Work Text:
Hawks had only one job. Go into the conference room, meet the press, make a statement on Ryu, answer a few questions, and that was it. But of course he found a way to fuck it up.
Let's rewind a little bit- Hawks was supposed to give his official statement on Ryu to introduce him as his son to the press. He'd managed to keep the secret 6 years (somehow) but his big mouth and his concussion betrayed him and finally the secret was out.
He sighted, mentally preparing himself before walking into the conference room. Dabi had already almost roasted him alive when he found out that Hawks opened his big ass mouth and spilled that he was married to another man and that they had a son. But somehow, even that was better than facing the press. Hawks hated the press with every fiber of his being.
Still, he was forced to put a smile on his face as he walked up to the podium. Immediately he was swarmed with questions, but he shut them up with a motion. Finally having a chance to speak, he cleared his throat, a charming smile still on his face.
"I'm sure you all know why I'm here today. And, well, there's really not much I can say now, but I can tell you this: I do have a son, he's 6 years old and his name is Ryu. I've kept him away from the public eye for obvious reasons: as a pro hero, there's always a target on my back, and as such, I did what I could to protect my family for as long as I could. Shouldn't be surprising, I'm not the first hero to do so."
The questions came again, and Hawks started picking reporters to answer to their very nosy questions.
And of course, because it couldn't be any other way, the first question was:
"You mentioned being married too. Who's your son's other dad?"
Smile not vanishing for a single moment, Hawks proceeded to answer.
"Yes, I am in fact married. And I'm sorry, but I'd rather not reveal the identity of my partner."
"Is he a pro hero too?"
Hawks had to fight the sudden urge to laugh right then and there at the mere thought of Dabi as a pro hero.
"No, he is not a pro hero."
He'd rather die fist, Hawks thought but didn't say.
"Mr Hawks! Will you ever reveal his identity?"
"I don't think I will at the moment, since it's all too... Complicated."
"Complicated how?"
Fuck. There it was, Hawks was starting to say stuff he didn't want to say. Scratch that, he was starting to spill details the public could absolutely not know.
"Mr Hawks, when you say complicated, you mean your son's other dad is someone important? A celebrity?"
"Or a villain?" supplied another reporter.
"Villain?" Hawks repeated, smile faltering. Fuck, how were they onto him already?! He hadn't even said anything yet! "Who said anything about a villain?..."
"An ex villain then?"
"Why would revealing his identity be problematic?"
"I never said it would be problematic..."
"You said it would be complicated. Does that mean then that he is, indeed, related to villainy in some way?"
So, of course, Hawks did the only reasonable thing he could:
"No further comment."
And he made his escape from the room, leaving a complete chaos behind.
And of course, Dabi was just ready to actually kill him when he came home that night, because of course Dabi watched the interview to see just exactly how Hawks messed up.
Hawks had waited for the waters to calm down a little bit before actually going in public with Ryu. Needless to say, the internet exploded that night, full of pictures of Hawks with a smiling white haired kid that had small white and blue wings.
And then, that's when chaos set loose. Apparently, someone managed to find an old picture, Hawks remembers the initial chaos it caused. The picture was taken in a somewhat shady part of the city, and it dated a couple of years back. In said picture, you could see Dabi, his burns clear despite the mildly poor lighting, and on his arms, there it was: a fuzzy baby with a white mop of hair.
Everyone lost their shit.
@Hawksbabbydaddy
Dabi is obviously the other dad! Look at that picture, it's the same kid!!!!!
@detectivemctiddies in response to @Hawksbabbydaddy
It could be just coincidental.
@astralmcdoballs
Have y'all considered that maybe Dabi just happened to be babysitting?
@lunaginger in response to @astralmcdoballs
Yeah!!! For all we know, the kid could be from someone else from the league...
@dabidaddy in response to @lunaginger
The league was dismantled, genius. I say it's actually Dabi.
@gaycowboy
Is it even the same baby?? We can't see the face.
@theodore33 in response to @gaycowboy
True, but what are the odds that the baby and Hawks' son both have white hair? And the picture was taken when he should have been a 1 yr old!!
@hairyboots in response to @theodore33 @gaycowboy
Ah yes, it's all coming together.
@astralplane
So like, when is Hawks making the official announcement that Dabi is the dad?
@guitarlover in response to @astralplane
He can't, duh!! He'd get in trouble if he admits it. Dabi was a A-rank villain.
