadn’t figured anything out. How was he supposed to tell Dabi he was a traitor? The villain was going to be furious. He had every reason to be furious. Hawks tossed and turned, then finally gave up and went out to the roof, letting the wind ruffle his feathers in an effort to calm down.

And then he saw him.

Dabi was standing on the roof as well, looking out over the city.

Of course he was.

It was the same spot where he’d stood when Hawks had first hugged him months ago.

Hawks moved on autopilot, immediately hugging the villain from behind and wrapping his wings around him as well.

Dabi sighed. “Can’t sleep, birdbrain?”

Hawks nodded against Dabi’s back, then winced as flames licked against his wings then disappeared.

“There. They’re gone. I made sure the cameras saw my flames before they were destroyed, so Re-Destro will just be ticked at me and they won’t think you did it.”

Hawks stretched his wings out again, relieved to feel nothing attached.

It felt like one boulder had been removed from his shoulders, only to have another, heavier one fall into its place.

“Can you tell me now what’s made you so upset this past week? I assume you don’t actually want to watch that shitty documentary.”

Hawks bit his lip.

This was it.

After this, Dabi would hate him.

Not only that, but he might tell the others and give them a heads up. Give the villains time to organize a defense. Hawks was confident that the heroes would still win, but that warning would make things far more dangerous for them.

And Hawks knew he couldn’t beat Dabi in a fight. The only way would be to cut him down faster than Dabi could use his flames, and Hawks couldn’t do that. Not to his soulmate.

Hawks sent feathers flying around the roof, checking to make sure it was only the two of them.

They were alone.

Hawks slowly pulled back from the hug, biting his lip and rocking on his heels as Dabi turned around to face him. Shit. He actually looked concerned. “This isn’t like you, birdie.”

Hawks opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again. How did he even start?

“I can only think of one reason why you’d be this nervous and ask me to fry those bugs.” Dabi’s stance was casual, but his shoulders were tense.“Are you finally going to admit you’re a spy, hero?”

Hawks winced, and Dabi’s eyes narrowed.

Of course.

Dabi had always suspected him, really. He’d never fully convinced his soulmate. The pyro was able to read him too well.

“Well, chicken shit?”

Hawks let a casual grin slip on. Banter. He could do that. “And if I am?”

This time Dabi’s grin had a vicious edge. “Revealing your true colors, pretty bird?”

“I’ve always been a hero, Dabi.”

“That puts us on opposite sides.”

No nickname that time, and Dabi’s voice sounded angry. Shit. “I wasn’t lying about being sympathetic to your goals! And I’d never do anything to hurt you.”

“See, that’s where you’re wrong.” Dabi stepped forward, invading Hawks’ space and making his breath hitch as Dabi’s hand trailed along his jaw. The pyro’s eyes were cold. Dangerous. Hawks should flee.

He should, but he couldn’t.

Dabi’s hand on his chin rooted Hawks to the spot. The villain’s voice was a low snarl, “You say you won’t hurt me, yet you keep talking to that flaming trash can.”

Endeavor?

“Then I won’t.” The answer was simple. Easy. So easy, given everything else that was happening. This was his soulmate. Hawks could avoid Endeavor. He wished Dabi would trust him with why he hated the hero so much, especially now that he didn’t have the bugs attached, but now wasn’t the time to push that issue.

Dabi’s kiss was sudden, hard, and controlling. It made Hawks’ legs weak. The villain’s grin was sharp as he pulled back, stepping away from Hawks and leaving him suddenly cold. “You’re a hero. You can’t promise that, handsome.”

“I’m also your soulmate.” Hawks refused to back down. He valued what they had too much. “If he pisses you off that much, I’ll figure shit out.”

Dabi chuckled. “And yet you’re a spy.” Blue eyes dared him to deny it, but Hawks couldn’t. “Why admit it today, birdie? What do you have planned?”

“Nothing that will hurt you.”

“Somehow I doubt that.”

Hawks frowned, annoyed. “Nothing that will hurt you if you stay out of it, then.”

“That’s more like it.” Dabi tilted his head as he evaluated Hawks like some sort of puzzle. “And what are you going to do to make me stay out of it?”

“Nothing.”

Silence.

As much as Hawks wanted Dabi to look the other way, he couldn’t actually do anything. He wouldn’t.

Dabi stared at Hawks, flames slowly flickering to life around his hands. “Nothing?” The villain shook his head. “That doesn’t make any sense! You’ve been so careful and you’ve planned some big shit and you just… what, you tell me and let me walk away and tell whoever the hell I want?”

Hawks crossed his arms, his wings flapping indignantly. “I haven’t told you anything, and you couldn’t stop it if you tried, plus you’re my soulmate and I’m not going to fight you, so yes. Nothing. Go try to stop the inevitable if that’s what you want.”

“A heads up about whatever you’re planning could drastically change things, though, couldn’t it? Or you wouldn’t have cared about waiting until now to tell me. You wouldn’t have asked me to take off the bugs.”

Why did Hawks have to be attracted to his intelligence when Dabi was using it against him? “You’re my soulmate. I owed you a heads up. That’s it.”

“That’s it.”

Hawks shrugged, refusing to look away from the villain in front of him. From his soulmate. From the flames around his fists and the small trail of smoke coming from his mouth. “You don’t get to claim you’re being loyal to me when you’re betraying us, Hawks.”

Hawks winced. Dabi hadn’t called him his hero name since before they’d even found out they were soulmates. “I know. I’ll spend forever making it up to you if I have to, though.”

Dabi sneered. “And what about the rest of the League, huh? You planning on making it up to them, too?”

“I don’t care about them.”

“Bullshit, birdie.”

“I don’t!’ He couldn’t! “It was all part of the mission, that’s all!”