@lalalulu
Can we stop and think how cute this is? A villain and a hero, having a son together... BRB, I'll go find the fanfics
@ninohic
Fr this is the most tragic love story of the century lmao
Dabi groaned as he scrolled through his timeline, finally dropping his phone. Hawks entered the room not too long after, and Dabi glared at him.
Hawks looked confused.
"I just came in and you're already mad, what did I do now?"
"Have you checked Twitter?"
"Uh... No, why?"
"Do it." was all that Dabi said. Nodding, Hawks took his phone, finding the app and entering. Immediately he was swarmed with a million notifications, and when he checked, he noticed what was trending.
#DabiIsTheDad
Well, that wasn't good.
Hawks gulped, scrolling a little bit in order to read some of the things in the tag, and well... It was what it said, almost everyone was already convinced that Dabi was Ryu's dad.
He looked up again, finding that Dabi was still glaring at him.
"Why did you have to screw up at the interview?"
"I didn't! I never said Ryu's other dad was a villain, everyone just assumed..."
"It's still your fault. How the fuck did you managed to convince everyone at the league that you were joining us but you screw up a simple interview?"
"Well, it's your fault too! They wouldn't suspect a thing if it wasn't for you taking Ryu with you on a deal that time!"
"I couldn't just leave him home alone, and I needed that deal! How was I supposed to know some idiot would see me with Ryu and take a picture!?"
"Well, how was I supposed to know the vultures at the press would just jump to assumptions!?"
"You were the one that messed up from the beginning..."
The creek of their bedroom door opening interrupted them, and in walked Ryu, holding his dragon plushie close to his chest. Dabi and Hawks immediately went quiet upon seeing him.
The kid squeezed his plushie even closer to his chest.
"Are you fighting because of me?..."
"What? No, Ryu, baby..." Hawks approached him, taking Ryu up in his arms. The kid just hid his face in Hawks' chest.
"We were just... Discussing something. Grown up stuff."
Ryu stayed silent at Dabi's words, and Hawks walked over to him, sitting next to Dabi with Ryu still in his arms.
"It sounded like you were fighting..."
"Little dragon, listen, we were... Arguing. But it has nothing to do with you."
Ryu finally peaked from his hiding spot in Hawks' chest, facing his parents with big, poofy blue eyes.
"Are you sure?... I know daddy had to tell everyone about me, but that he couldn't tell them about you dad, because you were a villain. If you didn't have me, that wouldn't have happened and you wouldn't be fighting..."
"Hey, Ryu, stop." Dabi interrupted him "That's not true. None of this is your fault."
"Besides..." Hawks proceeded "You're our little bird. How could we ever live without you? You made our lives so much better, Ryu."
"Without you, I would still be a villain. Or maybe your daddy would have arrested me already."
"Yeah, and without you, who knows if your dad and I would have ended up actually together."
Ryu looked at them, still teary eyed.
"But..."
"No buts." Hawks interrupted him this time "This isn't your fault. Actually, it's mine."
"And mine." Dabi admitted.
"But never yours, understood?"
Ryu nodded slightly.
"Now, what if we watch a movie and order some pizza?"
Ryu immediately brightened up at that, giving them one of his happy smiles.
"Can we watch Rio!?"
Dabi laughed, running a hand through Ryu's white hair. "Sure, little bird. Whatever you want."
And just like that, the previous conversation was forgotten and the family was allowed to have some peace. They could think back on the chaos going on outside the walls of their apartment tomorrow, but for that night, it was just the three of them having a good time.
@weedmuffin
Idk if Dabi is the dad or not but like, can you imagine the drama if he actually is??
@picklepie
Fr I can already see the fanfic
@Endeavorstiddies
I'm low-key disappointed the dad is not Endeavor. Like cmon they had so much chemistry!!
@purplepanda in response to @Endeavorstiddies
Endeavor is married tho, and I don't think he's gay
@Endeavorstiddies in response to @purplepanda
Ye, u right. I just wanted sum drama lol
@purplepanda in response to @Endeavorstiddies
Lmao u say that as if Dabi being the dad wasn't dramatic
@Endeavorstiddies in response to @purplepanda
U rite, u rite. Vry dramatic
@ettiquetenah
So like, what's the shipp name?? DabiHawks??
@cloudnerd in response to @ettiquetenah
I bring you... Hot Wings 👀👀
@ettiquetenah in response to @cloudnerd
Holy shit ur an intelectual
@HowWingsStan
Alright y'all guess who my fav hero and fav villain are
@sprite4spite in response to @HotWingsStan
Damn dunno, uh Endeavor and Shigaraki??
@HotWingsStan in response to @sprite4spite
Shit how you knew??
The public's response to finding out that there was a high chance of Dabi being Ryu's dad was far from what Hawks would have expected. He had been sure his popularity was deemed to go down, and plenty of people would judge him for marrying a villain (because people on the internet were smart, and not a single one let it slip how he said "husband" and not "boyfriend"). However, apparently it was the complete opposite.
People all around the country had been moved by the idea of a pro hero falling in love and forming a family with a villain. More so, considering how Dabi disappeared after the battle against the PLF, plenty of people were sure he'd given up villainy too.
Dabi, to be honest, hated how everyone seemed to think he was a softie because he gave up being a villain for his family. It was true he'd done that, yes, but still it was no one's fucking business.
Hawks obviously didn't give any statements on the subject, because it would be just digging himself deeper into this hole.
Besides, there was no telling what would actually happen if he confirmed the theory-right now, that was all it was. A very, very popular theory that everyone seemed to think was true. But what would happen once he actually admitted Dabi was Ryu's other dad?...
It was pure luck that the Commissioner had finally been exposed and fired just that past year. Hawks wasn't the only experiment The Hero Commission had fun playing with, and finally it had all come up to light. It was a big scandal, and it caused quite some changes in hero society. And yes, the new Commissioner was an honest, more transparent woman, but there was still not knowing what she'd do upon finding out about Dabi. Not to mention the HPSC had lost quite some credibility after what they had done, and the new Commissioner was looking to follow rules to a T to prove she was different from her antecesor.
Dabi was a famous villain, after all. One that was never caught and never paid for his crimes.
And there was another thing that surprised not only Hawks, but Dabi too. All over the internet there were people asking for Dabi to not get arrested. Yes, there were still people that claimed that Dabi being Ryu's dad was ridiculous, and people also claiming that the idea of Dabi not facing consequences for his crimes was even more ridiculous, but there was definitely a majority that... Supported him?...
Hawks had been having a bad day. Every single reporter and civilian tried to catch him slipping again, and for him to admit who was actually Ryu's dad. And then, what he thought was the cherry on top of it all: The Commissioner had asked to see him in his office.
Hawks fought the feeling of dread he could feel creeping up on him as he entered the office. There had been quite some changes since the new Commissioner took her place, but that office still held too many bad memories for Hawks. For starters, he was only ever called there when he was in trouble, and this time, he had a feeling it wasn't any different.
The Commissioner greeted him, although she looked serious. Clearly, there was something up.
Hawks politely refused when she offered him to sit down, and then she went straight to the point.
"Hawks, do you know why I called you here?"
Hawks gulped and shaked his head "No, ma'am."
She examined him for a couple of seconds, clearly trying to see if he was lying or not, but she finally continued.
"I'd like to speak with you about the rumors surrounding who's your son's other father."
Hawks went pale.
"O-Oh..."
"So? Is it true?" Hawks didn't need to ask what she meant by that.
"... No, ma'am. It's not."
She examined Hawks closely again. According to what Hawks knew, she had a Quirk that could be used as a lie detector, so he had no idea why he even tried to lie. Finally she seemed to find he was lying, and she put out a small stack of papers and placed it on her desk.
"Well, that's a shame. I was ready to talk with you about offering a deal to Dabi."
"What?" Hawks blurted out. She looked pleased at having successfully picked Hawks' interest.
"Yes." she proceeded, "I'm aware he was a dangerous villain, so I'd like to congratulate you in case you successfully... Tamed him. So, I'm offering him a deal: you can publicly admit he is your son's father, and with some community service and, if he sings some papers and agrees to lend a helping hand to the Commission when needed, the charges against him will be completely dropped."
Hawks was completely speechless.
"I... Uh..."
"There's a few more conditions, of course. But I'm willing to negotiate. However, there's one thing I must insist on..." she grabbed the stack of papers, searching until she found what she was looking for, turning the stack in the direction of Hawks so he could read it, and pointing at something in particular.
"I'd like to know his real identity. Whether you want to make that information public after the deal or not is up to you two, but I need to know exactly who I'm dealing with."