“You’re a fucking liar!” More smoke. It was billowing now. “You don’t even know what the truth is anymore. You’re just hero trash like the rest of them.”

Hawks struggled to keep his emotions off his face. “Maybe I am.”

Dabi’s eyes narrowed. Blue flames lashed out, but Hawks didn’t dodge.

Fuck!

Everything burned.

Hot, so hot, so fucking hot

Dabi’s flames hurt like hell, and Hawks could feel each feather burning, shriveling, falling to ash—

His legs gave out underneath him, and Hawks collapsed on the floor in pain.

And then the flames were gone.

Blearily, Hawks looked up.

Dabi loomed over him, smoke still pouring from his mouth. “I fucking swore I’d never do that, you asshole.”

“Huh?” Hawks didn’t understand. Why had Dabi stopped?

“I swore I’d never use my flames to hurt my soulmate.” Dabi’s hand grabbed what was left of Hawks’ shirt, hauling him back onto his feet and then shoving him away. “Get out of here. I don’t want to see you anywhere near me ever again.”

Hawks struggled to stay standing. “You know life can’t work that way, Dabi.”

“Why’d you just take the fucking hit, then?!” Dabi hissed in anger. “If you’re going to chase me down or some shit, then you shouldn’t have let me do that!”

“I never said I was going to arrest you! I just meant that we’re likely to run into each other again, no matter what we do. And, well…” Hawks paused, fuck, everything hurt so much right now. “You deserved to have that hit.”

Dabi sneered. “Bastard. Fucking hero trash.”

Hawks gave his soulmate a weak smile. “I’m just trying to help people, Dabi. Same as you.” At least there wasn’t any more smoke coming from the pyro’s mouth. Hell, Hawks had never seen Dabi do that before. “Just… leave the base for today, ok?”

“And let your shitty plan happen? Let you hurt the League?”

Hawks nodded. “It’ll happen no matter what you do.”

Dabi huffed. “Like hell.” Blue eyes stared at him as the villain thought in silence.

What was left of Hawks’ wings twitched under Dabi’s gaze.

“Fine.”

Hawks’ eyes widened.

Had Dabi actually said—

“But only if you come with me.”

What? “I’m supposed to—”

“Fuck that!” Dabi glared at him. “You want me to abandon the League for your damn plan? Then you have to do the same, you shitty chicken!” He paused, visibly reigning in his temper as the flames pulled back around him. “I’m a key part of the League’s offense. The least I can do is distract the number two hero so he can’t help out his friends.”

Hawks stared at his soulmate.

Dabi was trying to compromise. He was actually trying to make this work.

It was more than Hawks had ever hoped for.

“Fine.” Hawks had wanted to capture Twice, but Dabi was more important. He couldn’t let this take his soulmate from him. The mission would succeed without Hawks. It had to.

“And after this, I’m crashing at your place. It’s too convenient for both of us to be gone when this shit hits the fan—they’ll think I’m a spy, too, thanks to you.”

Hawks winced. Well, if that was the case…“I can make the paperwork for that. Set it up as if—”

“I’m not going to be a damn wannabe hero or some shit like that, birdbrain. I have goals and I’m not giving them up.” He paused, shoving his hands in his pockets as he looked away. “And your hero system’s corrupt already, don’t fucking add to it.”

Hawks frowned. That was true, but... Shit, everything hurt. Hawks couldn't think straight. “But you just said the League would think you’re a spy.” And if Hawks’ plan worked, there wouldn’t be a League left for Dabi to return to.

Dabi rolled his eyes. “I know how to convince them otherwise, it’ll just take me a few days and then I’ll be back on Shigaraki’s good side.”

He certainly sounded confident. Well, they’d deal with that when the time came, Hawks supposed. “So we’re going to keep doing this. I’m going to be a hero, and you’re going to be a villain.”

Dabi raised an eyebrow. “I told you this idea was shitty. Don’t back out on me now, hero.” Dabi sneered the last word, but Hawks didn’t care.

Dabi was staying.

He knew Hawks had betrayed them, but he was still staying.

Hawks chirped, his grin bright and, for the first time in a long time, carefree. “Want to go on that date, then?”

Dabi snorted. “You smell like fried chicken. At least take a shower before you ask me. And we couldn't go anywhere public, especially with those burns.”

Hawks pouted. “That’s not my fault!”

“Sure as hell is, birdbrain.” The villain turned to leave the roof, and Hawks trailed after him, every cell protesting the movement.

He supposed Dabi was right. Hawks had pushed him to that anger. He’d betrayed him. “Fine. Will you go on a date with me after I shower, then?”

A long sigh. Dabi opened the door to the stairwell back to their rooms. “I don’t think I have another option at this point.”

Hawks tackled Dabi, balancing them with his wings so they didn’t fall forward down the stairs. “You’re the best.”

“You pull this shit again and we’re done.” Anger laced the edge of Dabi’s voice.

Hawks frowned. “I’m still a hero.”

“I know that, dumbass. But you’re also a damn liar. Tell me shit and don’t fucking betray me, or we’re through. I mean it.”

“Ok.” Hawks rested his head against the villain’s back. His arms tightened around Dabi as they stood at the top of the stairs. “I won’t let you go.”

Dabi sighed again, twisting around and looping his arms around Hawks’ back. “You made that fucking obvious, birdbrain.”

A contented chirp slipped past his lips as Hawks rested his head on Dabi’s shoulder.

Dabi was finally hugging him.

The pyro’s warmth was so comfortable and reassuring. A strong presence that knew Hawks wasn’t perfect, knew he couldn’t save everyone, but still cared for him. Still stayed. A warmth that seeped into Hawks’ bones and let him know he wasn’t alone.

The perfect hug.