Hawks just couldn't believe it.
"I'd like you to take this home with you and go over it with Dabi. Bring him next time if possible so we can discuss it. That's it, you're dismissed. You have two days to think about it."
Hawks, still more out of himself than he'd like to admit, simply grabbed the stack of papers and nodded, walking out of the place without another word.
"They're what now?" was the first thing Dabi could manage to say once Hawks finished his story.
"Offering you a deal" Hawks repeated "Dabs, if you take this, you can officially go out in public without any sort of trouble. You could... You could go out with me and Ryu. We can have family dinners, go watch a movie together..."
Dabi sighted. This seemed all too good to be true.
"What's the catch?"
"She wants to know who you are. And apparently you'll be called to assist the Commission when needed."
"So what, are they giving me a damn hero license too? Call me to clean up their mess? Fuck that."
Now Hawks sighted.
"Touya, I know how this sounds, believe me, I couldn't believe it either... But we can't pass on this opportunity! This isn't the old Commissioner, and she said she was willing to negotiate, so what's there to think about?"
They both stayed silent for a couple of minutes.
"Alright, so I accompany you to the Commission to negotiate, but let's say I don't take the offer. Then what? Will she arrest me?"
"Tou..." Hawks grabbed Dabi's hand, giving it a light squeeze "I don't think it's so bad that she knows who you are. I mean, even Endeavor knows now. And about you working for the Commission... I admit I don't like it either, but we still don't know exactly what they need you for. Just... Come with me tomorrow to discuss this with the Commissioner, and if it turns out that she's full of bullshit or that she's planning to arrest you, then I'm going to help you fight our way out and we can get Ryu and fly away from here."
"... Fine. I'll do it, I'll go with you. But if it all really goes south, then I'm blaming you and running away with Ryu on my own."
Hawks let go of his hand just so he could playfully shove Dabi's shoulder.
"Rude! I'm his dad too, I deserve to leave with you two!"
Dabi snickered.
"I'll think about it." he replied, earning an indignant huff from Hawks.
After a long, long meeting in private with the Commissioner, and quite some discussion, Dabi had taken the deal and signed. So this was it. He was free.
And now Hawks had called a press meeting for the second time in a month, ready to make it official that Dabi was, indeed, Ryu's dad. The man was practically vibrating on the spot, too nervous and excited to do anything.
And the internet? Well, it was a whole mess since he announced the press meeting...
@Maxx354
The suspense is fcking killing me. i just want to know if he'll announce who the kid's dad is
@HotWingsStan
I'm TELLING y'all RIGHT NOW!! He's announcing Dabi IS the dad!!!!!!
@ledgemummy in response to @HotWingsStan
Lmao no he's not. Fangirls really need to stop reading so much fanfic. Dabi is NOT the dad and even if he was, he ain't just making an announcement about it
@Irisdream in response to @ledgemummy
Maybe you're the one that needs to let people have sum fun dude. It ain't hurting anyone so like, F off
@Dabidaddy
I might actually drop dead if Hawks confirms #DabiIsTheDad
@peterpasta in response to @Dabidaddy
fr I'd have an aneurysm right then and there
... Expectations were high, and well, Hawks was about to give the fans what they wanted.
He strolled into the conference room, and the questions immediately started. Hawks called silence, and once he was allowed to speak, he did so, with a small smile on his face.
"I know all of you have been more than aware of the speculation around who is my son's other dad. And I know about the infamous picture of Dabi with a baby that looks suspiciously a lot like my son. Well, let me tell you, that is indeed Ryu. Someone was supposed to be taking care of him while I was at work, and well... Long story short, said someone had to go out and couldn't leave Ryu alone, so he took him with."
"So... Dabi was babysitting your son?" a very confused reporter asked, causing Hawks to laugh.
"Dabi was supposed to take care of our son for the day, yes. So, to answer the most common question I've gotten lately: yes, Dabi is Ryu's other dad. Oh, and besides, I'd appreciate it if you started referring to him as Touya Todoroki instead."
"T-Touya... Like, the oldest son of Endeavor that was reported dead years ago?" another reporter asked.
Hawks beamed. "Exactly like that! So, newsflash: Touya isn't dead, and he's Ryu's other dad. Now, if you excuse me, I'm off to have a lovely rest of the evening with my son and my husband"
And Hawks left the place, just like that.
@HotWingsStan
HAWKS YOU ABSOLUTE FUCKING UNIT. YOU LEGEND-
@HotWingsStan
I CANNOT BELIEVE IT. I CANT I'M HAVING AN ANNEURYSMFGHG
@Dabidabby
Hawks really just did that huh. What a KING
@gaycowboy in response to @Dabidabby
Didn't you say you'd drop dead if dabi was the dad?
@Dabidabby in response to @gaycowboy
Wdm I'm not writing this from the grave?
@gaycowboy in response to @Dabidabby
Fair enough I guess
@weenyweeb
okay but like, what does this means?? Is Dabi getting arrested or?...
@Hawksstan1 in response to @weenyweeb
I don't think Hawks would actually announce it if it meant Dabi was getting arrested
@HotWingsStan
SO new theory Dabi got a plea deal or sum and he's not getting arrested??
@ellystar in response to @HotWingsStan
honestly at this point I'm willing to belive anything you say, cause you were the one DabiHawks true stan
@HotWingsStan in response to @ellystar
Honestly I'm honored
@HotWingsStan
Am I starting a new religion??? Say... The Hot Wings cult?? 👀
@gaycowboy in response to @HotWingsStan
I'd join
@stra8_2_hell
i still don't buy it.Hawks probably only actually confirmed it to keep the real dads identity a secret
@Shotooficial just posted a new picture.
@HotWingsStan
... Did?.... Did Shoto Todoroki just feed us THAT? DID HE JUST POSTED THE FIRST OFFICIAL HOT WINGS PIC!?
@gaycowboy in response to @HotWingsStan
HE DID. WHAT A KING WOW
@HotWingsStan
GYREGHJ LOOK AT HOW DABI LOOKS AT HAWKS. HE'S SMITTEN
@HotWingsStan in response to @HotWingsStan
AND HAWKS IS LOOKING AT DABI LIKE HE'S THE MOST PRECIOUS THING
@HotWingsStan
I'm sorry @stra8_2_hell were you saying??? Look at that and tell me they're not in love, I dare you
@HotWingsStan
BAHAHA THEY JUST BLOCKED ME I CAN'T--some people can't admit they're wrong huh
@gaycowboy in response to @HotWingsStan
Honestly you're a legend and I love you
@starrystar
Can't belive we all thought Hawks was straight 💀 look at that, he's gay as fuck
@123gore in response to @starrystar
For real idk how anyone thought he was straigh
@Dabistan
un hello?? Dabi with red hair?? HELLO!?
@Dabistan
Fuck my old username, I'm Dabi's whore now
@OfficialHawks in response to @Dabistan
Sorry, but that title is already taken by me ;)
@Dabistan in response to @OfficialHawks
FAIR ENOUGH SIR HAVE A GOOD NIGHT-
@hairyboots
Can you believe Hawks just called himself Dabi's whore?? This man is a fucking legend and I stan
@platypusplus
Guys look at Dabi. His burns look so healthy and the staples are gone y'all know what that means???
@platypusplus in response to @platypusplus
Y'ALL REALIZE WHAT IT MEANS!?! Hawks probably helped him treat his burns 😭✌🏻
@lilysboner
Well shit waddaya know, Dabi looks a FUCKTON like Endeavor with his natural red hair
@wantadonut
love how everyone is talking about dabi and hawks fucking and yet no one is talking about dabi being endeavors son
Hawks sorted, scrolling through his timeline and watching everyone lose their shits about the press conference. Dabi, next to him, leaned in to see the screen as well.
"Seems like everyone took it well."
"Yeah." Hawks laughed, bright and lively, just like Dabi loved, before showing his screen to him.
@Endeavorstiddies
Huh. So I got the wrong Todoroki, I was convinced it was Enji.
Dabi laughed too, more so at the username than anything, and then Ryu came barreling into them, jumping up into their laps.
"Hey, little bird!" Hawks greeted him, putting his phone away to hug Ryu, causing him to giggle.
"Hey, lil dragon." Dabi greeted as well, ruffling his son's hair.
The three of them started chatting away, Ryu comfortably sitting on Dabi's lap with his legs spread into Hawk's lap. Plenty of people at the restaurant eyed them warily, Shoto, Natsuo, Rei and Fuyumi were chatting too. Some people even took some pictures of them, and needless to say, the internet had quite a field trip with the pictures of Hawks, Dabi and Ryu.